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Can I go fishing or bushwalking? Coronavirus rules in Western Australia

<p>According to Google Trends, some of the top coronavirus searches nationally in the past few days include “can I visit my parents coronavirus Australia?”, “can I go fishing during coronavirus?” and “can I go for a drive during coronavirus Australia?”</p> <p>“Can I visit my boyfriend during coronavirus Australia?” was also a common one.</p> <p>We asked legal experts in Western Australia – Natalie Skead and Michael Douglas from the University of Western Australia – to help shed some light on what the new rules might mean for residents of their state.</p> <p><strong>Can I visit my parents?</strong></p> <p>If you’re a child with parents who live apart, and you move between each of your parent’s homes, then you can keep doing that.</p> <p>Aside from that, you can’t organise a prohibited gathering, which includes more than two people in “a single undivided indoor space” like a room or even a patio, unless you maintain 4m² distancing.</p> <p>So, yes, you can visit your parents if you each stay sufficiently far from one another, but you can’t hug mum! Sunday family dinner is off the cards for now.</p> <p>There is an exception “for the purposes of providing care or assistance … to a vulnerable person or providing emergency assistance”. The terms “care” and “vulnerable person” are not defined. If one of your parents has a disability or a health condition, and you want to look after them, then visiting them is okay.</p> <p>It also depends on where your parents live. The parents of one of the authors (Michael) live down south, while he lives in Perth. It was his dad’s birthday on Wednesday. The intra-state travel restrictions meant he could not visit the elder Douglas. They all had a FaceTime birthday dinner instead.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Prohibition%20on%20Regional%20Travel%20Directions.pdf">Prohibition on Regional Travel Directions</a> say you cannot enter another “region” in WA unless certain exceptions apply. “Regions” are defined in the <a href="https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/prod/filestore.nsf/FileURL/mrdoc_42251.pdf/%24FILE/Planning%20and%20Development%20Act%202005%20-%20%5B04-h0-01%5D.pdf">Planning Act</a>.</p> <p>But there’s an exemption for “compassionate grounds” — like one of your parents is seriously ill, or an immediate family member has died. Visiting a parent on their birthday is not enough.</p> <p>If your parents live in certain parts of the Kimberley, or a remote Aboriginal community, visiting may require quarantine under <a href="https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/restrictions-access-the-kimberley-and-remote-aboriginal-communities">restrictions made by both the state and federal governments</a>, if it is permissible at all under the Prohibited Regional Travel Directions. The situation there <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-02/kimberley-coronavirus-spike-sees-shire-borders-closed/12115580">is not good</a> and by the time you read this, visiting may be prohibited.</p> <p>If your parents are interstate and you are in WA, then the answer is more complicated. Seek legal advice.</p> <p><strong>Can I go fishing or bushwalking?</strong></p> <p>The <a href="https://www.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Restriction%20of%20Activities%20Direction_1.pdf">Preventative Restriction of Activities Directions</a> do not specifically address fishing or bushwalking. But doing either with more than two people would be a <a href="https://www.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/200331%20Prohibited%20Gatherings%20Direction.pdf">prohibited gathering</a>. That means you can only walk in the bush with the people who you are currently living with or one other person you don’t live with, but even then stay appropriately socially distanced.</p> <p>Fishing is a bit murkier. Western Australia appears to have taken some guidance from a since deleted Facebook post, by the Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey, who attempted to <a href="https://www.racq.com.au/Living/Articles/Coronavirus-impacts-how-you-can-go-fishing">clarify the boating and fishing rules</a> as permitting boaters to fish for food to travel locally in their community.</p> <p>The latest advice from the WA government is the social distancing rules for gatherings of no more than two in public places apply on the land and the sea, meaning they apply to both boat- and land-based fishing.</p> <p>So, you can fish for food with one friend, or those you live with. If you’re going out on a boat, though, it will need to be a biggish one to accommodate the 1.5m/4m² distancing rule.</p> <p>It also depends on where you propose to fish or bushwalk. You can’t do either outside your “<a href="https://www.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Prohibition%20on%20Regional%20Travel%20Directions.pdf">region</a>”.</p> <p><strong>Can I go for a drive?</strong></p> <p>The Australian government’s <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others-from-coronavirus-covid-19/social-distancing-for-coronavirus-covid-19">Department of Health says</a> “all Australians are required to stay home unless it is absolutely necessary to go outside”.</p> <p>This means you can only go for a drive to buy essential food, to attend to health needs (visiting a doctor or a pharmacy), or on compassionate grounds (for example, to care for a vulnerable person). So you should not go for a leisurely drive just to get out the house.</p> <p>You can’t drive outside your <a href="https://www.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Prohibition%20on%20Regional%20Travel%20Directions.pdf">region</a>.</p> <p><strong>Can I visit my boyfriend/girlfriend?</strong></p> <p>Under the <a href="https://www.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/200331%20Prohibited%20Gatherings%20Direction.pdf">directions</a>, a gathering of two people indoors is not permitted “where there is not at least 4m² of space for each person at the gathering”.</p> <p>This means you can visit your girlfriend or boyfriend provided the room you’re in is big enough, but you cannot touch them!</p> <p>One might argue spending time with the girlfriend or boyfriend falls under the “care for vulnerable person” exception. That’s a weak argument.</p> <p>An important exception applies where the “gathering” is with a member of the same household, meaning two or more persons who usually reside at the same place, irrespective of whether those persons are related to each other.</p> <p>So if you immediately move in to your partner’s place, and then stay there, you may be okay to touch them, legally speaking. But you may be putting each other at unnecessary risk.</p> <p>If your partner lives in another “<a href="https://www.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Prohibition%20on%20Regional%20Travel%20Directions.pdf">region</a>”, then you cannot visit them (even to move in).</p> <p><strong>Can I go for a walk around my neighbourhood or sit on a park bench?</strong></p> <p>A walk around your neighbourhood — or on the beach — to get some fresh air or catch up with a friend, is not currently covered by state restrictions provided you limit it to a walk with only <a href="https://www.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/200331%20Prohibited%20Gatherings%20Direction.pdf">one friend or those with whom you live</a>.</p> <p>That said, given your walk would flout the federal <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others-from-coronavirus-covid-19/social-distancing-for-coronavirus-covid-19">Department of Health</a> requirement we all “stay home unless it is absolutely necessary to go outside”, we suggest you think twice before heading out.</p> <p>Sitting outdoors on a park bench or other public space with members of your household or one other person observing the social distancing rules, is not prohibited by WA’s <a href="https://www.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/200331%20Prohibited%20Gatherings%20Direction.pdf">restrictions against public gatherings</a>. But, again, the federal government cautions strongly against hanging out in public, so you probably shouldn’t.</p> <p><em>Written by Michael Lund and Wes Mountain. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/can-i-visit-my-boyfriend-or-my-parents-go-fishing-or-bushwalking-coronavirus-rules-in-western-australia-135544">The Conversation.</a> </em></p>

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Are these Australia’s best bushwalks?

<p>Bushwalking is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors and stay fit. While other cultures may enjoy walking through the countryside, bushwalking is an entirely different pursuit.</p> <p>Often physically demanding and grand in scale, treks through the Australian landscape may require a significant investment in time, planning and gear. Many of Australia's best bushwalks are multi-day expeditions, however, there are also a number of great one-day trails to try.</p> <p>These walks below are great options for families, couples and solo travellers, with degrees to difficulty to choose from. So, get out there and start making the most of Australia's incredible bush walks and see this beautiful country in the wild.</p> <p>For all you budding adventurers, here is our list of Australia's best bush walks. Ready to put on your hiking boots?</p> <p><strong>The Cape to Cape Track</strong></p> <p><strong>Where:</strong><span> </span>Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, Western Australia</p> <p><strong>How long:</strong><span> </span>Six to eight days</p> <p><strong>Difficulty:</strong><span> </span>Easy to moderate</p> <p>This amazing Cape to Cape Track is undoubtedly one of Australia's most famous outdoor attractions. Over six to eight days, walkers are treated to a relatively easy path through the incomparable Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.</p> <p>The 135-kilometre track encompasses stunning landforms and natural beauties, including limestone cliffs, dense forests and pristine beaches. Visitors can choose to walk specific parts of the path, or undertake the entire track in all its untouched glory.</p> <p>Experienced bush walkers advise that those planning the full trip allow extra time as the terrain is sometimes difficult and the weather can change suddenly.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWUCb-hnl-B/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWUCb-hnl-B/" target="_blank">Is it just me or has there been quite a few rainbows in WA lately? 🌈</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/jessheard/" target="_blank"> Jess Heard</a> (@jessheard) on Jul 8, 2017 at 9:53pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><strong>The Overland Track</strong></p> <p><strong>Where:</strong><span> </span>Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Highland Region, Tasmania</p> <p><strong>How long:</strong><span> </span>Five to eight days</p> <p><strong>Difficulty:</strong><span> </span>Moderate to hard</p> <p>Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area is one of the state’s biggest tourism draw-cards. Within the enormous eco-reserve, bushwalkers are treated to an incredibly picturesque and unforgettable natural landscape.</p> <p>Along the 80-kilometre walking track visitors are treated to windswept plains, deep-green gorges, crystalline lakes and expansive rainforests. The Overland Track walk is not for the faint-hearted, but it is easily one of the most distinctive and rewarding walks in the nation. Because of the unforgiving landscape, local rangers recommend that visitors prepare for a host of overwhelming weather and camping conditions.</p> <p>If a multi-day walk doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, there is also a range of easy day walks available around Cradle Mountain to immerse yourself in the breathtaking heritage area. From Cradle Valley to Crater Lake and the beautiful Lake St Clair, you're sure to love this phenomenal wilderness area.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs2GzInlIqA/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs2GzInlIqA/" target="_blank">I don't know what to say about this one. I like the contrast 😊</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/aaronclarkephotography/" target="_blank"> Aaron Clarke</a> (@aaronclarkephotography) on Jan 19, 2019 at 9:55pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><strong>The Great Ocean Walk</strong></p> <p><strong>Where:</strong><span> </span>The Great Ocean Walk, Victoria</p> <p><strong>How long:</strong><span> </span>Day-trips or seven day treks</p> <p><strong>Difficulty:</strong><span> </span>Easy to very difficult, depending on the track</p> <p>Arguably Australia's most famous long-distance walk, The Great Ocean Walk is a 90-kilometre track staged along Victoria's visually stunning coastline. From Apollo Bay to the Glenample Homestead, avid bushwalkers and adventurers are treated to a number of unique walks and campsites.</p> <p>Moving through some of the region's most distinctive landscapes, the Great Ocean Walk is often broken down into several shorter walks. Popular day and short walks include the Cape Otway to Aire River Hike (lasting a little over four hours), the Marengo to Shelley Beach Hike (two hours) and the Gables Lookout Walk (an hour).</p> <p>For those more committed to a long-haul adventure, east-west moving journeys can take a week or more and will often require more significant planning to organise camping and supplies.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BzHLQ4iBHvK/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BzHLQ4iBHvK/" target="_blank">100km of cuddles and beach 🙌🏽</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/benbutler__/" target="_blank"> Ben Butler</a> (@benbutler__) on Jun 24, 2019 at 5:10pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><strong>The Valley Of The Giants</strong></p> <p><strong>Where:</strong><span> </span>The Valley Of The Giants, Denmark, Western Australia</p> <p><strong>How long:</strong><span> </span>One day</p> <p><strong>Difficulty:</strong><span> </span>Very easy</p> <p>Located four hundred kilometres outside of Perth, Denmark's Valley of the Giants treetop walk offers one of the most distinctive and unique bushwalking experiences in Australia.</p> <p>In the Walpole Wilderness area, guests will find several peaceful hamlets and a truly iconic country setting. But the famous valley (filled with gorgeous 'giant' red-tingle trees) is the real jewel in the crown.</p> <p>Visitors can explore the ground level of the valley, though the treetop walk is unrivalled fun. The thirty-eight metre high platform means guests can enjoy the canopy of the forest from a fresh and completely new perspective.</p> <p>Made up of several sixty-metre long, lightweight steel trusses and pylons, the Valley of the Giants treetop walk is easily one of the nation's most iconic natural settings.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1jbT9cnTz3/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1jbT9cnTz3/" target="_blank">Welcome to The Valley of Giants, stroll along the tree top trails absorbing the wisdom of this old souls #valleyofgiants #wisdom #giants #trees #nature</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/maritzacafatti/" target="_blank"> Maritza Cafatti Photography</a> (@maritzacafatti) on Aug 24, 2019 at 9:32am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><strong>The Heysen Trail</strong></p> <p><strong>Where:</strong><span> </span>The Heysen Trail, Leigh Creek to Cape Jervis, South Australia</p> <p><strong>How long:</strong><span> </span>Day-trips and long treks offered</p> <p><strong>Difficulty:</strong><span> </span>Easy to very difficult, depending on the track</p> <p>South Australia's Heysen Trail is one of the most breathtaking and awe-inspiring trails in the world. A truly jaw-dropping 1,200-kilometre track passes though the state's most visited destinations, including the renowned Barossa Valley, the Wilpena Pound and Cape Jervis. Bushwalkers are treated to secluded coastal settings, pine-covered hills and expanses of native bushland.</p> <p>In an effort to broaden its appeal, the Heysen Trail offers plenty of diverse walking options including day trips (for the less experienced) to week-long challenges (only for the well-prepared). Generally speaking, local rangers advise that beginners start with the southern section of the trail, from Cape Jervis to Spalding in the Mid-North.</p> <p>For those seeking a more involved and rigorous expedition, the northern section (from Spalding to Parachilna Gorge) offers a more secluded and physically challenging option. Either way, the Heysen Trail is fast developing a reputation as one of the world's most alluring and diverse bushwalking locales.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BcweB2clZwv/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BcweB2clZwv/" target="_blank">🌾</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/joy_nolting/" target="_blank"> Joline🕊</a> (@joy_nolting) on Dec 16, 2017 at 1:01am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><strong>Safety first</strong></p> <p>Always inform someone you trust when going on a bush walk, ensure you have a suitable level of fitness, are wearing suitable clothing and shoes, have plenty of water and food and you have informed someone you trust where you are walking and when you expect to be back.</p> <p>For more information on safety and bushwalking visit your state national parks website or<span> </span><span><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/experiences/bushwalking/walk_safely.html" target="_blank">read here</a></span><span> </span>for some must-do’s before bushwalking.</p> <p><em>Republished with permission of <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/travel/australia%E2%80%99s-best-bushwalks.aspx" target="_blank">Wyza.com.au.</a></em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Easy does it – the best day walks around Australia

<p>Explore some of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes on foot with these great short walks around the country. There are options for every level of fitness but, wherever you are walking, make sure you’re prepared with plenty of water, sunscreen, sturdy shoes and, of course, your camera.</p><p><strong>Carnarvon Gorge, Central Highlands, QLD</strong></p><p>8 hours / 20 kilometres / Easy</p><p>This 200-metre deep, shaded gorge is a playground for walkers, dotted with calm swimming holes, rock art sites, soaring caves and pockets of rainforest. It’ s also home to the king fern, the largest fern in the world with fronds up to five metres in length. The trail is easy but at 20 kilometres it’s certainly a long day, so you’ll need endurance and adequate preparation.</p><p><strong>Kings Canyon Rim Walk, Kings Canyon, NT</strong></p><p>3.5 hours / 6 kilometres / Hard</p><p>Just over 300 kilometres southwest of Alice Springs, Kings Canyon is an imposing oasis of 100-metre red sandstone cliffs, lush groves of vegetation and permanent waterholes in an area called the Garden of Eden. The initial climb up 500 steps is challenging, but once you reach the top the rest of the route is fairly flat. It can get incredibly hot in this part of Australia, so make sure you take plenty of water with you and only attempt the walk in the early morning or evening.</p><p><strong>Bouddi Coastal Walk, Central Coast, NSW</strong></p><p>4 hours / 8 kilometres / Easy</p><p>The Bouddi National Park is a hidden gem just north of Sydney and has a diverse landscape of rugged headlands, eucalypt forest, sparse heathlands and hidden coves. You could happily spend the whole day on this trail, stopping for a swim at one (or more) of the secluded beaches or for lunch at a shady picnic spot along the way. Keep an eye out for the wreck of the SS Maitland that went down in Maitland Bay in 1898.</p><p><strong>Bluff Knoll, Albany, WA</strong></p><p>4 hours / 6 kilometres / Moderate</p><p>Bluff Knoll is not your typical West Australian landscape; at 1,095 metres it’s one of the highest peak in the state, is often shrouded with cloud and is one of the only places in the state to ever see snow. The narrow but well-defined track winds its way to the summit, squeezing between cliffs and with spectacular views over the region. Take the walk in spring to see the surrounding fields in bloom with more than 1,000 species of wildflowers.</p><p><strong>Wineglass Bay Circuit, East Coast, TAS</strong></p><p>4.5 hours / 12 kilometres / Moderate</p><p>This walk starts with a lookout over one of the world’s most stunning beaches – the iconic Wineglass Bay. It descends down across the pink granite of the Hazards mountains to the white sand of the bay, before crossing over a narrow strip of land to Hazards Beach. The track can be rocky and uneven parts, though it is mostly flat and requires only a moderate level of fitness.</p><p><strong>Princetown to Glenample Hike, Great Ocean Road, VIC</strong></p><p>2.5 hours / 5.5 kilometres / Moderate</p><p>The Great Ocean Road walk covers over 100 kilometres, but there are a number of smaller sections that can be walked in a day. This hike follows the cliff tops and coastal scrubland to pass the road’s most famous attraction – the 12 Apostles. You’re also likely to see kangaroos grazing in nearby paddocks and pods of dolphins frolicking off the coast.</p><p><strong>Riesling Trail – Clare to Penwortham, Clare Valley, SA</strong></p><p>3 hours / 10 kilometres / Easy</p><p>If you like a little indulgence with your exercise then this is the trail for you. The trail was developed in the 1960s from a disused rail line and runs 35 kilometres in total, but this short section gives a little taste of the best. Pass through beautiful vineyards, historic villages and lush farmlands, stopping off at local wineries whenever you need refreshment.</p>

Domestic Travel

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Easy does it – the best day walks around Australia

<p>Explore some of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes on foot with these great short walks around the country. There are options for every level of fitness but, wherever you are walking, make sure you’re prepared with plenty of water, sunscreen, sturdy shoes and, of course, your camera.</p><p><strong>Carnarvon Gorge, Central Highlands, QLD</strong></p><p>8 hours / 20 kilometres / Easy</p><p>This 200-metre deep, shaded gorge is a playground for walkers, dotted with calm swimming holes, rock art sites, soaring caves and pockets of rainforest. It’ s also home to the king fern, the largest fern in the world with fronds up to five metres in length. The trail is easy but at 20 kilometres it’s certainly a long day, so you’ll need endurance and adequate preparation.</p><p><strong>Kings Canyon Rim Walk, Kings Canyon, NT</strong></p><p>3.5 hours / 6 kilometres / Hard</p><p>Just over 300 kilometres southwest of Alice Springs, Kings Canyon is an imposing oasis of 100-metre red sandstone cliffs, lush groves of vegetation and permanent waterholes in an area called the Garden of Eden. The initial climb up 500 steps is challenging, but once you reach the top the rest of the route is fairly flat. It can get incredibly hot in this part of Australia, so make sure you take plenty of water with you and only attempt the walk in the early morning or evening.</p><p><strong>Bouddi Coastal Walk, Central Coast, NSW</strong></p><p>4 hours / 8 kilometres / Easy</p><p>The Bouddi National Park is a hidden gem just north of Sydney and has a diverse landscape of rugged headlands, eucalypt forest, sparse heathlands and hidden coves. You could happily spend the whole day on this trail, stopping for a swim at one (or more) of the secluded beaches or for lunch at a shady picnic spot along the way. Keep an eye out for the wreck of the SS Maitland that went down in Maitland Bay in 1898.</p><p><strong>Bluff Knoll, Albany, WA</strong></p><p>4 hours / 6 kilometres / Moderate</p><p>Bluff Knoll is not your typical West Australian landscape; at 1,095 metres it’s one of the highest peak in the state, is often shrouded with cloud and is one of the only places in the state to ever see snow. The narrow but well-defined track winds its way to the summit, squeezing between cliffs and with spectacular views over the region. Take the walk in spring to see the surrounding fields in bloom with more than 1,000 species of wildflowers.</p><p><strong>Wineglass Bay Circuit, East Coast, TAS</strong></p><p>4.5 hours / 12 kilometres / Moderate</p><p>This walk starts with a lookout over one of the world’s most stunning beaches – the iconic Wineglass Bay. It descends down across the pink granite of the Hazards mountains to the white sand of the bay, before crossing over a narrow strip of land to Hazards Beach. The track can be rocky and uneven parts, though it is mostly flat and requires only a moderate level of fitness.</p><p><strong>Princetown to Glenample Hike, Great Ocean Road, VIC</strong></p><p>2.5 hours / 5.5 kilometres / Moderate</p><p>The Great Ocean Road walk covers over 100 kilometres, but there are a number of smaller sections that can be walked in a day. This hike follows the cliff tops and coastal scrubland to pass the road’s most famous attraction – the 12 Apostles. You’re also likely to see kangaroos grazing in nearby paddocks and pods of dolphins frolicking off the coast.</p><p><strong>Riesling Trail – Clare to Penwortham, Clare Valley, SA</strong></p><p>3 hours / 10 kilometres / Easy</p><p>If you like a little indulgence with your exercise then this is the trail for you. The trail was developed in the 1960s from a disused rail line and runs 35 kilometres in total, but this short section gives a little taste of the best. Pass through beautiful vineyards, historic villages and lush farmlands, stopping off at local wineries whenever you need refreshment.</p>

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