From the Desk of the Vice President – Graham van Leeuwen
Spring Has Sprung: It’s Time to Explore Our Backyard
It has been a little while since our last newsletter. You might say we have been hibernating through winter, but with the days growing longer and the weather warming up, it is time to dust off the gear, check the maps and head outdoors again.
For some, this means taking the four-wheel drive onto a bush track. For others, it means saddling a horse, riding a motorcycle, launching a boat, casting a line or pulling on a pair of walking boots.
Although we enjoy the outdoors in different ways, we often ask the same three questions:
- Where can we go?
- How can we enjoy the area safely and responsibly?
- Who can we share the experience with?
These questions are shaping what recreational users are researching online. They also remind us how many interests we share, regardless of how we choose to explore Australia.
Finding Somewhere New to Explore
The first step in any outdoor adventure is deciding where to go.
People are searching for local tracks, trails, campsites, fishing spots, waterways and recreation areas. They also want to know whether these places are open, how difficult they are and which activities are permitted.
A four-wheel-drive club may be looking for a suitable bush route. Horse riders need trails with safe access and enough room to park and unload a float. Motorcycle and enduro riders need legal riding areas. Fishing groups need access to rivers, lakes, beaches, jetties and boat ramps. Bushwalkers want trails that match their fitness and experience.
The activity may change, but the question remains the same:
Where can we go?
Explore closer to home
An adventure does not have to begin hundreds of kilometres away.
Draw a circle of about 100 to 150 kilometres around your home. Within that distance, you may find bushland, waterways, country towns, historic sites, national parks and community camping areas that you have never visited.
Shorter adventures are easier to organise and may cost less. They are also a good way to test equipment, introduce a family member to a new activity or build confidence before attempting a longer journey.
Recent caravan and camping research shows that Australians are taking shorter trips and travelling closer to home. It also reports that 87 per cent of caravan and camping trips take place in regional Australia. [caravanind…try.com.au]
Check before you leave
A track appearing on a map does not always mean it is open or suitable for every activity.
Access can change because of weather, fire danger, maintenance work or environmental protection. Some trails may allow walkers and horses but not vehicles. Other areas may permit registered motorcycles but not unregistered bikes.
Motorcycling Australia advises that registration, suitable noise control and a licence or permit may be required for some enduro activities. [ma.org.au]
Horse riders also need suitable trails and safe unloading areas. The Australian Trail Horse Riders Association promotes safe and environmentally responsible riding through clubs, organised rides and rider education. [athra.com.au]
Always check current information with the relevant land manager before leaving home.
Tips and tricks
- Start with a simple local day trip.
- Check official websites for closures and warnings.
- Confirm that your activity is permitted.
- Look for suitable parking, toilets and other facilities.
- Download maps before leaving mobile coverage.
- Check the weather and fire conditions.
- Prepare a second destination in case the first is closed.
- Support regional businesses along the way.
- Stay on permitted roads, tracks and trails.
- Take your rubbish home.
Preparing Properly and Acting Responsibly
Once we have chosen a destination, the next question is: How do we enjoy it safely and responsibly?
Preparation means different things to different recreational users. However, the basic principles are the same. Understand the conditions, carry suitable equipment, stay within your abilities and respect the area being visited.
Choose an activity that suits the group
A trip should be planned around the least experienced person in the group.
Bushwalkers should choose a trail that matches their fitness, experience and available daylight. Horse riders must consider the ability and condition of both horse and rider. Motorcyclists and four-wheel drivers need terrain suited to their skills and equipment. Fishers must consider weather, water conditions and safe access.
Bushwalking Australia encourages people to check current information, plan ahead, walk within their limits and carry suitable equipment. [bushwalkin…tralia.org]
Turning around is not failure. Conditions can change quickly, and the destination will still be there another day.
Check vehicles and equipment
Spring is a good time to inspect equipment that may not have been used during winter.
Four-wheel drivers should check tyres, brakes, fluids, lights, recovery points and the spare wheel. Anyone towing a caravan, boat, motorcycle trailer or horse float should also inspect the hitch, safety chains, electrical connection and trailer tyres.
Horse riders should check their float, restraints and first-aid equipment. Motorcyclists should inspect their motorcycle and protective gear. Fishers should check boats, lifejackets and communication equipment. Bushwalkers should inspect footwear, packs, navigation equipment and water containers.
Do these checks early. This provides time for servicing or repairs before the trip.
Know the rules
Rules exist to protect people, wildlife and the places we enjoy.
Fishing licences, catch limits and seasonal restrictions vary between states and territories. Australian Government information says one in five Australian adults participates in recreational fishing each year and directs fishers to their state or territory authority for current rules. [agriculture.gov.au]
Other activities may involve permits, vehicle registration, fire restrictions, noise limits, camping rules and seasonal closures.
Responsible recreation also means respecting other visitors. Slow down near walkers, horses and campsites. Keep noise under control. Do not block gates or access roads. Give other people enough space to enjoy their activity.
Protecting our future access
Every visitor helps shape how recreational activities are viewed.
Rubbish, damaged gates, unnecessary noise and travel through closed areas can create conflict. Good behaviour demonstrates that recreational users can be trusted to care for the places they enjoy.
If we want continued access to our shared backyard, we must treat it with respect.
Tips and tricks
- Plan for the actual conditions.
- Tell someone where you are going.
- Carry enough water and emergency supplies.
- Inspect vehicles and equipment early.
- Stay within the ability of the group.
- Check licences, permits and restrictions.
- Download maps and carry backup navigation.
- Slow down around other recreational users.
- Avoid wet tracks if your activity may cause damage.
- Never feel pressured to continue in unsafe conditions.
- Leave the area in better condition than you found it.
Joining a Club and Sharing the Adventure
The third common question is: Who can we go with?
Many Australians are searching for clubs, organised activities, beginner events and experienced people who can help them get started.
Whether it is a four-wheel-drive club, horse riding group, motorcycle club, fishing club or bushwalking organisation, clubs provide something that cannot always be found in an online video.
They provide friendship, practical experience, local knowledge and a safer way to learn.
Clubs help people begin
Trying a new activity can be difficult.
Someone may own a four-wheel drive but have never used low range. A rider may be returning to horses after many years. A new motorcycle owner may not know where legal riding areas are located. A family may want to try fishing or bushwalking but not know where to begin.
A welcoming club can turn uncertainty into confidence.
The Australian Trail Horse Riders Association offers club information, organised rides and day membership options for people interested in trying club trail riding. [athra.com.au]
Motorcycling Australia describes enduro as ranging from casual trail rides through to formal competition. [ma.org.au]
Fishing clubs and community groups also introduce people to recreational fishing through events and education. [Australian…Foundation]
Local knowledge matters
Experienced club members often carry knowledge developed over many years.
They may know which tracks become difficult after rain, where a horse float can be turned safely, which fishing location suits children or what equipment is needed for a particular bushwalk.
Good club advice can also save people money. Beginners can learn what they genuinely need instead of buying equipment simply because it appeared in an advertisement or online video.
Sharing this knowledge is one of the most valuable things a club can do.
Clubs give recreation a stronger voice
Access decisions can involve governments, councils, land managers, private landholders and local communities.
An individual may struggle to be heard. Clubs and representative organisations can explain how recreational areas are used, promote responsible behaviour and participate in discussions about future access.
Almost four million Australian adults participated in bushwalking during 2025, but only a small proportion did so through organised activities. [trailhiking.com.au], [trailhiking.com.au]
This creates an opportunity for all recreational clubs. We need to show people that membership is not only about meetings. It is about friendship, practical knowledge, safer participation and helping to protect the places we enjoy.
Tips and tricks
- Search for clubs within a reasonable distance from home.
- Attend a beginner-friendly activity.
- Ask what equipment and experience are required.
- Be honest about your ability.
- Introduce yourself to club members.
- Listen to people with local experience.
- Volunteer to help with club activities.
- Invite a friend or family member.
- Share safe and responsible messages online.
- Look for a club that welcomes and supports newcomers.
Turning Interest into Action
The opportunity is right in front of us. Across Australia, people are looking for places to go, practical advice and others who share their interests.
Our clubs can help turn that interest into safe, responsible participation. By welcoming newcomers, sharing experience and respecting other users, we can strengthen the outdoor community and help protect future access.
So this spring, choose a destination, check the conditions and invite someone along. A simple day trip may lead to a new interest, a new friendship or a lifelong connection with a club.
📬 Send Us Your Club’s Stories!
This update is only possible thanks to clubs who maintain public websites, newsletters, and regularly share news of their activities.
If you would like greater coverage of your club, please ensure you email your club’s newsletter or short event summaries through. Receiving your newsletter allows ARMA to accurately represent your activities and showcase the excellent work being done across all affiliated clubs.
📬 Send event write-ups, photos (with permission), and newsletters to:
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A short What / Where / When summary is perfect.
Disclaimer
This article has been prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence, drawing on publicly available information and club-supplied material, and is provided for general informational purposes for ARMA members. While reasonable care has been taken to ensure accuracy, the content may contain errors, omissions, or information that is no longer current. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official policies or positions of ARMA, its board, or its affiliates. Readers are advised to independently verify information and to rely on official government and club communications for authoritative and definitive guidance. Any corrections, updates, or submissions should be directed to: me***@******et.au
