Scouts Victoria - Bushwalking Team

Do you have a standard go-to hike meal? Maybe it’s time to mix it up a little!

Use the these scout discount codes to get some great prices on some tasty lightweight hike food.

We always love to see Australian (and NZ) businesses that support scouts. Try something new and let us know your favourite!

The Venturer OAS 6 course is designed to cover as many Bushwalking Level 6 "I can" statements as possible. Navigation, party management, risk management, weather and equipment care are all included.

Congratulations to everyone who completed our most recent course at Lal Lal!

If you too would like to put a big dent in your Bushwalking Level 6, keep an eye on our events page for courses in 2027:

https://scoutsvictoria.com.au/activities-events/activity-teams/bushwalking/

Should we create a one-day navigation refresher course for Leaders?

Topics might include:
Map features
Grid references
Compass parts & use
Magnetic declination
Taking bearings
Route planning
Estimating distance

Vote now!
React 👍 for "Yes"
React 😢 for "No"
React ❤️ for "Maybe"

Feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Does your Group have a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) that you can borrow when hiking? If you’re taking a PLB out for the first time there are a few things to know.

Once activated, a PLB broadcasts an emergency signal which can be detected by satellite.

Satellites can’t “see” through mountains, dense tree cover or buildings. If your beacon is obstructed, geostationary satellites may not detect it. Instead, you’ll need to wait for a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite to pass overhead, which can sometimes take several hours.

📍 Give your beacon the best chance of being detected

* Place it in a clear, open area.
* Keep the antenna fully extended and pointing straight up.
* Aim for as much open sky as possible.
* Keep it away from trees, cliffs, buildings and vehicles.
* If you’re in a steep gully or ravine, move it to the highest safe point you can reach.

🛰️ Keep it up-to-date

Most newly purchased PLBs will be GPS-enabled, meaning it can transmit your location with high accuracy, helping rescuers get to the right place faster.

Older, non-GPS beacons are still ok to use, (provided they’re in date and registered). But if your Group has one of these older devices, it could be time to consider replacing it.

PLB batteries last years, but it’s important to regularly check your device using the self-test button. This will ensure your battery and electronics are working correctly, without triggering a rescue. Plan to service or replace your device before the battery expiration date.

Ensure your Group’s registration details are up to date. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) Joint Rescue Coordination Centre will ring the emergency contacts registered to your beacon. If that’s a Leader who’s stepped down and no longer with your Group, they won’t be much help.

Your emergency contact should have a copy of your trip plan and be available to take a call (not away somewhere on their own trip!). Some Groups have a form that must be completed detailing key trip information before anyone can borrow the PLB.

Remember, you can also upload trip details to the AMSA portal so rescuers can immediately access your trip plan and party details.

Understanding how your PLB works, and using it correctly, gives rescuers the best possible chance of finding you quickly.

If you would like to learn about the on-the-ground aspects of Search and Rescue, our next course will be held October 24-25 at Lal Lal.

https://tockify.com/scoutsvic/detail/825/1792760400000

Incredible weather on the Extremely Difficult Untracked Alpine course at Mt Stirling last weekend. Well done to all our participants! If you are interested in building your off-track nav skills, trying your hand at snow-shoeing or building an emergency shelter this course is for you! Dates for next year's course will be announced before end of year.

Wishing everyone a fantastic World Scout Day from the top of Mt Stirling!

Well done to everyone who competed the Tracked Environments course last weekend. The Tracked course consists of a Saturday theory session followed by a Sunday practical navigation day at Lysterfield Park.

The final Tracked course for 2026 will be 7-8 November. To register, go to:
https://tockify.com/scoutsvic/detail/796/1793970000000

A compass is one of the most reliable navigation tools you can carry, but only if it’s working properly. Here are a few reasons a compass can give you the wrong direction:

Magnetic interference – Phones, smartwatches, radios, power banks, knives, keys and other metal possessions can all affect the needle. Keep your compass well away from metal or magnetic objects when taking a bearing.

Environment – The same goes for your surroundings. Cars, iron bridges, power lines and even the nails in the floor of your scout hall can all affect the needle. Certain iron-rich geological features can also be a problem.

Air bubbles or leaks – Most compasses are liquid-filled. If the housing develops a leak or a large air bubble, the needle may not move freely and the compass should be replaced.

Extreme temperatures – Very hot or very cold conditions can affect the liquid inside some compasses. Store your compass out of direct sunlight and avoid leaving it in a hot car.

Hemisphere incompatibility (magnetic dip) – Compasses are balanced for a specific hemisphere or zone. If you use a northern hemisphere compass in Australia, the needle can drag or stick, giving inaccurate readings.

Physical damage – A cracked baseplate, bent bezel or damaged housing can make a compass difficult or impossible to use accurately.

Remind your scouts that a compass is a piece of precision equipment, not something to throw into the bottom of your pack. If they are borrowing one of the Group's compasses they need to treat it with care.