We spoke with Steve Napier, President of Bushwalkers of WA, about the club’s history, uniqueness and walks program.
What is the history of BOWA
In the late 1970s the maturing generation of baby boomers were seeking something outside the pub and club scene and a more youthful group to enjoy bushwalking. A relatively junior cohort within one of Perth’s existing clubs decided to form their own club and in 1980 Bushwalkers of WA was born.
In those pre-internet days the then Yellow Pages was the source of much business and recreation information and a double spread was dedicated to clubs. Bushwalkers of WA had the first listing under Bushwalking clubs. To keep the club small, the BOWA constitution specified no more than 60 members and with two other active clubs in Perth we rarely had to reject new applications.
What makes BOWA unique?
In those early days we had a young active membership and plenty of leaders to run events. Although the Bibbulmun track had been established, it wasn’t as well defined, and the campsites weren’t identified by the consistent shelters of today.
Now, this world-class walking track adds to our diverse range of walks and a dedicated group of us help maintain an 8 km section and one of the shelters on two-monthly visits.
What kinds of walks and social activities does BOWA offer?
I found BOWA in the Yellow pages in 1983 and have been an active member since then, enjoying and supporting our small, friendly club.
We enjoy full day bushwalks every Sunday from May to October and also an annual multi-day event which often involves staying in a town located on the Bibbulmun track from where we can take walks in both directions while discovering a regional community.
We run some shorter half-day walks over the warmer months and also within our main walking season while other social activities include restaurant evenings.
We welcome new members and our program is publicly accessible so you can see what events are on offer before you contact the leader to check your suitability to their event.
What are your favourite places to hike in Perth and WA?
Over the past 40+ years our traditional method of navigation has been revolutionised with the advent of the GPS and along with this, so has the availability of accurate well chosen bushwalks. The website walkgps.com.au and its author Dave Osborne has added immensely to our choices of walks both within a day’s drive from Perth and in the southwest of our state.