Bushwalk Australia

Hi,

I'd like to take my girlfriend on her second ever overnight hike. I've hiked a fair bit, but don't want to put her off with anything remotely scrambly, that involves scrub-bashing, or brutal changes in elevation. I've never hiked in NSW (lots in Vic and SW Tas), so am looking for suggestions for a 5-7 day trip in November. Only thought so far was the 7 day circuit hike north of Mt Jagungal that Chapman describes in the old Lonely Planet Bushwalking in Australia, which he grades as medium due to off-track navigation through alpine meadows. I'm happy navigating, but a few posts on Jagungal on this forum seem to suggest the scrub is not quite so mild as pretty alpine meadows would suggest! Any other tips?

Many thanks for any advice,

Seamus.

Seamus wrote:I'd like to take my girlfriend on her second ever overnight hike. ...<snip>... Any other tips?

Perhaps taking her on some easy-medium 2 or 3 day bushwalks beforehand? If your girlfriend is not enjoying it, 5-7 days might be an eternity...

There's no real scrub involved in getting up Jagungal unless you take the wrong line from the old Farm Ridge Homestead site up to the ridge, or try going up from Bogong Creek. And even then it's just thin bands. Besides, there's a walking track up Jagungal from the Grey Mare FT.
You could easily put together a 7 day circuit from Round Mountain that sticks to the firetrails, with maybe a few sidetrips for summits and other areas of interest. Check all the maps of the area, and just remember that the Stromlo FT that goes over the northern section of the Grey Mare Range to join up with the Dargalls FT is pretty thoroughly overgrown. Otherwise, it's all open easy walking.

Tom, I'd quite like to take her on a week long trip, as I think it's quite a different experience than a shorter one, and I'd rather pick the right hike to make sure she does enjoy it (she loved 3 days' hiking around Wilson's Prom).

Thanks NNW, what you're describing is pretty similar to the track notes I have from Chapman, so I'm glad to hear you describe it as easy open walking. I think vicious laceration by scrub is probably not the ideal intro to longer walking!

I'm not saying don't do it, just that there's 4 months netween now and November to do some more overnight walking. The 7 day walk doesn't need to be her second one.

The Great Ocean Walk is a great introduction to longer overnight walking. The whole thing takes 8 days from memory.

There are water tanks at the campsites every night, flattened tent pads, and the toilets have exquisite views.

Some ideas (though maybe you are only looking at area around Kosciuszko?):

Great North Walk
Yuragir Coastal Walk
Washpool Gibraltar World Heritage Walk
Mittagong to Katoomba

We have just printed our latest book - Take A Walk in Southern NSW & the ACT. It has a whole heap of overnight walks that your girl friend would like, including the complete Hume and Hovell Walking Track. We will get the stock next week!
Also, our book Take A Walk in Kosciuszko National Park has a heap of excellent multi day walks that won't break her back - or break the spirit.
Check it out at www.takeawalk.com.au
Within a few days we'll be announcing a competition where everyone who buys a copy or the new NSW book will go into a draw to win a paid of Scarpa boots.
Cheers
John

second NNW, jagungal is pretty tame though most of the walking itself is not that interesting unless you get snowed on

If you are keen on Kosciouszko maybe try a little further north than Jagungal, I have taken a few novices there with varying success. I would say the success depends on fitness levels as the Jagungal area does have some decent hills.

One area you may wish to explore is around Currango, check out the AAWT books which will show a few really nice walks along some open plains. Some great huts too. You could even spent a night or two at either caves house or Currango homestead to finish.

If you are keen on Kosciouszko maybe try a little further north than Jagungal, I have taken a few novices there with varying success. I would say the success depends on fitness levels as the Jagungal area does have some decent hills.

One area you may wish to explore is around Currango, check out the AAWT books which will show a few really nice walks along some open plains. Some great huts too. You could even spent a night or two at either caves house or Currango homestead to finish.