Where/When To Take Children Bushwalking

[whynotwalk]

My earlier thread http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=7409 has brought up some good questions. Where would you go on your first overnight walks with children? And at what age would you start taking them on overnight walks?

Of course there are lots of variables, but my experience with my own children, (which is fading into memory, as they're all now adults) was:

* We started with an overnight tent stay on Mt Wellington (towards Thark Ridge). We cooked over a fire and slept in a tent. The kids were probably 5 yo and up.
* We took them on a few long (for them) day walks (such as South Cape Bay, or Dove Lake to Kitchen Hut). We got them to carry a backpack, just to get them used to it.
* Our first "wilderness" adventure was a trip into the Walls of Jerusalem with the older two (aged ca. 8 and 11). We got a good forecast, and spent two nights in there. They've never forgotten it - so much so that the youngest (who was 5 yo, and missed out) begged me to take her in there some years later. And last summer she went back, this time to show her husband that wonderful place
* A less "fun" experience was when my wife and I took all three children up to Shadow Lake. Our food took hours to cook because I'd frozen it, the children bickered incessantly, and we were flooded out by an enormous thunderstorm.

So it hasn't been all sweetness and light ... but we're all still walking. And we can now laugh about Shadow Lake

What do others reckon?

cheers

Peter

[Phil]

Hey Peter

This is a good thread.

As I mentioned in the other thread; in this past 12 months I have started taking my son on some overnight walks; in November to Lees Hut just after he turned 6 years old, and then to Scott Kilvert Hut at Easter time. Both times we stayed in the huts but carried a tent. I act as the 'pack mule' (as I guess all us Dad's are all too familiar with!!), Zac carries a back-pack with some snack foods and a few bits and pieces but really not much weight at all.

The enthusiasm seems to keep him going although he did start to tire in the last 20% of the walk on both occasions. Both times all it took was a short break and a pack of lollies and he bounced back into action; so much so that he was dragging me along! (me and my weighty pack)

The one thing that stood out to me and my wife the most though (she came on the walk to Lees Paddocks) was how extraordinarily well Zac handled the walk to Lees Paddocks. We had completely underestimated his strength/energy, his ability, and his determination especially. It was an amazing learning experience for us as parents and we have some memories on that trip that we will never forget.

I look forward to the many years to come with my kids - who hopefully will all be keen to get out on the track with me!!

Phil

[Son of a Beach]

We started taking them on overnighters from just a few months old, but made sure it was going to be easy. Well, tried. It was still difficult to carry two kids and two full packs to the Scout Hut at Cradle Mtn, but it was a short walk, and the hut is well equipped so that reduced how much we had to carry (and made room for some of the baby stuff).

We've done that one with the kids twice now.

I've also taken the eldest into Lees Paddocks for her first overnighter in a tent (at 4 years old). Actually, that's not true - both kids had an overnighter in the tent a year earlier than that (1 y.o. and 3 y.o.), but that was only at Fergies Paddock (Lake St Clair) which is only a 10 minute walk, so it hardly counts. But they did both fit into a one-person tent with room to spare!

[Graham51]

We started ours off when they were about 2 years old to places like Wineglass Bay, Hazards Beach, and as they got older Shadow Lake, South Cape Rivulet and similar places. The Ida Bay train provided an easy access to good camnping at Deep Hole and then a pleasurable walk to Southport lagoon and the monument to the sunken convict ship - forgotten its name. One time we walked up the beaches near Edystone Point towards Mt William Park for a couple of nights, By the time my youngest was about 10 we walked into The Walls from Lake Ada. Of course the lakes closer = Theresa Lagoon, Lake Fanny - would make great destinations for 1 or 2 nights. There are lots of places and the destination and age will depend on the independence of the children and how much gear the adults are able and prepared to carry. Whatever you do it leads to great and memorable experiences for the children and the adults.

[Size 11]

G,day Guys.
Good luck even trying to get my kids to walk!
I took them fishing to Bobbin Head as a guise, but they knew what I was up too. They even had the hide to ask for a lift to the toilet block/kiosk, which was 2 rock throws away from where we were fishing.
The only way to get them walking is to take them to the city, or other areas where one and ones money are easily parted. There, they will gladly walk all day, and continuosly whinge and moan about thirst and hunger.

Cheers Jez

[taswegian]

Jez that made me smile.

That said - Start 'em young - even before they are born.
Our days with 'the kids' started in the Flinders Ranges while they were just a rather large 'bump'. Camping and living rough.
Then when they arrived we headed north carting nappies with us for a couple of months doing the National Park drag, staying in an A frame tent or in the back of a Holden Panel van.

The family grew to 4 and we took off in a minibus and another National Park crawl again north and also Grampians area.
Where we went they did too and sleeping in bags and tents and carting a little pack was par for the course.
Precious moments with young lives living freely in the great outdoors following dad around taking countless photos.
(I remember the orchids in Q'land and how I would be down on my knees, head down bum up and then along comes the 18 month old and picks the very flowers I was trying to photograph and presents them to me with such a satisfied grin. What can you say?)

Tassie walks probably started with an Easter stay in our tent at Asbestos National Park, as it was back then, and of course the Bunny came, along with countless real live rabbits, wombats and an odd snake or 2.

First real bushwalking night out was Blue Peak when twins were about 4 or 5?, where I quickly learnt life without mummy at night is something very important to little minds. Not the best induction to 'real bushwalking' - for young ones (well one of them).

Walks then progressed to our middle daughter and our son when many cherished years were had in the Walls and Lees Paddocks area, central Reserve, Freycinet.
They were very precious times and still are as we talk about our exploits in the great outdoors.

Like Phil says - even at a very tender age they have an energy and determination that can defies our logic.
Enjoy the moments while you can
Richard

[roguetrooper]

I believe like schooling it starts in the home. It is 90% attitude and 10% slog. I have always approached challenges and adventures with a positive attitude and look at why you can do things rather than why they can't be done.

My daughter (now 13) and I have for the past 18 months taken up rogaining and regularly compete in 6hr, 12hr and 15hr-in-24hr events. We try our hardest and enjoy all aspects of the challenge - doing it together, the wilderness, competing, physical challenge and winning. We have also done a few 4-night hikes in the Barrington's and Blue Mountains. Four weeks ago we completed the Kakoda Track in PNG.

My point is I set a positive expectation and then we go out and do it. I treat her like an adult in these situations, asking for her opinion in tricky situations, sharing the camp setup-break down, cooking, etc. She carries some of the load.

At the end of a hard days hiking nothing beats sitting around the camp fire with your children, enjoying each others company and quality time.

[Size 11]

Jez that made me smile.

That said - Start 'em young - even before they are born.
Our days with 'the kids' started in the Flinders Ranges while they were just a rather large 'bump'. Camping and living rough.
Then when they arrived we headed north carting nappies with us for a couple of months doing the National Park drag, staying in an A frame tent or in the back of a Holden Panel van.

The family grew to 4 and we took off in a minibus and another National Park crawl again north and also Grampians area.
Where we went they did too and sleeping in bags and tents and carting a little pack was par for the course.
Precious moments with young lives living freely in the great outdoors following dad around taking countless photos.
(I remember the orchids in Q'land and how I would be down on my knees, head down bum up and then along comes the 18 month old and picks the very flowers I was trying to photograph and presents them to me with such a satisfied grin. What can you say?)

Tassie walks probably started with an Easter stay in our tent at Asbestos National Park, as it was back then, and of course the Bunny came, along with countless real live rabbits, wombats and an odd snake or 2.
Cheeers, I totally ruined my response.


First real bushwalking night out was Blue Peak when twins were about 4 or 5?, where I quickly learnt life without mummy at night is something very important to little minds. Not the best induction to 'real bushwalking' - for young ones (well one of them).

Walks then progressed to our middle daughter and our son when many cherished years were had in the Walls and Lees Paddocks area, central Reserve, Freycinet.
They were very precious times and still are as we talk about our exploits in the great outdoors.

Like Phil says - even at a very tender age they have an energy and determination that can defies our logic.
Enjoy the moments while you can
Richard

[Size 11]

I believe like schooling it starts in the home. It is 90% attitude and 10% slog. I have always approached challenges and adventures with a positive attitude and look at why you can do things rather than why they can't be done.

My daughter (now 13) and I have for the past 18 months taken up rogaining and regularly compete in 6hr, 12hr and 15hr-in-24hr events. We try our hardest and enjoy all aspects of the challenge - doing it together, the wilderness, competing, physical challenge and winning. We have also done a few 4-night hikes in the Barrington's and Blue Mountains. Four weeks ago we completed the Kakoda Track in PNG.

My point is I set a positive expectation and then we go out and do it. I treat her like an adult in these situations, asking for her opinion in tricky situations, sharing the camp setup-break down, cooking, etc. She carries some of the load.

At the end of a hard days hiking nothing beats sitting around the camp fire with your children, enjoying each others company and quality time.

Keep it up U, I agree with your thoughts n percentages and equations.
Time spent with mine! think again!

[Size 11]

Anyway!
They will be snow boarding in a couple of weeks time, but I wont Ha ha Haaa!

[Drifting]

We started ours in a hiking frame, as soon as she was old enough to keep her head up and tolerate the weather (less than 1 yr, but I don't fully remember how old.)

First overnighter- 5yo.

[baldhead]

Peter this is a good thread, enjoyed your story and reading everyone’s post. Great Stuff.

First off mainly car camping in National Parks.
We started with a few short day walks here in WA when the kids were 3, 4 yr's climbing some of the lesser peaks in the Stirling ranges ie Mt Hassell, Porongurup Ranges and local Albany walks. Taking a child carrier was a great way for the youngest to mix up walking and resting.
Age 5 we started overnight trips, approx 4-5k day. Mainly the Southern half of Bibbulmun track, luxury of 3 sided huts and reliable water source. Most of our walks are 2-3 days, one 4 day trip. Plenty of snacks, muesli bars, and of course lollies are good to keep us all going, particularly when tired.

Our best family trip to date was last year to Cairns thanks to frequent flyer points.
We stopped and camped at Uluru on the way, day walking in the Valley of the Winds and around parts of Uluru. We then headed over to Cairns and down to Hinchinbrook Island for 4 days , walking the southern half of The Thornsborne trail, Zoe Bay to Pt George. It was a magic trip, beautiful environment, warm, lots of swimming and importantly lots of time together as a family enjoying the moment.

A WA family walked the Bibbulumun from Kalamunda (Perth) to Denmark (near Albany) approx 900km over 2 months with kids aged 4,8,11 link to audio story if interested
http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2011/ ... southcoast

Cheers,
Carl

[steveh72]

I would also suggest Lees Hut, another overnighter I did with the kids (8.yo & 10 y.o) was starting at Devils Kitchen and walking down to waterfall bay and camping at the waterfalls, if you started at the Waterfall bay carpark, the walk would only be 3km tops each way and you get great views from the cliffs.

Cheers

Steve

[tas-man]

We took our three children on day walks, usually with another family with similar aged children, which made it all the more exciting for all the children. We carried the gear and lunches when they were younger, and they shared some of the load when they were older.We also carried them in a baby backpack before they were walking. I too remember being surprised at the stamina and ability of children to cover significant distances, providing the attitude is positive and encouraging, and the party moves at a pace that suits the children. Our eldest son at age 2 was still able to fit into our baby backpack, but I remember the occasion where he insisted on walking a couple of kilometres and not wanting to get back into the backpack. He wanted to do the walk himself! The memories of my kids discovering the flora and fauna around them in new and fresh ways still brings warm fuzzy memories back. Here's some 20 year old slides I recently scanned of one of our family day walks in Lamington National Park.

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