Can you feel it? Nah, you probably can’t. If you’re anything like me, sometimes the first thing you feel is the damp trousers against your calf as your blue blood oozes, unrestrained, into the fresh wilderness air. Last Monday, Australia Day (Invasion Day), I set out to walk a historic, somewhat invisible, track in the Blue … Read more
Last Updated Jul 9, 2020 I love maps. As a young kid, I used to lie on the lounge room floor and plan imaginary trips across the vast continent of Australia. In the internal conversation (that only makes sense to an 8 year old), I was an intrepid explorer, explaining the route to a curious … Read more
When looking over the topographic maps for the southern parts of the Blue Mountains, especially the Kanangra-Boyd Wilderness area, a virgin navigator would be forgiven for never wanting to step foot in this part of the world, due to the array of fear inducing, high blood-pressure invoking place names. After putting off tackling Mt Paralyser … Read more
Manufacturer: Macpac Product: Macpac Tasman 45 Link: Macpac Product Info Empty Weight: 1.1kg (size 2) RRP: AUD$299 Test Packed Weight: 13kgs (incl 2 litres water) Test Date: 4-6 October 2013 Location: Ettrema Wilderness, Morton National Park, NSW, Australia Terrain: Everything! Firetrail, tracks, off-track scrub (light to extreme including Hakea and Banksia) rock scrambling, narrow slots … Read more
A little while back I took part in a Land Search and Rescue workshop run by the Blue Mountains Police Rescue squad. It’s just one of the many great training opportunities thanks to the NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue. On this two day workshop, we worked with our colleagues in other volunteer squads such … Read more
All too often our local councils get the rough end of the pineapple when it comes to people’s opinions on the services that they do / do not deliver. But right here, I’m going to give a massive shout out to the Blue Mountains City Council for their loos behind the Ivanhoe Hotel in Blackheath. … Read more
Last Updated Aug 20, 2020 The lovely Neil from Bushwalking Blog recently asked me to write a guest post on one of my favourite walks. In the article, I go into detail about the special place that is the Blue Gum Forest, deep in the Grose Valley of the upper Blue Mountains and describe the grunt, groan … Read more
I grew up in Sydney, Australia in a family that never went camping or on outdoors adventures. Therefore, it came as somewhat of a surprise to discover hiking and camping in my mid 20’s and it fast became somewhat of an obsession. Since then, I’ve become a leader with the Sydney Bush Walkers Club and Search Manager with … Read more
The art of traditional map and compass navigation in an Australian context // Book The navigation training manual used by NSW Police Rescue Squad, NSW State Emergency Service and the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association. I’m delighted to share my love of map and compass navigation with hikers, bushwalkers and other outdoorsy types in my book, … Read more
Australia’s Ancient Lava Tubes It’s easy to think about a Queensland holiday in shades of blue and green. The vivid colours of ocean and jungle, where two World Heritage treasures meet in a classic postcard image, tells only one side of the diverse Queensland experience. It’s like eating the main course whilst missing out on … Read more
It seems like only yesterday (it was 1998) that Osprey Packs burst onto the Australian market. For the bird lovers amongst us, it was as though the regal Western Osprey, found in many parts of the world, merged with the Eastern Osprey (much more familiar to us Aussies) to create a powerful raptor force. Since … Read more
Welcome to my little corner of the web-o-sphere. If you’ve found yourself here, I am guessing it’s because you love getting out in the great outdoors for bushwalking, hiking and other adventures… or maybe you’re just getting started and need some tips, how-to’s and encouragement to give it a go. I’ve created this page as … Read more