WALKS
What we do, and what you need to do, if you want to attend a walk
We generally have 2 – 3 walks a week of varying difficulty.
If you wish to join a walk you need to complete a Contact page for Temporary Members on this website.
The contact page will ask for your name, email, phone number and your walking experience.
We will then give you temporary access to our walk booking app called Stack Team App (STA).
You can register to attend a walk in the STA by adding "Yes" in the relevant event RSVP.
All the event details will be in the app event description.
Easy Walks - new walkers are invited to attend Tuesday walks (our easy day), as they choose,
but we like to know you are coming, please let us know on the STA, and cancel on the STA, if you change your mind.
Medium to Hard Walks - If you wish to attend medium to hard walks please ensure you have included details of
your walking experience when you complete the website contact page.
The Cairns area has many steep, strenuous tracks, this can sometime catch people out. We have had walkers attempt walks that are too strenuous for them, this is dangerous, plus it can ruin the walk for all the walkers.
With this in mind we may prefer you to attend an easier walk for your 1st walks with us.
If you wish to join a walk you need to complete a Contact page for Temporary Members on this website.
The contact page will ask for your name, email, phone number and your walking experience.
We will then give you temporary access to our walk booking app called Stack Team App (STA).
You can register to attend a walk in the STA by adding "Yes" in the relevant event RSVP.
All the event details will be in the app event description.
Easy Walks - new walkers are invited to attend Tuesday walks (our easy day), as they choose,
but we like to know you are coming, please let us know on the STA, and cancel on the STA, if you change your mind.
Medium to Hard Walks - If you wish to attend medium to hard walks please ensure you have included details of
your walking experience when you complete the website contact page.
The Cairns area has many steep, strenuous tracks, this can sometime catch people out. We have had walkers attempt walks that are too strenuous for them, this is dangerous, plus it can ruin the walk for all the walkers.
With this in mind we may prefer you to attend an easier walk for your 1st walks with us.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION to know if you register on STA to attend a walk
Some Leaders will walk regardless of rain, some will cancel. It is up to the leader if they go ahead and yourself if you still attend.
If the leader cancels they will let members know via the Stack Team App comments for that walk.
Therefore, particularly if weather is suspect, please check for the STA event and messages.
Please be aware that walks can also be cancelled and changed at short notice,
for example a Leader may be ill and there isn't a replacement Leader.
SO to reiterate - If you register for a walk as a Temporary Member please double check with the app just prior to the walk
in case there are any changes.
Walks starts promptly at the advertised time, please arrive 5-10 minutes prior, the advertised time is the walk leaving time.
If the leader cancels they will let members know via the Stack Team App comments for that walk.
Therefore, particularly if weather is suspect, please check for the STA event and messages.
Please be aware that walks can also be cancelled and changed at short notice,
for example a Leader may be ill and there isn't a replacement Leader.
SO to reiterate - If you register for a walk as a Temporary Member please double check with the app just prior to the walk
in case there are any changes.
Walks starts promptly at the advertised time, please arrive 5-10 minutes prior, the advertised time is the walk leaving time.
What we do, and what you need to do, if you want to attend a walk
We ask all walkers to follow all instruction from the Leaders, we take walkers safety very seriously.
- ALWAYS let the Leader know if you have a problem.
- Stay together - don’t wander off, hang back or rush ahead. If you decide to go back or end your walk for whatever reason, please always tell the Leader or ensure someone in the group will tell the Leader for you. We don't want to send out a search party or alert emergency services that there is a lost walker in the bush.
- PLB - Walk leaders usually carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) on a bushwalk, this can be found in their bag with usage instructions. We like all walkers to know this just in case your walk leader is the one needing help. A PLB is a radio transmitter that can contact emergency authorities via satellite once it has been set off. Most contain a Global Positioning System (GPS) to report your exact location. If this is set off on a walk it is important to stay where the PLB is set off, so emergency services can find you. Obvious, I know..... :)
- Risk - Only walk within your ability. You are responsible to decide if a walk is suitable for you. Please choose walks that are well within your ability. Even "young" people, who are regular gym members have struggled on hard hikes, can't keep up and have had to turn back. Always ask for more information about a walk if necessary. The walk leader is the best person to ask for more details about a walk.
- Water – always carry sufficient water for the walk duration and temperature. At least 2 litres are recommended for most medium to hard walks. For easy walks, even if we plan to stop at a coffee shop halfway, the expectation is that you will still bring sufficient water.
- Food - you may need to carry food and hydrolyte powders; it is best to have a few snacks even for a short walk. If not for you, it may be useful for a fellow walker who may start to feel faint. Always eat before a walk, don't have a walk day as a "fast" day.
- Poles – check if you need walking poles to help on steep ascents/descents.
- Footwear – please wear covered toes and good grip shoes, these are vital. Open toe walking sandals are only good for tarmac, beach type walks.
- Be prepared for the unexpected - sometimes walks can be on difficult and slippery terrain, creek crossings, steep gravel slopes and a myriad of other problems. Terrain can change with the seasons, what was a dry track one month can be wet or a very muddy track the next walk. Walk Leaders try and tell you what to expect but we sometimes get it wrong. You need to be prepared for the unexpected - get your gear right and be prepared.
- Medicine - please bring any medications you may need on a walk.
- First Aid - all walkers should carry a small 1st aid kit, particularly for a bushwalk, plus a snake bandage. In the event someone is injured one first aid kit isn't always sufficient, so it is always good to have back-up supplies. If we did have a snake bite injury, 2-3 snake bandages would be very beneficial. We have a suggested First Aid List below.
- Members are asked to complete, and always carry, a form completed with emergency contact information and details of any medical condition that may be useful for a 1st aider to know. If you are a Temporary Member you may like to include a similar note in your bag. Link to the Emergency Form is here.
First Aid Kit Items you should consider to carry, the 1st 4 are essential:
- Emergency Contact and Medical Information Form
- Snake bandage – get the “snake” specific one – if your chemist doesn’t have, order one (can be used for a multitude of injuries, not just a snake bite)
- Space blanket – if we had an injured person it may take many hours, even overnight to be rescued, the injured party plus anyone who stays with the injured could need several space blankets – if we all had a space blanket this could make a big difference
- Plasters and dressings – an assortment of Elastoplast and gauze dressings, small and large
- 1 x 5cm cotton bandage to hold on a dressing
- Adhesive tape
- Antiseptic ointment (such as betadine) or Antiseptic Powder (such as Medipulv) – keep a check on dates, these things expire
- Medicated antiseptic wipes
- 1 triangular bandage
We have different grades of walks on different days
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Tuesday walks are generally easy to medium in difficulty. This is were we recommend newcomers start.
We try very hard to provide a wide range of walks, some flat and longer in distance, some more challenging, but always interesting. |
Wednesday walks are hard and fairly fast workout for walkers who want to build up their aerobic ability and walking strength.
We often stick to a few local hikes, go early and finish early. |
Friday and weekend walks are generally medium to hard. We may go a longer distance and hike over difficult terrain.
Sometimes these walks could be a "reccy", a walk not previously walked by the leader. |
Walking Holidays
Walking Holidays are for members only. Only published formal walking tracks are walked on holidays.
Walkers are responsible for their own travel and accommodation.
If group transport (boat, train, bus or car etc.) is used, commercial operators are used and costs shared if applicable.
The walk leaders are not tour guides, they are volunteers leading walks. Leaders will limit the number of walkers.
Walkers are responsible for their own travel and accommodation.
If group transport (boat, train, bus or car etc.) is used, commercial operators are used and costs shared if applicable.
The walk leaders are not tour guides, they are volunteers leading walks. Leaders will limit the number of walkers.
161kms on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail
12 days walking in the Whitsundays -
South Molle Island
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5 days of Walking in the Glass House Mountains, sunset from Wild Horse Mountain Lookout on Day 1
We love walking in the National Parks around Cairns
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