Formed in 1946, the Launceston Walking Club (LWC) has been providing thrilling bushwalks, mountain climbs, kayaking trips and more for the last 72 years to a loyal base of members.

Currently, there are more than 220 members on their books ranging from three to 80 years of age.

The club takes full advantage of Tasmania’s magnificent bushwalking opportunities and run excursions on a weekly basis, with something to suit everyone’s style of adventure.

“We have a full program which we develop every four months. The trips range from day walks, overnight backpacking trips as well as extended backpacking trips, base camping trips, mountain bike and road bike rides, caving and kayaking trips,” former LWC President, Carolyn Farrar said. The bike trips vary from sealed road to dedicated MTB tracks and the kayak trips from dams to ocean trips.

The excursions provide members with a chance to get back to basics and enjoy all that Tasmanian nature has to offer.

“It's a good release from a working week, to get into a different environment and you can feel quite rejuvenated by the experience,” she said.

“The camaraderie of the bushwalking club is certainly very enticing, pretty much everyone who joins the walking club has a common purpose, and we have some really good friendships as a result.”  

Recently the club has launched a family-friendly walk once a month, to entice members to get their kids involved and introduce new families to the group.

Current Vice President Vaughan Cruickshank has been leading the walks and hopes they will gain interest from other families.

“The walks will be very kid and family friendly, we will limit them to 5k and within an hour of Launceston,” he said.

“The trips aren’t just a good form of exercise; they can be educational as well, we recently took a trip to Tamar Island and the kids got to see a lot of wildlife and birds up close.”

As a dad of two Mr Cruickshank said, it has been “a great way to limit screen time and get kids involved in the outdoors.”

“I think it is a great way to meet other families that are interested in walking and getting their kids involved in something like the Launceston Walking Club provides a great sense of community,” he said.

Ms Farrar said the family-friendly walks were a welcome addition to the program.  

“It is great to see our members getting their families involved and bringing their kids walking, which is helping boost that younger generation coming through,” she said.

“We are always looking at expanding our member base especially with people in their 20-40s, we are an ageing group, and we want the club to be able to continue for years to come.”

New members are always welcome and are encouraged to come along on a walk to get a feel for the club before joining.

Information can be found online: launcestonwalkingclub.org.au.

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