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Here are some handbooks, manuals, and reference books that we have found useful. It is interesting (but not surprising) to note that the first three books are published in Victoria, NSW, and Tasmania respectively, with each focussing particularly on aspects of walking found in that state. However, any of the first three books would make good references for people looking to get more involved in outdoor activities.
Bushwalking and Ski Touring Leadership: outdoor recreation leadership in Australia
Bushwalking & Mountaincraft Training Advisory Board, Melbourne, 2000 (3rd ed).
This is the definitive text for people bushwalking or ski touring in Australia. It covers the full spectrum on topics: planning, weather, conservation, equipment, and specialist skills. If I could only buy one bushwalking handbook, it would be this. The second (1986) edition, titled 'Bushwalking and Mountaincraft Leadership', is also worth a look. 
Paddy Pallin's Bushwalking and Camping: the handbook of outdoor adventure in Australia
Paddy Pallin's, Sydney, 1995 (14th ed)
Similar to the book above, this is a very comprehensive overview of bushwalking in Australia. It is possibly slightly more focussed on skills and a little less on technical aspects of walking.
Safety in the Bush
Hobart Walking Club, Hobart, 2000 (8th ed)
A simple and accessible guide to walking, with some aspects presented in quick-and-easy point form. It is just small enough to carry in your pack.
Walksafe
Federation of Victoria Walking Clubs, Melbourne, 2002
A free 52-page booklet available from VicWalk which briefly covers most of the more important aspects of walking safety. Telephone (03) 9455-1876.
Australian Remote Area First Aid
St John's Ambulance Australia, Canberra, 2000
A comprehensive guide to planning and managing emergencies away from medical help. It does not attempt to cover every medical problem; rather, it looks at the procedures and strategies for dealing with emergencies. Unfortunately, its credibility is not helped by the photo on page 18 of a Whisperlite stove set up upside down, a situation likely to cause plenty of work for the group first aider. St John's Ambulance Australia
Ski-touring: over 40 great day ski tours- Victoria and NSW
Ray Peace, Lothian, Melbourne, 1993
Essentially a guidebook to ski touring areas, this book provides ample information to assist planning a ski tour. Although obviously quite old now, we have found enough of the information still correct to make this a useful reference.
The Hill Walkers Manual
Bill Birkett, Oxford Illustrated Press, Yeovil, 1988
An older UK publication which deals with Lakes District-style walking and mountaineering. There is also an extensive section on landscape photography in mountain areas.
SAS Survival Guide
John Wiseman, Harper Collins, Glasgow, 1993
Despite its somewhat gung-ho military genesis, this book provides useful thoughts on strategies for dealing with unfamiliar and unfriendly environments, even if not actually in a survival situation. A wealth of trivia is hidden amongst the pages; who, for example, knew that polar bear liver contains lethal concentrations of vitamin A? Sadly, techniques for catching polar bears are not covered.
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