Hi all,

SWE and outdoorsmen here. Been fiddling with a side project when I have the time, and would love some people to give it a chance and use it for testing/feedback.

I've called it COOEE. The idea is simple, when we have no or little data there are things I can't do. Check the weather, google something, hike/trail information etc.

I use it myself, but my brain is different to everyone. So I'd love for some people who are heading out soon to try and use it. Link below :)

textcooee.com

Suggestions for 5-10km hikes around Melbourne greatly appreciated!! Also happy for some company to join as I am currently soloing it

This reserve is located on the narrow plateau region between the Shoalhaven River plains and Kangaroo Valley in NSW.

Vegetation varies from rainforest to talk forests and sandstone woodland.

Magnificent views are available on both sides of the plateau.

I live in Sydney and wish to go on my first hike. Any recommendations?

This small but surprisingly impressive reserve is upriver from North Nowra, on the south coast of NSW.

There are a few options for trails, but most involve alluvial river flats, sandstone rock outcrops, rainforest, drier ridge lines, creeks, and some early pioneer settlement history.

Stayed overnight at the remote bush camp. Hiking into and sleeping in a Cloud Forest is magical.

My friend and I are planning to park our car at Bullocks flat and find some type of transport to guthega where we will start the hike.
All of the shuttles seem very expensive for 2x ppl in November, does anyone know of cheap alternatives?

I've been hiking and scrambling for a few years. I've planned a few multi day hikes in NZ next year. One about trip over a few days 50km, another trip over a few days 80km and 20km, only 1 day.

Generally I've worn La Sportiva TX4s, leather but they died. I knew they're an approach shoe but they were a great all rounded. I replaced with a new pair which aren't quite like the last, and the few hike I've done, they're not great for long distance.

I've also got hiking boots, Merrells. I'm not 100% sure I want to wear them.

I get a bit of forefoot pain, and I have a neuroma as well.

My question, would people recommend a trail runner or a hiking shoe? I really don't like the ankle support on boots but wonder about the durability of a trail runner. But then think the trail runner my help my feet.

Has anyone got any recommendations trail runner vs hiking shoe?

Timed it to arrive as the rain finished and it was a great almost 9km adventure

Tour company is advising GTX boots however everything I read says stay away from GTX.

Planning April so tail end of wet season.

Considering Trail runners for lightness and ease.

Any advice from those that have done it please?

This circuit walk takes a few hours. Start and finish at Shoalhaven Heads, or drive across the island vehicular ferry.

The circuit involves 50 percent open beach and 50 percent littoral rainforest.

I'm doing an urban walk/hike of about 85 km over two days in a couple of weeks.

There will be a support crew, but I'm wondering whether it's worth getting soft bottles for water and electrolytes (I prefer Pocari Sweat).

I'd rather have something that's easy to manage after I finish drinking from it, rather than having a heavy bottle with me. I don't expect to carry a pack at all, so I'm relying on my hands and pockets.

As such, I'm looking to this more experienced community for guidance on any further purchases.

Hi all,

I am planning on visiting Kosciuszko national park in early January. I was originally planning on doing the Snowiest Alpine Track but it seems difficult with only one car. Is it feasible to be based in Jindabyne for 5-6 days and do days hikes from there? Or is that too much driving to go to the main hiking spots?

What are some alternative options? I have all the backpacking/camping gear, but I have never camped by myself in the alpine region, so I am a little apprehensive about wild camping.

Cheers

Hi all! I’m taking my 14 yo daughter on a multi day hike after a few months of day hikes and buying gear. This will be my first overnighter (3 days 2 nights) and I feel like I’m prepared to go and have planned a route at the walk into history trail Warburton - Powelltown.

however I am concerned about the possibility of leeches which I know will absolutely ruin the experience for her (but I’m not too concerned).

I see some reviews of the walk not even mention leeches, and others saying there are hundreds of them and they drop onto you from the tree branches above

I guess I’m just looking for peoples personal experiences and how it was for you around this time of year?

I know we’ve just had a tonne of rain in Victoria, and we’re going soon! (23-25 this month) and the rain brings them out. It’s going to be around ~24 degrees with less than 1mm rain forecast

Are leeches going to be a big issue? (Knowing they will gross her out and ruin the experience for her if she is constantly worried about them)

My backup plans are:
Murray-sunset (downside: a long drive to get there)
Alpine loop (downside: cold!)
Great ocean walk 3 day section (downside: no campfires)

Compared to leeches, which option would be the least bad for a camping trip that she will want to do again in future? Thankyou so much for any comments with knowledge or personal experience, I’m very new to this and this will be a first!

This is an 8km circuit, best done in spring, due to all the wildflowers on show.

The loop includes forest, woodland, heath and rainforest.

There is a pleasant creek crossing, a viewing platform, where you can see quite a long distance in several directions, and a lookout, on the edge of the coastal escarpment.

Any suggestions or recommendations for a section of the track to do for an overnight hike?

Living in Perth and thinking of heading to the hills when I finish work around 2pm on a Friday, hike to a campsite to stay overnight and hike back to the car then Saturday.

First time camping on a hike but have plenty of hiking experience and in low light conditions and have a pretty decent level of fitness(working in labour intense role and also a very average runner) so not afraid or too worried about pack weight or the last few hours of the hike in darkness.

Any suggestions of areas to hike that aren’t on the bibbulmun track are also welcome.

Feel free to drop any advice below also.

TIA