Bushwalk Australia

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 6:11 am**

O.k so after reading the leeche topic and just plain being itchy, what else should a first timer to Oz and NZ know before heading out into the wilds?

Gaiters that are not black are better for spotting bloodsuckers...

Use your fingernail to remove instead of salt...

I'm concerned about poisionous things, must I avaiod all things with scales, or eight legs?

Have you had any ill effects of putting deet directly on your gear? I've seen 100% eat through plastic bags, and damage part of a tent?

So no leeches in NZ? what about ticks?

I had know idea that leeches could move that fast, holy crap!

How do you store your food over night?

Joel

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 6:34 am**

Also, I searched around here for water treatment but didnt find any threads,

I use a gravity filter here, what do you use?

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 6:39 am**

Hey mate, depending on where in Aus you are walking, you wont need to treat your water. We have lots of it here and it's all fresh, clean and yummy!!

also Leeches are a part of bushwalking here, you just cant avoid them. They do not hurt as they inject you with something so you wont know they are feeding, sure it bleeds, but thats it. They are relatively harmless (I get a reaction to them and swell up like an elephant, but it still doesnt bother me more than a bit itchy) Personally I wouldnt ever use Deet, it's dodgy stuff. And salt is good for removing leeches, i've always heard it's better to use salt than use your fingers as they will retreat when salted but if you pull them off while they are feeding it rips part of your skin off with them causing irritation.

Snakes should always be avoided where possible, same with spiders, but these things usually hear you coming and hide away well before you know they are there!! and USUALLY will only bite if provoked.

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 6:55 am**

Most of the walks that I'm looking at are on the east coast, daintree, hinterland track havent decided which one, they all look very inticing, frasier island, blue mountains, and the overland track. As for NZ I'll have two months to walk both islands, not enough time if you ask me...

I've excepted that bloodsuckers are part of the experience along with spiders and snakes. I was hoping to get helpful hints that you all have learned through trial and error that might not have a thread dedicated to them.

Most of my two months in Oz will be spent bushwalking also, and didnt know how the water was going to be.

Is food storage an issue?

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 6:58 am**

again this is area specific... crocodiles around up northerd aus but none in tas vic etc for eg....
probably safest to assume all snakes / spiders can either kill ya or make life suck for a while- and keep a respectful distance...
snakes can be a little more irritable just after winter as they become more active and hungry after the colder months.
i spray the inside of my sea to summit quagmire gaiters with 80% (i think?) deet - no issues on canvas...

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=705&hilit=food+store
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=6146&p=77262&hilit=+carry#p77262
there is also "Food to go" e-book
yjeres some links re food storage... mostly drybags and clean up scraps as most issues are rodent nose & tooth related... have a bit more of a browse and search through the forum and most of what you wanna know has been answered :wink:

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 7:26 am**

Thanks for the leads! I'm looking for advice on where you put your food when you sleep? In the Sierra's we have bears, and in some places are required to use a bear can(2.2 pounds of plastic.. not fun) or hang your food from a tree. Since you dont have bears what critters do you have to defend your food from. I've heard about possum's chewing through tents to get after food.

The plan so far was to use my pack liner(a trash compactor plastic bag) to wrap up my food in and then place in my backpack which then goes under my feet during the night. Will this work?

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 7:29 am**

Yes, thats more than adequete. I just have mine in a stuff sac then inside my pack which I keep in my vestible. I've never been raided by any critters!!

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 7:40 am**

ILUVSWTAS wrote:Yes, thats more than adequete. I just have mine in a stuff sac then inside my pack which I keep in my vestible. I've never been raided by any critters!!

but he's a really bad cook
(Just Joking)

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 7:48 am**

TenderPaw wrote:O.k so after reading the leeche topic and just plain being itchy, what else should a first timer to Oz and NZ know before heading out into the wilds?

Don't forget the camera. Depending on where you go, be prepared for a lack of crowds. You are going to have fun. Tell someone where you are going and when you are due to return. Take a PLB in case of emergency. I think that covers it...

TenderPaw wrote:Gaiters that are not black are better for spotting bloodsuckers...

Not really. Might help a bit but some leeches can be pretty small, leeches have an uncanny knack for getting underneath the gaiters, or brush off the buttongrass or other foliage onto your leg or higher. Black gaiters hide the black mud better. You should wash gaiters, and boots and other stuff with dirt on it (tentpegs, trowel, groundsheet etc) between walks to prevent the spread of phytophthora.

TenderPaw wrote:Have you had any ill effects of putting deet directly on your gear? I've seen 100% eat through plastic bags, and damage part of a tent?

TenderPaw wrote:Use your fingernail to remove instead of salt...

ILUVSWTAS wrote:Personally I wouldnt ever use Deet, it's dodgy stuff. And salt is good for removing leeches, i've always heard it's better to use salt than use your fingers as they will retreat when salted but if you pull them off while they are feeding it rips part of your skin off

Another variant is that many people use DEET and may or may not increase their risk to long term health, increased blood toxicity and so on, but the facts that are out there suggest that DEET is relatively safe to use. At the end of the day, it's a chemical. You decide. I use it. I have not had one leech bite me since 2005. I put that down mostly to good luck than good management or liberal DEET, but I'm sure the small amounts of DEET that I use has helped.
The topic "What do people use to deter leeches" has a couple of interesting links in it that you could follow.
Notably, this one. I see the bloop site seems to have lost their PDF file. I sent them an email asking for the correct URL to the PDF file. I did find this link on their product safety page. of note, the journal talks of products ranging from 4.75 to 23.8 percent DEET, whereas the Bushmans DEET cream is 80%. The sprays are 20%.
Scrape with fingernail to remove versus Salt or other irritants (like hot match head, etc)...
After all that, don't worry too much about leeches, and for short term use, probably worry just as little about some infrequent use of DEET.
Depending on the conditions, I keep DEET application to the legs under the socks, waist, wrists and neck. Or, over the socks and on some clothing. I would keep it away from the fabric of a tent or a sleeping bag, but only because I don't know what it will do and don't want to find out - could be expensive.

TenderPaw wrote:I'm concerned about poisionous things, must I avaiod all things with scales, or eight legs?

ILUVSWTAS wrote:Snakes should always be avoided where possible, same with spiders, but these things usually hear you coming and hide away well before you know they are there!! and USUALLY will only bite if provoked.

Liamy77 wrote:probably safest to assume all snakes / spiders can either kill ya or make life suck for a while- and keep a respectful distance...

That's got that covered. Brown snakes (only on the mainland) have a reputation for being a bit more aggressive than the snakes we get in Tasmania. Don't stop and ask what sort of snakes they are.

TenderPaw wrote:So no leeches in NZ? what about ticks?

Don't know sorry.

TenderPaw wrote:I had know idea that leeches could move that fast, holy crap!

LOL

Welcome to our world!

TenderPaw wrote:How do you store your food over night?

You don't have to tie it 29 feet up a tree to protect it from the bears.
I put mine in a stuff sack deep inside the pack, and the pack is done up, and it's in the vestibule of the tent, and the billy and metal cups and cutlery are on the pack, so if a sneaky blighter (possum or whatever) comes under the vestibule, the falling metal things will wake me and I will make a ruckus to scare it away.

TenderPaw wrote:Also, I searched around here for water treatment but didnt find any threads, I use a gravity filter here, what do you use?

ILUVSWTAS wrote:Hey mate, depending on where in Aus you are walking, you wont need to treat your water. We have lots of it here and it's all fresh, clean and yummy!!

+1. Well, most of it anyway - do a search for Giardia or Gastro.
Hope that helps.

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 7:51 am**

on the overland trac possums are pretty conditioned in raiding packs for food. They can (but not necessarily will) bite holes in packs and tents to get at food. and they can open zips. Your best bet is to make sure all food is deep down in side ur pack. Once i tought i had put my food away propery only to be woken in the night to find a possum eating the lollies in the top of my pack where he opened the zip. Other places than the overland the possums arent as smart. But im not sure what the possums are like on the north island of Aus

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 7:55 am**

frenchy_84 wrote:Once i tought s

Once you tought you taw a tutty tat??

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 8:00 am**

You need to know it's addictive

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 8:21 am**

tasadam wrote:I see the bloop site seems to have lost their PDF file. I sent them an email asking for the correct URL to the PDF file.

I got a response.

Hi Adam

Google must still be using an old link.

Please go to http://www.buzzwipes.com.au for up to date info.

Thanks

Here is the page where the old PDF file was - http://bloop.com.au/Buzz_Wipes!.html
Here is their product safety page on the new domain - http://www.buzzwipes.com.au/#!product-safety
Note, that is about Buzz Wipes, not Bushmans DEET. But the discussion on DEET is the interesting bit, as previously linked.

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 8:38 am**

The only ticks found in New Zealand are cattle ticks (Haemaphysalis longicornis). Although they are sometimes called 'bush ticks', they are seldom found in the bush, except in areas where there have been high numbers of cattle or deer - which is unlikely except on private land. Also, there is no Lyme disease in New Zealand. While the mosquitoes and sandflies in New Zealand can be ferocious biters, they are not known to transmit any blood-borne diseases.

Like other expat Australians anywhere, possums in New Zealand can be a nuisance. But that's generally only around busy huts and campsites where they've lost their fear of humans and have come to associate backpacks with easy meals. The possums do this too.
(Just Joking)

Generally the only thing to fear in the NZ bush is inclement weather. Though I was chased through the Hunuas by a feral pig one time.

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 9:34 am**

Thanks for all the posts!!!

Now that a general direction has been chosen (QLS,NSW,Tassie,NZ,and FIJI the miss's) it's the smaller things like choosing which tracks to walk;) So many to choose from so little time. Talk to you tomorrow...

Joel

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 10:52 am**

One other dangerous animal that we have, but hasn't been mention is the drop bear. I haven't encountered any myself, as I always take precautions (Vegemite or Promite behind the ears, large pointy stakes around my tent). There is some good information here: http://australianmuseum.net.au/Drop-Bear

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 10:59 am**

Not to mention the yowies that can be found in deep pools around the east coast mountains. Collect teardrop shaped rocks (not stones) to use in clearing pools first if you want a swim or a drink.

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 1:50 pm**

Water treatment is generally not necessary in NZ, unless you take water from streams on the valley floors where cattle are grazing. In the Blue Mountains of NSW all water should be treated. I use Micropur tablets and have had no trouble. Enjoy your trip.

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 7:44 pm**

The best leech deterrent is walking alone and not stopping in the wet/boggy places.

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 8:14 pm**

You'll want to wear insect repellant when you're in north queensland to keep mosquitoes off, because they get dengue fever up there every year now. That's more of an issue when you're in town than in the bush, though.

Also in Queensland, DO NOT TOUCH the leaves of Gympie trees, which you can see here:
http://www.google.com/search?q=gympie+t ... 80&bih=637
They really hurt. This is not an occasion to let your curiosity get the better of you.

Posted: **Tue 10 May, 2011 8:31 pm**

probably not a good idea to touch the Cassowary in that link as well. Dengue is only an issue in the wet season and it sucks up there in the wet season anyway

Posted: **Wed 11 May, 2011 5:55 am**

frenchy_84 wrote:probably not a good idea to touch the Cassowary in that link as well.anyway

Lol, good idea, unless you want a swift kick in the pants!! Although I hear they are becoming quite rare nowadays sadly??

Posted: **Wed 11 May, 2011 7:23 am**

and keep an eye out for "wait-a-while" vines....found that out the had way!:roll:

Posted: **Wed 11 May, 2011 6:35 pm**

Yes, one has to be careful in Queensland. the vegetation is almost as dangerous as the wildlife.
And there are the locals . . .

Posted: **Wed 11 May, 2011 8:20 pm**

There's also the stinging tree, thousands of fine needles waiting to Pearce you and cause lots of pain, and the barking owls. Try sitting on top of a mountain near the border ranges on your own on a cold foggy day, when a barking owl screams sounds that sound like someone is being tortured alive. You never lived till you hear a barking owl in the wild imitate a young lady being tortured alive. Im not kidding.

You'll love QLD.

Posted: **Wed 11 May, 2011 8:26 pm**

north-north-west wrote:Yes, one has to be careful in Queensland. the vegetation is almost as dangerous as the wildlife.
And there are the locals . . .

Don't worry the locals are not so bad, I can vouch for that, just spent a month in Sydney, glad to be back home,
you Sydney folks make me laugh. you all look so depressed. Where a lot more friendly in QLD, sorry Sydney.

Posted: **Thu 12 May, 2011 12:05 am**

Quite a few sharks in Sydney too, easy to spot though, they drive black cars with personalised number plates (WAN-KER, D-HEAD, etc ), call every one "maaaaaate" and often work in realestate. Just tell them your unemployed and they will leave you alone.

Steve

Posted: **Thu 12 May, 2011 5:35 am**

Phillipsart wrote:There's also the stinging tree, thousands of fine needles waiting to Pearce you and cause lots of pain, and the barking owls. Try sitting on top of a mountain near the border ranges on your own on a cold foggy day, when a barking owl screams sounds that sound like someone is being tortured alive. You never lived till you hear a barking owl in the wild imitate a young lady being tortured alive. Im not kidding.

You'll love QLD.

i think they use the owl call a lot in the midsommer murders soundtrack.... btw

Posted: **Thu 12 May, 2011 5:45 am**

Phillipsart wrote:There's also the stinging tree, thousands of fine needles waiting to Pearce you and cause lots of pain, and the barking owls. Try sitting on top of a mountain near the border ranges on your own on a cold foggy day, when a barking owl screams sounds that sound like someone is being tortured alive. You never lived till you hear a barking owl in the wild imitate a young lady being tortured alive. Im not kidding.

You'll love QLD.

You seem to know alot about what a tortured young lady sounds like.... :shock:

Posted: **Thu 12 May, 2011 7:45 am**

I watch to many movies.

. Particularly American movies, and I've read online the barking owl can imitate a lady screaming in pain, I hope I never hear that noise again, particularly for real. it was the most frightening thing I've ever heard. At the time i did not know it was the owl i seen, till some locals told me what it was. Imagine having one as a pet.

That was the first time I ever heard of a barking owl, I wish I had known before I was at the top of that peak, I cleared out of there like a rocket. I honestly thought someone was being tortured till I was told it was a barking owl. My 4WD brakes were on fire by the time I got back down the mountain. It's kind of funny now when I think about it, but not at the time.

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