Discovering Australia on foot

Bushwalking takes our youth members onto tracks and trails across Queensland and beyond. It’s one of the most accessible OAS streams — all you need is a pair of shoes, a day pack and somewhere to walk.

What the stream covers

• Packing and preparing for a day walk
• Map reading, navigation and route planning
• Camp craft on multi-day walks
• Looking after your feet, water and food needs
• Minimal impact walking and caring for country
• Leading a group safely on track

Early stages to advanced stages

Early stages focus on the basics, like packing a day pack and enjoying a short walk with your unit. Later stages step things up: planning multi-day expeditions, navigating off-track, managing group safety and mentoring newer walkers through their first hikes.

Why it matters

Bushwalking builds endurance, resilience and self-reliance. When the track gets steep, young people learn they’re capable of more than they thought. They also develop leadership skills naturally — someone has to navigate, set the pace and keep the group together.

How units deliver Bushwalking

Units often begin with walks around the local area before heading further afield. Our region’s bushwalking-experienced leaders support units as distances grow, so families can be confident every walk is well planned and well led.

Try this

Plan a walk near home for your family — choose the route, pack the snacks and lead the way.