New to bushwalking and hiking!

[SamWood]

Hello all!
So basically, i'm a hiking/bush walking newbie. I come from England and have only really been on day hikes around the Lake District. I came to Australia in 2009 and have backpacked most of the country, but have only day hiked through the Grampians national park. I met my girlfriend and i'm currently applying for residency and i live in Brisbane. I would very much love to get into bush walking! I'm fairly inexperienced, but fit and healthy and i have good stamina But i'm not too sure on the essentials.

I would like to try out some day hikes nearby Brisbane (max of about 3 hours away) and then go on to trying some overnight hikes. I don't really know anybody who is into hiking so ill probably be doing it alone. I have been looking at Lamington national park but does anybody have any suggestions of places to visit? or maybe any routes that i could do?

Oh, and another bad thing is, i don't have a car Traveling has put me off getting my licence, but i'm 21 now and just getting my learners.

So yes, basically any information on:
1. Essentials to bring on a day hike then essentials for a 2 day hike
2. Places near South East QLD to visit
3. Any tips or advice!

Thanks in advance! I hope to start as soon as the rain has cleared off for a good while

(if there are any links to other posts covering all this, please link)

[juju]

Hi and welcome to BWT and Oz1 I have a 21 year old son who is a learner driver (a little slow off the mark) and from my experience with him on our roads I have to apologize for the lack of courtesy of the drivers here toward learner drivers. I'm in NSW, it may not be so in Queensland (although I've noticed a lot of bad mannered truckers with QLD number plates) but here they can be very impatient and aggressive when there is an L plate on the car. Getting your license can be a test of more than driving skills and rules. I wonder what drivers are like in the UK.
The following link has some Queensland info
viewforum.php?f=4
and I think you can post to find bushwalking companions here
viewforum.php?f=48
and put Queensland in the topic. I hope you have fun in Oz, Julie.

[flyfisher]

Hi Sam, welcome to the forum.

A bit of time spent on here will produce most of the answers you're after.

Good luck with the licence.

[walkinTas]

Hi Sam,

You could start reading here or here for basic info on what is essential. There is lots and lots to read on the forum.

You might still have specific questions about general walking conditions in QLD and the types of tracks you might be walking on up there.