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Practical Skills

Plan a Route: From Map to Trail

Ages 10–14 25 min read Intermediate

A good bushwalk starts at the kitchen table, not the trailhead. Route planning is where you turn a map into a real adventure — choosing your path, estimating time, identifying hazards, and preparing for contingencies.

The Route Planning Process

1. Choose Your Walk

Consider: distance, elevation gain, terrain type, fitness levels, time available, and weather forecast. For beginners, start with well-marked trails under 10km with less than 300m elevation gain.

2. Study the Map

  • Trace the route on the map. Note turns, junctions, and decision points.
  • Identify handrails — linear features (rivers, ridges, fences, roads) that guide your route.
  • Identify catching features — obvious features (roads, rivers) that tell you if you've gone too far.
  • Note escape routes — shorter paths back to safety if needed.

3. Estimate Time

Use Naismith's Rule: 5km/hour flat + 1 minute per 10m climb. Add time for breaks, lunch, and photos. A family of four moves slower than a solo walker. Be realistic.

4. Check Conditions

  • Weather: BOM forecast for the area. Check wind, temperature, rain probability.
  • Track conditions: National park websites often list track closures and conditions.
  • Daylight: Know sunrise and sunset. Plan to finish well before dark.
  • Water: Carry enough water. Identify water sources on the map (streams, tanks) but treat natural water as unreliable.

5. Tell Someone

Leave your planned route, expected return time, and emergency contact details with someone who's not coming. If you don't return on time, they can alert authorities.

The Ten Essentials

For any bushwalk, carry:

  1. Navigation (map, compass, or GPS)
  2. Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
  3. Extra clothing (weather can change)
  4. First aid kit
  5. Torch/headlamp
  6. Fire starter (matches/lighter)
  7. Repair tools (duct tape, cable ties)
  8. Extra food
  9. Extra water
  10. Emergency shelter (even a large garbage bag works)

Tonight's Question

"Let's plan a family bushwalk for this weekend. Where should we go? Can we do the route planning together using a map?"

Plan and Walk

  1. Choose a local walking trail suitable for the family.
  2. Get a topographic map of the area (or download from a state mapping website).
  3. Plan the route together: trace it on the map, estimate time, identify features.
  4. Pack the ten essentials.
  5. Do the walk! Use the map and compass along the way.
  6. Afterwards: how accurate was your time estimate? Did you navigate successfully?

Go Further

  • Website: AllTrails (alltrails.com) — find walking trails near you with reviews and maps.
  • Website: Your state's national parks website for track notes and conditions.
  • Challenge: Plan and navigate a walk using ONLY a paper map and compass — no phone GPS.
  • Book: Bushwalking in Australia by Lonely Planet — comprehensive trail guide.

What We Simplified

  • Trail conditions change. A path shown on a map may be overgrown, washed out, or rerouted. Always check current conditions.
  • Weather is unpredictable. Australian weather can change rapidly, especially in mountain areas. Always be prepared for worse conditions than forecast.
  • Fitness varies enormously. Naismith's Rule assumes reasonable fitness. Adjust for children, elderly walkers, or hot conditions.

Sources

  • Bushwalking Australia. "Planning Your Walk." Bushwalking Australia
  • BOM. "Weather Forecasts." BOM
  • The Mountaineers (2017). Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. 9th ed.

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