Choosing a 1,200 kilometre trek from the outback to the ocean isn't your everyday decision—it's the result of less-than-satisfactory moments in your life that build up until you reach a tipping point where something needs to change. We've all heard stories like Cheryl Strayed's in "Wild" or maybe even seen the Kiwi Youtuber Elina Osborne's trek from Mexico to Canada due to unfulfillment and the end of a relationship.
Since leaving school I chased after dreams I thought I wanted; a well-paying respectable job, a husband, and to reach an ideal body and health. However, after reaching these goals, a sense of emptiness still lingered, prompting me to continually search for that elusive "more" without a clear understanding of what that was. Filling my days with sports, courses, new hobbies, diets, and workouts never gave me that sense of contentedness or deep satisfaction within myself I was seeking.
So I escaped for 6 weeks. A full life reset where I could reflect where I want to go in life.
Well, it wasn’t as easy as that. If you’re interested in how I planned my gear, walk and food, I can share everything I did (just email us “HIKE INFO PLEASE” and I’ll send that to you).
As I began the trail, surrounded by rocky mountain ranges in northern Flinders Ranges, a surge of elation, disbelief and excitement overcame me. It was just me, the outback and my 25kg backpack, bursting at the seams. So here are some big lessons I learnt along the way.
Lesson 1: When facing a significant challenge, opt for consistent action over sporadic bursts of intense effort.
The surreal nature of the challenge ahead overwhelmed me on the first day. My first day involved walking 19 kilometres where I stopped for a mere 30 minutes for the entire day. Yep.
We often hear they quote "enjoying the journey, not the destination," but it's easy to forget. On that first day of the Heysen Trail, I realised that powering through left me drained for the days ahead.
Instead, I learnt to slow down. I found most days I could walk the planned distances while including coffee stops, snack sessions or a brief lay down. The best moments hands down were sitting down soaking in how far I’d come and how beautiful the landscape was.
Lesson 2: I don’t need much to be happy
It turns out I am a simple girl. I experienced pure bliss when the water finished boiling on the billy and I was able to drink an instant coffee with powdered milk. There I was, savouring a cuppa on a rocky hill with no civilisation as far as the eye could see. I found joy in the simplest of tasks like making breakfast, eating peanut butter porridge, walking, camping and going to sleep. I felt content with a simple lifestyle.
In the age of seeking more income, more investments, a bigger tv, I was content with walking, eating, sleeping and sharing stories when I could. It was then I reminded myself that I feel most content when I have the opportunity to spend time outside and connect with others.
Lesson 3: Be aware of who you spend time with, because you will end up being like them.
I came across truly inspiring humans on this trek. One of those was Redback. In her 60s she walked the trail in her steel capped Redback boots, and has since walked the Heysen Trail AGAIN. Another silent achiever was Alexander Campbell, who proceeded to walk from the finish line of the Heysen Trail in Cape Jervis to Sydney via the Australian Alps Walking Trail. Now, he’s on a 3 year mission to walk around the world, sponsored by National Geographic, check out his page here.
Since finishing the 6 week hike I continue to surround myself with the “outdoorsy” types who come up with any excuse to spend more time outside. Being with those inspiring and like-minded people has influenced me to get others to embrace it too by starting the Local Adventure Company.
Just be careful when you join a trip with us though, you may catch the adventure bug 😉
Just kidding—book a trip now while you're here! We have trips running almost every weekend from March onwards.
Oh, and if you want to get inspired for a trip of your own, check out my YouTube series on it all.
Thanks for reading,
Dani xx
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