best hire places?

[Lenishta]

Hello, my daughter and I are just starting bushwalking, and planning some overnight trips. I am looking for some hire places with reasonable prices for good gear -the idea being I will soon work out what works for us so I can start to accrue my own with the right stuff. Any suggestions gratefully received cheers

[Suz]

buy 2nd hand?

[Lenishta]

Thats something im looking at - but even second hand a good tent or bag is dear if its a mistake. I have been watching the marketplace on here like a hawk

[andrewp]

Outsports in Moorabbin hires equipment. They do a lot of schools so have a good range. If you purchase it later they deduct the hire fee from the price.

Also Bogong in Little Bourke St, if that's more convenient for you.

[Tortoise]

Some bushwalking clubs have gear for hire for members at pretty low cost iirc. You should be able to look at a bunch of different gear and get some ideas re what would be most appropriate for you. You might not want to go that way, of course.

[Lenishta]

Thank you - I looked up Bogong last night and they seemed like a very reasonable option. I am in process of joining a club (Maroondah) and doing the two walks to start - I just don't know if they hire to members for outside trips - I noticed Melbourne bushwalkers didn't - had to be a club walk and with a daughter doing exams and myself a shift worker that's not always going to work.

thanks for you help

[pastavore]

http://www.holiak.com.au/index.html

I have bought some ex-hire equipment from these guys for very very reasonable prices.

Nice people, easy to deal with.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

Bear in mind that if you want to hike and camp all year round in VIC you will need a 4 seasons tent, a warm sleeping bag and sleeping mat , decent boots and a good pack each . Buying a trangier ( methylated spirits stove ) is a good idea.

[icefest]

Making your own soda can stove is easy too - and it'll be the lightest overnight stove you'll find anywhere.

[JohnStrider]

Gumtree is your friend.

[MacMan]

+1 for hire from Bogong. From memory they also have a policy of a rebate if you hire a particular pack from them and decide to buy a new one.

[earthgrace]

Not sure about VIC, but here one of the major track foundations offers rentals.

[Lenishta]

Thank you again for the help - greatly appreciated I am slowly learning and spending a lot of time on here reading threads MY hope is to get it too a couple of items and then sit off here and gumtree until I find them - failing which sit off the sales. bogong looks very reasonable and Ill look at all the sites over the coming days .- we are heading off in two weeks to do an overnighter at wilsons Prom as our start Feeling excited -

[earthgrace]

That's a good approach Have fun!

Re "but even second hand a good tent or bag is dear if its a mistake": Perhaps, but you''ll learn from it (what do you like/dislike, why is it unsuitable). Unless it's a disaster, e.g. very inappropriate for the weather, you can keep it to benefit from until you choose your next model, then sell it on. Of course, you can learn heaps from renting/borrowing gear too

[+dj_hansen+]

If you're in the Maroondah area, Ajays in Heathmont have hire, and Paddy Pallin in Ringwood possibly do to

[Lenishta]

This has been fantastic -thank you - im taking the advice on board and bought a second hand tent and one down sleeping bag from holiak -I already know the tent will be to heavy for long treks but at $70 for a 4season to start it will be a great learner. Im getting price list from moorabin -and know will chase heathmont as thats really handy - greatly appreciated