A BUSHWALKING Navigation Workshop will be run for National Parks Association NSW (NPA) members on Sunday, 15 March within Bongil-Bongil National Park.
“Do you want to go walking off the beaten track without getting lost?” said Lyn McRae, the Voluntary Bushwalking Co-ordinator for the NPA’s Coffs Coast Branch.
“NPA NSW is running a day workshop that can help you learn basic navigation skills.”
Learning will take place in a friendly setting with small groups rotated among three workshop leaders.
The key skills covered are reading topographic maps and using a compass; basic use of a handheld GPS (Global Positioning System) device; and using the Avenza Maps smart phone app.
“Come to this workshop to gain confidence and skills for bushwalking further afield,” said Lyn.
The workshop will be held within Bongil-Bongil National Park, close to Tuckers Rock Road on the coast near Raleigh, in an area featuring forest trails, picnic areas and beachfront.
“There is some room for a few participants to stay overnight with the workshop leaders for a modest donation,” Lyn said.
“Tuckers Rocks Cottage will be the delightful venue for short presentations and a meal break.
“Practice of the skills will be on the local forest trails and the beach.”
The volunteer leaders for the workshop – Lyn, Coleta, and John – are all experienced bushwalkers.
Coleta encourages people to join the workshop and “get out of a rut” by plotting new bushwalking routes on the Avenza Maps app.
Lyn meanwhile wishes to give people opportunities to learn to use technical navigation gear in rural places where there is no mobile phone signal.
John enjoys sharing the art of map reading.
“Printed maps tell you so much about an area, whether you travel far or not,” he said.
NPA members should register by contacting Lyn at coffs@npansw.org.au.
More information on NPA activities and a copy of the Branch activity calendar are available on request by contacting coffs@npansw.org.au.
This is a free activity for members.
If not already a member of the National Parks Association, you can join online at https://npansw.org.au/npa/join/ or call the main NPA NSW office on 02 9299 0000.
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