Bushwalk Australia

Hi guys,

I would like to my partner on her third overnight hike during the upcoming long weekend in October. We are hoping to do the Torres del Paine Circuit and Machu Picchu trek while in South America in a year's time so thought we should start preparing slowly with shorter multi-day hikes. Previously we hiked in Annapurna (5 days but no camping) and recently did the Coastal Walk in June. My queries as follows:

1) Are there any 2-3 day hikes around NSW that can be recommended? I was considering to do the Six Foot Track next weekend however partner is petrified of snakes so any other suggestions would be appreciated as well (including in Kosciuszko National Park).
2) Can't decide which of below hike to go for during Easter next year: I) Great Ocean Walk II) Overland Track III) Milford + Routeburn Track. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Did the Six Foot Track a month ago and didnt see one snake (not the time of year for them of course). If you're worried about snakes I would have thought the 6 Foot Track is actually a good choice as a large portion of it is open 4wd tracks so much easier to see and avoid snakes. Also (depending on direction) some good uphill sections for training purposes.

Hi Protik,

I did the 'W' in Torres del Paine earlier this year and I trained using the Great North Walk. It can easily be broken in shorter multi-day hikes and it is easily accessible for weekend hiking. The section from Berowra - Berowra Waters - Cowan - Brooklyn is excellent and there are camping grounds, big bonus being the pub at the end!! One of my travel buddies swears that the Berowra to Cowan section is tougher than anything we did in Torres del Paine or Los Glaciares Parque in Argentina. As far as question 2 I have done the Great Ocean Walk and it is spectacular and great endurance training if done over 5 days.

Onto snakes...I agree with LandSailor the wider and more open the track the less chance you will have coming face to face with the horrid things. I had the unfortunate experience of coming across a rather large red belly black today in the Watagans on another segment of the GNW.

the 6 foot track is basically a walk past farms on dirt roads. If you like being in the bush and are reasonably competent with a map & compass there are much better 2-3 days bushwalks in the blue mountains, e.g. http://bushwalkingnsw.com/walk.php?nid=237

BTW I saw my first 2 snakes this weekend (red belly blacks) out at Kanangra - the heat has brought them out early this year

msrj wrote:I did the 'W' in Torres del Paine earlier this year and I trained using the Great North Walk.

Hi mate, just wondering what time of the year did you do the W treak? I was thinking about completing circuit by mid April initially but not too sure about the weather. Cheers

I did it early to mid March and we were 2-3 weeks off what they say is the end of season. We had stunning weather, clear blue skies, t-shirts on while hiking, as soon as you stopped for a break you needed jackets. So I would say you will be on the cusp. I would love to go back and do the complete 'O' circuit one day.

Hey protik,

Unfortunately for your partner, there are not going to be ANY bushwalks in Australia where there's no risk of snakes. So, if you're going to train in Australia, you risk seeing snakes. Try to reassure her that you won't see them often, and even if you do they shouldn't trouble you unless you're trying to trouble them. Otherwise, New Zealand. Frankly, I am more scared of wandering vicious dogs, drunk drivers and late night taxi-rank queues here in the suburbs than snakes on bushwalks.

Wildwalks.com.au (no connection) is probably the best resource for bushwalks in NSW - you can browse those suggested walks then come back to this site for fine tuning of your choices.

If you're training for those hikes you probably want hills and mountains - Blue Mountains recommended.

Skibug.

skibug wrote: there are not going to be ANY bushwalks in Australia where there's no risk of snakes.

I'd argue that there are no snakes out when it snows.

Here's what you do. Catch yourself a Brown snake, defang it and whilst your missus lays in slumber, stealthly unzip the tent fly and throw the serpent on top of her. This is know as the "face you fears" technique.

There will 2 be outcomes to this method A) Your wife will have conquered her fears and owe you a great debt or B) From that point on you will cease to actually have a wife and your newly single status will afford you the luxury to tramp when and where you like....Win/win?

msrj wrote:Onto snakes...I agree with LandSailor the wider and more open the track the less chance you will have coming face to face with the horrid things. I had the unfortunate experience of coming across a rather large red belly black today in the Watagans on another segment of the GNW.

In 30 years of bushwalking, I have seen by far the most frequently tails disappearing into the bush. I have also seen snakes sleeping on the side of the track, on an old mattress near a hut, fornicating in the middle of the track, and even stepped over them a few times unwittingly. I have never seen one attempt to strike, or do anything but try to get away as fast as it could.

In fact, unless she is really alert, your partner will probably not notice any.

And of course, there is the old and reassuring advice to step heavily so they know you are coming and can get out of the way.