New Members:
The Club requires you to do at least one day walk before making the decision to join. This will allow you to see if bushwalking suits you.
The first thing to do is choose a walk that is within your capabilities. Refer to the description of the walk and the grade to determine the level of difficulty. New members should begin with an easy walk until they get to know the grading scheme, their own level of fitness and the club culture.
Membership Fees:
Club membership is due at the 1st August each year. For all members 18 years or more there is a joining fee of $15.00
After that the Tablelands Bushwalking Club offers:
- Ordinary membership (individual) – where the appropriate joining fee has been paid, including voting rights if aged 18 or more – $25.00.
- Family membership – where the appropriate joining fee has been paid, membership of a family unit covering the parent/s and dependent children and students under the age of 18, with voting rights limited to the parent/s of the family unit – $50.00
On acceptance by the Club you will be informed on how to pay your membership fees. Once you become a member you will be sent a receipt and membership card. You will also be able to access the Walks Programs in more detail plus the monthly Newsletter.
Other Activities for Members:
Car Camps: This will depend on the location and number of days involved.
It usually means driving to a location, setting up camp (either in your tent or vehicle) and perhaps a short walk. Other days then involve walks before heading home. Car camps are not as difficult as backpack walks, because you camp near your transport and only walk with a day pack. You need to take all food and utensils. However, as you are close to your transport, you are able to take some extra luxuries.
Backpacking: These are open to members only and are usually held over long weekends.
You must carry all your gear for camping out overnight, sometimes including water. Often you are able to visit more remote areas not able to be accessed by road and therefore considered more interesting and sometimes challenging. In contrast there are some fairly easy backpack walks, which are, for the most part on tracks, yet still giving the impression of being somewhere fairly remote, interesting and away from civilisation. If you have not done backpacking before, it would be a good idea to talk with club members who have had experience and get their ideas on what to take.