What we’re about
Howdy. MJ here. I'm a Chicago fella now +22yrs in Sydneytown living in the CBD (Central Business District)... NOBODY knows Sydney better than I do, cause she's my girl / my lover... Cool bars. Amazing hikes. Great places to eat. Yup. I know it and love it all. We don't "just hike", and we don't "just get drinks" - we curate cool, fun, and memorable days. If you hear yourself saying...
"I fancy time in Mother Nature exploring beautiful hikes / walks in Sydney while meeting unique people. I want to check out some new bars and hydrate myself with a wine, beer or cocktail at the finale."
Welcome to the group. Let's have some fun. See you soon! MJ
We’re a super fun hiking group, but there are a few ways to get nudged out of the group or an event:
a) “No shows” on the day. Honour your RSVP! It’s about manners;
b) Excessive cancelling your RSVP. Commit, then show up – people want to hike with you;
c) Misrepresenting your health & fitness. It’s a safety issue that affects me, you, and all other hikers;
d) Attending social events when you’re not a hiker. We connect in Mother Nature, and sometimes we do cheeky / fun events. Get to know us while hiking; and
e) Unkindness to fellow hikers. You won’t gel with everybody (which is fine), but if I keep hearing about “Person X”, well… they will be shown the door.
(The leader of "We Hike... to the Bar" is an experienced walker / hiker but he is not a professional hiker [less "Bear Grylls" and more "Beer Grills"], and he does not hold himself to be a professional. Whilst it is his intention to run each event at the highest possible safety standards ultimately the responsibility for your safety and well being will at all times be up to you. Pack wisely - sunscreen, water, First-Aid supplies, etc... When you RSVP for an event, you declare you are fit, healthy, and able to hike that event. When you RSVP for an event with "We Hike... to the Bar" you are automatically agreeing to indemnify the organiser from any liability for yourself and/or your possessions. Hiking is an inherently risky activity and you participate at your own risk.)
Upcoming events
4
THANK YOU HIKERS! Cheers to an amazing 2025! Into 2026 we go!!!
Velvet Underground, 64 Clarence St, Sydney, AUTo a great year of hiking… To the National Parks. The wildlife. To the “Oh fuck are we really hiking through water” moments. To a beautiful Australia – the most amazing country we all cherish.
To our boat party… pool party… bus trip... weekends away... and drinks at the lingerie bar. To the friendships. To the relationships that have started. To the gossip… To the hookups.
To our diverse group of imports – every hike is like a UN field trip. To the local Aussies. To "the banned" who missed out. To the amazing bars we’d only find via hikes. To that "first sip of post-hike beer / taking the hiking shoes off" that feels better than sex. To the schnitzels and fish and chips that soothe the soul. To the speedy hikers I scream at to "Slow the fuck down"... to those that keep that slower hiker in the back company.
To those that are mentally down yet have found smiles and positive energy from our hiking group. To the lending of a hand to help a stranger up a rock / over a creek... to the politically-incorrect-degenerate-filthpot behaviour that makes our hiking group loose and fun.
But most of all. To you! The hikers. And of course to Mother Nature. The positive energy you hikers brought this year in nature has been amazing. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
To all of the above… I raise a glass.
See you in 2026 for more amazing hikes, laughs, drinks, photos, and memories.
Big Hug! MJ
Jan 2. FIGURE 8 POOL, Royal National Park
Jan 4. Blue Mountains
Jan 5. Blue Mountains1 attendee
Figure 8 Pool Hike, Royal National Park @ Low Tide... High fun. 30 Max Hikers.
Otford Station, Otford NSW 2508, 40 lady carrington rd, Otford, AUDoing this one today (14 December), and I know a lot of you are disappointed to miss it. So? Let's schedule it again... Holiday Friday. GREAT hike. Then we'll find a bar to drink wine, tell NYE stories of debauchery and filth, and get loose to cheers to 2026...
THE FIGURE 8 POOL (yes, it’s absolutely stunning), THE ROYAL NATIONAL PARK (2nd oldest in the world), and a Holiday Friday in Sydney? YES, YES, and YES. Let’s hike, let’s drink. Let’s gooooo.
Honestly, I wasn’t all that keen to host this hike, as Instagram pics / hikes don’t float my boat. But? I hiked this exact hike last week – it’s fantastic, and I’m excited to hike it again. Otford Lookout, Werrong Lookout, Burning Palms, Burning Palms Beach… down to Figure 8 – it’s a very special trek.
Central Train Station departs 927am, and it's a quick train arriving Otford 1033am. Quick intro / safety chat, and off we go! NOTE: The Otford Station bathroom is often closed. Use the bathroom on the train, or it's doing your business in Mother Nature.
Safe tide levels are under 1metre, and we'll arrive at a very safe time (tide charts say .08m with low tide at 2:45pm). Yes, safety is key - especially in the Royal National Park... it is going to be beautiful (you've seen the pics), but it can also be dangerous if you're there at the wrong time. We're a safe group, so anybody fucking around on cliff edges or around Figure 8 Pool will be hiking solo soon after.
Let's spend 30min-40min there for pics, a swim (if you fancy), a picnic bite to eat... then return up. And up.
Planning, changes, and all other info will be discussed on whatsapp. After hitting "Attend" join the group here: Fig 8 Friday on Whatsapp
THE RETURN to Otford Station.
Back to Otford Station - this will be an incline you will not forget. Be fit. Sea level to 275m incline is testing - very. I'll need a beer after this - no doubt about that - probably 5. Where? Stay tuned. Otford itself is such a sleepy town, so we'll have to jump on the train and find something back towards the city...
THE RULES.
A) Safety. Be safe! No insta photos on cliff faces. That's out.
B) Be fit, healthy, and able to keep up - exercise pace while chatting and laughing with other hikers.
C) $10 Cash or PayID or PayPal.
D) Be on time. If you're late, use the map to catch up.
E) No shows and morning cancellations are slack. If you're in that group from past hikes, sorry in advance if you're moved into the "No" column.
F) BYO water, towel, Band Aid, and snacks.
G) Be fun. Active. Social. And ready to meet some new folks.
H) Newbies. Feel free to join! But if a hiker that's been great with attendance asks to join, you might be moved into the "Not Going" column - apologies in advance for that.
See you soon! MJ
FITNESS QUESTION
Team, as you know I'm a pretty relaxed host when it comes to pace. Be healthy, be chatty... when some fall behind - no dramas - we wait, and all complete as one group.
However, I'm going to be firm, firm on this hike because the train runs back to the city every 2hrs... if we need to hustle back to Otford we will hustle as sitting at Otford Station for almost 2hrs isn't fun. So, STAY at the FRONT of the group / don't be left behind or you risk being an hour or more late to the pub and catching the next train, okay? Please bring a book just in case. I am not missing the train if it's a close call - therefore I put the hiking map so all know how to get to Otford Station in case you cannot keep up!
See you Friday for one a hike you won't forget! MJ
In pressing the “Attend” button for this hike, you acknowledge that:
a) You are healthy and fit to complete the hike describe;
b) You have read and will follow NSW National Parks Bushwalking Safety Guidelines for this hike;
c) You have no chronic / underlying health issues that deter you from completing this hike;
d) You understand your host is just that – your host, not a professional hiker – and that you and you alone are responsible for your hiking health, safety, and wellness;
e) You’ve been advised to download the “Emergency Plus App” and
f) You’ve been advised to obtain individual hiking insurance from 1Cover.16 attendees
Grand Cliff Top Walk Blue Mountains. All Day, Overnite(?), Celebration Beers!
Wentworth Falls Station, Sydney, AUBlue Mountains! CLIFF TOP WALK!!!! Yeesssssssssssssssssssssss.
Big one. Great one. It's Villages, Views, Waterfalls, and the amazing Blue Mountains. And it's a new-ish one in our National Parks' 13 NSW Great Walks. Wow just wow - look at the video of it here from Channel 9 HERE.
Per the Time Out article, it's 19kms over 2days. We can do it in one day with a pub feed / drinks at the end (there are some "outs" at the 12kms / 14kms if you're a bit tired...). It will be a legend of a hike. And if you're keen to stay overnite? Grand Canyon Hike & Valley of the Waters hikes are 10 / 10 absolutely stunning - both pretty short. But for this Sunday? Get ready for the big one...
You can read about the hike in Time Out HERE.
Let's chat in whatsapp HERE (please join) for transportation (no doubt we'll have enough drivers - you'll get free coffee and $5 from each passenger) so we are hiking for 930am.
I've only done this once. I'm thrilled about doing it again so please be cool, calm, fit, fun, and up for drinks at the end to celebrate Mother Nature and an accomplished hiking session! Anybody keen to stay overnite (car ride back / train ride back is acceptable too)? Let's chat about that before anybody books a hotel. Rates are quite cheap on Sundays. Will be good to see the temp forecast too - fingers crossed for a moderate day.
HOTEL OPTIONS if staying overnite...
a) Blackheath Motor Inn. I've stayed there. $160 per nite. It's mega-close to town / train station. A little dated, but it's NICE. Big space. Lovely beds. Air con was great. Clean. And the shower pressure is from 1980s so it's great to have a shower in.
b) KYAH. Very, very nice. More expensive but very stylish. Outdoor hot tub you have to book. eBikes to hire. Top restaurant on site that would do v well in Sydney. And it's right across the golf course which is lovely for a drink / meal.
c) 3) High Mountains Motor Inn. I don't know this one. It's the cheapest option. It looks clean and nice enough. Good reviews. Also central to Blackheath town.
THE DETAILS.
a) We'll meet at Katoomba Station. Katoomba has free parking. The hike starts there at 945am. We'll finish at Wentworth Falls, and from there there's a train back to Katoomba.
b) The cost. The hike is $10. PayID or Cash.
c) Don’t be late. Honour Your RSVP. Morning of cancels / no shows… well, not on at all. It's anti-social. You’ll be nudged out of the group.
d) Fitness. Fitness matters. There will be ups. Downs. Trail. Rocks. Proper hiking.
e) Feel free to bring mates, dates, ex's, etc...
f) Remember, this is National Park hiking – pack your backpack with thought and care. Water. Water. Water. Snacks. Extra socks. Band Aids. Towel, etc…
Looooove this hike! See you soon. MJ
In pressing the “Attend” button for this hike, you acknowledge that:
a) You are healthy and fit to complete the hike describe;
b) You have read and will follow NSW National Parks Bushwalking Safety Guidelines for this hike;
c) You have no chronic / underlying health issues that deter you from completing this hike;
d) You understand your host is just that – your host, not a professional hiker – and that you and you alone are responsible for your hiking health, safety, and wellness;
e) You’ve been advised to download the “Emergency Plus App” and
f) You’ve been advised to obtain individual hiking insurance from 1Cover.18 attendees
BEST HIKE IN 'Straya? Blue Mountains GRAND CANYON HIKE. Pub lunch & Beer.
Blackheath station, Blue Mntns, Sydney, AUDoing Grand Cliff Hike on Sunday and staying overnite with me? Or, just keen to come up and meet us for a 10/10 hike? Either way, join us!
From TIMEOUT Magazine:
"One breathtaking bushwalk claimed the crown as the nation’s favourite. The gold medal went to the Grand Canyon Track – a challenging yet short hike through the lush rainforest of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. The 6.3-kilometre circuit passes gently cascading waterfalls, giant ferns and moss-covered rocky overhangs that look straight out of a fairy tale."
A fahkin' fairy tale. Like The Notebook with Ryan Gosling, but with wombats and hangovers and me as your host!
THE HIKE.
It's a 6.3kms loop hike. NSW Parks estimates 3-4 hours, which means this hike is medium in difficulty (430m of altitude gain is a LOT of steps). It's absolutely beautiful - waterfalls, greenery, views, and more. It's like somehow Mother Nature carved out this perfect crevasse - hiking it has you exiting civilisation into Jurassic Park-esque world. Fitness matters here, but we will be hiking slowly - last time somebody else led and felt the need to showcase their fitness - too many hikers didn't get a chance to take in the beautiful surroundings, so let's alter the pace this time.
Sorry ladies, Pedro is not in our group, and gents... clearly his blonde Mrs is taken, but their video on YOUTUBE of the hike is beautiful. Wow.
LUNCH.
"Spikes Bistro" (where all the locals are going these days) is now a family run joint at the golf course with GREAT food and lovely views. It's a perfect ending to The Grand Canyon, and the family is thankful to have our business. Let's support the locals who support us.
PLEASE JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP HERE.
THE LOGISTICS.
a) $10 Cash or PayID on the day.
b) Let's all be at the coffee shop by 10am. I'm guessing with coffee, 10min drive to hike start, bathroom, etc... we hike at 1030am.
c) Driving or train? We'll get you there. Post-hike perhaps a ride back to the city (give the driver $5) or jump on the train home.
d) Last minute Cancels and No Shows... I'm not even going to say it.
e) Have a backpack filled with... well, you know all this shit by now. Make a list. Be safe. Be smart.
This will be a hike you won't forget - I can't wait to see the "Holy shit, WOW" look on all of our faces! See you soon. MJ 0439 635 699
In pressing the “Attend” button for this hike, you acknowledge that:
a) You are healthy and fit to complete the hike describe;
b) You have read and will follow NSW National Parks Bushwalking Safety Guidelines for this hike;
c) You have no chronic / underlying health issues that deter you from completing this hike; and
d) You understand your host is just that – your host, not a professional hiker – and that you and you alone are responsible for your hiking health, safety, and wellness; and
e) You’ve been advised to obtain individual hiking insurance from 1Cover.9 attendees
Past events
136
