PRESS RELEASE
New Australian Hiking Guide Reveals Why Most Incidents Start Before Anything Goes Wrong
Melbourne, Australia – April 2026
Trail Hiking Australia has released a new publication, Small Things Don’t Stay Small: A Practical Guide to Safer Hiking in Australia, challenging how hikers understand safety in the outdoors.
Rather than focusing on gear lists or step-by-step instructions, the guide examines how hiking incidents actually develop, often beginning with subtle, early signals that are easy to overlook.
As outlined in the book, most problems on the trail do not begin with dramatic events such as injury or getting lost. They begin earlier, through small changes in pace, conditions, or decision-making that gradually build pressure across a hike .
A shift away from traditional hiking advice
Most hiking resources focus on preparation: what to pack, where to go, and how to complete a route.
This guide takes a different approach.
It introduces a systems-based perspective, helping hikers recognise how movement, environment, equipment, and judgement interact over time. By identifying early signals such as fatigue, hesitation, or changing conditions, hikers can respond while situations are still manageable.
The goal is not to eliminate risk, but to improve awareness and timing.
Built for Australian conditions
Developed by Darren Edwards, founder of Trail Hiking Australia and creator of The Hiking Safety Systems Framework (HSSF), the guide is grounded in real-world experience across Australian environments.
From heat and terrain variability to navigation challenges and group dynamics, the book reflects the complexity of hiking conditions unique to Australia.
Each chapter explores a different part of the hiking system, supported by practical examples and “Deep Dive” scenarios that show how small signals can develop into real situations if left unaddressed.
Designed for practical use, not theory
The guide is structured to be used before, during, and after a hike.
It includes:
- Real-world examples of early warning signs
- Scenario-based breakdowns of how incidents develop
- Simple prompts to support better decision-making
- Practical checklists for planning, monitoring, and reflection
Rather than overwhelming readers with information, the focus is on helping hikers notice what is already happening around them.
A broader approach to hiking safety
The release of Small Things Don’t Stay Small complements the broader Hiking Safety Systems Framework, which provides a structured way to understand how different elements of a hike interact under pressure.
Together, they reflect a growing shift in outdoor safety education, moving beyond preparation alone toward real-time awareness and decision-making.
Availability
Small Things Don’t Stay Small: A Practical Guide to Safer Hiking in Australia is available now as a downloadable PDF via Trail Hiking Australia.
About the author
Darren Edwards is the founder of Trail Hiking Australia and the developer of the Hiking Safety Systems Framework (HSSF). His work focuses on how hiking incidents actually develop, and how early signals can be recognised before they become difficult to manage.
About Trail Hiking Australia
Trail Hiking Australia is a comprehensive online resource for hikers, providing access to over 3,800 trails across Australia, along with practical guides, planning tools, and safety resources.
The platform includes a growing suite of hiking calculators and the Hiking Safety Systems Framework, a structured model designed to help hikers better understand risk and decision-making in the field.
Media and Enquiries
Darren Edwards
Founder, Trail Hiking Australia
Melbourne, Australia
www.trailhiking.com.au
