Think you're having a mid-life crisis? Stuff the shrink, forget the Porsche, throw away the meds and go bushwalking!
Boredom, confusion, denial over upcoming birthdays – sufferers have different symptoms, but they’re all signs of an impending mid-life meltdown. Instead of changing your job or buying that sports car, here are some walks that might help you deal with your worries, or even head them off before they start.
Symptom: Questioning the lifestyle that's given you happiness for many years
Cure: So you're in need of a lifestyle change? Nothing says getting back to basics like putting your possessions in a pack and walking the 1200km Heysen Trail. It may sound a bit too Forrest Gump for some but it would certainly put things in perspective. Starting at Cape Jervis and heading north towards the rugged areas before Parachilna Gorge, this iconic SA walk is one of the longest in Australia and passes through some of the state’s most spectacular scenery and two of Australia’s great wine regions. Shiraz anyone?
Finishing this walk can turn into an obsession and it has been said it can be done in 60 days, but that only the crazy would do this – many walkers break it up into several sections and complete it over a number of years. Whatever you decide to do, planning and walking the main trail will take up a good chunk of your life while you decide what to do next.
If this sounds too long, maybe NT's 223km Larapinta Trail would be a better option – there’s plenty of opportunities to stare up at the stars and question the meaning of life out in the Red Centre.
More info: www.heysentrail.asn.au, www.nt.gov.au/parks
Symptom: Boredom with people and things that may have been of interest to you
Cure: The 1000km Bibbulmun Track is WA’s longest walk, starting in the outskirts of Perth and finishing in Albany. There’s a wide variety of scenery on the way, from the Darling Ranges in the north to the final coastal section, so you won’t be bored. It would take around 54 days to walk it in one go, giving you an exciting hobby and allowing you to qualify as an ‘end-to-ender’ for this track. And if you decide to break the walk up into several multi-day sections, this new-found hobby will last even longer.
There are also a number of guided tours and walking groups, so you could meet like-minded people and maybe make some new friends. But don’t ditch your old mates completely – you can always take them with you on a group activity, or on the Bibbulmun Team Challenge, and discover a new interest together.
Another possibility is the 650km Australian Alps Track, which can be walked in 60 days across Victoria, NSW and the ACT. This is another trail where you won't be bored. Not for one moment.
More info: www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au, www.australianalps.environment.gov.au
Symptom: Feeling a need for adventure and change
Cure: If you want an adventure and a change from a comfortable life, try a wilderness walk like the Port Davey Track, located in the beautiful remote region of southwest Tasmania. This walk covers 70km from Lake Pedder and Melaleuca and there are no comfortable lodges on the way, so be prepared to muck in and get muddy.
Walking this track requires a lot of planning as you'll need to fly or sail in – flights to the area get cancelled in rough weather and you could be waiting for a couple of days for a lift out or supplies. The only way to cross the Bathurst Narrows is by boat, which shouldn’t be attempted during rough weather, so you’ll have to take that into account when organising your rations. You'll be telling tales of your exploits for years to come!
As an alternative, the Thorsborne Trail follows the coast of Queensland’s Hinchinbrook Island and includes several creek crossings for a small taste of adventure.
More info: www.parks.tas.gov.au, www.parks.desi.qld.gov.au
Symptom: Questioning the choices you made in your life
Cure: Time to get away from it all and reassess your life plans? NT's Litchfield NP may not seem like the quietest option at first glance, but the Tabletop Track allows you to leave the hordes of visitors behind and stay in campsites like Tjenya Falls that can only be accessed from the track. The 39km circuit can be done in three to five days – no rush – and takes in secluded oases and scenic pools so you can really experience the isolation of the Top End and relax in the process.
There aren’t any guided hikes for this area, so you’ll have to plan it and carry your own supplies. And while there are designated campsites in the park, the ones in question have minimal facilities so you’ll really be getting back to nature.
Another option is to attempt a really challenging walk such as the Wilderness Coast Walk, which runs from Sydenham Inlet in Victoria to Wonboyn in NSW. Not for beginners, this walk requires topographic maps, tide charts and experience in navigation, which will help you develop a new sense of direction while you’re getting away from everything.
More info: www.nt.gov.au/parks, www.parks.tas.gov.au
Symptom: Confusion about who you are and where you are going
Cure: Don't know where you're going? Well, on WA's Cape to Cape walk there are only two directions – north or south (or east if you want to check out a vineyard. Cab sav anyone?) Linking the lighthouses of Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin, the 135km track meanders past sheltered forests and pristine beaches, not far from the vineyards of the Margaret River region.
And if you’re having trouble deciding whether you’d like to attempt the entire seven-day walk, the multiple access points on the way means that it can easily be divided into shorter day or half-day walks.
The track is not highly engineered and varies from smooth trails to sandy paths, but the markers ensure there's little chance of getting lost. You'll have to do some planning, but there’s plenty of info and advice out there. And if you’re looking for comfortable accommodation and guidance along the way, companies like Inspiration Outdoors and World Expeditions offer you the chance to stay in nice digs and be driven to the trail every morning.
Want something a bit more challenging to work on your sense of direction? The 90km Fraser Island walk offers eight days of fantastic scenery, great camping sites and the need for a good topographical map.
More info: www.capetocapetrack.com.au, www.parks.desi.qld.gov.au
Symptom: Anger at your spouse and blaming them for feeling tied down
Cure: If you feel the need to break out of you and your partner's routine and rekindle the romance, then South Australia's 36km Riesling Trail might just be the ticket. Named after the grape and wine variety that the region is famous for, this track follows the railway line from Auburn to Clare, with numerous loop trails along the way to avoid covering the same ground. The trail through the Clare Valley is open all year round and passes several cellar doors, so there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy some wine as you walk and just hang out with your other half. No kids. No car. No crisis!
It’s not a challenging walk but unless you feel that adversity in the form of bad weather and a difficult track will help you grow closer, a leisurely stroll might be the go here. There aren’t any campsites along the way, but you’ll pass through several towns with B&Bs, motels and caravan parks. Just remember to plan ahead to avoid any arguments and ensure you don’t miss that vineyard you were dying to visit.
If it’s all over and you’re looking to meet someone new, dating website rsvp.com.au offer singles walks on the Six Foot Track in NSW. The three-day walk might seem like a long first date, but at least you’ll have something in common – walking.
More info www.southaustraliantrails.com, www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
Symptom: Unable to make decisions about where you want to go with your life
Cure: Tasmania’s Bay of Fires is an uncomplicated place to walk at any time, with 23km of white sandy beaches and coastal scrub and several campsites to choose from along the way. But if you’d like a really indulgent experience where nearly all of the decisions are made for you, take a guided tour and stay a night in the semi-permanent Forester Beach Camp, followed by two nights in the famous Bay of Fires lodge.
The four-day Bay of Fires lodge walk includes two days of walking around Mount William NP and the bay itself, followed by a day of kayaking, snorkelling or just lazing around before you return to Launceston. There are also delicious meals cooked by your guides, comfortable beds and a library at the lodge for light reading and games.
Up in Queensland, you can have a similar experience by taking the Scenic Rim walk within the Main Range NP and nearby private nature reserve. This walk is actually a series of private day-walking trails where all you have to do is carry your lunch and water, and eat a degustation dinner on your last night at Spicers Peak Lodge. Bliss.
More info: www.bayoffires.com.au, www.scenicrimtrail.com
Words_Laura Boness