Category Archives: australia

Beds in the Bush

Robert Henderson Croll “Along the Track” Bob Croll published “Along the track” in 1930. Its a memoir of travels in the Victorian Bush per boot. The Order commends this essay to you. File it under nostalgia. You can read other essays from the book here. “Bed in the bush with stars to see.” -R.L.S AContinue reading “Beds in the Bush”

Men and Mountains

The federation of new south wales bushwalking clubs published “The Bushwalker” This is by B Thompson (c.m-w) from edition number 6. 1942 To all of us in whom the love of mountains and nature is so deeply rooted, it is difficult to realise that mountains were once regarded as objects of dread. Greek and RomanContinue reading “Men and Mountains”

A Survey By Way Of Preface

The train, the car, the buggy, the bicycle are excellent means of getting from place to place; none of them gives him leisure to note what lies between. That is peculiarly the walker’s gain. It is then that he gathers the harvest of the quiet eye, and he sees not only the widespread landscape, but also the details of Nature’s plan.

Opinion Piece: John Winston Howard

James Valentine presents us with an opinion piece that is quite simple and obvious, yet periodically journalists need to reiterate it. For some reason humans continue to defy their own evolution and embrace labour saving devices to their detriment. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-07-03/28516

If You Know Bourke You Know Australia

I WAS in Bourke, New South Wales – the outback, that most powerful of Australian words – the edge of the world, where the unknown begins. I was having a break from writing Cold Light and I had my backpack and gear with me, intending to do a trek in that hard country, maybe to look at a geological oddity called Mount Gunderbooka, about sixty kilometres south-west of the dwindling township of Bourke. The mountain name carried within it the word ‘book’.

Australian Alps Walking Track

Moving at Pace I see no value in planning a journey, short or long, and then attempting to complete it as fast as possible. The journey is the gift. That being said, it is ironic that I like to read about such human endeavours, and I do respect the mental and physical resolve one mustContinue reading “Australian Alps Walking Track”

Arthur Barrett – Victoria’s First Walker

Tim Erikson of the Victorian Race Walking Club has done significant work in documenting the history of competitive walking in the state of Victoria. This Original article deals with Arthur Barrett and his 1893 walk from Melbourne to Sorrento. On the afternoon of 25th January, 1893, 1 was standing on Princes Bridge in a highlyContinue reading “Arthur Barrett – Victoria’s First Walker”