Hiking Meetups and Bushwalking Clubs: Find Your Tribe

How I found my tribe

I started out as a solitary hiker, and I genuinely valued the solitude that solo hiking offered. Setting my own pace and route, listening to nothing but the bush around me, starting at sunrise or finishing long into the night if I felt like it, that freedom was the whole appeal.

Years ago, while I was in the Grampians National Park (Victoria) working through its trails, I started looking for hikes closer to home. This was well before this website existed, so my options for finding them online were pretty limited. Through a platform called Meetup, I came across a group called Geographically Challenged. At the time, both Meetup and bushwalking clubs were completely foreign to me, but I joined anyway, mostly to see what it was about.

The group’s focus on overnight and multi-day hikes was a big part of the appeal. Those trips take more planning and effort than a solo day walk, none of my friends shared my interest in hiking, and I valued the safety of walking with experienced people rather than working it all out on my own.

My first Meetup hike was the following weekend, and it was a different experience to anything I’d had solo. There’s a particular satisfaction in sharing a summit with people who understand exactly why you dragged yourself up there, and I was hooked from that first walk.

Looking back, after years and a lot of kilometres, what stayed with me from those early Meetup hikes wasn’t just the trails. It was the friends I made along the way, several of whom I still walk with now.

6 Reasons to join a hiking meetup and bushwalking club

1. Meet like-minded people

Hiking groups and bushwalking clubs are built around people who share your love of the outdoors. It’s a genuinely good way to meet people and, in my case, forge a lasting friendship, I met my wife hiking. You don’t need to be the life of the party to enjoy it either. Most groups are welcoming, and if you’re new to an area, it’s one of the fastest ways to find people to spend time outdoors with.

2. Streamlined logistics

Joining a group or bushwalking club takes some of the logistics off your plate. Individual preparation still matters, but the group usually handles the route, timing and location. Some groups also offer guidance on the trail, likely challenges and the gear you’ll need, which frees you up to focus on the walk itself while still being responsible for your own preparedness.

3. Safety in numbers

Hiking with a group is generally safer than going solo. You’re not just walking with other people, the leaders usually know the trail and can help you through any tricky sections. They’ll pass on knowledge about hazards and preparation that you’d otherwise have to learn the hard way, and with a group of experienced hikers around you, there’s always someone to ask.

4. Explore new places

Groups and clubs often walk trails you’d never have found by yourself. They can introduce you to new areas and paths you might not have attempted solo, and you get to share those discoveries with the group rather than keeping them to yourself.

5. Budget-friendly adventure

Hiking and bushwalking are inherently cheap activities. You’ll need personal gear, transport, and sometimes food and drinks afterwards, but the overall cost is minimal next to most other hobbies. Unless you get bitten by the gear bug, like some of us have.

6. Step outside your comfort zone

Don’t be afraid to try it. Joining a hiking group or bushwalking club is a good way to push yourself outside your comfort zone and experience the outdoors differently to how you’re used to. The worst outcome is you decide the group isn’t for you. The potential upside, lifelong friendships and a deeper connection to the outdoors, outweighs that risk in my experience.

Want to join a hiking group and bushwalking club?

Joining a hiking group or bushwalking club is a solid way to get outdoors, meet people who share your interest in it, and walk in a safe, supported environment. Here’s how I’d go about finding the right fit.

Exploring your meetup options

I’ll admit I’m slightly biased here, as an organiser of the Trail Hiking Australia Meetup groups myself, but there are genuinely good Meetup groups located all over Australia. Search “hiking Meetups near me” on the Meetup website, create a free account, and read through the group descriptions. Look for groups that match your interests and activity level, and don’t hesitate to join a few if more than one looks appealing. Joining is usually straightforward, though some groups ask a few introductory questions, or charge a small fee to cover admin costs.

Joining a bushwalking club

If you’re after a bushwalking club specifically, the process is fairly simple. Search “bushwalking clubs near me” or check resources like the Bushwalking Australia website. Club websites usually list their upcoming walk programs and membership details, though some don’t publish the full program for privacy reasons. In that case, contacting the club secretary directly is the way to go.

Finding the right fit

Distance isn’t always the deciding factor when choosing a group or club. Many organise activities across an entire state or region, so don’t limit yourself to whatever’s closest. What actually matters is the group’s experience level, the kinds of walks they run (day trips versus multi-day hikes), and the general atmosphere. Don’t hesitate to contact the organiser or secretary directly to talk through your experience level and any questions you have. That conversation usually tells you more than the website does.

Exploring your options: Meetups and bushwalking clubs

Whether you’re drawn to the casual feel of a Meetup group or the more structured setup of a bushwalking club, both are solid ways to get outdoors with people who share your interest.

• Meeting up with fellow hikers: Meetup groups are a good way to find local hikers and join casual day hikes. Most cater to a range of experience levels, and some run introductory walks for newcomers. Go along to a few events before deciding if the group’s a fit, that’s the only way to really know.
• Joining a bushwalking club: Bushwalking clubs are more structured, with planned walk programs, regular meetings and formal membership. Most clubs let new members join one or two walks before committing fully, which gives you a chance to gauge the atmosphere and difficulty level before signing on. Some even run trial walks specifically to check a prospective member’s fitness and suitability.

Try both if you’re not sure, and use those trial walks or introductory events to work out which community actually suits you.

Building connections

Once you’ve joined a group or club, show up regularly. Consistent attendance is what actually builds relationships with other members, not just turning up once and hoping it sticks. Hikers and bushwalkers are generally an easy crowd to talk to, so don’t be shy about introducing yourself. It doesn’t take long before you’re comfortable in the group.

Choosing wisely: Indicators of trustworthy hiking groups and clubs

Most hiking groups and bushwalking clubs run good, safety-conscious operations, but it’s still worth being discerning. Here’s what I’d look at before joining one.

Insurance and Risk Management: Bushwalking clubs often carry insurance, such as public liability and personal accident cover. Meetup groups may not. That’s a reasonable indicator of how seriously a group takes responsible practice, so ask about their insurance and their approach to risk management on hikes.

Established Leadership: Look for groups with experienced leaders who prioritise safe, enjoyable outings. Ideally they’ll hold relevant certifications or have solid backcountry experience behind them. Check the group’s website or just ask directly about their leaders’ qualifications and experience.

Clear Communication and Organisation: A well-run group has clear communication channels, regular meetings, even if virtual, and defined processes for trip planning, leader selection and emergency protocols. Transparency about how the group operates is a good sign.

Positive Member Experiences: If you can, read reviews or testimonials, or reach out to current members directly and ask them what the group’s actually like.

Additional considerations

Group Size and Dynamics: Large group sizes can genuinely affect the environment and work against Leave No Trace principles, which are about minimising your impact on the land you’re walking through. Land managers and Leave No Trace recommend a maximum of 16 hikers on any hike. I’ve seen groups with over 30 people turn up to a single hike, which is well past that. A group’s total membership can be large, but pay attention to the size of the actual hikes they run, and favour ones that keep to smaller numbers on the trail itself.

Membership Requirements: Reputable clubs often screen new members or require trial hikes before full membership. It can feel like an extra hoop to jump through, but it’s usually a sign the club takes safety and preparedness seriously rather than being bureaucratic for its own sake.

Remember: Ask questions before you join anything. A trustworthy group or club will be upfront and transparent about how it operates and genuinely focused on a safe experience for everyone involved.

Meetups and bushwalking clubs

Meetups and bushwalking clubs both get you outdoors with like-minded people, but they suit slightly different preferences.

• Meetups: Generally more casual and social, focused on day hikes and building connections within the group. They often don’t have regular meetings or formal membership.
• Bushwalking clubs: Still social, but more structured, with planned walk programs, regular meetings and formal membership processes. They tend to have stricter requirements around safety and member suitability given the nature of what they do.

Which one you choose, a Meetup, a bushwalking club, or both, comes down to what you’re after. I joined a Meetup group almost by accident years ago, and it changed how I hike. If you’re hiking alone and wondering whether it’s worth the leap, I’d say it is.