Think Before You Trek

Every year NSW Police respond to around hundreds of incidents of persons becoming lost and/or require rescuing. Most are found within 24hrs, but occasionally a weekend adventure can turn to tragedy. 683 individuals were rescued by NSW Police across the state in the financial year 2022-2023.

Think Before You Trek

Think Before You Trek (TREK)  is a bush safety initiative between the NSW Police Force and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. It aims to provide bushwalkers and adventurers across NSW with a free loaned Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).

TREK was initiated by NSW Police in the Blue Mountains in 2008 due to the high number of rescues in the park every year. The Blue Mountains National Park covers over a quarter of a million hectares of land and has Australia's largest network of walking tracks covering over 250 kilometres. It is also NSW's busiest park with an estimated four million visitors a year. Much of the park is remote and difficult to access, except via foot, which makes it extremely attractive to bushwalkers from all over the world. TREK has expanded to 12 locations across NSW to accommodate for other remote areas.

Think before you TREK promotes the benefits of planning ahead for your bushwalking trip by using an easy to remember acronym:

T - Take adequate supplies of food, water, navigation and first aid equipment.

R - Register your planned route and tell friends and family when you expect to return.

E - Emergency beacon (PLB's) are available free of charge from NSW Police Force and NPWS.

K - Keep to your planned route and follow the map and walking trails.

Personal Location Beacons (PLBs)

  • You can hire a PLB for free at 13 locations in NSW. When you pick up your PLB, all you have to do is fill in a trip intention form.
  • The PLB units send information when the emergency beacon is activated. This offers the advantage of precise location information from the inbuilt GPS as well a unique identifying number so rescue authorities can send the appropriate resources more quickly.
  • Personal satellite tracking devices or PLB's (Personal Location Beacons) are for emergency situations only.

BUSHWALKING TIPS

  • If you're going bushwalking or backpack camping in NSW national park, be prepared and stay safe.
  • Contact the park office or local visitor centre to ask about local conditions, tracks, creek or river water levels and fire danger. National parks offices and visitor centres have experienced staff who have a wide knowledge of the local area.
  • Leave full details of your planned walk with a relative or a responsible person. Include details about where you will be going, who is with you, what equipment you have, and when you expect to return. You can also complete a trip intention form.
  • Allow plenty of time to finish the activity in daylight, and pack extra food and water in case of unexpected delays.
  • Weather can sometimes change quickly so walkers should be prepared for heat, rain and cold. Check the Bureau of Meteorology website for the latest weather forecast.
  • At the very least, we advise that you carry:
    1. matches
    2. topographic map(s)
    3. a compass
    4. a space blanket
    5. a first aid kit
    6. raincoats for everyone in the group
    7. plenty of water
  • If possible try to have at least four people in your group. If there is an emergency, two can go for help, while the other stays with the injured or ill person.
  • Make sure there is at least one experienced person in the group who can guide and assist others.
  • Make sure your activity is something which all participants in your group are able to do.

Online Trip Intention Form

It is important to tell other people about your trip, to ensure emergency services are notified if you do not return on time. Make sure you complete a trip intention form before you depart.