Into the Wild – Bushwalking and Navigation skills

Do you want to spend more time in nature? Perhaps get off the beaten track, away from the crowds? gain the skills and knowledge to allow yourself to confidently venture INTO THE WILD.

Taking place over 2 full days, you’ll learn a broad range of skills that assist with ensuring your time in nature is a safe and rewarding experience.

If you’re just starting your bush walking journey or are an experienced hiker looking to go that little bit further, you’re be sure to gain new knowledge and skills that will help achieve your goals.

Perhaps you’re wanting to get into bushwalking but are unsure on how to start, what gear do you need? Is it safe? Maybe you’re looking to step it up a bit, going on an overnight or multiday hike but are unsure on how to make that transition. You could be thinking of stepping off the path well trodden and trying some off track adventures. Well this course may just give you the confidence and skills to fulfil you’re dreams.

Essential skills for the Outdoors

Saturday 25th November 9.00am – 4.00pm

Day 1 is all about getting you ready and geared up with all the right equipment and knowledge to make your journey outdoors safe and enjoyable. 

• Planning your adventures, a focus on tailoring your trips to suit your ability.

• Route planning and research

• Trip intention forms

• Equipment essentials for short, medium and long day hikes.

• Preparing for overnight & multiday hikes

• Shelter options, pro’s and cons

• Hiking Nutrition and cooking options

• Risk management in the wilderness

• 1st Aid kits

• Snake bite mitigation, treatment and response

• Emergency response and PLB’s

• Water filtration methods

• Emergency fire lighting techniques

• Emergency shelters

• Intro to topographical maps and navigation

We like to keep our workshops as interactive and hands on as possible, so lots to look at and try out. 

Introduction to Wilderness Navigation

Sunday 26th November 9.00am – 4.00pm

Day 2: Basic navigation and map reading should be an essential part of every outdoorsy persons skill set.

More often than not we tend to rely on our phones gps and inbuilt maps for navigation purposes. Although these tools are incredibly useful at times they should not be solely relied upon. 

We’ll focus on some good old fashioned (and reliable) Map and Compass navigation.

• Navigation essentials

• Map types, pros and cons

• Navigation resources, Online and hard copy

• Topographical maps and features

• Route planning for terrain, distance and time

• Grid references

• Compass types and use

• Taking a bearing

• Trip planning + more

You’ll then get an opportunity to put your new skills to the test by tackling a short Orienteering course on our property on during the free optional Waterfall hike the following day.

.Optional – FREE HIKE- Monday 27th November AM

Waterfall hike

7-8km 3-4 hrs

Visit one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Tweed/Byron region

Soooo…. You’ve just learnt all these new skills so lets put them to the test.

On Sunday evening you’ll be given a map and start location. You will then plan the hike utilising your new route planning skills. We’ll head off early Monday morning. We won’t be following the regular track to the top of the falls, we’ll head off track and approach the falls from the creek below. Please note…….This hike ventures off track into rugged terrain and involves rock hopping up a creek and a very steep and exposed scramble. Please consider this when booking this option.

This is a great opportunity to lock in that knowledge and explore some ancient beautiful Gondawana Rainforest.

 All the bits and pieces

When: Saturday and Sunday 25th & 26th November 

Daily from 9am-4pm

Optional free waterfall hike-Monday 27th 7.00am to 11.00pm

Where: Our property sits near the base of Wollumbin (Mt Warning) in the beautiful Tweed Valley

3034 Kyogle Rd, Kunghur, NSW

2 hrs – Brisbane City

1 hr – Burleigh Heads

50 mins – Byron Bay 

How Much:

$300 for both days. (plus booking fee)

$160 for one day. Each day can stand alone so you can come for one day on Saturday or Sunday.

*Limited positions available. Bookings are essential.

Camping onsite included – We have an onsite camping area with camp kitchen, incl gas cooker, sink and untreated water, compost toilet and hot rainforest shower.

**Camping Saturday night is free with ticket purchase

Optional camping available on Sunday night $20pp pn

****Book for two or more people (in the same order and receive 10% off your booking ..use the booking code “bringafriend”)

What to bring

• Camping gear tent, mattress, torch etc (or sleep in your van etc)

• Notebook and pen

• Food and drinks for the duration

• Drinking water

• Towel and swimmers (we have 1.5km of the upper Tweed river on our property)

• Camp chair

• Coffee….. don’t forget your coffee

• Plate, mug and cutlery

Note: no power available at the campground

The funky village of Uki is the nearest town – 14min drive – Small supermarket, cafes, pie shop, pub, petrol, Bastion Lane espresso bar and the best Mountain bike park in the region.

About Me: Scott

Somewhat obsessed with all things adventure and the outdoors. Enthusiastic peak bagger, adventure racer, mountain biker and trail runner, a self diagnosed gear freak with a nack of being prepared for all eventualities. 

19 years experience as a professional outdoor educator, survival instructor, white water guide + more. Former program coordinator and senior instructor for Outward Bound Australia. 

Passionate hiker including 350+kms solo through the Himalaya. 

Proud father of a my 4 kids with a deep love of the natural world.