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25.01.2022 Special Spring offer continues! - Support HikeWest’s mission for bushwalking in WA by becoming a new Individual Member of HikeWest now for just $20 and you will be rewarded with one year’s FREE, full access to popular local bushwalks website WalkGPS with detailed information on over 80 bushwalks near Perth; over 1000km of adventurous circuit walk opportunities! Offer ends 31 Oct. 2020. (Offer also does not apply to existing/renewing WalkGPS subscribers nor to HikeWest Individual Members who joined HikeWest prior to 7 Sept. 2020 or who join after 31 Oct. 2020.) WalkGPS is a HikeWest sponsor and supports HikeWest’s mission of promoting and fostering bushwalking in WA.

24.01.2022 Just 48 days to go to this exciting new event for the community and for hiking in WA!

24.01.2022 "Don't think you're on the right road just because it's a well-beaten path": Some certainly consider that the only good trail is a developed trail (and cleare...d of all vegetation with the help of a bob-cat), but in the right environments (especially in our local Perth region conditions), undeveloped or minimally-developed walking routes can have definite sustainability advantages over developed trails; advantages that are too easily overlooked or conveniently ignored. This WalkGPS presn. from 2017 gives a bushwalker's perspective of the sustainability of responsible traditional bushwalking; including the 'Why', 'Where', 'How much', & 'How' of off-track walking, supported by many images of the actual environments we walk in. The presn opens in Google Drive and includes the explanatory speaker notes. See more

24.01.2022 More progress for HikeWest's "Adventurous Walks of SW Project"; 10 quality circuit walks so far documented. At least 20 to go!

22.01.2022 Kakadu Tourism Master Plan is online for public comment, closing 13 November. It's a 10-year Aus. Govt. strategy to grow tourism in the national park, including ecolodges, a family holiday park and safari camps, adventure tourism, wellness retreats and luxury river cruises, Cultural Centre facilities, new mountain biking trails, a zipline from the top of Jim Jim Falls to the plunge pool There’s also a Heritage Trail planned to highlight some of the historical sites in the park; BUT hiking / bushwalking hardly gets a mention and there's seemingly no vision for the future of wilderness bushwalking in the park. See Parks Australia website for the Plan, plus the online survey closing 13 Nov. Have your say!

22.01.2022 Musings about the best medicine: https://bit.ly/3hEfhms

22.01.2022 State Govt announces WA Recovery Plan to inject $150 million into State’s tourism industry Millions to be spent developing trails and 'trails towns' around the State to service existing and new trails to attract more visitors to national parks. Refers mainly to the commitments to Great Southern announced earlier in week. Also includes $20 million for bike trails in Kalamunda and Mundaring in the Perth Hills and regional WA. No mention of funding for new walk trails in Perth region where urgent need is well-recognised in WA Hiking Strategy released in June. State's existing commitment to the hiking strategy implementation = $250k-over-3-years.

21.01.2022 Snakes - the highly over-rated fear...

21.01.2022 Walking the Murchison Gorge? - Keep an eye out after dusk for the very elusive Black-flanked rock-wallaby which was thought to be locally extinct until re-discovered among the rocky outcrops by a rock climber in 2015. The remnant population was later supplemented by females sourced from the wheatbelt region in the hope it would survive and increase. So this Parks & Wildlife update is good news indeed!

20.01.2022 DBCA spring burn program is under way - Includes prescribed burns started today near Victoria Reservoir; part of Beelu National Park on north side of Helena River (below Mundaring Weir); plus active burn in northern Lane Poole Reserve (burn area encompasses part of King Jarrah Walk Trail and Nanga Brook Campground, south of Dwellingup); and other areas. See DBCA Parks alerts site: https://bit.ly/2GXfPGX . Check DBCA site for "Today's Burns" before planning to head out for your bushwalk.

20.01.2022 Hear the latest on how everything's coming together nicely to make the WA Hiking Expo on 2 May a very special new event in the Perth events calendar.

20.01.2022 Congrats to Geoff Higgs! - the happy winner of the lucky draw at our marquee at Have A Go Day on Wednesday. Geoff dropped by today to receive and try on his prize from HikeWest, an Osprey Hikelite 26L day pack kindly donated by sponsor Paddy Pallin. Geoff was delighted to have won the prize; just the incentive he needed to start hiking! #paddypallin

19.01.2022 HikeWest - buoyed by the enthusiastic support we've had from member clubs and intending exhibitors/stallholders - is greatly looking forward to delivering this wonderful new event for the hiking/bushwalking community in 2021!

19.01.2022 Fees to walk the Cape to Cape Track? - Recent Tourism WA pre-feasibility study report for eco-accommodn along the 7-day walk suggests that upgrading the track and installing ablutions, cooking shelters and tent platforms at camp sites be paid for with a new fee. But WA State government spokesperson says "no plans to introduce a fee for the Cape to Cape track". The study also ruled out introducing any new upmarket cabins or accommodation facilities on the track until tourism numbers recovered following the COVID-19 pandemic.- See Sydney Morning Herald article.

19.01.2022 Queensland's Mount Barney: https://bit.ly/32IKuAE . Numerous rescues and deaths on this mountain. A giant step up in difficulty level compared to walking the wonderful Stirling Ridge Walk in WA's Stirling Range, but being well prepared is key to a safe and successful walk in either case. (Sadly due to the Dec. 2019 bushfire impacts, Stirling Ridge Walk is still closed for remainder of 2020, but Bluff Knoll Walk is open.)

18.01.2022 New hiking grants program announced today New State Govt grant program is aimed at growing participation in bushwalking. Focus is on development and delivery of new opportunities for participation, skill development and/or building the capacity of activity leaders in WA (including guides, instructors and volunteers). Total $100,000 available for projects in 2020-21. Individual grants of between $5,000 and $25,000. Applications close 10 Feb 2021.

18.01.2022 Great Southern wins investment in trails - State Govt release of Great Southern Recovery Plan today includes: $12.78 million to establish trail towns and centres to service existing and new trails in the Great Southern region including the realignment of Munda Biddi Trail through William Bay National Park to Denmark, new trails in the Valley of the Giants to Walpole, new and upgraded trails in Torndirrup National Park, and new and upgraded trails at Castle Rock in the Porongu...rup National Park; $2.24 million to renew walk and cycle trails to encourage people to visit parks in the Great Southern region, including existing trails in the Torndirrup, Porongurup, Walpole-Nornalup and Mount Frankland national parks; $1.19 million for upgrades on the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail including renewing camp sites, bridges and sections of the track; $1.56 million for new and upgraded visitor facilities in national parks across the Great Southern region. See more

14.01.2022 Mt Roe revisited - A good challenge for experienced bushwalkers and very likely to find a place in HikeWest's 'Adventurous Walks of the SW'

14.01.2022 The go-to Xmas reading for bushwalkers? - Check out the Australian Bushwalking Manual https://bushwalkingmanual.org.au/ made available free online by Bushwalking Victoria. Provides guidelines and information for safe and enjoyable community-based bushwalking across Australia. Includes info on safety, gear, navigation, food, minimal impact walking, checklists for leaders, tips for walking with children - and lots more. For latest info on what's happening for WA's bushwalkers also see HikeWest's recent eNews (Dec. issue): Link: https://bit.ly/2LH9X75

14.01.2022 Walking off-track? - All walkers are encouraged to stay on trails when possible, for reasons of safety, ecological hygiene and compliance with parks management zonings etc. But there are many suitable areas where experienced bushwalkers including within the bushwalking clubs - may legitimately go off-track to enjoy a quieter, more immersive walk in nature, and to develop valuable traditional bushwalking skills and self-reliance away from the security of the formed and of...ten busy trails. Considering the greater preparation and higher navigation skill level required, and the wide choice of walk areas, off-track walking in any one area is not likely to attract walkers in unsustainable, damaging numbers. Any bushwalking (except on the Bibb. Track) - including off-track walking - is prohibited in some well-defined areas such as the Reservoir Protection Zones immediately surrounding the drinking water reservoirs, but off-trail walking is otherwise seen by the authorities as a sustainable recreational activity across most areas of the Darling Range near Perth. There are many informal walk routes and walk areas in the Darling Range near Perth that have been walked by bushwalking clubs and others over many years yet rarely is there any evidence that walkers have passed through. HikeWest’s website (on following page : https://www.hikewest.org.au/ta/minimum-impact-tread-softly/) notes that our local bushwalking environment isn’t conducive to bush-bashing. The harsh, scratchy nature of the WA bush, the presence of ticks, the possibility of snakes hidden under low heath, etc, are just a few of the factors that encourage bushwalkers to find an easy, open route through the forest while avoiding ‘trampling’ or bushbashing. Our natural environment itself effectively controls the behaviours of off-track walkers, ensuring they behave environmentally responsibly, without needing to try to formulate unnecessary additional protocols or rules. Despite the popularity of some routes, there’s no evidence that traditional off-track walking has not been environmentally sustainable. We can take some comfort in knowing that the vast majority of bushwalkers, including off-track walkers, walk in nature because they love the environment. It’s unlikely they are about to thoughtlessly damage it. See more

14.01.2022 HikeWest August eNews just out!: https://bit.ly/3acDJZK - Great Southern wins investment in trails; Having a go: Age no barrier to hiking; Virtual Trek for Timor...and more.

14.01.2022 Special Spring offer! - Support HikeWest’s mission for bushwalking in WA by becoming a new Individual Member of HikeWest now for just $20 and you will be rewarded with one year’s FREE, full access to popular local bushwalks website WalkGPS with detailed information on over 80 bushwalks near Perth; over 1000km of adventurous circuit walk opportunities! Offer ends 31 October 2020. (Offer also does not apply to existing WalkGPS subscribers nor to HikeWest Individual Members who joined HikeWest prior to 7 Sept. 2020 or who join after 31 Oct. 2020.) WalkGPS is a HikeWest sponsor and supports HikeWest’s mission of promoting and fostering bushwalking in WA.

11.01.2022 HikeWest December eNews just out!: Includes: Beat the Heat!; Hikes for the kids; Xmas reading; More SW walks; New hiking grants; Recycling to help hiking; & more! Enjoy!

10.01.2022 A very worthy New Year’s read: The ways of the Bushwalker On Foot in Australia - Melissa Harper’s newly updated edition of her book provides insights into the rich and sometimes quirky history of bushwalking. Also draws attention to emerging concerns including the increasing upmarket commercialisation of National Parks. HikeWest’s name change in 2019 from previous informal ‘Bushwalking WA’ (formally the Federation of WA Bushwalkers Inc) wins a mention under ‘The death o...f ‘bushwalking’ though Harper has misinterpreted the several reasons for the name change. But whether you’re inclined to put on your walking boots and pack your sleeping bag, or would rather stay in a luxury hut, this surefooted and witty book reveals how the ordinary act of walking can become extraordinary. The book is available as both paperback (around $28) and e-book (~$12.75). See below for 15min. ABC Radio podcast. See more

10.01.2022 Club contribution to popular Eagle View Trail re-recognised today A large group of Perth Bushwalkers Club members gathered at Eagle View Lookout in John Forrest National Park this morning for the unveiling of a new DBCA-approved sign in celebration of the generous, hard-working contributions of the club members in initiating, planning and building the Eagle View Trail ~23 years ago. A previous sign acknowledging the club's work was lost in a bushfire several years ago. Thanks to the club's past efforts the 15km Eagle View Trail is today the most popular day walk trail in the Perth region and continues to introduce many in the clubs and wider community to the joys of bushwalking.

10.01.2022 Bluff Knoll Trail this week - Great to see a welcome greenish tinge returning to the landscape at Bluff Knoll and across the Stirling Range!

10.01.2022 Like Wandoo National Park, most other parks in the Perth region still lack approved park management plans. Wandoo NP is especially vulnerable to trail bike impacts and bushwalkers see the damage. Politicians of all persuasions need to observe for themselves this avoidable accelerating degradation. Mandatory ORV registration for all trail bikes was recommended in the 2008 Trail Bike Strategy as an obvious step toward responsible off-road activity and controls. But the political will to fully implement that Strategy so far seems to have been lacking through successive state govts.

09.01.2022 Forgot to pack the billy? Bob offers a solution....

09.01.2022 Lots of interest in hiking / bushwalking at Have A Go Day today; well supported by the club reps who joined HikeWest at our marquee to share our passion. And thanks to Jamie Bennett of Outdoors WA for dropping by for a chat.

09.01.2022 This and lots of other guided hikes coming up at the WA Hiking Expo on 2 May. For an easy family walk like this one (only about 1km) or a more challenging intro hike for yourself (up to 9km), book now via https://www.wahikingexpo.com.au/guided-hikes/

08.01.2022 Real Trail Talk’s latest podcast (#67): No surprise that HikeWest’s Adventurous Walks of the SW project and planning now underway for WA Hiking Expo 2021 both get a mention in Donovan & Mark’s interview of HikeWest Pres. Dave Osborne about his WalkGPS bushwalks website.

08.01.2022 HikeWest September eNews just out!: https://bit.ly/2Z9iGmk Includes: Lesueur NP new 27km walk trail coming soon; Kalgulup Reg. Park draft management plan; Balmoral Track - a future?; Walks of SW update; HikeWest's Special spring offer to new members; 2 new club websites; & more! Enjoy!

08.01.2022 A big shout out to our HikeWest sponsors! Your valued support helps us make WA an even better place for bushwalking / hiking and helps inspire more of us to get out there to discover this amazing State, from the red rocks of the Kimberley to the turquoise waters and white sands of the southern coast. Welcome to new sponsors Compleat Angler and Camping World Rockingham and Off The Beaten Track WA. Come and find out more about them at their marquees at the WA Hiking Expo on 2 May. Continuing sponsor Paddy Pallin will also be there. Thanks also to our other sponsors Bob Cooper Outback Survival Pemberton Discovery Tours & WalkGPS. As a not-for-profit organisation we greatly value our official sponsors' steadfast support through these challenging times for all.

05.01.2022 Growing community concern about mining impacts - Below: Dwellingup, Jarrahdale & Serpentine community groups involved in petition to Parliament last Tuesday. Several outdoors recreation groups, including HikeWest, also participated in a recent meeting coordinated by Outdoors WA to consider the impacts on the future of recreation across such a large area of the Darling Range close to the Perth metro area.

05.01.2022 Have A Go! this Wednesday 11th Nov. at Burswood Park! - Find HikeWest at Site #144 at Have A Go Day Be in the lucky draw to win an Osprey day pack! Simply download, print and complete the Entry Form and bring it to the HikeWest marquee on the day. Quality Osprey Hikelite 26L Hiking Day Pack generously donated by sponsor Paddy Pallin. @Have a Go Day 2020 a LiveLighter Event

04.01.2022 HikeWest July eNews just out!: https://bit.ly/2BsX3Vn - Club activities return (including introductory walks); mining expansion impacts...and more.

02.01.2022 Apols. - Intended link to web page missing from previous post! Hopefully better luck this time.

02.01.2022 Manning Park Ridge Protected under the Beeliar Reg Management Plan as a Bush Forever site with profound conservation significance, is now the subject of City of Cockburn's Manning Park Mountain Bike Trail Network: Concept Plan; includes 15+km network of single-use bike trails covering approximately 70% of Manning Park Ridge. Friends of Manning Park Ridge group is seeking an immediate 6-month moratorium on all decisions regarding the plan. If you are a concerned recreational walk trail user who values Manning Park just as it is, submit your views to the Cockburn Council this week, by 17th July deadline. Review and comment on the plan here: https://bit.ly/2OgiDiN .

02.01.2022 Manning Park MTB network planning re-think? Mountain Bike Trail Network: Concept Plan likely now back to the drawing board for scaling down; Friends of Manning Park Ridge report they have verbal agreement on that from City of Cockburn. CoC seemingly surprised by the recent strong level of public concern over the proposal, countering strong mountain biking lobby. CoC online poll and feedback opp. closes today: https://bit.ly/2CMVqlF