The Bicentennial National Trail Information Booklet
This publication gives a comprehensive overview of the BNT and answers most of the questions you may have.
15 x 21 cm. 15 pages.
BNT Guide Books - Numbers 1 to 6, 8, 11 and 12
A series of 12 comprehensive guidebooks covering the full length of the BNT.
Anyone contemplating a trek on
the BNT should obtain the appropriate guide book/s and become a member of
the BNT.
The guidebooks are described in detail elswhere on this website.
15 x 21 cm. with approximately 70 pages in each guidebook.
BNT Guide Books edition 3 - Numbers 7, 9 and 10
A new edition of the BNT guidebooks. Updated information, new format and fantastic topographic maps supplied by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Mountain Bikes on the National Trail
Lists suitability of sections for mountain bikes and suggests alternative
routes around the parts that are unsuitable. 2 pp.
Pack Horse Trekking Manual
by Mike Allen, Published by the BNT, available from the BNT (How to order
from the BNT)
A comprehensive manual for horse trekking on Australia's Bicentennial National Trail. Mike has been involved with the BNT since it's formation. This book contains knowledge learnt from Mike's horse packing treks, from making pack saddles and gear and from people trekking the BNT.
The books nine chapters cover :
- Getting Organised
- Choosing Horses
- Horse Care
- Horse Equipment
- Camping Equipment
- On The Trail
- Campcraft
- Food, Hazards & Safety.
If you are interested in pack horse trekking, this new book released in April 2003 should be your first purchase. Soft Cover 15 x 21 cm. 91 pages.
National Parks Horse Riding Code
by Paul Hardey of the NSW NPWS, ISBN 0 7305 2074 9 (not available from the BNT)
"When I ride out of the park I will leave only hoofprints and take only
memories."
This publication was written with the cooperation of and endorsement of
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service
- A.C.T. Parks and Conservation Service
- Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Victoria
- Bicentennial National Trail Committee
- Australian Trail Horse Riders Association
Its primary aim is to provide horse riders with guidelines to minimise
the impacts of horses on park environments. It also contains useful information
on travelling with horses and securing them overnight. Some of the matters
it discusses are non-obvious, so get a copy if you're taking horses into
our National Parks.
So you want to go Trail Riding?
Notes of advice for intending long distance horse trekkers, condensed from
16,000 km solo around-Australia trek. 2 pp.
First Aid in the Australian Bush
by Bruce Wilson, ISBN 0 646 00222 8. Try your local bookshop - not available from the BNT.
This is a sound, practical guide to First Aid in the Australian bush. Bruce
Wilson has thirteen years experience
as a professional ambulance officer,
and also has extensive experience of the Australian bush including alpine
and desert regions.
The approach to first aid outlined in this book is different to that taught in conventional
courses. There is an underlying assumption that definitive help is hours, perhaps days away. The first aider is therefore encouraged to assess the severity of the patient's situation and take appropriate action.
My Blood's Country
by Phil Jarrett, published by Greenhouse Publications P/L, ISBN 0 86436
169 6 (not available from the BNT)
This well researched and beautifully illustrated book describes the history
of the Trail and a trek from north to south along the Trail. It includes
much historical information about the places en route.
 The Colour of Courage
by Sharon Muir Watson, ISBN 0 646 12561
3 Soft cover 228 pages (notavailable from the BNT)
published by Muir Publications. Write to :
Sharon Roberts, "The Pines", Lucyvale Road, BERRINGAMA, VIC 3691, AUSTRALIA. AUD $19.95 + P&P
AUD $3.50 within Australia (at Jan 2004). Confirm pricing before ordering please. This fascinating book
describes Sharon Muir Watson and Ken Roberts 22 month
trek from Cooktown to Healseville. Sharon and Ken were the first people
to ride the entire length of the Trail.
Breaking and Training the Stock Horse
by Charles O. Williamson, ISBN 9600144-1-1, Library of Congress Catalog
Card Number 62-22012 (not available from the BNT)
"... Now and then, one was found who really knew horse nature and who taught his horses rather than forced them. Those men made gentle horses and made
them quickly."
Easily the best book I've found on the subject. His methods really work.
Although first published in 1950, Williamson's methods have much in common
with the current "natural horsemanship" practices.
Hickman's Farriery
by John Hickman and Martin Humphrey, ISBN 0-85131-451-1 (not available from the BNT)
The authoritative work on the subject. It includes a short history of horseshoeing,
detailed description of the structure of the horse's legs, shoemaking,
assessment of conformation and action, the practice of shoeing, and corrective
and other special techniques.
The Bushcraft Series
by Ron Edwards, published by The Rams Skull Press, 12 Fairyland Rd, Kuranda,
QLD, 4872 Australia
(not available from the BNT)
Ron Edwards is a saddler and artist who has collected,documented and published
the following books on traditional Australian bushskills and crafts. Each
book is well illustrated with line drawings and instructions on how to
make the article or perform the skill. There are sections in each book
that would interest trekers - especially those interested in learning to
build their own gear or aquire bush skills that will be of use along the
BNT. Of particular interest to trekers is Bushcraft 7 which includes details
how to make a traditional Australian pack saddle and bags. 
- Bushcraft 1 Australian Traditional Bush Crafts
- Bushcraft 2 Skills of the Australian Bushman
- Bushcraft 3 Making Do in the Bush
- Bushcraft 4 Using What is Available
- Bushcraft 5 Developing Your Skills
- Bushcraft 6 Old Ideas for Use Today
- Bushcraft 7 Preserving Old Secrets Hardcover 160 pages, ISBN 1 875872 05
1
Includes instructions and drawings to make leggings, traditional Australian
pack saddle & bags, Horse Gear & Hobbles and other Australian bush skills
- Bush Leatherwork
- More Bush Leatherwork
CD - Make Your Own Horse Pack Saddle and
CD - Make Your Own Working Donkey Harness and Gear
Each of these books is written and self published on a CD (one book per CD) by Brian Beck
3204 Ipswich-Boonah Rd, Roadvale, Qld 4310 Australia.
Phone (07_ 5463 5106
Each CD is AUD$49.00 Post and packing included (not available from the BNT)
The first CD has an updated design for a horse pack saddle and several packing accessories. The second CD has designs for donkey gear for training, packing, riding, snigging and driving. In particular, it has an updated design for a donkey pack saddle.
Both CDs have full instructions for making the pack saddle, including the "Equine Back Profiler System" and swivel bars to ensure the shape and angle of the bars can be exactly fitted to an individual animal.
The Book Of Buckskinning V
Edited by William H.Scurlock, Rebel Publishing Co, Inc, Rt 5, Box 347-M,
Texarkanah Texas, USA Phone (214) 832 4726. ISBN 0-9605666-6-X Softcover
250 pages.(not available from the BNT).
The Australian distributor is Green River Rifle Works, 89 Cumberland
Ave, Cumberland Park, SA 5041 Phone (08) 293 3686 or (08) 331 0235
This book from the publishers of "Muzzle Loader Magazine" includes a chapter
of interest to trekers. Chapter 8 contains "Tips on horseback packing and
how to build the gear". Being American, it describes the history of the
Sawbuckpack saddle, packing, how to make one and the harness and padding
to go with it. Also described is how to build a set of canvas panniers
(pack bags). How to tie a load onto a pack horse with rope including the
diamond hitch, pack animals, their capabilities and saddling up are also
covered in the 21 page chapter which is illustrated with pictures and diagrams.
Another 20 page chapter describes Tipi know how and may be of passing interest.
Packin' In On Mules and Horses
By Smoke Elser & Bill Brown, Mountain Press Publishing Co.
Missoula, Montana, 59806 USA
ISBN 0 87842 127 0 Soft Cover 158 Pages. (not available from the BNT)
This modern book is written by professional packers and is full of good advice, pictures and illustrations of all aspects of horse packing, camping with horses etc. Mostly based on the American Decker pack saddle and mantied loads but excellent advice and information for those interested in packing. I got my copy through the "Borders" book chain in Sydney NSW but you could order it from your local book shop or over the Internet from a company such as amazon.com
Horses, Hitches and Rocky Trails
By Joe Back, Publisher: Johnson Books, Boulder, Colorado, USA.
ISBN 1 55566 141 6 Soft Cover 117 Pages.(not available from the BNT)
This is the classic American book on packing which has been reprinted many times due to its popularity. Packed with advice and very well illustrated. Joe Back was a professional packer, guide and artist who has recorded a lifetimes experience into the pages of this book. I got my copy through the Border" book chain in Sydney, NSW but you could order it from your local book shop or over the Internet from a company such as amazon.com
Hard Country Hard Men: in the footsteps of Gregory
By Kieran Kelly, Publisher Hale and Iremonger Pty Ltd, Alexandria, NSW.
ISBN 0 86806 684 2, Soft Cover 284 Pages (not available from the BNT).
A very interesting book describing the exploits of one of Australia's greatest explorers, Augustus Gregory, interwoven with an account of the author's pack horse expedition through Northern Australia retracing part of Gregory's 1855/56 epic expedition. Includes information on the evolution of the Australian Pack Saddle. Available through most good bookshops in Australia or they can order a copy in for you.
Wildlife and Wilderness in the Waterfall Country
By Roger Fryer, Produced by CSIRO Publishing. Available from bookshops, CSIRO Publishing or the author at: waterfallcountry.com.au. ISBN 9788 0646 4686 93, Soft Cover, 144 Pages. ($29.95)
A wonderfully detailed guide to the New South Wales Mid North Coast and the Great Escarpment — the Waterfall Country east of the Dividing Range. With many pages on horse-riding, including the BNT, this book is a practical guide to experiencing the best of the Waterfall Country, detailing wilderness walks and activities, and offering first-hand accounts from those living and working in the region. Containing useful information on how to safely explore the region, it covers
what to wear, what to take with you, what to do if you get lost, and how to deal with minor injuries and snakebite. Illustrated throughout with stunning colour photographs, Wildlife and Wilderness in the Waterfall Country is an ideal guide for students, teachers, tourists, bushwalkers, horse-riders and anyone interested in this beautiful region. |
