Three people walking beside a creek, with overnight packs.

Bushwalk Guide – Foundation Training & Assessment

Do you want to gain a qualification to lead groups of bushwalkers for schools, tour groups, special interest groups and clubs to the highest standards? This is the qualification that you need and it starts with the Foundation training.

This is the first step towards full Bushwalk Guide Accreditation.

This accreditation is designed to meet the Australian Adventure Activity Standard (AAAS) and the bushwalking community standards and is developed by highly trained, experienced bushwalking trainers and assessors currently working in the outdoors. It is also suitable for anyone wanting to increase their personal skills.

Learn how to apply leadership and management skills to keep groups safe. Learn to effectively use maps and compasses to understand topography, positioning and navigation. Develop trip planning skills, incident and risk management skills and understanding. Become proficient in understanding weather events in the field, the safe use of equipment and good camping practices.

The training happens over 4 days followed by a 3 day walk where you will apply what you have learned while being assessed.

The only prerequisites are that you have experience as an overnight bushwalker and camper and that you are confident in your personal abilities in the bush. The amount of experience is a minimum of 10 lightweight overnight camping days of which 6 days must be lightweight overnight bushwalking (minimum of 2 days each) and a current First Aid certificate.

Bushwalk Guide – Foundation 2026 Information

Assessment

Quiz, Planning Project, 3-day group or authentic assessment.

Prerequisites

  1. 10 lightweight overnight camping days of which 6 days must be lightweight overnight bushwalking (minimum of 2 days each).
  2. Current First Aid certificate.

Course Price

Course Prices

Total price
$1,600.00
(Concession/Student: $1,525.00)
Training
$1,000.00
(Concession/Student: $950.00)
Assessment
$600.00
(Concession/Student: $575.00)
WSA RCC
$135.00
(Concession/Student: $0.00)
RCC
$225.00
(Concession/Student: $210.00)

Course Dates

Course Dates

Course 1 Training (May 16 & 17, then 23 & 24)
Dates to be confirmed
forecasted as May 2027
Course 1 Assessment (June 19 - 21) NEW DATES
Dates to be confirmed
forecasted as June 2027
Course 2 Training (July 9 - 12)
Dates to be confirmed
forecasted as July 2027
Course 2 Assessment (July 16 - 18)
Dates to be confirmed
forecasted as July 2027
Course 3 ASSESSMENT ONLY (Oct 8 - 10)
9:00am Oct 8 – 10, 2026

Apply

Enrol

Questions?

Have any questions? Review our FAQ or get in touch below.

What courses are you interested in?
Guide Courses:
Overnight Courses:
Guide Courses:
Skills Courses:

Why Choose Walking SA Education

Walking SA Education offers a transformative online training experience that focuses on real-world applications and practical skill development.

  • Industry Experts

    Practical Learning

    Our instructors utilize industry-relevant teaching methods to enhance practical skills and industry awareness, ensuring a rich learning experience.

  • Tailored Programs

    Personalized Support

    We offer programs tailored to your skill level and learning objectives, incorporating practical activities and virtual events for a comprehensive educational journey.

  • Interactive Approach

    Real-World Simulations

    Our interactive approach fosters confidence and practical fluency in real-world contexts, preparing you for seamless professional interactions.

  • Industry Insights

    Global Perspectives

    Gain industry insights and global perspectives through our virtual workshops and events, acquiring knowledge that goes beyond just practical proficiency.

Our Training Courses

Our experienced instructors are dedicated to providing high-quality, interactive learning experiences that focus on practical skills and real-world applications.

Filter:
    • Skills

    Bushwalk Skills – Day Walk

    Introduction to bushwalking

    A short, 3 hour walk and talk introduction to safe bushwalk practices and equipment, delivered by a trained and experienced bushwalk guide, with a useful handout. Small group experiences. Check for dates or get in touch to book a session for you and your walking friends.

    View details
    • Skills

    Bushwalk Skills – Overnight

    Begin your overnight bushwalking skills development here

    Basic skills required for independent bushwalking and overnight camping up to grade 3 tracks.

    Course Dates
    Course 3 (September 15, then 26 & 27)
    6:00pm Sep 15 – 27, 2026
    View details
    • Guide

    Bushwalk Guide – Daywalk

    Become a Daywalk Bushwalk Guide

    Able to lead day walks up to grade 4 tracks.

    Course Dates
    Course 1 (May 30 & 31, then June 6 & 7)
    Dates to be confirmed
    forecasted as May 2027
    Course 2 (August 1 & 2 then August 8 & 9)
    Dates to be confirmed
    forecasted as August 2027
    View details
    • Guide
    • Overnight

    Bushwalk Guide – Foundation Training & Assessment

    Learn to become a Bushwalk Guide by first completing the Foundation training.

    Able to lead overnight bushwalks up to grade 3 tracks, and grade 4 with mentor pre-checks.

    Course Dates
    Course 1 Training (May 16 & 17, then 23 & 24)
    Dates to be confirmed
    forecasted as May 2027
    Course 1 Assessment (June 19 - 21) NEW DATES
    Dates to be confirmed
    forecasted as June 2027
    Course 2 Training (July 9 - 12)
    Dates to be confirmed
    forecasted as July 2027
    Course 2 Assessment (July 16 - 18)
    Dates to be confirmed
    forecasted as July 2027
    Course 3 ASSESSMENT ONLY (Oct 8 - 10)
    9:00am Oct 8 – 10, 2026
    View details
    • Guide

    Bushwalk Guide

    Become a Bushwalk Guide

    Able to lead overnight bushwalks with dependants on up to grade 4 tracks. Building on the skills and experience gained in the Bushwalk Guide Foundation Training. accreditation.

    Course Dates
    Assessment (July 16 -18) TBC
    Dates to be confirmed
    forecasted as July 2027
    Assessment (October 8 - 10) NEW DATES
    9:00am Oct 8 – 10, 2026
    View details
    • Guide

    Bushwalk Guide – Remote

    Take your skills to the highest level.

    Able to lead bushwalks to grade 5 in remote areas. No direct entry – experience and training equivalence to the full Bushwalk Guide Accreditation needed to participate.

    View details

Qualification Pathways

Our courses form part of a qualification pathway. Gain further qualifications as you graduate from courses along the pathway or have Recognised Current Competency (RCC).

Filter:

  • Skills

  • Bushwalk Skills – Day Walk

    Introduction to bushwalking

    A short, 3 hour walk and talk introduction to safe bushwalk practices and equipment, delivered by a trained and experienced bushwalk guide, with a useful handout. Small group experiences. Check for dates or get in touch to book a session for you and your walking friends.

    View details

  • Bushwalk Guide – Daywalk

    Become a Daywalk Bushwalk Guide

    Able to lead day walks up to grade 4 tracks.

    View details

  • Skills

  • Bushwalk Skills – Overnight

    Begin your overnight bushwalking skills development here

    Basic skills required for independent bushwalking and overnight camping up to grade 3 tracks.

    View details

  • Bushwalk Guide – Foundation Training & Assessment

    Learn to become a Bushwalk Guide by first completing the Foundation training.

    Able to lead overnight bushwalks up to grade 3 tracks, and grade 4 with mentor pre-checks.

    View details

  • Bushwalk Guide

    Become a Bushwalk Guide

    Able to lead overnight bushwalks with dependants on up to grade 4 tracks. Building on the skills and experience gained in the Bushwalk Guide Foundation Training. accreditation.

    View details

  • Bushwalk Guide – Remote

    Take your skills to the highest level.

    Able to lead bushwalks to grade 5 in remote areas. No direct entry – experience and training equivalence to the full Bushwalk Guide Accreditation needed to participate.

    View details

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve listed some of the common questions people have below.

If you need some more information or have another question do get in touch with us.

Is this accreditation a recognised national training framework one?

No, training and assessment is not based on a national training package, but instead based on the Australian Adventure Activity Standard (AAAS).

How do I know that this qualification will be accepted by an employer, school or other group?

The people behind this qualification are all from the walking community in South Australia and have chosen to work together to create an accreditation that is of the highest standards that they are currently using.

There have been many obstacles for people to gain similar qualifications in South Australia and the walking community recognised that there needed to be an easier way for gaining accreditation while maintaining their high standards.

Why is the assessment cost so low?

In years past, bushwalking leader training has been done on a volunteer community basis to keep cost down and to keep a strong community involvement solely for the benefits of the community.

In recent years there has been a move to national training pack-age training that involves a higher training and assessment cost and this has been an impediment for many.

Walking SA, being the peak body for walking in South Australia and a volunteer, community based organisation has seen the need for a community based training to return to South Australia.

If I have done training with another organisation such as Adelaide University, UniSA, Flinders University or Bushwalking Leadership South Australia (BLSA) but haven’t been assessed for any other certificate, can I be assessed by Walking SA Education essentially continuing on from where I was?

In short, yes.

There are some requirements of currency of experience and training that will likely have to be considered but this accreditation is perfect for those who have not completed assessment with another organisation.

Will I need to be a member of Walking SA?

Yes. The first year of membership is included in the assessment fee and following from the first year the membership will give access to professional development, networking and importantly re-accreditation to ensure currency of the qualification. To maintain those benefits you will need to remain a member.

Are there other benefits of this accreditation through Walking SA?

Walking SA, being the peak body for walking in South Australia is uniquely placed to have access to Government, community and industry support. We have arrangements in place for Insurance cover when training, assessing or on Walking SA events or club walks. As well as the walking community support which includes professional development opportunities, networking and, in the future, employment opportunities.