Innehållsförteckning för Annual 2024 från Great Walks

LAST year we took the kids to Sabah, Malaysian Borneo for a two-week holiday and it was a great adventure. Near the end of the trip we visited Sandakan Memorial Park in the far east of Sabah. The park is adjacent to the site of the original Sandakan Prisoner of War camp, and we spent a couple of hours learning all about the captured Allied soldiers who endured so much. I must admit I knew nothing of the Sandakan Death Marches, a series of forced marches that Japanese Forces imposed on about 2500 POWs. Sadly, only six – yes six – soldiers survived the Death Marches, all by escaping into the jungle. While I was there, I heard you could join a guided hiking tour that retraced the steps of…

ROLLING sets of waves crash into the rugged coastline of long beaches and high cliffs. The trail winds along the edge of the cliff and down to the beach where the sand is squeaky white. It’s cooler down here in general, so great hiking weather. In spring, the coastal heath comes alive with a rainbow of colourful wildflowers. In summer, the aqua ocean invites the hiker in for a swim. In WA, the Southern Ocean stretches from Cape Leeuwin to the SA border. The towns (Walpole, Denmark, Albany and Esperance) on the coast provide great bases to head off on a day walk or a few. The Bibbulmun Track runs along the coast, from one national park to another. Here are some of our favourite walks. Le Grand Coastal Trail…

ON the edge of Lake Pedder and rising above expansive buttongrass moorlands stands the picturesque Mount Anne. At 1423m, this is the tallest peak in Southwest National Park. The Mount Anne Circuit is a collection of peaks composed of white quartzite capped by red dolerite. Each peak offers different views but as you’ll read the walk is very challenging, requiring the right gear, the right attituded and the right team. Day 1: Condominium to Memorial Hut Our rendezvous point was Maydena and from here we had a three-car convoy of happy hikers to the trailhead. Some started from here and hike leader Jason and I started after car drops to Red Tape to save an 8km miserable road walk at the trail end. The walk up to Memorial Hut (1,033m)…

SURVEYOR Thomas Scott Townsend (1812-1869) is an elusive, almost legendary figure, closer to folklore than to history. His name is given to the country’s second highest mountain, but the details of his career are obscure, and his personal identity has remained a mystery. Historian Peter Crowley has spent many years researching and writing about Townsend. Peter takes five with Great Walks. What’s your earliest bushwalking memory? I moved to Gippsland from Melbourne when I was seven, and it didn’t take long for my father to discovery the magnificent Macalister River and the valleys and gorges on its long descent to Lake Glenmaggie. We spent time camping and walking on the river above Licola when I was still in primary school. My next memory is a walk at Wilsons Promontory when…

FEATURE AUSTRALIAN ALPS WALKING TRACK THE 655km Australian Alps Walking Track is one of Australia’s toughest walks. The track goes through the alpine areas of Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT. It starts at Walhalla, Victoria, and runs through to Tharwa, near Canberra weaving through some spectacular scenery including in Alpine and Kosciuszko national parks, although it is not exclusively restricted to national parks. To walk the whole trail can take 4-8 weeks. Food drops or a support crew are necessary as the trail does not pass through any towns, although it passes close to the ski resorts of Mt Hotham, Falls Creek, Mt Baw Baw, Thredbo, Charlotte Pass and Perisher. After successfully walking the AAWT this is what we took and what we learnt. Equipment We took a…

MY wife Julie and I are passionate about hiking on multi-day trails in remote and rugged areas. The solitude and pristine beauty of these trails offer a much-needed escape from our daily routines, allowing us to reconnect with nature and enjoy uninterrupted moments of reflection. The breathtaking alpine views and the challenge of the rugged terrain make every hike a memorable adventure. However, venturing into such isolated areas requires careful preparation and the right gear. We know that carrying high-quality, reliable equipment is crucial for our safety and comfort. From our tents and sleeping pads to our water filters and cooking gear, each piece of equipment plays a vital role in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable hiking experience. Having the right gear helps us tackle the challenges of remote and…

GEAR LIST Clothes □ Boots□ Basecamp footwear□ Socks□ Gaiters□ Jocks□ Shorts□ Trousers□ Overpants□ T Shirt□ Short sleeve shirt□ Long sleeve shirt□ Thermal top□ Thermal leggings□ Jumper/pullover□ Waterproof jacket□ Gloves□ Hat□ Beanie□ Dry bag Sleeping gear □ Sleeping Bag□ Bag liner□ Sleeping Mat□ Pillow or pillow case (for DIY pillow) Cooking □ Cup□ Bowl□ KFS□ Waterbottles/Camelback□ Water filter□ Stove□ Stove fuel Toiletries □ Toothbrush/paste□ Toilet paper□ Handwash□ Towel□ Soap□ Trowel□ Sanitary pads Food □ Rolled oats□ Dried fruit□ Chocolate/ sweets□ Butter/Peanut Butter□ Dried Meat□ Wraps□ Tomato□ Salt/pepper□ Lettuce□ Apples□ Muesli bars□ Tea/coffee□ Hot chocolate□ Cup-a-soups□ Dehydrated meals□ Sliced Cheese□ Nuts□ Dried Meat Safety/navigation □ Map□ PLB/GPSR□ Whistle□ Phone Apps First aid kit & contents □ Compression bandage□ Matches□ Needles□ Pocket knife□ Tweezers□ Band-Aids□ Sunglasses□ Pain relief Book□ Antiseptic□ Rubbish bag□ Gauze□…

WHERE NEXT? SNOWIES ALPINE WALK, NSW Due to launch in summer 2024, this 56km/4-day walk will deliver an exceptional hiking experience across the alpine roof of Australia in Kosciuszko NP on Monero Ngarigo Country. The walk will link Guthega, Charlotte Pass, Perisher and Bullocks Flat with up to 29km of newly constructed track, combined with existing tracks. Visitors will experience the beauty of walking alongside the Snowy River and across the country’s highest peaks, including reaching the summit of Australia’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko. Walkers can stay in one of the many accommodation options in Kosciuszko NP including NSW National Park lodges and cottages, or in the alpine villages, and experience the walk either self-guided or guided. Walkers can choose to do any section of the track as single day…

“RECENT UPGRADES INCLUDE A PATH INSIDE THE TUNNEL AS THE DIRT FLOOR WAS OFTEN WET AND SLIPPERY” DOMINATED by deep valleys, canyons, cliffs and waterfalls, formed by the weathering of sandstone and claystone, Wollemi National Park is true Australian wilderness. The 487,000-hectare park forms part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area offering walkers a huge variety of trails. And with its colourful pre- and post-colonial history, there’s plenty to experience on foot. One place to base yourself is the old town of Newnes in the Wolgan Valley, 47km north of Lithgow where there is camping and accommodation available (newneshotelcabins.com). Discovering Newnes Geologically speaking, Wollemi NP is located on the western edge of the Sydney Basin - a basin filled with near horizontal sandstones and shales dating back over…

THEY puffed up the hill towards me, straining under their huge packs. After a 20km day, the effort clearly showed on their faces and in their gait. I’d encountered these siblings almost every day of my walk so far, and every day I’d tease them by casually dropping the name of that night’s Bed & Breakfast before skipping ahead, day pack light on my shoulders. The 'Sisters Brothers', as I christened them, were doing the hard yards, humping all their gear and camping every night. Part of me was jealous (although not the feet or back parts, obviously) as that’s how I ought to have been tackling the Coast to Coast, my home on my back, but thanks to a dodgy leg I’d done the sensible thing for once. I’d…

TERRA Roam (52) doesn’t do things in halves. Amongst other things she’s solo trekked the Australian Alpine Walking Track three times (see pg 68 if you fancy doing this walk – Ed), lead a snowshoe expedition 610km across the Australian Alps, been a Sea Shepherd navigation officer on the MY Steve Irwin and worked undercover stopping human trafficking in UAE, Qatar and Kuwait. Then in 2018 Terra became the first woman to walk 17,000km around Australia solo and unsupported to raise awareness for mental health, something she is all too familiar with openly admitting she suffers from depression, PTSD and social anxiety. Terra’s book Are you Right Mate? about her amazing 17,000km adventure is out now and Great Walks was lucky to feature an extract. Are you Right Mate? On…

WALKING WITH GRIEF I dunked the Tim Tam into my steaming brew of tea thinking, “I’ve made it. I did it!” We had finally made it to the summit of Mount Sonder. Phew! With my gloved hands warming around my tin mug, I felt both exhausted and exhilarated. The taste of that Tim Tam was sensational. We somehow managed the mandatory tripod group photo amidst the dense mist, the freezing cold, and the relentless, blustery wind. The notion of giving up on the ascending climb was not an option for me. I was determined to reach the top and what I may have lacked in fitness, I made up for in courage and mindset. While being an avid walker throughout my life, walking the Larapinta Trail was a personal mission…

TRANSPORT OPTIONS A Great Walk starts with the first step… in figuring out how to get there. It’s not boring logistics, it’s vital information to get to your journey’s starting point and sometimes it’s overlooked. Some trails are conveniently located while others are more remote, slimming down your transport options. It also depends on the state or area’s public transportation infrastructure. Some remote walks are in small towns that don’t have the capacity to provide public trail access options, so tourism companies have had to step up to provide a service to get people to-and-from these walks. South Coast Track, Tas Private bus services can get you from Hobart to Cockle Creek at Southwest NP and back (Tassielink, Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences, Evan Coaches). Transport to-and-from Melaleuca is another beast due…

I’m planning on doing some walks in South America’s Andes mountains next season. When it comes to camp stoves what do I have to consider when using one at high altitudes? Graham Williams, Manly, NSW Graham, fuel type and quality are going to dictate your choice of stove. Low-grade kerosene is probably going to be the easiest fuel to find and carry, however, if you are only planning short quick trips to the mountains then you could use gas. First, check where the best places to purchase fuel are going to be along your itinerary, then consider the following: Low-grade kerosene requires a multi-fuel stove that will require very regular maintenance (almost daily) to clean soot and debris. Liquid fuel stoves with simmer control do not burn fuel as efficiently,…

FORTY-FIVE years of tramping/hiking, then a knee replacement. I needed a rehabilitation goal, and a passing encounter with an Australian walking Te Araroa (New Zealand’s long distance walk) had me researching the Larapinta Trail. I was hooked, but it took a year to prepare. My partner and I did four multi-day hikes in the North and South Island. I joined the Larapinta Facebook page, asked questions, watched YouTube videos and read the Chapmans’ book on the Larapinta Trail. Finally, in early July 2024 we were in Alice Springs. We spent a day buying food at a local supermarket and this was labelled and then portioned into four piles. The first was what we’d carry over the next six days; the rest was packed into the 55 litre containers that were…

THE Sandakan Death March is a harrowing chapter in World War II history, and remains the greatest single atrocity committed against Australians in war. It stands as a testament to the resilience of the 2,500 Australian, New Zealand, and British prisoners of war, who were forced to march through the unforgiving jungles of Borneo. Setting out on this journey to retrace their steps, I was met with many unknowns and a powerful sense of resolve to honour their memory. Monday, 14 August Landing at Sandakan on the island of Borneo, we met Jerome our local tour guide. Our first stop was St. Michael and All Angels’ Church, the oldest stone building in Sabah. Constructed by Rev. W.H. Elton in 1888, it took 13 years to build. This place of worship…

GUIDED GETAWAYS LIFE’S AN ADVENTURE WHAT’S your earliest bushwalking memory? ONE of my earliest and most unforgettable bushwalking experiences that truly ignited my love for the outdoors was a hike I did to a volcano in Lombok, Indonesia. It was raw, authentic, and tested my resilience like never before. The climb pushed my limits, but reaching the summit brought a sense of elation I’ll never forget. What got you into the walking tour business? I’ve always been drawn to experiential journeys. For me, vast landscapes create room not just physically but internally – a space where we can reflect, explore, and grow. With my background in organised sport and exercise science, I’ve come to value how being in nature fosters a deeper connection with ourselves, others, and the world around…

WITH Great Britain’s Coast to Coast Walk (see pg 32) officially being declared a National Trail, we thought we’d share a few other inspiring National Trails with you. Walks that are classified as a National Trail by the British Government are managed to a set of standards in regards to path infrastructure, signage and overall user experience. Basically, what that means is they get lots of money and resources spent on them and they are promoted so people can get out there and enjoy them. Here are some of our favourites. 1 Offa’s Dyke Path (285km/9-13 days) Around 750AD King Offa of Mercia built an earthwork marking the border of his kingdom with Wales. His name lives on in the Offa’s Dyke Path, a trail traversing the border country between…

DEHYDRATION LAST summer a group of us went on our second overnight walk for the year. The walk was planned well ahead by a few of us, and we were all looking forward to it. It was in Yengo National Park, just out of Sydney, walking through some interesting heritage sites and finishing in Wisemans Ferry. The night before our walk I noticed the temperatures were going to rise according to weather forecast. Seven of us started the walk, equipped with all our necessities for two days in our backpacks plus plenty of water. My water in my bladder was still cool as I intermittently sipped along the fire trail with no canopy whatsoever. It was still early in the morning and the air cool, however. Not long into our…

Local helicopter company HeliSpirit (helispirit.com.au) has been flying tourists over Purnululu NP (AKA the Bungle Bungles) for years, but this was to be the first time that pilots would drop off hikers within Piccaninny Gorge, saving two or three days of walking. There had been talk for some time about offering this service, but nothing had ever happened. That was until Mark Norek from Life’s An Adventure heard about the idea and decided to get it going. I asked Mark about his motivation to create this experience. “I wanted to get my clients to go where the big buses and operators were not going. Our kind and supportive partners at HeliSpirit made the impossible happen,” said Mark. “They had the contacts with National Parks and the Indigenous support from being…

The Snowy Mountains were imbedded in my soul from an early age when my parents took us hiking and skiing on handmade wooden skis. The family moved permanently to Jindabyne in 1984 for us to start and run the Jindabyne Paddy Pallin franchise store, from which we also ran summer and winter trips. From a cross-country ski school, snow camping, rafting, canoeing, hiking and sailboarding, it was a dream come true to live and work in the mountains. Connecting people to nature is my fulfilled life purpose through my guiding walks and snowshoe trips in all seasons, and my photography gallery sales bringing nature into people’s homes. Here are some of my favourite photos. NEED TO KNOW For info on Mike’s tours visit mikeedmondson.com.au…