Innholdsfortegnelse for June-July 2025 i Great Walks

JUST three hours south of Sydney, the Shoalhaven area stretches from Budderoo NP in Upper Kangaroo Valley River to Murramarang NP in Durras North down south. It’s home to over 100 beaches with 70 percent of the area covered by national parks and forest. It was here that we decided to give ourselves three days to reset our mind, body and spirit on several walks and a few wellness experiences in the area. A pigeon house shaped mountain Our first stop was Milton, with its charming Italian style architecture. On the main drag, cafe Pilgrims stands tall and proud as it did 45 years ago, but with a fresh moss green paint job and a modern all-vegetarian menu. A lunch and coffee later, we made our way to tackle the…

JUST off the coast of French Guiana, South America, is a small island group called the Îles de Salut, the site of a barbaric French penal colony in the 19th and 20th centuries. The most notorious of the three islands, surrounded by shark-infested waters and lethal currents, was reserved for political prisoners. It was named Île de Diable – Devil’s Island. This … is not that island. Maria Island, or Wukaluwikiwayna as it was known by the puthikwilayti people, was also used as a penal colony in the early 19th century and housed political prisoners. But unlike its Gallic twin town, it actually does have devils – devils of the Tasmanian variety. A small population of 28 was released here in 2012 as insurance against the extinction of the species…

NEW ZEALAND is a land of jaw-dropping landscapes, diverse wildlife, and a history as rich as its rolling green hills. And what better way to experience it all than by tackling one (or all!) of its 11 Great Walks? These trails take you through some of the country’s most spectacular national parks, from coastal paths to alpine crossings, deep fjords to lush forests. Each walk has its own unique highlights, flora, fauna, and history – so let’s lace up our boots and take a trek through them all. 1 Milford Track, Fiordland NP, South Island Do this for the spectacular Sutherland Falls (and many, many other highlights!) If there’s one walk that needs no introduction, it’s the Milford Track – often called “the finest walk in the world.” And it’s…

NESTLED in the heart of Fiordland National Park, the Hollyford Wilderness Experience is a rare opportunity to step into one of New Zealand’s most remote and awe-inspiring landscapes. For Stephane and Caroline Dussau, the role of lodge hosts at the Hollyford Wilderness Experience means managing two unique lodges, Ka Tuku Lodge and Waitai Lodge. It’s a role that combines the adventure of living in one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most isolated places with the intricacies that come with hosting up to 16 guests at a time. But life at the Hollyford lodges is a far cry from their previous chapter. Before taking on this role, Stephane and Caroline spent 14 years running their own restaurant in the North Island – Stephane originally from France, Caroline from Ireland. After moving to…

THE West Highland Way is a long-distance trail that runs 155km from Milngavie, (outside of Glasgow), north to Fort William through the Scottish Highlands. “The Way” has become a pilgrimage for mountain lovers keen to travel simply on foot into the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Much of the early trail runs alongside stunning Loch Lomond, the United Kingdoms’ largest freshwater lake. Right from the start The Way gives walkers a taste of the magic of Scotland’s wild lands and within the week you will have walked from the lowlands to the highlands through dramatic wild and remote places – through some of the most fabulous scenery in British with relative ease, safety and comfort. The inspiring, beautiful scenery includes ancient forests and moors (land that is neither cultivated nor…

What’s your earliest bushwalking memory? From when I was about 10, my Mum, Dad, two brothers and I would head out into nature for several days at a time, carrying all our own gear. We’d hike the St James Walkway (in sub-alpine Canterbury, the centre of the South Island) and the Heaphy Track (in the upper South Island, renowned for tussock downs and lush forests meeting the roaring seas of the wild and remote West Coast). What got you into the walking tour business? After exploring New Zealand and then travelling the world, I decided to come home and get into the outdoors industry. I wanted to keep travelling, so I was looking for a job where I could still do that. New Zealand is my home, I know it…

What’s your earliest bushwalking memory? As a teenager I lived in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne. A school friend and I decided to walk from my house to the top of Mount Dandenong and back. It was a great adventure in the bush, and we were hooked. Later, we got ourselves a guidebook and kept trying new walks, often getting lost! What got you into the walking tour business? I’ve been running multiday trips with my bushwalking club for years. In 2017, I organised a trek for my club in Bhutan. Our guide for the trip was Namgyel, who now works for Rare Air. I thought he was exceptional. He’s into logistics like me. He’s also intuitive, kind and has a great sense of humour. He loves being a…

The brand new 42km/4-day Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk offers a unique bushwalking experience through the Tweed Byron Hinterland in northern NSW. Traversing Mount Jerusalem and Nightcap national parks and Whian Whian State Conservation Area, the track winds through ancient volcanic landscapes and lush Gondwanan rainforest. The challenging walk rewards you with magnificent scenery including pristine bush, plunging waterfalls and sweeping views of the Tweed caldera mountains, before finishing at the spectacular Minyon Falls lookout (pictured). You can stay at three new campgrounds with elevated platforms at the end of each day as part of self-guided or guided packages. Look out for the feature story on the walk in the next issue! nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/gidjuumgulganyi…

“THE BEACH HERE IS GORGEOUS AND IT’S WORTH HAVING A SWIM AFTER A LONG DAY” IT’S not common knowledge but due to the amount of exploration by the French off Western Australia in the 1700s, it could have become a French possession, resulting in a bilingual state like the Canadian province of Quebec. This is no more evident than on WA’s premier coastal walk, the Cape to Cape Track where place names such as Cape Mentelle, Point Picquet and Cape Clairault add a continental flavour to an already fascinating walk. The 135km Cape to Cape Track follows the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge (there’s that French influence again), offering spectacular geological scenery such as limestone cliffs, granite outcrops, sand dunes and long stretches of white beach. The easy walking track mostly hugs the…

THIS MONTH’S WINNING PHOTO Night sky, Deylaman Highlands, Iran Parisa Bajelan, Tehran, Iran Camera: Canon 6D Parisa: “A few moments before sunrise a crescent moon rises after the Geminids constellation in the nautical twilight. Meanwhile a bright fireball from the Perseids meteor shower* hits the night sky close to the moon. Spectacular!” *The Perseids, which peaks in mid-August, is considered the best meteor showers of the year. With swift and bright meteors, Perseids frequently leave long ‘wakes’ of light and colour behind them as they streak through Earth’s atmosphere. The Perseids are one of the most plentiful showers with about 50 to 100 meteors seen per hour. Perseids are also known for their fireballs. Fireballs are larger explosions of light and colour that can persist longer than an average meteor…

Ultimate Hikes Ultimate Hikes offers premier guided walking experiences on the iconic Milford and Routeburn tracks in the South Island. These multi-day treks traverse stunning landscapes, from alpine passes to lush rainforests and glacial valleys within Fiordland and Mount Aspiring national parks. Their expert local guides share insights into the region’s rich natural and cultural history. A standout feature is their exclusive private lodges, offering comfortable, eco-conscious accommodation with hot showers, hearty meals, drying rooms and warm hospitality – luxuries rarely found on traditional backcountry hikes. The Milford Track is hailed as the “finest walk in the world,” while the Routeburn Track offers dramatic mountain scenery and expansive views. With all logistics managed, Ultimate Hikes makes exploring these world-renowned trails both accessible and enriching. ultimatehikes.co.nz Life’s An Adventure Experience the…

THE Trans Bhutan Trail is a historic 403km route that stretches across Bhutan, connecting the east and west of the country. Once used by monks, messengers, and traders, it has been recently restored for hiking and cultural exploration. The trail winds through remote villages, lush forests, and sacred sites, offering a deep connection to Bhutanese heritage. Hongtsho to Thinleygang – 17km We’re 20km east of capital Thimphu about to walk in the footsteps of a madman. Not just your average crazy but a Divine Madman, unorthodox Tibetan lama Drukpa Kunley. With a legacy lurching between fun-loving philanderer and ‘fertility saint’, the fifteenth-century guru famed for the eyebrow-raising phalluses splashed across the villages of Bhutan is an unlikely hero in this conservative Buddhist nation better known for prayer flags fluttering goodwill…

LAST year's Wilderness Photographer of the Year judge, Julie Fletcher, and a previous winner, Evan Agee, share some top tips for entries into this year’s photo competition. GRW: As a judge in the Wilderness Photographer of the Year awards what are you looking for in a stand-out image? JULIE: Images that are fresh in content, not cliched, and well executed in camera and postproduction. Show me this and a story in the shot and you will have an attention grabber. GRW: Name a common mistake that photographers should avoid? JULIE: Including too much in an image can make a weak subject and too busy. Your eye just does not know where to land. Overexposing the highlights is another common mistake meaning there is very little or no detail in the…

CAPE to Cape Explorer Tours is an award-winning ecotourism operator in the world-class nature, hiking, wine and surf region of Margaret River. Operating for more than a decade, they specialise in authentic, eco-conscious, guided and self-guided experiences on Western Australia’s premier multi-day hiking trail – the 132km Cape to Cape Track. “Hike self-guided or with our expert track guides, carrying only a day pack while we organise comfortable coastal accommodation, delicious catering prepared in-house using local produce, plus all transfers and logistics,” says owner Gene Hardy. Guided 8-Day Adventure Tackle the ultimate Margaret River experience, hiking the entire length of the world-class 132km Cape to Cape Track with our expert guides by your side. Immerse yourself in the geology, flora, fauna and indigenous culture of this stunning landscape of towering…

OFTEN called ‘The Drip’, this name hardly reflects the stunning natural beauty of the Great Dripping Wall, reached via a newly upgraded walking track in the remote borderlands of the Hunter Valley, NSW. This hidden gem offers a cool, shaded escape even in hot weather, with the clear Goulburn River providing a peaceful place to paddle or relax. The Drip Picnic Area and Walking Track are located about 60km west of Merriwa, off the Cassilis to Ulan Road. From the Golden Highway near historic Cassilis, follow signs toward Gulgong and Mudgee via Ulan. About 10km north of Ulan’s massive open-cut coal mines, cross the Goulburn River bridge and look for the signposted turnoff just north of it. Take care – heavy vehicles use this road at speed. A short road…

THE 85km Old Ghost Road traverses majestic native forest, open tussock tops, river flats and forgotten valleys but it’s not for the fainthearted! Walking the Old Ghost Road, there’s the potential to worry a lot. Suicide slips. Earthquakes. Manic mountain bikers. Sandflies and high wind. Just to name a few – but this wouldn’t deter my hiking buddy Jenny and I as we left the Lyell carpark and began climbing 875m over 18km to our first hut. It was raining steadily. While somewhat protected by a dense beech canopy, there was no denying we were wet. With our heads quite literally in the clouds, the weather was top of mind. Jenny had been tracking the forecast on different apps. One suggested it might clear, another predicted high winds over the…

A chance meeting that changed my life? A sliding door moment? That would probably be a bit of an exaggeration, but I never could have imagined the impact Cate Carrigan’s visit would have on me when she walked through my front door for a cup of coffee about 10 years ago. I have been organising walking and hiking tours in Italy for over 30 years. Cate was a friend of my wife. Her late father had been a POW in Italy during the Second World War. She and her family, 11 people in total, were planning a trip to Italy to follow his peregrinations through central and northern Italy between 1941 and 1943. Carl, his brother Paul and two other mates, escaped Nazi controlled Italy in September 1943, taking a…

WHEN it comes to bushwalking, selecting the right boots is crucial for a comfortable and safe outdoor experience. Great Walks outlines five key factors to consider when buying bushwalking boots: Fit and comfort The most important consideration when buying bushwalking boots is fit. Ill-fitting boots can cause blisters, discomfort, and injury. Ensure there’s enough room in the toe box for your toes to move freely, but not so much that your feet slide around. The boots should be snug around your ankle for support, but not too tight. It’s essential that they feel comfortable from the moment you try them on, and wearing the socks you’ll hike in while testing them is recommended. Support and stability Bushwalking often involves uneven terrain, so proper support is crucial. Look for boots with…

WALKING through Kakadu NP is a cultural and spiritual immersion into ancient land and tradition. This UNESCO World Heritage site features Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr and Nourlangie, Dreamtime stories and panoramic hikes like Nawurlandja Lookout. Wildlife abounds – spot wallabies, dingoes and rare birds like the Gouldian finch. Lush waterholes such as Maguk and Motor Car Falls offer refreshing swims. The Mamukala Wetlands showcase seasonal beauty, while wildflowers bloom in the dry season. Interpretive trails like Burrungkuy highlight Indigenous heritage and land care. Kakadu’s vast, quiet landscapes give walkers solitude and a deep, lasting connection to nature’s rhythms. kakadu.gov.au…