Help with the missus!

[davidm]

Hi all,

Long time stalker, first time poster. First up, thanks for all the help you've collectively given me. I'm just rediscovering my love of the Aussie bush and this site has been invaluable in organising gear etc.
MasterCard would also like to extend its thanks, as I've spent a small fortune over the last few months!

I'm keen on getting my wife out into the bush with me on an overnighter, and she's agreed to give it a go. She's normally a 5-star hotel kind of girl, and doesn't have a particularly active lifestyle, so it's taken a bit of persuasion to get this far! I've taken her on a few day trips so far, but the last one (National pass, wentworth falls track) has turned her off a bit because of the difficulty fitness wise.

So my question is, where would you recommend as a try-me-and-be-sold-for-life first time walk? I'm thinking:
- Within an hour or so drive of Parramatta (25km west of Sydney)
- Easy enough that it won't turn her off (I'm gonna be carrying the pack I think!)
- Beautiful views etc
- Some basic level of facilities.

I'm thinking the Otford to Bundeena is probably the only walk I've done that is suitable for her, but I'm hoping there may be some other suggestions from in here.

Thanks!

David

[wayno]

its hard yacka in the middle of summer esp or anyone with marginal fitness. it just makes it harder for them to cope on hot days... avoid taking her on trips on the hotter days. , aim for something with good tree cover in warmer weather...

[Wollemi]

If she has agreed to give it a go, try car-based camping first - that is to use the bushwalking sleeping mat and tent, but camp by the car. Yerranderie comes to mind, but not at this time of year.

If she is unfit, forget overnight bushwalking. This may be cancelled out by a try-me-and-be-sold-for-life first time walk... The Main Range, and your own suggestion of Otford to Bundeena being the only two walks in Summer that your non-too-active wife may appreciate. Kosciuszko is, of course, not within an hour of Sydney.

Would it be possible to do something like Mt-Ku-ring gai rail station - Apple Tree Bay - Bobbin Head, then a taxi out to a B&B up the hill at Turramurra, next day Bobbin Head - Apple Tree Bay - Berowra rail station?

I live in Richmond, and have driven to Berowra on three successive weekend days to take my partner on parts of the GNW. She loved it all, and slept in her own bed at night.

On the very hot Saturday of December 1, I suggested grabbing kayaks and paddling the length of the Lane Cove river. We were both thrilled by the absence of crowds, and the availability of a swim; she expressed doubt, and I made certain I had a tow-rope (it has been used on the Colo, but she has gotten stronger, but I think this is more mental than physical). Similar for Cattai Ck a year ago - I chose to run back for the car then.

Don't get carried away by seeking out cool places. I have twice had women cry mid-trip about the difficulties of canyoning while on a lilo trip in the Wollangambe, even in full-length wetsuits and on lilos. Yet they still reminisce about the 'fantastic' experience(s).

Forgetting the map, then forgetting to photograph street directory to walk 5.5km Lapstone rail - Glenbrook Gorge - car at Glenbrook village last Sunday saw me wear an earful, although I have walked the route (and variants) previously. She was very concerned at the electrical storm, which I enjoyed, and we had to utilise one of many overhangs to stay out of the heavy rain; the rock dried quickly. Yet she thoroughly enjoyed so much of it, afterwards...


NB; David, must you tell us where Parramatta - the second oldest settlement in our country, and having a prominent thugby league team in the NRL - is located?

[Wollemi]

Channelling Wolfix! There has been a reference of David calling his wife 'the missus'. Please chasten him loudly and at length, won't you? With best of regards otherwise.

[Lindsay]

Hi David. A section of the Great North Walk, maybe Galston Gorge to Crosslands would be a fairly gentle introduction for someone who is just getting into walking and has yet to build up fitness (will require a car shuttle). Check out the Wildwalks site for lots of other suggestions. There's bound to be something there that will suit you. http://www.wildwalks.com/

[Tortoise]

Hi David,

Hard to have

a try-me-and-be-sold-for-life first time walk

with the restrictions you mention.

Bring her to Tassie! That's what sold me for life though i confess i spent my childhood dreaming about it...

The Colo River (Meroo i think) fits most of your criteria
http://www.wildwalks.com/camping-in-nsw ... round.html
It's not spectacular, but is nice, with a few other benefits. It's one step up from a car-camp, but - unless the website is out of date etc - good facilities (long drop, day shelter and ?BBQ), lovely bit of river, 2.5km ish walk, flat and easy unless it's changed in the past 20 years. It was the first overnight walk I did with Chronic Fatigue, had a sleep along the way. Not far for you to carry a massive pack.

I did have Wollemi's thought re the Snowy Mtns. Bit more than an hour but... maybe you could take a few days and combine it with a bit of luxury on the way home?? The main range is speccie (was it south ramshead with the awesome view on the Where-is-it-Aussie game on this site?) No facilities other than your trowel but in good weather, it's hard to beat. Or you could walk in to a hut - less speccie, but more luxury, likely to be more positive for a non-outdoor person. When it's stinky hot elsewhere, it's more likely to be low 20s higher up in the mountains, so good potential for a pleasant summer walk - if you have stable weather forecast. (Otherwise it could be a turn-off-for-life experience instead.)

All the best to you both.

[davidm]

Thanks for the tips ppl. Will definitely try avoid the really hot days.

Ill check out some of those walks suggested and hopefully get her out there in the next few weeks!

[WarrenH]

Would a drive to Canberra be out of the question?

There is a walk called the Settlers Walk, that is about 10 kilometres long in the Southern ACT. You would be looking at a 4 hr drive, each way.

The walk is a circuit on a walking track, taking in three High Country huts. Each of the huts has good tank water. Being in snow grass country amongst the Snow Gums, Candle Barks and Black Sallees, the days are cooler than around Sydney.

My idea of trying to win someone over to bushwalking is, giving them a fantastic location, not having to share a campsite with others, plenty of solitude, the time spent not hauling water and not walking them off their feet ... and the huts are well restored, they have good history and are unique and the walk provides plenty of photo opportunities and wildlife.

Warren.