On the day

On the Day

On the Walk

Note how track conditions and signage compare with the Track Notes and make allowance accordingly.

Check to see how your walk times compare with the track notes and estimate time to walk to finish and at half-way mark, check time to sunset. If unable to finish walk in daylight, turn around and go back.

Take care on wet slippery rocks, tree roots and logs.

Do not go too close to the edge of cliffs – many rock faces are undercut by weathering.

Never drink water in creeks, pools or dams – it is likely to be polluted.

Note helpful markers left by other walkers e.g. bunting, stone cairns or dead branches across the track indicating wrong way.

Check for leeches on warm humid days, especially near the Hacking River; check for ticks.

You are unlikely to see a snake, but if you do, stamp hard on the ground so it can move away; walk around it on the uphill side if it wants to stay.

Any spider webs you walk through will contain non-poisonous spiders that want to get away from you.

Stop regularly to drink water and avoid dehydration.

Reverse Walks

Walking a track in reverse can seem like a new walk – ascents/descents reversed, sun and shadows different etc.

All of these walks can be walked in reverse, but do not attempt to reverse the track notes while walking, especially for complex walks. Instead, write them out in reverse at home before the walk. Reversed distances and left/right directions can become confusing and ascents become descents.

Note also that walking in one direction may be easier or harder than in the opposite direction.

If you get Lost

It ought to be difficult to get lost, as all these walks are either on track or, where track is faint or absent, along clear topographic features e.g. along a creek or ridge line. You are more likely to take the wrong track. One exception to this is when going down one valley, crossing a waterway and finding the track up on the other side. Read the notes carefully, stay on track and take care.

In any case, stay calm, go back to the last definitely known point and then take correct path.

Do not leave the track or the route described in the track notes. Never take a shortcut out away from designated route unless described in the track notes.

If still unsure, consider turning around and going back to the start of the walk.

Only walk at night if you have a torch and are sure of the track out – never off track.

Other Tips

• When crossing flowing creeks/rivers it is sometimes safer to take boots and socks off and cross through the water rather than on slippery rocks; check for leeches after crossing.
• When walking along creeks/rivers it is easier to walk downstream in the direction of the flow for ease of traversing flood debris.
• Take care when the track goes over rock outcrop ledges – it is easy to follow the trend of the ledge and lose a track that may leave at one side.
• If you can’t swim well, do not swim at unpatrolled beaches, especially Big Marley Beach where there are frequently dangerous rips.
• Learn to recognize track markers left by other walkers, e.g. bunting, stone cairns, lines of pebbles or dead branches placed across the wrong track.
• Some tracks are partly overgrown and thorny twigs can cause eye damage. Either wear clear glasses, or for short sections, spread your fingers in front of your eyes. Also keep some distance from the person in front.
• Take special care to stay on track when coming down one escarpment, crossing a creek and finding track up the escarpment on the other side- it is easy to miss the start of the track up-read the Track Notes carefully
• When walking off track or on faint track along a creek it is usually easier walking on the inside of a bend in the creek. This may require several creek crossings.