"Takes you places"

Tandanya Blog

Rogaining – is it for bushwalkers?

Rogaining is the name given to what is both a sport and a recreation and in it, teams of 2 to 5 people navigate across country on foot along a route of their own choice to collect as many control points as possible in the time available with events generally lasting 3, 6, 12 or 24 hours. Each event provides a different type of challenge physically but the 24 hour event is the classic and involves 60 or more control ...

The night sky landscape for bushwalkers

Autumn nights are cooler and longer than summer, so the autumn skies will be on display before the weary walker hits the sleeping bags. This year there is a subtle penumbral lunar eclipse and some planet hijinks to brighten up the autumn night.

2015 Photo Competition

Our annual photograph competition and Christmas social meeting was held this week, and we had a great selection of photos from members.

13 Films from Adelaide Bushwalkers trips by Roger Kempson

I’ve been making movies of trips for some years, and I share them with other walkers on the trip. Many of the movies consist of still shots and video clips – a few are all still shots only from scanning old slides. Here are some of these movies, dating from 1990 to 2015. Enjoy.

In the Arms of the River Murray

The River Murray is the 15th longest river in the world (2,520 kilometres) and the 3rd longest navigable river – 2,224 kms from the bottom of the Hume Dam to Goolwa - but in fact a kayak or other (very) shallow vessel is capable of starting from Bigarra located between Khancoban in New South Wales and Corryong, Victoria, thereby adding some 200 kms to this figure. While still 100 kilometres from its true source, this part of the “river” is not navigable because it is little more than a stream over rocks.

Hydration for Bushwalkers

My cumulated knowledge has been used to transform myself from an obese dysfunctional 130 odd kilograms person to 70 odd kilogram hiker and marathon runner. This statement is not meant to impress you but to impress upon you, the importance of true health and the responsibility you have as an individual to take full responsibility of your own health and wellbeing.

An Outback Odyssey by Bicycle

ABW has opened lots of doors for me since joining 16 years ago to get back into my long lost interest of bushwalking. As well as walking and kayaking, ABW also offered bike riding activities, especially in the warmer months. These range from social day rides to extended touring and camping rides in the Flinders Ranges and elsewhere. Like a few other members I now enjoy the full range of bike riding from mountain bike to road riding.

Wendover Circular Walk, UK

I had the chance to go to London with the family for 10 days and I was determined to get a country walk or two in during this time. I began my internet research and quickly found the website of the Saturday Walkers Club. I highly recommend it if you find yourself looking for an easy way of getting out of London and enjoying a walk in the countryside.

The Mawson Trail – Bushwalking on Steroids

Armed with a borrowed mountain bike and trailer, I set off on May 1 to do the Mawson Trail. I had allowed 15 days. Two others were with me - Brian Slater, the only ABW member who joined this ride, and purely by chance Adam Taylor; a young man who was riding from Melbourne to Darwin via the Oodnadatta Track.

Saving Weight and Bulk

We all know that person - the one whose pack seems to be a lot lighter than everyone else's. And they don’t seem to be wet, cold or uncomfortable. How is it that they’re carrying all the same essentials with a lot less weight and bulk? Here are a few new ideas to help you reduce your load.

Night Skies for Bushwalkers this Spring

Spring nights are getting shorter and warmer, so you are less likely to get hypothermia when viewing our splendid spring stars. You will still need to rug up when you walk away from the campfire to catch our spring gems. This spring, most of the bright planet action is in the morning skies, so you have to be prepared to get up early.

Cleft Peak – Recent Visits and New Logbook

We were advised that the logbook on Cleft Peak in the Gammon Ranges was full so we organised a trip to put a new logbook and a replacement ABW designed metal container.

Logbooks on Peaks in Flinders Ranges and Beyond Placed by Adelaide Bushwalkers: June 2015 Update

A research exercise into the locations and state of logbooks and containers placed by Adelaide Bushwalkers on summits in the Flinders Ranges.

Nepalese Himalaya Trip Report, March – April 2015

Earlier this year, just before the Nepal earthquake, nine club members completed a 21 day, lodge-based walk through the Tamang, Langtang, Gosainakund and Helambu regions north of Kathmandu.

The Toop: canoeing trip report

A trip report of a kayaking expedition down the “Toop” - the Toupnein Creek - a centrepiece of canoeing in the Lindsay River Area, an offshoot of the Murray River.

MEALSPEC Flameless Meal Heaters

Heating food and hot drinks is an everyday task during bushwalking. It is not difficult but there are times when naked flames are banned and it is always impossible to take fuel on commercial aircraft. So is there an alternative?

What the Wily Weekend Walker is Wearing

A look at the hiking packs of members on a recent ABW hike down Onkaparinga Gorge.

President’s 2014-15 Report, from AGM

This is an expanded version of the President's Report given by Mark Proctor at the May 6th 2015 Annual General Meeting of the Adelaide Bushwalkers.

Eradication of Cactus in the Onkaparinga River National Park

During a recent Adelaide Bushwalkers walk down park's 15km of river valley, it came as a bit of a shock to see that it is being colonized by prickly pear cactus.

Bushwalking in Winter Offers Bright Skies

Winter has long dark nights, ideal for viewing our splendid winter stars. It is also bitterly cold, but do take time to rug up and walk away from the campfire to catch our winter gems. This year, three bright planets dance with the Moon in the evening skies.



Half-day Tennyson Dunes, 27 Nov
(Postponed due to bad weather) Swan Reach Conservation Park - Night Hike, 7 Dec
Half-day Oaklands Park & End-of-year lunch, 11 Dec
Sellicks Beach to Port Noarlunga - Night Hike, 14 Dec - 15 Dec
4 Seasons Social Walk: Summer, 19 Jan 25
Hiking gear for hire at reasonable rates. Try out gear before you buy your own.
Checklist of equipment, food ideas, water, first aid list, rules, minimal impact bushwalking and what to do if you get lost.
Meetings 7:30pm on the 1st Wednesday of the month, in the hall at the North Adelaide Community Centre.
Joining ABW takes you to new places you may never have heard of, off the beaten track, and to have new experiences.