5 Essentials for Aussie Bushwalking

The Land Down Under is not only Melbourne, Sydney or The Great Ocean Road – this magnificent country offers so much more, and it’s a haven for everyone who’s up for different challenges. One such is the Aussie bushwalking, which is basically hiking and walking throughout the wilderness of Australia. Hundreds and hundreds of people opt for this step every year, making this activity one of the most interesting and bold ones that you can do in Australia. However, if you’re considering this, make sure that there are certain rules. Rule number one: always tell your landlord or the manager of your hotel/hostel/motel that you’re about to go bushwalking, as you don’t want for them to think you’re missing if you don’t come back to your room for a night or two. Another important rule is that you should have a checklist of things to take with you apart from the hiking equipment – as this is everything but a regular walk or a hike. Take a look at the essentials that you always need to have with you.

Navigation

As far as navigation is concerned, make sure that you have a map and a compass every single minute of your bushwalking. Of course, you probably have a map or a compass on your smartphone, but don’t depend on them as your battery might die at some point of your bushwalking. Always have a tangible navigation pack as a backup. The map you bring with you should be topographic since you’re about to embark on an unknown terrain and you want to make sure that you know what lies ahead. Another tip: if you find a compass with a mirror, take that as this can serve as a great tool for flashing sunlight at helicopters in case of need.

Sun Protection

The sun in Australia is very strong, even when it doesn’t seem like it. Protecting yourself from the sun is a must, so pack sunglasses, a sunscreen and a lot of water in case of dehydration. As far as sunglasses are concerned, you want high-quality ones in order to protect you from radiation in the best possible way. Moreover, always have sunscreen in your backpack, and make sure that you use it even when it’s cloudy. Sunrays can penetrate through the clouds making them equally harmful. Finally, since you need to hydrate a lot, it would be an excellent idea to bring a nice 2 litre water bottle, or even a couple (depending on how much you will be bushwalking). In order not to drink everything at once, allocate yourself a couple of sips every now and then.

Extra Food

It’s always a good idea to prepare extra food in case things go bad and bad weather or an injury slows you down. In this instance, you will have to spend time in your tent (which we did not include in this list as it’s a no brainer and you should always have one in your backpack), and you’ll probably get hungry. Bear in mind that finding food while bushwalking is a difficult endeavor, and you definitely don’t want to spend the whole day hunting, making fire and cooking.

First Aid

You might not even need this, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Having a first-aid kit and knowing how to use it is important for every hike, let alone the Aussie bushwalking as you never know what this amazing wilderness can come up with to mess with your body. It should include all the essentials – treatment for blisters, adhesive bandages of various sizes, gauze pads and pain medication.

Extra Clothes

You can never rely on the weather, especially in the backcountry. Things can get wet, chilly or windy, so it’s always a good idea to prepare some extra clothes – jackets and raincoats especially. Also, make sure to have an extra pair of underwear and extra socks. These are things that we take for granted while hiking but can really help us out.

Even though this is not the whole list, these are definitely the five essentials that you need to have with you always. Aussie bushwalking is such a great experience that you have to experience at least once in your lifetime, especially if you’re up for an adventure, so make sure to make the best out of it, and come fully prepared!