Caro Ran tells you why our continent is the perfect walking destination.
Last year, I made a promise I was going to cut back on overseas travel and spend more time exploring Australia, my country. This was back when I thought that Corona was something you could either drive or drink. My reason for the decision was something to do with a sense of home. It is a word and a place that has become very familiar to us this year and rather than seeing it as a restriction, I’m seeing it as a gift. Our opportunity to come home to Australia – the perfect walking destination – and in doing so, come home to ourselves. Here are 10 reasons why 2025 can be your best year of walking yet:
1 We’re a country of countries: the diversity of habitats in Australia means that there is a climate and terrain to suit everyone. From alpine to coastal, rainforest to desert, country to city, our wide brown land has got you covered.
2 You’ll never run out of ideas: our sheer expanse means the volume of options is enormous. Spin the wheel to a different climate or walking type each holiday. You’ll never run out of ideas.
3 All year round: a great way of sharing the love to regional communities and balancing our impact is to travel with the seasons. Don’t fancy a tropical North Queensland trip in January? No worries, head there in winter when the humidity is lower and stick to alpine areas in summer.
4 Speak your own language and learn a new one: there’s estimated to be over 350 different Aboriginal languages in Australia and with the rise in good quality indigenous tourism operators, such as Dharwra Aboriginal Cultural Tours in Canberra, Koomal Dreaming in the Margaret River, WA or Wukalina – Bay of Fires in Tasmania, you can walk on Country, learn some language and a whole lot more.
5 No more excess baggage: reduce your environmental impact by cutting back on taking flights and look into combining a domestic walking holiday with a road or rail trip. If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that many of us can work from anywhere. Think of the money you’ll save not paying for excess baggage for all the hiking gear!
6 Appreciate the wonder of home: During April and May, in peak iso, many of us found a new appreciation for the things (and people) around us we might have overlooked. Rather than looking for the new, we saw new in the old. Australia is home to the oldest living civilisation on earth, let’s slow down to see what is right in front of us.
7 Spend local: Keep money in the Australian economy by spending money on travel, tours, food and accommodation with Australian companies. If taking commercial trips, do a bit of research and choose one that benefits the local economy and invest in local tourism.
8 Scratch that itch: Have you been embarrassed when talking with overseas friends about all the places they have visited (and walked) in Australia that you haven’t? Time to see what all the international tourist fuss is about. (If you’ve never been to Uluru/Kata-Tjuta – I’m looking at you).
9 No jet lag: although I do feel a bit foggy after a Perth (or Darwin) red-eye, we can turn up in a walking destination, trail-ready. Now we only have to wake up at 3am because of the wildlife outside the tent.
10 Save your money: The pandemic has hit many of us financially. Taking a walking holiday in Australia is not only a great way to save money, but the added benefits of connecting your body and mind to nature, in the time-honoured tradition of walking meditation, will ensure that you’re doing your best to keep your mental health in check! 