What’s involved in attending hikes?
It is our mission to encourage you to get outdoors and go hiking, to meet like-minded people, to provide a central source of trail information, and to support you in discovering your next adventure.
Members attending hikes are asked to agree to abide by the following Code of Conduct and Risks and Waiver of Liability. These guidelines are designed to enhance members’ enjoyment of events, keep attendees safe, and preserve the natural beauty of the trail for all to enjoy.
Occasionally, we will update these guidelines. It is important that you check back before participating in events to ensure you still agree to these terms and conditions.
1. What is an acceptable profile pic?
All members must display a real head-and-shoulders photo of themselves and use their real first name rather than a random photo, avatar, or alias. This is in the interest of member safety. We conduct serious adventures at times, and identification is important if any incident were to occur. Images of animals, artistic impressions, group shots, or scenery will not be accepted. If you have concerns about this requirement, please contact the organiser(s).
2. Personal Etiquette
- Always be polite, courteous, and respectful of other members.
- No profanity or rude behaviour.
- Be considerate of other hikers and their experience.
- Bring a positive and enthusiastic attitude.
- Express gratitude to organisers, assistants, carpool drivers, and others who make the experience possible.
- Help out where you can, or better still, organise your own hikes.
- Anti-social, dangerous, or reckless behaviour endangering yourself or others will not be tolerated.
- Do not discriminate based on age, gender, or race.
- You must be physically capable and aware of the risks associated with the activities you RSVP to attend.
- You are responsible for providing personal protective equipment (PPE), first aid, and any required medication.
- Inform the organiser if you suffer from any medical conditions that could affect you during the hike (e.g., asthma, diabetes, pre-existing injuries).
Bullying, harassment, or unwanted attention towards any member—whether verbal, physical, or written—will not be tolerated. Such behaviour may result in immediate removal from the group.
3. RSVP etiquette
All our hikes have limited numbers for safety, management, and environmental reasons. Not showing up to events or pulling out at the last minute is unfair to other members and to the organiser(s) who have put in the effort to plan the hike.
- Managing your RSVP: Members who RSVP “Yes” must change their status if they can no longer attend, ideally at least four days prior to the event so others can take their place.
- Wait list: If you are on the wait list, it is your responsibility to check your status, as you may be moved to the attending list automatically.
- Late changes and No-Shows: Any changes to attendance after RSVPs have closed, failure to notify the organiser before the event starts, or providing an unsatisfactory reason for non-attendance may be recorded as a No-Show.
- Repeat No-Shows: Members marked as a No-Show on more than three occasions will be removed from the group. This may occur sooner if your attendance history consists only of No-Shows.
4. Leave No Trace principles
Always practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace:
- Plan Ahead & Prepare
- Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly (pack it out)
- Leave What You Find
- Minimise Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Others
5. Inactivity policy
We encourage active attendance at all events. If you have not visited the Trail Hiking Australia Meetup website for four months, Meetup flags you as inactive. You may then be removed from the group at the discretion of the organiser(s) to ensure our membership reflects active participants. You can re-join at any time if you wish to be active again.
6. Group sizes
We cap group sizes at 16 for all hikes to align with:
- The national bushwalking code of conduct.
- Requests from land managers.
- Leave No Trace principles.
These limits protect the environment, respect land manager requirements, and ensure the safety of all participants. If incidents occur during a hike, courts will refer to the code of conduct and land manager requirements. Not following these limits may expose organisers to legal liability.
7. What to expect on a hike
Hike difficulty and expectations:
Our regular hikes typically last between 4 and 6 hours and range from 10 to 18 kilometres in length, with potential elevation changes of 200–700 metres. Some hikes may be longer or more challenging. Hiking uphill and downhill is significantly more difficult than walking on flat terrain. To assess your fitness level, try walking 5 kilometres on flat ground in under 1.5 hours without breaks. To simulate elevation, climb twenty flights of stairs (60–100 metres). Start with easier hikes labelled “EASY” before attempting advanced trails.
Physical fitness:
Ensure you are physically capable of handling the chosen hike’s distance, duration, and elevation gain.
Proper gear:
Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good tread, clothing suitable for the weather, and carry a backpack with essentials such as water (half a litre per person per hour), sunscreen, food, torch, navigation tools, and first-aid supplies. Notify the organiser if you have any medical conditions that could impact you during the hike.
Trail etiquette:
Always stay with the group leader and follow their instructions. Walk together and never leave anyone behind. If the group pace feels too slow or fast, speak to the leader. Wait for all members at trail junctions. Inform someone if you need to leave the trail or exit the hike early. Respect wildlife, stay on designated trails, and practise Leave No Trace principles.
Additional considerations:
Children are welcome but must be members and supervised by a parent or guardian. Organisers are not responsible for childcare. Bring a camera to capture scenery and wildlife (respect privacy where applicable).
8. Interpersonal relationships
Private Interactions:
While members are encouraged to connect and build relationships within the group, it is essential to maintain a respectful and considerate approach. Any private interactions that involve or arise from group connections should adhere to the same standards of politeness and respect outlined in this code of conduct.
Personal responsibility in relationships:
Members are responsible for their own personal relationships that may develop as a result of meeting people through this group. The group organiser(s) are not responsible for managing private disputes or relationship breakdowns that occur outside the context of group activities. While we take all reports of inappropriate conduct within the group seriously, requests to remove members will only be considered where there is a clear breach of this Code of Conduct or where the organiser reasonably believes that a member’s continued participation poses a risk to the safety, comfort, or harmony of the group.
Social media conduct:
Behaviour on social media or other external platforms that targets, harasses, or intimidates members may still be considered under this Code if it impacts the safety, comfort, or harmony of the group.
Conflict Resolution:
In the event of conflicts or misunderstandings among members, it is encouraged to address the issues openly and constructively. If conflicts persist and affect the overall harmony of the group, organiser(s) may intervene to facilitate resolution.
Confidentiality:
Respect the privacy of fellow members. Any information shared in private should be treated with confidentiality, and members are discouraged from sharing private interactions that may compromise the well-being or reputation of others within the group.
9. Leadership conduct
Event hosts and organiser(s) are expected to maintain professionalism both within the group’s platform and in private communications related to group activities. Any behaviour that contradicts the values and guidelines of the group may result in appropriate action, including reconsideration of leadership roles.
10. Reporting concerns
Open Communication:
If any member feels uncomfortable or observes behaviour inconsistent with this Code of Conduct, they are encouraged to report their concerns to the group organiser(s). Reports will be handled discreetly, and appropriate action will be taken based on the severity and nature of the concern.
Scope of Action:
The organiser(s) will address concerns directly related to group activities or behaviour that clearly impacts the safety, comfort, or harmony of the group. Matters that arise solely from personal relationships or interactions outside of group events will generally not be grounds for removal unless they present an ongoing risk to members within the group context.
11. Membership and attendance fees
Trail Hiking Australia is free to all members as a not-for-profit initiative.
By organising, RSVP’ing to, or attending any hike, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to abide by this Code of Conduct.
