By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Many of us only see the true wilds of Australia in photos or on television these days, being as urbanised as we are.
But for members of Geelong Bushwalking Club nothing’s like the real thing.
The group ranges far and wide to find those breathtaking natural beauty spots that restore and renourish the soul.
It’s the ultimate getaway from general day-to-day stresses, with no cars, phones or noise, leaving hikers tired but fulfilled and mentally refreshed.
Club president Paul Byrnes said members experienced parts of Australia they would never see otherwise.
“We’re talking about places you can’t get to any other way, spots that really enhance the wilderness experience,” Paul said.
The group has completed extended walks of Larapinta Trail near Alice Springs, rugged north-west Tasmania, the Grampians, Gippsland and even across the ditch in New Zealand.
“We organise walks ranging from a few hours to weekend walks or extended walks for a week or more where we carry a pack, set up a base camp and do day walks from there,” Paul explained.
Bushwalking is still its main activity but 40-year-old club has expanded to include cross country skiing, biking, canoeing and abseiling.
Anyone keen to get out and about without trekking too far can participate in day walks taking through local beauty spots.
“There are lots of day walks within easy distance from Geelong, taking in the Otways, Brisbane Ranges or Lerderderg Gorge,” Paul said.
Many of the club’s 200 members only completed the day walks, with all treks classified into easy, medium or hard. A smaller dedicated band enjoyed the more physically demanding walks.
“You certainly need to enjoy the great outdoors whatever walk you participate in,” Paul said.
“But there’s also a lot of teamwork that goes into it, especially the longer ones. You’re working as group, sharing around the load, because there’s group gear as well as your individual needs.
“The extended walks are planned nine months in advance, with back-up plans in case something goes wrong but that’s extremely rare.”
Paul said the club helped members expand their repertoire by offering guidance and advice as well as lending out some of its stock of equipment.
“We do encourage people to challenge themselves and take themselves out of their comfort zone.
“For the harder walks it does help people to get fit through bushwalking. It builds fitness up a lot.
“We have some good long-distance runners among our members but walking with a pack on is harder than running, although it’s become a lot easier now because the equipment is a lot better and lighter – the weight of gear has almost halved in the last couple of decades.”
The club also has a large group of mid-week walkers who meet on most Thursdays.
More information is at geelongbushwalking.asn.au.
