Trip Preparation

It is a privilege to go to the Tasmanian bush and a privilege is never without obligation, which is best expressed in a Minimum Impact Code.
The wilderness of Tasmania should be treated with caution and respect. Many unwary walkers have lost their lives by taking the wilderness too lightly. Proper pre-planning of your trip is essential:

• Familiarise yourself with the area. Study maps and route guides, ask experienced bushwalkers about track conditions and campsites.
• Work up to it Train your body by doing shorter day and overnight walks first--many rescues involve knee and ankle injuries that could have been avoided with better preparation.
• Plan your party size. Four is optimal for safety (if someone is injured there is one person to stay with the injured person and two to go for help). If you travel alone take extra care and stay on the more frequently used tracks. Avoid walking in large parties; these have a greater environmental impact and tend to become socially unwieldy. Eight should be considered the maximum.
• Make sure you are well equipped.
• Leave a walk plan with trustworthy friends, relatives or the police. Remember to register in the logbooks at the start of the track and don't forget to de-register at the end.
• Pre-planning to minimise the impact of your walk is also essential. Remember to take:

  • a hand trowel for burying faecal waste;
  • a fuel stove and fuel to use instead of a campfire;
  • gaiters so you can walk comfortably through boggy tracks and
  • a good quality tent with sewn-in floor and tentpoles to minimise damage at campsites.