Outdoors Great Southern (formerly known as GSCORE) will offer a women-only, introductory overnight hiking experience on the Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia’s Great Southern successfully applying for a Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) grant.
The program, funded by a Hiking Participation Grant, is targeted at women living on the South Coast of WA who have completed day hikes but lack the knowledge and confidence to complete an overnight trip. The aim of the program is to teach women practical hiking skills and to increase their experience by hiking overnight in a group setting.
The course will comprise three workshop modules delivered over 4 days:
Day 1 Accredited Basic First Aid training.
Day 2 Overnight hiking Basics (theory session). A four-hour theory session delivered by an experienced hiking instructor will cover key preparation material for hiking overnight, including:
- Reading and interpreting weather reports
- What you need to take for an overnight trip
- Where to find equipment
- Where to go
- Cooking and what to eat
- Psychological barriers and mental wellbeing, and how the outdoors benefits our mental health.
Days 3 & 4 Guided overnight hike. A guided hike along the Bibbulmun track led by an experienced instructor. The group will stay overnight at a local hut on the Bibbulmun Track. Two guides, who are between them qualified in outdoor recreation, ecology, ecotourism, and mental health, will lead the hike.
The project aims to improve participants’ confidence to hike overnight on established trails and will incorporate social media to encourage ongoing participation and connection.
If you haven't got any hiking experience and would like to try a fully guided day trip first, check out our Hiking for Her event on 23 + 24 October (click here).
To find out more about the program, email Outdoors Great Southern via comms@outdoorsgreatsouthern.org.au follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter: