How do I listen to the Australian Hiker Podcast?
Hiking radio on demand
What's a Podcast?
While many people are familiar with podcasts, to some the term is an unknown. So what is a podcast?
The best way to think of a podcast is as ‘digital radio on demand’. You get to listen to a program of your choice, on a topic of your choice, at a time of your choosing and through your preferred technology e.g. your computer, a smart phone, or a tablet etc. In addition you can listen to the same episode as many times as you like.
There are now estimated to be over 4,250,000 different podcast shows worldwide from which to choose but the exact number is anyone’s guess! Did you also know that the average podcast only lasts around 7-8 episodes! Australian Hiker has now published over 285 episodes since November 2016, downloaded worldwide, with total downloads in excess of 1,000,000! In addition, at our current weekly download rate the Australian Hiker Podcast ranks within the top 5% of all podcasts worldwide.
Podcasts have the advantage over other types of electronic media in that you can be listening while doing other activities such as driving to work, exercising, or even hiking.
So how do you listen to the Australia Hiker podcast? Read on.
Listen Through our Website
You can access the Australian Hiker podcast through our website. You don’t need to subscribe if you don’t want to. Our published episodes are listed below with a brief overview to help you decide if you are interested in a particular topic. Click on the links to take you to a specific episode and click on the ‘play’ icon – after a few seconds the episode will start playing (don’t forget to turn up the volume on your device). This is a good option if you are working on you desktop computer at home. If you feel like listening ‘on the go’ look below for other listening options.
288-Kgari Great Walk – expectations and hesitations
As this podcast goes to air we are just about to head north to walk the Queensland based K’gari Great Walk (formerly the Fraser Island Great Walk). In this episode we talk about the trip planning and discuss our pre trip expectations; and hesitations!
287-Its all about the journey or is it?
There’s a well known saying many people would be familiar with and that’s ‘It’s about the journey, not the destination’. But is this the case? In this podcast episode we discuss this saying and came up with very different answers on what’s important.
In 2022 a new long-distance hiking trail opened and for once this wasn’t in the USA. This new track called the Hexatrek, solely based in France, joined up a series of pre-existing tracks and takes in 14 National Parks to create a 3034 km journey through some of the most amazing scenery that France has to offer. In this podcast episode we catch up with New Zealand hiker, Claire McCall ,who undertook this walk with her husband James just after the track officially opened.
285 – Adventure Expo 2024 Industry Interviews pt2
In this our second episode of this series we finish up with our annual supplier interviews, talk about some great new product that’s coming onto the market and then go onto some notable trends in the hiking and outdoor industry.
To get the best from this episode go to the Australian Hiker website on our episode page and go to the show notes to see images of what we are talking about in this podcast.
284 – Adventure Expo 2024 Industry Interviews pt1
Every year Australian Hiker touches base with suppliers, importers and manufacturers of hiking equipment to find out what new and exciting products are on the market and well as to see how the industry is trending. This year the Expo was held in Melbourne over two days and provided a chance to catch up with suppliers face to face and to talk about the new gear and get up close and hands on. In addition we also caught up with a number of suppliers remotely as well as attending a travelling road show the week after. To get the best from this episode go to the Australian Hiker website on our episode page and go to the show notes to see images of what we are talking about in this podcast. In next week’s episode, episode 285, we’ll bring you the second half of these interviews and also talk about where we see the industry heading.
The 116km Malerweg Hiking Trail, also known as the “Painters’ Way” is located near Dresden/Pirnain Saxon Switzerland, Germany. In this podcast episode we catch up with hiker Mike Railton who undertook this walk in 2023 to find out about this multi-day European trail.
282-Valentines Day Hiking Ideas
In this podcast episode we look at some of the considerations for combining hiking and romance.
This walk can best be described as an urban coastal walk and one that provides a great overview of the Kiama region of the NSW South Coast inlacing its Indigenous, European and geological history. While you can do this walk over two days it’s best to think of this as a long day walk. Listen to this podcast and follow along in the write up to see how we went on the day.
If you do longer hikes, particularly ones that involve going off marked trails or if you hike in unfamiliar areas, you may be required to make some assumptions. The problem with assuming is you don’t always get it right and as the old saying goes, if you assume you can end up making an ‘ass’ out of ‘u’ and ‘me’.
In this podcast episode we go through a multi-day example and look at the positives and negatives of making assumptions when planning your hikes.
In today’s episode, episode 279, we talk with Hannah James about her recent 5,000km journey down the east coast of Australia – a journey that came to be known as The Long Way South. This is one hell of a story so strap yourselves in!
In this podcast we discuss the concept of taking a hiking ‘staycation’ in your local area and at what options you have for getting out and about without necessarily having to break the bank.
In this podcast episode we look in detail why you should do a shakedown hike and when you should do one.
When we asked our community for some ideas for podcasts and articles one of the innovative topics raised was doing a hike where we only turn in one direction. Recently we put that into practice and while we thought that we would have a bit of fun with this walk we didn’t expect to learn some things about ourselves and our hiking skills along the way. For us this was unique walk and one that we were glad that we did.
275-Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Hikers 2023
It’s that time of the year when you start to consider gifts for that special hiker in your life. This year for the first time we focus on the lower end of the pricing range with gifts under $100, that fall into the ‘stocking stuffer’ category with something that everyone can afford.
274-Australian Hiker 7th Birthday
On 11 November 2023 Australian Hiker celebrated its 7th birthday. In this episode we reflect on our past year, and look at where we are heading over the coming year.
In this podcast episode we talk about unexpected and sometimes negative interactions with animals on the trail. These focus is on the ‘cute and fluffy’ and that use that reputation to steal your food and damage your equipment. At some stage this interaction will impact on all hikers so what do you need to know to minimise this impact? This episode discusses just that.
272-52 Hikes Melbourne Guide Books
Previously we’ve interviewed authors Andrew Grune and Evi O on their Sydney based books Day Trip Sydney 52 Nature Adventures, and Dog Trip Sydney 52 Dog Friendly Nature Adventures. In today’s episode we catch back up with Andrew and Evi about the release of their new Melbourne guidebooks, Day Trip Melbourne 52 Nature Adventures, and Dog Trip Melbourne 52 Dog Friendly Nature Adventures that now cater for Victoria’s capital city.
In October 2023 Gill and I took part in the Kokoda Challenge at Lake Macquarie, NSW. The aim of the Kokoda Challenge is to raise funds for the Kokoda Youth Foundation’s programs and the great work they do.
This episode consists of three segments with the first being an interview with the Kokoda Youth Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Johllene Elson. The second segment of this episode involves a series of recorded interviews recorded on the day of the event.
And finally, Gill and I do a wrap up of the Challenge and talk about how we found the event and the organisation.
I first fell in love with long distance hiking in about 2014 and surprisingly it had nothing to do with the movie ‘Wild’ that was released in the same year. I’m a goal-oriented person and the whole concept of hiking for multiple weeks or months was something I could aspire to, if I was allowed. In this episode we catch up with hiker Simon Morris and get a firsthand introduction to these three trails that make up the US based Triple Crown.
269-1,000,000 podcast downloads
It’s Saturday the 30 September 2023 and earlier today the Australian Hiker Podcast reached a major milestone passing the 1,000,000 download mark. In this podcast episode we look back over the past crazy seven years and talk about where we’re heading into the future.
268-Hiking in the Australian Alps
Australia is a large continent with just about every type of environment and vegetation you can imagine ranging from coastal, forest, arid to semi-arid; and then there’s our sub alpine and alpine regions which make up less than 1% of the continent. The practice of planning hikes is the same no matter where you are however there are some specific considerations that hiking in Australia Alpine regions of Australia require. In this podcast episode we look at what these are.
The Thin Green Line is a global not for profit organisation that exists to support park and wildlife rangers in their fight for conservation and is solely dedicated to supporting Rangers and their families in what can sometimes present them with life threatening challenges.
In this podcast episode we catch up with Amanda Dudgeon to discuss her journey “Walking the Thin Green line across Oceana” hoping to be a catalyst that initiates meaningful change for Oceana rangers.
266-Cape to Cape Track: Reality vs Expectations
In this podcast episode we discuss our pre-trip expectations for the Western Australia Cape to Cape Track and compare them to the reality of the trip itself.
265-Cape To Cape Track, Interviews from the Trail Part 2
Back on trail again on the Western Australian Cape to Cape Track. This episode includes recordings from the final 2/3 of this 128.7km trail and provides a real time overview of our on trail experience.
It’s August and for various reasons we’ve found ourselves having done less hikes than we usually would have so far into the year and believe me its not for lack of trying. In this podcast episode we look at what micro adventures are and how they be used to get you out bush even when you don’t think you have the time.
If you are hiking for any length of time get used to not being as clean as you usually would like. Having said that you do need a level of cleanliness and in this podcast episode we discuss a simple option for keeping ‘cleanish’ on trail.
Australia is a large continent with just about every type of environment and vegetation you can imagine ranging from coastal, to alpine, to forest; and then there’s our semi arid and arid regions which make up around 70% of the continent. While the practice of planning hikes is the same no matter where you are, there are some specific considerations that hiking in the semi arid and arid regions of Australia require. In this podcast episode we look at what these are.
Most of us are very used to the concept of ‘Use By Dates’ or ‘Best Before Dates’ when we go shopping but many commercial outdoor foods also come with these labels. Due to COVID I ended up with a large number of ‘out of date’ meals and thought that I’d see how they went. Are these labels just cautionary recommendations or can you just ignore them?
260-Night Owl or Rooster; what’s your sleeping pattern?
The old saying of ‘early to bed and early to rise’ originated over 6oo years ago at a time where making use of the daylight hours was particularly important in a largely rural society. While this saying is still relevant in agricultural circles today, it’s also applicable t0 many other aspects of our lives, including hiking. Our sleep patterns are unique so this podcast episode looks at the are pros and cons to each type of sleep regime from a hiking perspective.
259-Setting up a tent for hiking
When you first start hiking there are so many things to consider and often our focus is around things like gear selection, food or how to go to the toilet on the trail. While these are all important there are a number of other factors like getting a good nights sleep that come into play. This podcast episode discusses setting up your tent at the end of the day to help with getting the best sleep you possibly can.
258-Is age a barrier to hiking?
As I get older I’m becoming increasingly annoyed at societal expectations about how I’m supposed to behave. So while aging does impact on our physical endeavours is it a barrier to hiking? In this podcast episode we discuss the impacts of ageing on hiking.
257-Murramarang South Coast Walk
Living in Canberra I have a strong connection to the NSW south coast and since my late teens I have spent a lot of weekends walking along this part of the coastline as well as spending a lot of time both on, and under the water. So, while there is no end of shorter walks available on this part of the coast the newly opened 35km Murramarang South Coast Walking Track was one that just resonated with me, and we couldn’t wait to check it out ourselves to see what sort of experience that it would provide as a multi-day walk. To get the best from this episode follow along with the written version complete with on trail images to provide some context.
Over the years I regularly come across hikers who sets themselves a goal(s) around their hiking. Apart from planning and hiking specific trails, the two most common goals I come across include climbing all the local peaks in an area or doing a certain number of hikes over a defined period. In this episode we catch up with hiker Mike Railton to discuss his 2022 goal of doing 100 hikes in a single calendar year to see how he went.
In the second half of this episode we use this interview to discuss goal setting and hiking and the impact that it can have.
Hiking is a way to get to get out bush, or for that matter into your local urban area. Unless you are only travelling short distances you will more than likely be carrying a pack on your back. A pack is home to all those pieces of equipment that you may need on your adventure like a thermal jacket, rain gear, camera, phone and of course, water and food. If you’re doing overnight trips it will also hold your tent, sleeping bag, spare clothing and more food. But what happens if it rains? Or maybe you’re crossing an inlet. How then do you keep all your gear dry? In this podcast episode we discuss the options for waterproofing your pack.
254-Journey towards ultralight hiking – the final chapter
Over the past 7 years I have been focused on reducing the weight I carry on trail, chipping away here and there when I can but recently I have found myself adding gear and not choosing the lightest items. In this podcast episode I revisit my journey to becoming an ultralight hiker to see where I have landed on both my pack weight and my philosophy towards ultralight hiking.
253-Cape To Cape Track: start stop
In this podcast episode we briefly discuss our short trip on the Cape to Cape Track and why it came to a premature end.
252-Cape To Cape Track, Interviews from the Trail Part 1
This podcast episode is the second in the Cape to Cape Track series and includes recordings from the first 1/3 of this 123km trail and provides a real time overview of our on trail experience. We ended up leaving the track prior to finishing and will explain why in the next episode. Never fear we will be back later in 2023 to finish this trail.
251-Cape To Cape Track, an introduction
This is the first in a planned series of four podcast episodes in addition to a written trip review to be released over the coming weeks on our upcoming trip on the Western Australian Cape to Cape Track. In this episode we set the scene for our upcoming trip and provide some background on what we expect from our experience. We hope you enjoy.
250-Adventure Expo 2023; Industry Interviews pt 2
Every year Australian Hiker touches base with suppliers, importers and manufacturers of hiking equipment to find out what new and exciting products are on the market and well as to see how the industry is trending. In this weeks episode, episode 250, we’ll bring you the second half of the interviews from our recent trip to Sydney to attend the Australian Outdoor Adventure Expo.
To get the best from this episode go to the Australian Hiker website and on our episode page to the show notes to see images of what we are talking about in this podcast.
249-Adventure Expo 2023; Industry Interviews pt 1
Every year Australian Hiker touches base with suppliers, importers and manufacturers of hiking equipment to find out what new and exciting products are on the market and well as to see how the industry is trending.
To get the best from this episode go to the Australian Hiker website and on our episode page to the show notes to see images of what we retaking about in this podcast.
In next weeks episode, episode 250, we’ll bring you the second half of the interviews.
248-Changing tastes in trail food
I’ve been hiking and camping for many years and I’ve found that my tastes in food have slowly but steadily evolved, changing bit by bit which is to be expected. Recently however my on-trail diet has gone through a revolution rather than evolution which has changed the way that I hike. In this podcast episode we look at what’s changed in my diet and the impact this has had.
247-Musicians on the Te Araroa part 2
In late 2019 in episode 124 we interviewed musicians Mickey and Michelle just before they set out on their 3,000km adventure on the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand. Their experience was a bit different than most as they planned to continue working as musicians as they went. COVID interrupted their trip and now a little over three years later they have finally completed their trip. In this episode we catch up with them to find out about their experience and what they thought of New Zealand’s longest trail.
The 19.8km Cascade Hut Trail in Kosciusko National Park makes for an excellent longish day walk or a great overnight camping adventure. In this podcast episode you’ll hear our on trail experiences as well as our recommendations for this hike to help make your experience better.
245-Dog Trip Sydney Guidebook: interview with the authors
Previously, in episode 204, we touched base with authors Andrew Grune and Evi O, authors of the Book Day Trip Sydney – 52 Nature Adventures. In this episode we catch back up with them about their newest book Dog Trip Sydney – 52 Dog Friendly Nature Adventures to find out about dog friendly walks in the Sydney region.
Without a doubt one of the the most common discussions I hear in hiking circles both on-trail as well as in online forums is what type of footwear should I be wearing? In this podcast episode we look at options for hiking footwear to try to help narrow this debate and hopefully provide s starting point in particular for newer hikers.
In this podcast episode we look at the types of gaiters available to hikers today and provide guidance on when you should consider wearing them.
242-South Coast Track; Reality vs Expectations
In this episode I revisit my pre trip expectations and see how they panned out in reality. In addition I make suggestions based on what I learnt about what could make this trip better.
241-South Coast Track; Interviews from the trail-part 2
In this episode we bring you the 2nd episode of our on trail recordings from Tim’s 2022 journey on the Tasmanian based, 85km South Coast Track. In this episode we bring you a series of recordings from the second half of the trip.
240-South Coast Track; Interviews from the trail-part 1
In this episode we bring you a series of on trail recordings as well as some interviews with other hikers from Tim’s 2022 journey on the Tasmanian based, 85km South Coast Track. In this episode we bring you a series of recordings from the first half of the trip with next weeks episode bringing you the second half of the trip in episode 241.
239-South Coast Track, an introduction
This is the first in a planned series of four podcast episodes in addition to a full trip review to be released over the coming weeks on my upcoming trip on the Tasmanian South Coast Track. In this episode we set the scene for my upcoming trip and provide some background on what I expect from this trip. We hope you enjoy.
238-Guthega to Charlotte Pass walk
For the past few years, I have been keenly following the creation of the 55-kilometre, 4-day Snowies Alpine Walk in Kosciuszko National Park in Monero Ngarigo Country.When it fully opens sometime in 2023, it will deliver a world-class, multi-day walk across the alpine roof of Australia. In this week’s episode we catch up with Maggie Sutcliffe from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to talk about the recent opening of one of the sections, Guthega to Charlotte Pass Walk, and find out about the creation of this trail.
In the second half of this episode, we bring you a series of on-trail recordings from our recent walk on the Guthega to Charlotte Pass Walk.
237-Choosing rain gear for hiking
If you are going to take the plunge and take advantage of the rainy weather conditions, then choosing suitable rainwear for hiking is something you’ll need to consider at some stage. So what are the considerations when choosing rain gear for hiking? Listen to this episode to find out more
This podcast episode covers the key aspects of choosing rain gear. We deliberately haven’t got too carried away with the technical aspects because in all honesty, there’s so much technical information that you just don’t need to know!
236-Australian Hiker 6th Birthday
On 11 November 2022 Australian Hiker celebrated its 6th birthday. For many of us the past few years has been one of disruption and as an overactive planner this has driven me up the wall sometimes. In this episode we reflect on our past year, and look at where we are heading over the coming year.
235-Christmas Gifts for Hikers 2022
It’s that time of the year again when you start to consider gifts for the special hiker in your life. In this podcast episode we talk generally about gift options for that hiker in your life and identify some key options to consider including spending nothing at all!
234-Best Walks of NSW MID NORTH COAST guidebook-Interview with the Author
The NSW mid north coast is a bit of an unknown for us and we are hoping to get up that way over the next 12 months to do some hiking and wanted to do a bit of preplanning. This newly released guidebook, Best Walks of NSW MID NORTH COAST, by author Yvonne Everett is just the ticket providing an overview of some great hiking options in this region. In this episode we catch up with Yvonne and talk with her about hiking on the mid North NSW coast and her new guidebook.
Recently we did the Great Ocean Walk on the Victorian coastline and discovered that practices we take for granted in walking along beaches and rock platforms, as well as crossing inlets, aren’t always widely known.
In this podcast episode we discuss considerations for hiking on the coast to help keep you safe as well as helping you enjoy your hike. To get the best from this episode follow along with the written version of this podcast for images, videos, and diagrams that will help put images to the words.
Ottie Merino is a relatively new Australian outdoor clothing company and, as the name suggests, specialises in Merino garments which have been designed by hikers, for hikers. In this episode we catch up with Paul, one of the founders of Ottie Merino, to find out more about what makes this Australian adventure clothing company worth looking at.
A few months ago, I was contacted by adventurer James MacAlloon as he was just about to set off on the final leg of a unique adventure across Australia. This last section of his journey would take him 1745km from Alice Springs through to Broome crossing the Tanami Desert in the process. In today’s episode we talk with James about the larger trip and in particular this last segment that, for many people, will be hard to grasp let alone contemplate.
230-Great Ocean Walk: Reality vs Expectations
In this podcast episode we discuss our pre-trip expectations for the Great Ocean Walk and compare them to the reality of the trip itself. In many cases the trip panned out as expected but as with any outdoor adventure there are always things that end up going differently than expected. In this episode we discuss how the trip panned out and make some recommendations that will help you get the best out of this experience.
229-Great Ocean Walk; Interviews from the trail-part 2
This is the second of our two on-trail episodes from our recent 100km Great Ocean Walk in southern Victoria. In this episode we bring you a series of recordings from the second half of the trip, starting on day 4, which follows on from the last episode, episode 228, that brought recordings from the first half of the trip. We also had the opportunity to record a short interview with a Belgium hiker who we met up with on this trip to get her feedback.
228-Great Ocean Walk; Interviews from the trail-part 1
This is the first of our two planned ‘on trail’ episodes from our recent 100km Great Ocean Walk in southern Victoria. In this episode we bring you a series of recordings from the first half of the trip with next weeks episode bringing you the second half of the trip in episode 229. Episode 230 will then discuss reality vs our expectation and make recommendations based on what we found on trail to help plan your adventure. In addition the write up of this trail will be released very shortly.
227-Great Ocean Walk, an introduction
This is the first in a planned series of four podcast episodes and a full trip review to be released over the coming weeks on our upcoming trip on the Victorian Great Ocean Walk. In this episode we set the scene for our upcoming trip and provide some background on what we expect from this trip. We hope you enjoy.
226-When times get tough; motivation on the trail
While many hikers worry about the physical aspects of longer multi-day/multi-week hikes perhaps the biggest issue for many is the mental aspect. Time with other hikers can be challenging let alone travelling by yourself and sometimes it’s a struggle to maintain a degree of motivation that allows you to keep on hiking on those days when you just don’t feel like it. So, how can you maintain a degree of motivation when you feel like calling it quits?
225-Industry Interviews July 2022
Every year Australian Hiker touches base with suppliers, importers and manufacture of hiking equipment to find out what new and exciting products are on the market and well as to see how the industry is trending. In this years episode the pandemic is supposedly over but we are still doing these interviews virtually as we catch up with 4 of these suppliers.
For many hikers and campers when they first start out it’s common to go with an organised group or club, or with a more experienced friend who can show them the ropes. Typically if campsite bookings are required these will often be done for you, magically happening in the background. Unless you look in more detail you can be forgiven for thinking you can camp anywhere you like; a term more commonly known as wild camping. In this article we provide a brief overview of the camping rules and regulations to help with planning your overnight adventures.
When I think of hiking in Australia and build a mental picture of what that looks like one factor that always comes to mind is the heat. Having said that it’s not just the heat that we need to think about but rather all the weather extremes including the cold. While cold weather hiking is something we tend to associate with Europe or the USA, it is also something we need to consider in Australia. In this podcast episode we look at hiking in cold conditions, what we can do to avoid it, and in the event that we do get cold what we should do to keep warm.
222-East Gippsland Rail Trail reality vs expectations
In this podcast episode I discuss my pre trip expectations for the East Gippsland Rail Trail versus the reality of the trip itself. In many cases the trip panned out as expected but with any outdoor adventure there are always things that ended up going differently than expected. (
221-East Gippsland Rail Trail Interviews from the trail
In this podcast episode I bring you a series of on trail recordings from my four day trip on the East Gippsland Rail Trail. These recordings will provide you with an overview of my trip, how I was feeling and the things that I was seeing in real time as I progressed which will hopefully provide some insight into this very different hiking adventure.
220-East Gippsland Rail Trail here I come!
In this podcast episode, the first of three for this trail, we look at my expectations for this trip and discuss logistical issues prior to starting. Episode 221 will then bring you interviews from the trail and finally episode 222 with provide a final wrap up to see how my pre trip expectations and the actually reality of this trip matched up.
I recently had to reschedule a multi-day hike for logistical reasons and after spending some time looking for a replacement trail, I decided to do one of Australia’s many Rails Trail. In this episode we catch up with Damian McCrohan from Rail Trails Australia to find out what you have been missing if you don’t consider these as part of your hiking adventures.
Socks are one of the smallest items of hiking clothing but just as important as the bigger more obvious pieces of equipment. Many people will use any pair of old socks they have in their sock drawer when they head out bush. If you put some thought into the decision about the socks you’ll wear, it will ensure a more comfortable and less problematic hike. In this episode we talk everything socks to help you choose the ones that will suit your individual needs.
217-Choosing a jacket for hiking
In every hobby or activity we do there is always an ‘unofficial uniform’ and with hiking it’s the down jacket. In this podcast episode we look at the pros and cons of the different insulation options on offer when choosing a jacket for warmth and hopefully provide a bit more clarity in helping you choose a jacket.
In this podcast episode we bring you a series of recordings from our 81.6km 3 day adventure that saw us summiting 12 of Canberras main central hills and mountains. Towards the end of the episode discuss logistical considerations as well as what we learnt on the way.
I first came across Nordic walking around 7 years ago and thought ‘what the hell is that’? This was also the same reaction I had when I first came across trekking poles over 15 years ago. Being an avid hiker, I saw the similarities, but also the differences between the two types of pole useage. When one of our followers suggested we look further into Nordic walking so I decided it was time to touch base with the Canberra Nordic walking community to find out more. In today’s episode we talk with with Kristen Pratt, the owner and lead instructor of Capital Nordic Walking to find out what’s involved.
Located on the far southern coast of NSW the 27 km Wharf to Wharf Walk which officially opened in mid 2021 is one that is still relatively unknown and undiscovered by many. In this episode you can hear our on trail recordings of how our day went and at the end of the podcast we discuss logistical issues surrounding transport and accomodation and make recommendations on options that will suit all levels of hikers.
For many people transitioning to overnight hiking or camping brings a lot of new considerations. Where do you go to the toilet? What do you eat? What additional gear do you need? While we will usually think about the big items like packs, tents and sleeping bags (the Big 3), the ancillary items like pillows often tend to be an afterthought. These days there are many pillow options available to us – which one you use is really going to depend on your desired level of comfort. In this podcast episode we take a beginners look at pillow options for hiking and camping.
212-Hammock Camping; from the trail
If you want an expert opinion on hammock camping then this episode isn’t it! This podcast episode has been deliberately recorded as a ‘first timers’ experience of what its like to spend a night in a hammock and for many people who try hammocks without a more experienced partner to show them the ropes this is how its done, the good and the bad.
211-Hammock Camping; an introduction
As hikers grow in their knowledge and ability they will often transition to overnight trips and the default setting for nearly all of us is tent camping. While tents are the most common camping option for hikers another alternative that is slowly gaining ground is hammock camping. Hammocks provide a degree of versatility over and above tents and while they won’t suit all circumstances it may be a viable option for your outdoor adventures. In this podcast episode we look at what’s involved in hammock camping including the pros and cons, the gear basics, and basic hammock practice to help you decide if this is an option for you.
210-Food on the trail; a detailed look
When overnight hiking you have lots of additional things to consider; where to camp, when to camp, where to go to the toilet and what to eat are just some of them. Once you start doing multi-day and multi-week hikes these considerations multiply (no pun intended). Food is a big consideration in this planning process particularly because it often requires planning ahead weeks in advance and really thinking about what you may want to eat. In this article we discuss food requirements for multi-day and multi-week hikes that can also easily be used for shorter hikes.
209-Bikepacking; interviews from the trail
In this episode we bring you a series of recordings from a recent overnight trip on the Canberra Centenary Trail. While i’ve done plenty of one day trips this was my first overnight backpacking trip and one with some sharp learning curves that will make me rethink the way I not just ride in the future but also hike. At the end of this episode we discuss what I learnt on this trip and what I’d do differently next time I head out on two wheels.
Bikepacking can best be considered as an allied form of backpacking and instead of walking your chosen route on foot you undertake your journey with the aid of a bike, travelling at a different speed, seeing the landscape in a different way. In this episode we provide an introduction to bikepacking and the opportunities it affords.
207-Three Capes Track; Expectations vs reality
This is the third and final podcast episode in the series of 3 on the Tasmanian Three Capes Track. In this episode we compare our pre trip expectations to the reality of the journey and based on our experiences make recommendations as to how to get the best from this trip.We recommend that you follow along with the written review of this trail that includes images and resources to help you out at Three Capes Track TAS (48km)
206-Three Capes Track, interviews from the trail
This is the second episode in the series of 3 on the Tasmanian Three Capes Track. This episode consists of a series of on-trail recordings from Gill and I as we progress along the trail as well as interviews with other hikers who share their views. In our third episode next week we compare our pre-trip expectations to the on-trail reality and based on our on-trail experiences, make recommendations on how to get the best from this trip.
205-Three Capes Track, an introduction
This is the first in a planned series of 3 podcast episodes to be released over the next 3 weeks on our upcoming trip on the Tasmanian Three Capes Track. In today’s episode we set the scene for our upcoming trip and provide some background on what we expect from this trip. We hope you enjoy.
204-Day Trip Sydney Guidebook: interview with the authors
In this episode we catch up with Andrew Grune and Evi O authors of the book Day Trip Sydney 52 Nature Adventures. Where it stands out is by not assuming the participants are keen hikers. In addition, the images used to highlight each adventure can best be described as hero shots that just invite you to visit.
203-Getting back into hiking after lockdown, Interview with Joe Bonington
Joe Bonington is the creator of Joe’s Basecamp gym, Sydney’s Premier adventure training facility. Today we catch up with Joe to talk about getting back on trail after the long periods of inactivity that many of us have been forced into.
202-Australian Hiker 5th Birthday
On 11 November 2021 Australian Hiker celebrated its 5th birthday. When we started in 2016 we had no idea where we would be today. In this episode we reflect on our past year, and look at where we are heading over the coming year. We close this episode by answering the often asked question about how we got into hiking.
201-Christmas gift ideas for hikers 2021
It’s that time of the year again when you start to consider gifts for the special hiker in your life. In this article we focus on the best and brightest products including those released over the past year. Just because it’s Christmas doesn’t mean you have to spend up big, in fact you may not even have to spend any money at all. In this podcast episode we discuss gift ideas in price categories with something to suit all budgets ranging from not spending money at all through to some big ticket items.
Reaching 200 podcast episodes is a rarity, particularly for outdoor podcasts with only a rare handful lasting this long. In this episode we discuss where the Australian Hiker podcast has come from, where we are heading to, and what we have learned along the way. Both Gill and I would like to thank everyone for their support in making this podcast a long term success and look forward to the next 200 episodes!
For many hikers getting to the start of a hike typically requires a car ride either in your own vehicle that you return back to at the end of a hike, or a drop-off and pick up by friends or family. Other forms of public transport such as buses and trains may fit the bill depending on the options of getting to a trailhead. But what about when you travel interstate or overseas and need to transport yourself, and all your hiking gear, on a plane? Travelling by plane creates a whole new set of logistical issues that you need to consider to get both you and your luggage to the trailhead with a minimum of fuss. In this podcast episode we discuss considerations for hikes that require plane travel and provide tips to help you get the best out of not just your hike but the journey as well.
Unless you camp in exactly the same location, with the same soils, and the same environmental conditions, it’s unlikely that you’ll get away with one particular type of tent peg for all your hiking needs. Choosing the right pegs and your tent should stay put in almost any conditions, chose the wrong pegs and you may find yourself shelterless at the most inconvenient times. In this podcast episode we look at a range of different tent pegs types used for hiking tents, talk about when to use them, and make suggestions based on what we use.
Urban hiking is a self explanatory term which implies that instead of hiking in remote, or not so remote, bushland you instead take the opportunity to hike through your local urban areas. But is this ‘real’ hiking or just a poor alternative? In this podcast we discuss some key considerations of urban hiking as well as identifying how to get the best out of your urban experience.
196-Bondi to Manly Walk Guidebook: interview with the author
The 80km Bondi to Manly Walk is one of Sydney’s hidden gems that many people don’t even know exist. In today’s episode we catch up with author Tara Wells to chat about her new guidebook for this amazing trail The Bondi to Manly Walk : The Definitive Guidebook. This book will help those who are keen to plan and complete this walk.
195-Tim’s hiking podcast listening list
The Australian Hiker podcast turns five years old at the end of 2021 and is Australia’s longest running and most downloaded hiking podcast. But what hiking and outdoor related podcasts does Australian Hiker listen to? In this episode we provide a brief overview of what’s on Tim’s podcast listening queue that covers a range of different styles.
194-Tasmanian Trail: a wrap up
In this podcast episode we wrap up Tim’s 2021 Tasmanian Trail trip and while it ended prematurely it provided me with a great overview of what’s on offer outside of the very well known Tasmanian National Parks. in addition to providing a wrap up of this trip and provide some suggestions about logistics and timing if you are keen to do this walk.
193-Tasmanian Trail: week 2 on the trail
This podcast episode consists of a series of recordings from Tim in his second week on the Tasmanian Trail. In addition to his on trail recordings Tim also discuss Trail towns.
192-Tasmanian Trail: week 1 on the trail
This podcast episode consists of a series of recordings from Tim in his first week of the Tasmanian Trail. It’s been an interesting and challenging week that has forced some route changes to due environmental conditions .
191-Tasmanian Trail here I come
In February of this year I decided that my long distance hike for 2021 was going to be the 1200km south Australian Heysen Trail and part of my decision for bringing this trail forward a year was that I wanted a trail that was based in a single state and unlikely to be impacted my COVID related issues. It didn’t quite work out that was and as a result I had to pivot to another trail and my choice became the 480km Tasmanian trail. In this episode we discuss the trail itself, and my upcoming trip including my concerns and expectations. If everything goes to plan this will be the first in a series of 5 episodes including this episode, 3 from on trail, and 1 post trail episode.
190-In the Footsteps of the Cannibal Convict
In 1820 Irish thief, Alexander Pearce, was sent to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) to serve a seven year sentence for stealing shoes and if the story ended here, it wouldn’t be particularly noteworthy, but rather than just one of many similar stories. Where is becomes interesting is in 1822 when Pearce and seven other convicts escaped from their penal colony in western Tasmania and made their way eastwards across some of the most rugged and inhospitable terrain in Tasmania in a break for freedom. Starvation pressed the party into a series of grim decisions including cannibalism with Pearce being the sole survivor of the group. In 2008, 6 hikers recreated this walk, covering 170km in 23 days on an amazing journey.
189-Interview with the author-A Book of Australian Trees
In today’s episode we talk with author Inga Simpson about her latest book, The Book of Australian Trees. Trees tell stories about places and Australia has some of the tallest, oldest, fattest and most unusual trees in the world. As hikers, trees are our constant companions on many of our hikes. While this book is aimed at children, it will also please adults as well and makes a great coffee table book.
188-Industry Interviews June 2021
For a second year in a row I was due to attend the Australian Outdoor Retailer Show in Melbourne only to have it cancelled by COVID. I still managed to catch up with a number of suppliers and manufacturers and in this podcast episode we find out about some new and exciting equipment releases as well as how Australian outdoor industry is going.
While the state governments play a role in both the construction and maintenance of trails much of the work is done by volunteers; those unsung hero’s who quietly get on with the job so that we who hike them, can do so in a comfortable fashion. In this episode we talk to two trail volunteer groups about the role they play in proposing, building, and maintaining their respective trails.
In episode 163 and 164 we discussed hiking with Injuries and disabilities but where does epilepsy fit into the mix given that around 3.5% of Australians will experience epilepsy at some point in their lives. In today’s episode we talk to Carol Ireland, the CEO of Epilepsy Action Australia about her organisation, the impact that epilepsy has on activities like hiking, and provide an overview of their upcoming fundraising hike on the Larapinta Trail that will take place from 16-22 August 2021. In addition, we will also be catching up with Nicole who participated in the Great Wall of China Hike for Epilepsy Action Australia in 2014. As someone with Epilepsy Nicole will be able to give us an upfront and personal insight of the considerations and management involved when undertaking a physical challenge such as hiking.
Backpacking, bushwalking, hiking, tramping, trekking, thru hiking, rambling… So many terms are used to describe getting outside with a pack on your back. Also, is it a track or is it a trail? Do you have tracking poles or trekking poles? Each term has its own connotation and depending on which country you come from (or which part of the country) you will find yourself gravitating more towards one term over another to describe what you are doing when you head out into nature. In this podcast episode we look more closely at the terms used to describe what we do when we head out in to nature and whether one term makes more sense than others. Does it really matter?
184- Australian huts and hiking
If you have spent much time wandering Australia’s alpine region then you will have come across one or more of the approximately 200 huts that dot the landscape and while the Australian Alps is home to this high concentration of huts other Australian states and territories also boast a range of these relicts from the past. In addition to the older huts there are now a range of newer, often ultra modern versions, cropping up in some of our best known outdoor recreation areas. In this podcast episode we look at the reason these huts came into existence, the function that they now serve, and importantly the etiquette involved in putting them to use.
For many hikers getting out bush and going off grid is a means to get away from all the technology and the constant pinging of your mobile phone. If you aren’t connected for a few days does it really matter? If however you need to power various electronic devices on the trail the type and quantity of your power recharge needs is dictated by whether you can get away with just a single charge, a single set of batteries, or whether you need to have a back up option. In this podcast episode we provide a basic introduction into powering your hike as a hiker (as opposed to a car camper), and look at the pros and cons of the available options.
182-A day in the life of a long distance hiker
I’m a bit of an obsessive about some things and one of those is what a typical day on a multi-day hike looks like. In this episode we break it down from waking up at the start of the day to going to sleep and the days end. While the overall structure of a day will be similar for everyone the specifics will be unique to each of us. Knowing what a typical day looks like will make each day easier to plan an easier to walk. So, what does a typical long distance hiking day look like for me?
Over Easter 2021 Gill and I headed out towards the Broken Hill region in far western NSW to hike some of the more remote National Parks. Over a period of seven days we drove over 2000km, visited Mutawintji and Mungo National Parks, and did some hikes that we weren’t expecting to be as good as they were; there really are some hidden gems if you know where to look. This episode consists of a series of on road and on trail recordings as well as our summation of the overall trip. Over the coming weeks we will be releasing several trail reviews so keep and eye out for some doozys!
There are literally thousands of marked or signposted hiking trails across every state and territory of Australia and even the keenest hiker is unlikely to ever hike them all. Having said that sometimes you just want to do something that is just a little bit different. In this episode we look at simple opportunities for creating your own hiking adventure that with a bit of basic knowledge and planning almost anyone can do.
179-Are equipment manufacturers missing the mark?
Being a relatively small country on the world stage Australia often punches above its own weight in so many areas. One area where we under perform is the product range available in retail stores and this includes hiking gear. Is this because the product doesn’t exist or are manufacturers and importers missing the mark? In this episode we discuss possible reasons.
Whenever we go hiking we make decisions about the equipment we carry. These gear choices can be broken into two broad categories; those pieces of gear that we need from a safety perspective (i.e. the necessities) and those that aren’t really necessary but we want to carry (i.e. luxury items). In this episode we discuss the key luxury items that I see on the trail but having said that this category is endless.
Operation Flinders is an Australian organisation that exists to provide young men and women who have been identified as being at risk, with demanding outdoor challenges and support. The aim of this organisation is to help participants develop their personal attitudes, self-esteem, motivation, teamwork and responsibility, so they may grow as valued members of the community. In today’s episode we talk to Brendan Raets about the Operation Flinders organisation and the programs that they run.
176-Considerations for choosing a hike
Whether you are new to hiking or have been doing it for years, deciding on what walk you are going to do will depend on a number of factors. Surprisingly the answer you get when you work through these factors may differ each time you have to make this choice. While some of these factors cross over with general hiking planning there are also a number that are purely subjective. In this podcast episode we look at seven main factors to consider when choosing a hike to get the best outcome for all concerned.
175-Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail: Fighting Monks and Burning Mountains
Pilgrimage Trail in Japan. This was a trail I hadn’t heard of until talking with Paul and reviewing his book Fighting Monks and Burning Mountains : Misadventures on a Buddhist Pilgrimage but now it’s firmly on my to-do list. This is a great episode that showcases this Japanese pilgrimage trail and provides an insight into Paul’s adventure that is both informative and amusing.
The walk to Schlink Hut in Kosciuszko National Park (NSW) starts at the Guthega Power Station visitor car park. This is a great day walk or as an overnight option and because it contains a series of three alpine huts, you have the option of ‘choosing your own adventure’ to suit your skills and ability.This episode consists of a series of on-trail reviews recorded on our recent two day trip.
The human connection with animals is timeless. First as food, then as working partners that carried our loads, helped us hunt or managed and protected our herds, and then evolved into companions. Animals have become an integral part of our lives in one way or another so it’s not surprising many of us want to include them in our hiking activities. While taking domestic animals on hikes is much more common in the USA, this is also starting to become more common in Australia.
In this podcast episode we look at the options for taking animals on the trail from an Australian perspective.
When it comes to hiking there really is no ‘one way’ to get involved. Some people stick to shorter hikes that can be completed in a day or less. For others it may mean hiking that includes day hikes that expands out to those lasting multiple days, weeks or even months either as a solo or group activity. Even then there is a decision to make about whether you are doing all the organisation and logistics yourself or taking part in a guided hike. In this podcast episode we look at being part of a guided hike including the pros and cons to help you to determine if this is an option for you.
Everyone has their own reason(s) for hiking; exercise, solitude and scenic views are just some.For many people photography also forms a key part of getting out bush. Sometimes this will be the main reason with the focus being to take photos of wildlife and sunrises. At other times it may be a minor reason with the odd photo being taken as a means of remembering the trip but for many its the lure of social media. In this episode we look at the negative impacts of social media and discuss ways in which we can minimise this.
When we are hiking, particularly in remote areas the availability of water becomes a more complex issue. In this episode we discuss hydration as hikers and then look at sourcing water when we are out hiking.
169-Great North Walk a Failed thru Hike
In November of 2020 Tim commenced his journey on the 260 km Great North Walk which runs between the Australian east coast cities of Newcastle and Sydney. This journey ended up being a very short walk as he pulled the pin on this hike just prior to lunch on day 2 for reasons he discusses in this podcast episode. In this episode we provide an introduction to this trail, bring you recordings made on 1.5 days on the trail before discussing reasons for halting this hike.
168-Australian Hiker 4th Birthday
On 11 November 2020 Australian Hiker celebrated its fourth birthday on what has been a difficult year. In this episode we reflect on our past year, a difficult one, and where we are heading into the future.
167-Christmas Gifts for Hikers 2020
It’s that time of the year again when you start to consider gifts for the special hiker in your life. In this article we focus on the best and brightest products including those released over the past year. To get the most from this podcast go to https://australianhiker.com.au/advice/christmas-gift-ideas-for-hikers/ to see images and the links to the full reviews on the product that we have discussed.
This podcast episode is aimed fairly and squarely at new hikers and is designed to provide a simple overview of the considerations to get ‘out bush’, in a manner that will hopefully increase your enjoyment, as well as reduce any anxiety/fears that you may have.
2020 is likely to be a memorable for so many reasons! I had planned to be walking the Australian Alps Walking Track in mid November but between the fires and COVID, this track is off the menu and likely to be so for the next few months. The term ‘flogging a dead horse’ comes to mind in my attempt to do this walk. As this podcast goes to air it’s one month out and it’s time to make a decision. In this podcast episode we discuss the planning process for this walk, what I have decided to do and why, and what my November adventure now looks like. I am not alone in this process with so many hikers around Australia going through a similar experience. Is this you?
Most hikers will have an injury or two that they have collected over their lifetimes but when this goes beyond being just a minor issue and becomes a permanent disability the ability to continue hiking can be greatly impacted, or in some cases not even an option. In this week’s episode we interview hiker Jenny Woodhouse who talks about hiking whilst managing permanent spinal disability.
In this podcast episode we discuss the key considerations for hiking with pre-existing injuries as well as managing any new ones you pick up on the trail.
While this may seem to be an odd interview for a hiking podcast, you may be surprised to learn that one of the programs offered by Soldier On, March On, is all about doing hikes of varying lengths. In this week’s episode we catch up with Soldier On CEO, Ivan Slavich to find out about this organisation and their March On program.
When we think about hiking we create a picture in our mind of what the day looks like and if there is an overnight stay involved the camp forms part of the picture. The thing we need to remember is that hiking is different for everyone and there is no right view of the image we create. How we come to hiking and camping will generate this mental picture. Are we life long hiking enthusiasts that started as part of a family activity? Are we new hikers who have only just started? Are we the occasional hiker who does an adventure every so often and wants to just turn up rather than doing any of the organising or planning? Or maybe we don’t fit into a single style of hiking and will choose our own adventure based on what we feel like. In this podcast we discuss what the common types of hiking/camping styles.
Most of us we start life reasonably fit and healthy and as we get older we start to collect various injuries and illnesses along the way. In addition to these pre-existing issues we can also collect new ones when we hike. Dealing with these injuries can be a real learning curve but it’s worth being aware of what they are and how best to manage them, otherwise your enjoyment level will be greatly impacted.In this podcast episode we discuss the key considerations for hiking with pre-existing injuries as well as managing any new ones you pick up on the trail.
Australian Hiker is all about walking and when Jono Lineen, author of the book Perfect Motion, contacted me a few months ago to talk to talk about doing a review for his book ‘Perfect Motion’ it not only made sense to review thebook but also to interview him for the podcast as well. As a keen long distance hiker this book resonated with me in so many ways, particularly in the way that I feel when doing my big hikes. In this episode we talk to Jono about the impacts of walking and find out more about his amazing background, his trip though the Himalayas, as well as discussing his book Perfect Motion.
In our last podcast episode, episode 158, we talked about snowshoeing in the Australian Alps. But for those that want to go a step further there are other options including skiing and snow camping. In this episode we catch up with Gary Tischer and find out about options for skiing, and snow camping away from the resorts. We talk about safety and logistics in the back country in general, including more than you every wanted to now about what to do with toilet waste in the snow! To round off this episode we catch back up with Bruce Easton from Wilderness Sports about options for getting a taster in backcountry.
Hiking, bushwalking, whatever you want to call it is all about hiking outdoors in nature. While Australia doesn’t have the same sort of extreme winters as Europe and North America the Australian Alps are usually covered in snow and for many of us it means some of our favourite hiking destinations have gone to sleep and we need to look for other options. Buy why is that? Recently we tried snowshoeing to see if this ‘walking option’ provided an alternative to hibernation for accessing the alpine regions during the colder months. This three part episode consists of a discussion on the basics of snowshoeing, a series of recordings we made on the day of our snowshoe tour, and finally an interview with Bruce Easton, owner of Wilderness Sports in Jindabyne.
Physical preparation is a part of getting ready for any hike. For shorter easier hikes the training may be almost non existent while for longer and or more complex hikes you may spend weeks if not months preparing. Training for longer hikes involves many different physical aspects including cardio and weight training, as well as lots of walking/hiking both with and without a pack. In this podcast we talk about the do’s and dont’s of pack training to help you get the most out of your hike.
156-Industry Interviews August 2020 Part 2
Over the past three years Australian Hiker has attended the annual Outdoor Retailer Australia Show. This show is a chance for Australia’s outdoor wholesalers and manufacturers to showcase their new and existing products to Australia’s outdoor retailers and allied media. Due to the pandemic, the show was cancelled for 2020 but rather than let the opportunity pass us by we managed to catch up with a number of suppliers for an update. This is the second episode in this series in which we bring you a further three interviews. As a follow up to our discussions with the various suppliers, in the coming year we will be reviewing that will be of interest to you. The first episode in this series, episode 155, was released last week.
155-Industry Interviews July 2020 Part 1
Over the past three years Australian Hiker has attended the annual Outdoor Retailer Australia Show. This show is a chance for Australia’s outdoor wholesalers and manufacturers to showcase their new and existing products to Australia’s outdoor retailers and allied media. Due to the pandemic the show was cancelled for 2020 but rather than let the opportunity pass us by we managed to catch up with a number of suppliers for an update. In this, the first of two episodes in this series, we bring you two interviews. In our next episode, episode 156, to be released next week, we will bring you our remaining interviews. As a follow up to our discussions with the various suppliers, in the coming year we will be undertaking a number of gear reviews that will be of interest to you.
154 – Bushwalks of Bungonia National Park-Red Track
Bungonia National Park is located in southern NSW near the inland city of Goulburn and is an easily accessible drive from both Sydney and Canberra. There are five main designated walking tracks located within the park and they all start from the short spine road that runs from the visitor centre, all within minutes of each other. This podcast episode consists of a series of recordings taken on the Red Track which as a walk under 6 km, ranks as one of the most physically demanding I have ever done; I’ve had 40 km days that have been easier. We talk about things to consider when hiking the Red Track before briefly touching on the other walks within the park.
153-Peak Bagging: the what and why
Peak bagging is the practice of climbing to the summit of a hill or mountain in an attempt to collect peaks in a particular region. I must admit that from my perspective the whole concept is just plain strange. My view on hiking is that I will follow the designated trail and if the trail goes over a summit, I will follow it but if it doesn’t, then there needs to be a really good reason to head up hill. In this podcast episode we look at the concept of peak bagging and discuss some Australian options for those of you who are into peak bagging.
152-Contributing to Australian Outdoor Magazines
In this week’s episode we continue the theme and talk with Gary Tischer about what it takes to be a contributor of both photography and written articles to the Australian outdoor magazines. Gary has been contributing to some of Australia’s best known outdoor magazines for nearly 40 years and while you may not know his name, chances are you have read his articles over the years. Today we find out how he became involved in writing and photographing for outdoor magazines, and how the needs of magazines have evolved over the years.
It’s now mid-June 2020 and at long last the restrictions around coronavirus are easing, seemingly at a rapid rate. Pending a second wave of the virus, the ability to travel, while not yet back to normal, has been greatly relaxed and we can now travel further afield and do some longer and more complex hiking. In today’s episode we discuss things to consider as you get back into some more serious hiking to ensure you enjoy yourself and stay safe.
150-Donkeys on the Bicentennial National Trail
In 2004 Liz Byron undertook a 2,500 km journey on the 5,300 km Bicentennial National Trail. As Australia’s longest designated shared trail, her story would not be too unusual until you realise she did her trip with the assistance of two donkeys, Grace and Charley, who acted as her pack animals and her companions. In this podcast episode we catch up with Liz not long after the release of her book, The Only Way Home, that details her amazing journey. This is a great episode and one that provides an unique alternative on the traditional human powered hike.
149-Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail
In today’s episode we discuss the Japanese Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail. This trail, which was included on the World Heritage list in 2004, is a network of several ancient pilgrimage routes that converge on Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, in the mountainous heart of Wakayama Prefecture. Apart from the shrines, the landscape itself is one of the key highlights that everyone talks about. In today’s episode we combine a series of three interviews and each of our interviewees provide a different perspective on this amazing trail system.
148-Australian Bush Legends and Myths
Australia like most countries, has a series of legends and myths that form part of our cultural identity. While some of these are based on fact, and others have at least some basis of truth, there are a number that are just downright fabrications. Whatever degree of truth is involved is doesn’t stop us from talking about them and where possible, having fun at the expense of gullible people, mainly overseas tourists.
147-Things that go bump in the night: getting a good night’s sleep
One of the most common complaints I hear from hikers who camp overnight is the inability to get a good night’s sleep. And while some of this can be put down to gear related issues, more often than not it can be a state of mind. The first time you camp in the bush, in particular by yourself, every little sound is magnified. The slithering or crunching just outside your tent, the movement of your tent when there is no wind, can all combine to make hikers a bit agitated. In this episode we discuss those issues that impact on our sleep on the trail, focusing on the non equipment related ones, and look at what we can do to get a better nights sleep.
146-An update in strange times
It’s mid April 2020 and already this has been the the strangest year that we have had in a long time and we still have most of the year to go. In this episode we just wanted to provide a bit of an update as Covid 19 is in full swing about how some of the people we have been following, along with the outdoor industry in general, is going.
145-Things to do when you can’t hike
Its early 2020 and Australia has had a hell of a start to the year. First we had a summer full of bushfires that have impacted much of the country, destroying large sections of the bushland that we as hikers spend so much of our time exploring. If that wasn’t enough just as the opportunity to return to the bush presented itself we have the Coronavirus and with it, the ability to access many of our walks has again been curtailed but clearly for a different reason. There are so many other more mundane reasons within our day to day lives that prevent us from hiking. So when you find yourself unable to hike, what can you do to keep yourself engaged with the outdoors? Let’s look at some options.
The Bondi to Manly Walk was officially opened in December 2019, formalising a pre-existing route into a standalone walk. It showcases Sydney Harbour and includes water views, bushland, residential cut-throughs, historic and Aboriginal heritage, and beach sections. This is truly one of the worlds great urban walks, all within the city confines. This episode discusses my three day trip, day by day, and to get the best from this podcast follow along with the written review here.
143-Te Araroa Trail, a catch up
In this episode we catch catch up with musicians Mickey and Michelle who are currently hiking the 3,000km New Zealand Te Araroa Trail, playing gigs as they go. When we first caught up with them in episode 124 they were just about to start this amazing trail and now around five months later they have completed just over 2,200km with around 750 km left. Find out about the trail, the highs and lows, the scenery, and the people as they head towards the finish line.
It’s Saturday morning and the weather is perfect so you decide to head off to a local National Park with friends to do a hike. Nothing complex, but it’s more than just a 20 minute walk and you may or may not have a phone signal so you start thinking about what you will take with you. This hike won’t require any overnight equipment such as a tent or sleeping bag but you’re not really sure what you should take. This is where it can get confusing – take too little or take the wrong things and you may not be comfortable. Take too much and the result is the same.
So what should you take on a day hike?
141-Catching up with Tangles and Tail: February 2020
In this episode we catch up with Lucy Barnard and Wombat from Tangles and Tail as they make their way from the bottom of South America to the top of North America. This 30,000 km journey will take Lucy around 5-6 years to complete and if successful, she will be the first women to do so. The last time we caught up with Lucy and Wombat was in September 2019 when they were just about to enter Ecuador. It’s been four months since we last chatted with Lucy and she has now completed just on 10,000 km. Today we catch up with her in Tulcan, Ecuador in early March 2020 when she is about to start her last leg in South America entering Columbia and then progressing on to Central America.
In this week’s episode we catch up with Annie Connor who is a keen Canberra-based hiker and who has spent over 20 years hiking throughout Australia, New Zealand and overseas including treks such the Larapinta Trail and the Annapurna Base Camp. Towards the end of 2019, Annie completed the Everest Base Camp Trek and as this trek sits on many people’s bucket lists, we wanted to catch up with Annie to find out all about her experience.
138-So you want to be a Travel Writer?
In episode 135 we discussed what the life of an adventure photographer/videographer was like. In this weeks episode we talk to Craig Sheather about about being a travel and guide book writer including what’s involved with getting articles and books to print, and how he got into this field.
In this our first episode for 2020 we take a look at the impacts that the current bushfires gripping many parts of Australia at the time of this podcast are having on hiking and what this may mean for the longer term. In addition, hiking is receiving a boost from state governments so we review proposed walking trails due to open later in 2020 as well as others scheduled for future years and discuss why the NSW Government in particular, is investing in these new trails.
Mobile apps have become such a familiar part of life that there is an app for just about everything. And hiking is no exception. In this episode we have collected together a range of apps for hikers to make your life easier. Our list isn’t exhaustive by any means with the options only limited by your imagination!
135-So you want to be an adventure photographer?
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a professional adventure videographer and photographer? To wander the world and be paid to video and photograph some amazing scenery and individuals doing some amazing things. In this episode we talk to Danyal Taylor whose job is just that and find out a bit of what his life is like and what it takes to do his job.
The problem when choosing a sleeping bag is the huge range of choice we have available on the market. There are hundreds of bags available in the retail stores and online. When choosing a sleeping bag there are some key considerations that come into the mix and in this episode we discuss what to look for in selecting a sleeping bag for your camping needs.
Located on the far southern coast of NSW the 31 km Light to Light Walk is one that while well known by many, still remains a bit of a hidden gem. Over the weekend just gone we chose to do this amazing walk in a single day but for most people a 2-3 day version is the norm. In this episode you can hear our on trail recordings of how our day went and at the end of the podcast we discuss logistical issues surrounding transport and accomodation and make recommendations on options that will suit all levels of hikers.
If you have been involved in the outdoors for any length of time then chances are you have heard of Outward Bound. Outward Bound has been providing eduction in the outdoors for over 70 years and they don’t just teach you about being outdoors, they also help you learn more about yourself as an individual. In this episode we talk to Helen at the National headquarters in Tharwa, on the Southern edge of Canberra city about what they do and the services they offer.
131-Australian Hiker 3rd Birthday
On 11 November 2019 Australian Hiker celebrated its third birthday. In this episode we reflect on our past year and where we are heading into the future. As the request of our listeners we also provide an overview of some key aspects in getting the Australian Hiker podcast to air.
130-Christmas Gifts for Hikers 2019
It’s that time of the year again when you start to look for presents for that hiking fanatic in your life; maybe it’s you?
In this episode we focus on the best and brightest that has been released over the past year and those iconic status items that all hikers would be pleased to own ranging from the inexpensive to the grand gesture. Have a listen to see if you can pick up any ideas.
129-Going to the toilet on the trail
When you start hiking and camping there is so much to learn. What gear do you buy, how do you deal with food, where are the good walks to do and last but not least how do I go to the toilet in the bush?
In this episode we discuss going to toilet on a hike, the process and the do’s and don’ts (pun intended) to hopefully give you a bit of peace of mind if you haven’t needed to consider this basic function before.
128-Book and Movie Review 2019
In this episode we review a series of hiking and outdoor movies that we have watched over 2019 as well as some outdoor based books that we have read. If you are into the outdoors and are looking something to do on those non hiking days then consider these options. Leading up into Christmas these books and videos make great options for the hiker in your family even if thats you!
127-Dehydrated Food on the Trail
Start talking about food options for hiking and it’s amazing how quickly the conversation becomes heated as individuals passionately defend their preferred meal options and tell you why your choices are wrong. This is definitely a topic I try to avoid when at camp in the evening. This podcast discusses the pros and cons of using dehydrated food and provides a few suggestions for dehydrating.
126-Catching up with Tangles and Tail: September 2019
In this episode we catch up with Lucy Barnard from Tangles and Tail who is walking the length of the world from the bottom of South America to the top of North America. This 30,000 km journey will take her around 5-6 years to complete. It’s been over four months since we last talked with Lucy and we catch up with her in San Ignacio, Peru where she has a two day journey before she leaves Peru and enters Ecuador.
125-Choosing what to bring on a hike
If you’re anything like me then you have more hiking gear the you are ever likely to use so how then do you decide what to bring on a hike? In many cases there is no one right answer when assembling a set of gear for your upcoming adventure and this this episode we look at considerations for making your choice.
124-Musicians on the Te Araroa
In this week’s episode we have something slightly different for you as we interview Mickey and Michelle about their upcoming journey on the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand. This is one of the world’s premier long distance hiking trails starting at the top of the north island and finishing at the bottom of the South Island for a total distance of 3,000km.
123-Hume and Hovell Track-a premature end to a thruhike
What started out as a 19 day thru-hike has now been turned in to a section hike due to injury after completing 310km of this 426km trip. In this episode we discuss our last few days on the Hume and Hovell Track, our reasons for cutting the hike short, and where we go to from here. Rest assured there are plans in place to finish this trip off!
122-Hume and Hovell Track Week 2
In this weeks episode we continue with our Hume and Hovell on trail recordings and in this episode we bring you days 4-11
121-Hume and Hovell Track Week 1
In this weeks episode we listen to our on trail recordings of our first three days on the 426km Hume and Hovell Track. We will post over the next three weeks from the trail as signal availability allows
I have memories of camping dating back over 40 years and in many cases these memories were positive ones that consisted of some amazing experiences shared with friends and family. On the other end of the scale there were also trips where things went horribly wrong because we chose bad sites to camp. In this episode we discuss things to consider when choosing a place to put you tent to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable nights sleep.
119-The John Muir Trail; interview with a thruhiker
In this week’s episode we talk with Blair Woodcock who recently completed a thru-hike of the 211 mile (340 km) USA based John Muir Trail. Many backpackers say this trail contains the finest mountain scenery in the United States, and runs (mostly in conjunction with the PCT) from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney, in California. In this episode we provide an overview of one of the world’s most spectacular trails and hear a firsthand overview of what a thru hike was like.
There are any number of reasons why we enjoy hiking; the flora and fauna, the majestic views, the little stuff, the big stuff. While there might be some common themes we all enjoy, there will also be some unique reasons for each of us which are likely to be different. In episode 010 we provided a broad overview of some of these reasons and this week in episode 118 we look at some of the more ‘spiritual reason’ (for want of a better phrase) behind why we hike.
117-Hume and Hovell Track: in the footsteps of explorers
Over the next month Gill and Tim from Australian Hiker will commence their end to end on the Hume and Hovell Track. This track, in the state of New South Wales (NSW), travels between the towns of Yass to the north and Albury to the south, for a distance of 426 km. In this episode we provide some background to one of Australia’s lesser known long distance trails, talk about some of the logistics involved, as well as our expectations for this trip. Once we commence this trip we will be releasing regular social media posts as well as podcasts from the trail.
Your sleeping pad or mat can be the difference between a bad night’s sleep and a great night’s sleep. But it is not as easy as grabbing the first pad you see. Navigating the range of brands and models can be confusing. In this episode we look at the things to consider in selecting a sleeping mat.
115-Outdoor Retailer Australia Show July 2019 Part 2
This episode is the second in this two part series from the 2019 Outdoor Retailer Australia Show which was held on 14-16 July 2019 at the Flemington Exhibition Pavilion at the Melbourne Showgrounds. In this episode we talk with a further six companies on new and upcoming product.
114-Outdoor Retailer Australia Show July 2019 Part 1
The 2019 Outdoor Retailer Australia Show was held on 14-16 July 2019 at the Flemington Exhibition Pavillon at the Melbourne Showgrounds. This annual show is a chance for Australia’s outdoor wholesalers and manufacturers to showcase their new and existing products to Australia’s outdoor retailers and allied media. This is the third year that Australian Hiker has attended this ‘trade only show’ as a media representative.
113-European Peace Walk- interview with Lexi Connors
In this weeks episode we talk to traveller and avid hiker Lexi Connors about her recent trip on the European Peace Walk Trail. This trail is relatively unknown but provides and alternative to the heavily used Camino trails. In this episode we discuss the logistics, the ups and downs, and the highlights of this unique trail.
112-When is it time to quit a hike?
As a hiking blogger who is also interested in long distance hiking, quitting a hiker is always something in the back of my mind. However quitting a hike is not confined to long distance trails and can be a consideration on any hike. Sometimes calling it quits on a hike is just the sensible thing to do. In this podcast we discuss some of the reasons that we may pull the pin on hike.
Talking about hiking food can get you into a lot of trouble; everyone knows best, and their view is always the correct one! Its not quite in the same category as talking politics over Christmas lunch but it sometimes comes close. Everyone has their food preference and ours is freeze-dried food. In this podcast episode we’re going to discuss why that is.
The Boots McFarland hiking cartoon is the brainchild of Geolyn Carvin. In this episode we get a bit of background on Geolyn and ‘Boots’ and discuss how the creative process for this wonderful hiking cartoon comes about.
109-Environmentally Friendly Hiking
In this episode we discuss options for waste reduction and how we can care for the environment as hikers. Now before you switch off thinking we are going to take the moral high ground, be warned that while we are all about minimising our impact on the environment, it’s not as simple as it sounds.
108-Tangles and tail: an interview with Lucy Barnard
In this week’s episode we interview Lucy Bernard from Tangles and Tail as she attempts her journey from the southern-most point of South America to the northern-most point in Alaska. This is an epic journey, almost solely by foot, covering around 30,000 km in distance. In this episode, we find out a bit about Lucy (Tangles) and Wombat – the ‘Tail’ member of her team, the reason behind her trip, the logistical issues surrounding such a massive undertaking, and how her journey has gone so far.
Fire is one of those things to which we all seem to be drawn. It warms us when we’re cold, it was the main method of cooking since cooking began and for whatever reason it creates an emotive reaction in most of us – we can just sit and watch it for hours on end. On the flip side fire can be extremely dangerous causing massive damage to the environment, to property and occasionally loss of life. In this episode we discuss fire and hiking looking at the do’s and don’ts to help you create the best experience when dealing with fire on the trail.
106-How much does it cost to hike?
Pick any activity that you do and no matter what it is there are costs associated with it; hiking is no different. Costs for gearing up and for undertaking trips can be almost negligible but at the opposite end of the scale they can also add up costing many thousands of dollars. Where you sit on this budgetary scale very much depends to a great extent on your personal preference but also on the type of hikes that you are doing. In this podcast we discuss options for getting on the trail and look at where you should be targeting your funds to get the best bang for your buck.
105-Kiandra to Tharwa; a taste of the Australian Alps
Over three days in Easter 2019 I walked the 112km from Kiandra in the Snowy Mountains to Tharwa (a section of the Australian Alps Walking Track). Doing an extreme walk is one of the annual challenges I set myself and this one was also a learning opportunity to do some pre-planning for a planned thru hike of this alpine trail. This podcast contains a series of recordings over the three days and describes what I was seeing and how I was feeling; I learnt some hard lessons on this hike.
104-The History of Australian National Parks
If you live in Australia, or for that matter many other countries in the world, then you will be familiar with with the concept of National Parks. In fact many of the walks that we do as hikers around this country are to be found in National Parks. But what are they and how did they come about? In this podcast we provide a brief overview of the history of National Parks what they mean from an Australian perspective.
103-One Man’s Climb-Interview with Adrian Hayes
In this episode we go beyond the realms of this hiking podcast and are talking with British adventurer, and author, Adrian Hayes about his latest book ‘One Man’s Climb’ which details his account of his first unsuccessful attempt to summit K2, the worlds second highest mountain, also known as the ‘mountaineers mountain’, or the ‘Savage mountain’ in 2013 and his subsequent successful attempt in 2014.
102-Mind, Body, and Soul; the health benefits of hiking
As long as the humans have been around we have been looking at ways of improving our lives. But with this improved lifestyle we are progressively becoming a less fit, fatter, more sedentary population, that spends little time exerting any energy. So while our average lifespan is now at its longest our fitness hasn’t necessarily improved and this is where hiking comes in. Hiking gets us into the bush and has many positive impacts; physical ,emotional, and mental, and that’s what we will be discussing in todays episode.
‘Packing your fears’ is a way of saying you are carrying items in your pack based on your worries or fears; your worst case scenario. In today’s episode we discuss how to overcome these this tendency to overpack.
Have you ever thought about how the trails that we know and love so much come to be? The design and construction of modern day hiking trails is a complex and time consuming process and if done right the trail will appear as if it’s always existed. In this episode we interview the Project Manager, and the Architect, for the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail to find out what’s involved in bringing a new trail online.
Ever wanted to hike Kilimanjaro, the Himalayas, or the Andes? One of the major considerations on these hikes is the impact of Altitude Sickness which can become very serious; in fact it can sometimes have lethal impacts. In this episode we discuss ways of mitigating the impacts of high altitude on hikes to ensure that we get the best out of our experience.
Drinking coffee when you’re out hiking is a quandary. Do you put up with bad coffee just because you’re away from your fancy machine, or do you give it up until you are back home? Well maybe you don’t have too. This episode discusses options for making coffee on the trail from the ‘just Ok’ to the ‘this is pretty dam good’. We also discuss coffee alternatives if you want your caffeine fix without the hassle of making coffee.
We thought that we would try something a bit different and in this episode we are answering a series of questions asked by our listeners.
096-The Aussie 10 (Highest Peaks)
Each year over the Christmas holidays Gill and I undertake a multi-day walk. Over Christmas in 2018 we decided to do the Aussie 10 Walk. This walk, located in the Australian Alps in the state of New South Wales, takes in Australia’s 10 highest peaks. This isn’t a formal trail but rather a route based on the well known Main Range Track. This episode consists of a series of recordings undertaken over our 2.5 day journey along with some added explanatory commentary post trip.
095-Transitioning to Multi Day Hikes
One of the biggest transitions that most hikers make is shifting from day hiking to overnight hiking. Learning how to camp overnight, cooking meals and go to the bathroom in the bush are all skills that we had to learn at some stage which may have seemed a bit daunting at the time. Transitioning from just a night or two to multi-day trips brings a whole new set of considerations that can seems just as daunting. This podcasts discusses the main considerations for multi-day hiking and hopefully will provide you with some background if you are considering taking this next step.
So, you’ve been hiking for a while and are looking for something a bit different to mix it up a bit; maybe a new trail, or a new location. But what if instead all you need is a new way to view that tired old trail you’ve been hiking for a while? And that’s where night hiking comes in. This podcast discusses the pros and cons of hiking at night as well as the factors that need to be considered to ensure we do it as safely as possible.
The First Hike Project is an organisation that takes newly arrived immigrant and refugee kids and introduces them to the Australian Bush. Originally the First Hike Project originated in Perth and has now spread to a number of cities around Australia. In this episode we talk to the Coordinator of the Canberra chapter of the First Hike Project as well as one of the participants about their experiences.
This podcast episode reviews some of the most well known hiking/outdoor movies of all time and where available compares them the books. If you are into the outdoors and haven’t seen these movies then add them to your must see list.
091-Impacts of Long Distance Hiking
Thinking of doing a long distance multi-week hike? This podcast episode discusses the physical and mental impacts of undertaking a thru hike including some considerations that you may not have even thought of.
In this week’s episode we talk to the store manager at well known southern Queensland outdoor store, Wild Earth on Big Agnes tents. The episode showcases three of the newer tents in the range.
If you ask most people what is their most important sense ‘sight’ is usually the one that they will name. But just how much thought do we put into looking after our eyes when we head out on the trail? This episode discusses the basics of eye care and what we should be doing to care for our eyes out on the trail.
088- The Great South Coast Walk
The Great South Coast Walk can best be described as Australia’s greatest coastal walk that very few people have heard of. This walk starts on the outskirts of Sydney at Bundeena, NSW, and winds its way south finishing 660km later in the Victorian town of Mallacoota. In this episode we interview David Briese, one of the instigators of this walk and find out what’s so special.
087-Christmas Gift Ideas for Hikers 2018
It’s that time of the year again when you start to look for presents for that hiking fanatic in your life; or maybe its you. Shhhh we won’t tell anyone. Last year in episode 47 we discussed alternative hiking gifts that carry a lot more sentiment without the commercial crassness as well as identifying some commercial options. This year we focus on the best and brightest that most hikers would be glad to find under the tree ranging from the inexpensive to the grand gesture. Have a listen to see if you can pick up any ideas.
086-Australian Hiker 2nd Birthday
On 11 November 2018 Australian Hiker celebrated its second birthday. This episode is a reflection on our past year and where we are heading into the future. Gill and I would like to thank all our friends and supporters for helping us to greatly exceeded our expectations; we couldn’t have done so without you.
085-Australia’s iconic Hiking Trails
This podcast discusses seven Iconic Australian hiking trails under 150km in length that have so much to offer that they are known world wide. Whether it’s the desert, mountains, lush foliage, or views there’s just something about them that sets them apart, giving them an Iconic status.
The hot weather is fast approaching and with it the need to put a bit more thought into what were doing to keep ourselves happy and safe on the trail. This podcast discusses tips for hiking during conditions of hot weather and while we usually think of summertime where you are hiking in extreme heat, hot weather hiking can be a year round issue.
083-Care and Maintenance of Hiking Equipment
For many hikers care and maintenance of their equipment is limited to the occasional clean and maybe some hole patching but we can be doing so much more to extend the life of our gear and in the process making our hikes that much more enjoyable. This podcast discusses the basics of gear care and maintenance including how often we should be maintaining our gear.
082-Bibbulmun Track gear wrap up
In this episode we briefly discuss the key pieces of equipment that I used on my recent Bibbulmun Track Journey and provide a broad overview of my reasons for choosing it. A downloadable list of my multi-day hiking equipment is now available on the show notes for this podcast (episode 82)on the Australian Hiker website.
081-Bibbulmun Track Reality vs expectations
In this episode we review Tim’s recent Bibbulmun Track hike showcased in episodes 76-80 to discuss how the reality of the hike compared to the expectations prior to starting.
080-Week 5 Bibbulmun Track 2018
This is the final episode of ontrail podcasts on Tim’s 2018 Bibbulmun Track hike. Listen to this podcast as Tim travels from Dwellingup to Kalamunda to complete his 36 day, 1000km trip.
079-Week 4 Bibbulmun Track 2018
Week four is now over, just a short one with a four day trip from Collie to Dwellingup. In this episode we discuss people’s perceptions on the trail and how this will differ depending on the context. We then go on to briefly discuss the trail amenities prior to our regular recordings and on trail interviews.
078-Week 3 Bibbulmun Track 2018
Week three of my Bibbulmun Track journey and our longest ever podcast due to 8 days worth of podcasting as I undertake the biggest week of the trip. In this episode I discuss my typical days and how I make decisions about what I will be doing as well as a series of recordings including interviews of my trip over this period between Pemberton and Collie covering a distance of approximately 250km.
077-Week 2 Bibbulmun Track 2018
At the end of the second week I have reached Pemberton which means that 40% of the trail is done. I’m actually a day ahead of schedule but am not taking that for granted and now have seven days up my sleeve. In this episode I discuss the camp infrastructure as well as my journey from Walpole to Pemberton.
076-Week 1 Bibbulmun Track 2018
On 9 August 2018 I started my journey on One of Australia’s premiere long distance hiking trails, the Bibbulmun Track. Travelling 1000km between Albany and Perth. This podcast provides an overview of a typical week on the trail completing 210km and travelling between Albany Andrew Walpole. Listen to what I and other hikers go through in what has been some extremely taxing conditions.
075-Bibbulmun Track here I come
In this episode we will be discussing my expectations, my apprehensions, and my hopes for my upcoming Bibbulmun Track thru hike which I start on 9 August 2018 in what is forecast to be heavy rains.
074-An interview with the Bibbulmun Track Foundation
The Bibbulmun Track is one of Australia’s premiere long trails stretching 1000km (621miles) from Kalamunda on the outskirts of Perth to Albany on the southern western Australian coast. Given the distance covered there is a wide variety of ecosystems represented on the trail from coastal sections in the south through constantly changing forests that highlight some of Australia’s most spectacular flora and fauna. In this episode we will be talking to Steve Sertis from the Bibbulmun Track Foundation about how the track came about, the role of the Bibbulmun Track Foundation, and some key takeaways on hiking this spectacular trail.
073-Journey towards ultralight hiking revisited
In episode 002 of the Australian Hiker podcast we discussed the concept of ultralight hiking and my goal to greatly lighten my load from my ‘traditional’ heavy gear. It’s now been 18 months since we released that podcast and in this episode we revisit this journey just prior to me commencing a 1000km/ 5-6 week hike on the Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia to see how I have gone.
Whatever type of hiking that you do being fit will ensure that you enjoy what you are doing in addition to keeping happy and healthy on the trail. But what does being fit for hiking mean? This episode provides a brief introduction to hiking fitness and identifies the key aspects that you need to consider.
071-Planning a long distance hike
Planning a long distance hike is really no difference from a shorter hike, isn’t it? In theory the concepts are the same but in reality there are a number of other factors that come into consideration. In this episode I will use my upcoming thru hike of the Bibbulmun Track (1,000km) in Western Australia to provide a broad guide to what you should consider when planning a long distance hike.
Once I have finished my journey towards the end of September I will report back on how I went including how well my planning did, or didn’t, pay off.
070 – Outdoor Retailer Australia Show-June 2018 part 2
The 2018 Outdoor Retailer Australia Show was held on 17-19 June 2018 at the Moore Park Exhibition Centre in Sydney. This annual show is a chance for Australia’s outdoor wholesalers and manufacturers to showcase their new and existing products to Australia’s outdoor retailers and allied media (Trade only). For the second year in a row Australian Hiker was lucky enough to attend this as a media representative. Even as a card carrying gear freak I was amazed as some of the new product coming onto the Australian market over the coming year.
069-Outdoor Retailer Show Australia 2018; part 1
The 2018 Outdoor Retailer Australia Show was held on 17-19 June 2018 at the Moore Park Exhibition Centre in Sydney. This annual show is a chance for Australia’s outdoor wholesalers and manufacturers to showcase their new and existing products to Australia’s outdoor retailers and allied media.
Every time we head out into the bush for the day the one factor that we must deal with on every hike is the weather. Good or bad, the weather can make or break a hike and if we fail to pay attention to extreme weather conditions it can also present safety concerns.This podcast discusses factors to consider when planning your hike as well as what to look for during the hike itself.
In episode 067 of the Australian Hiker podcast we discuss the concept of Hike Your Own Hike (HYOH). Each of us enjoys hiking in a way that is unique to us and when we vary from this pattern the enjoyment can drop off. What does HYOH mean for you?
066-Technology on the trail-staying in touch with family and friends
In episode 066 of the Australian Hiker podcast we discuss Technology on the Trail, specifically options for staying in touch with family and friends at home while on a hike. This topic is one that I have been thinking on for well over a year as I decide what I will use for my own Bibbulmun Track though hike later this year when I will be out of cellular range on a number of days on my 5-6 week hike.
After 2.5 years in the planning I’m happy to announce I will be doing my first long distance Australian thru hike, and first thru hike, the Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia. This 1003km (623 miles) track runs from Albany on the Southern Western Australian coast at one end to Perth at the other end.
064-Australia’s Long Distance Hiking Trails
While many hikers, and non hikers may be aware of trails such as the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail in the USA, or the Camino de Santiago in Spain you may not be aware that Australia has its own long trails. While they may not have the same international media profile (yet) they are progressively making a name for themselves and gaining in popularity.This podcast episode provides an overview of some of Australia’s better known long distance hiking and multi-use trails (cyclists, horse riders and hikers) over 200km in length.
063-Personal maintenance on the trail
This week we will be talking to Jacqui Ambrus-Bonazzi from Canberra Fitness Centre about the physical maintenance that we as hikers SHOULD be doing each day on the trail to ensure we maintain our fitness and reduce injuries, something that many hikers take for granted at best, or more typically don’t do at all.
062-Personal safety on the trail
For new hikers it seems like there is so much to worry about. Getting lost, snakes and will you be warm enough are just some of the issues that can all be managed reasonably easily with a bit of practice and development of on-trail skills. For many new hikers their biggest concern is one of personal safety. How safe will you be when out hiking and do I have to worry about my car at the trail head. This episode discusses these issues and offers some suggestions for minimising personal safety risks on the trail.
Personal hygiene is one of those practices that we are all taught early in life; wash your hands, bathe on a regular basis, and always wear clean underwear. This podcast episode discusses the hygiene basics necessary to ensure that we have a healthy enjoyable hike.
Issues with feet and lower limbs tend to be a problem that plagues all hikers at one time or another. These issues can be relatively minor and annoying on short hikes and crippling on longer more difficult hikers. Either way they stop us from enjoying our outdoor adventures. In this podcast episode I talk with Canberra based Podiatrist Matthew Hotchkis from Podiatry Professionals about some of the more common lower limb issues that can cause problems for hikers and discuss ways to minimise their impact as well as prevention and treatment.
This podcast provides a basic overview to help get you into Geocaching and hopefully outside more often if you really need an excuse.
058- Navigation on the Trail: an introduction to maps and compasses
This podcast episode provides a basic overview of map and compass use that will hopefully add your you skill level as a hiker and inspire you to learn more. To get the most out of this podcast follow along with the written version which has the related images.
057-Nutrition on the trail-Interview with FEED Inc
For most hikers feeding themselves on short camping and hiking trips, even for a few days, is something that we can easily manage without too much problem. In this podcast episode I talk with Canberra based nutritionist and dietician, Lisa Donaldson from FEED Inc about nutrition on the trail and what we can do to look after ourselves.
056-How to pack a backpack; a beginners guide
If you have been hiking for a while then chances are you already know how to correctly pack your backpack; but maybe you don’t. In fact there really is no one ‘correct’ way but rather a series of principles that you apply to achieve the best outcome for you as an individual. This podcast discusses these principles and will hopefully provide you with enough knowledge to successfully assemble your pack in a way that is comfortable and workable for you.
055-A weekend on the Main Range
In January 2018 I spent two days in the Kosciuszko National Park (NSW) hiking the Main Range Walk as well as undertaking the Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk, both starting at Charlotte Pass. This Episode is designed to give you an idea of what to expect when hiking in this amazing area.
In this episode we look at where the future of hiking appears to be heading.
053-Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail; Expectations vs reality
Our final episodes in our Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail series.
052-Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail; Interviews from the trail
This is the second of our ‘on trail’ podcasts recorded while undertaking our recent Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail (KIWT) trip.
051-Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail-A day on the trail
This is the first of three podcast episodes on this trail and consists of a series of recordings on a typical day on the trail to give you an idea of what to expect.
050-Food on the trail, a beginners guide
When you first start doing longer hikes its not just the gear that you have to think about.What about the food! This episode is aimed at providing an introduction to food considerations for newer hikers who just want to make things easy.
049-Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail here we come! Our expectations
Gill and I have a break between Christmas and New Year and along with our friend Kelly we will be hiking the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail which is located not far from the mainland in South Australia. This episode is an overview of what we are expecting but no doubt reality will be different. As usual we will be recording on the trail and publishing out trip podcasts in January 2018.
048-Choosing a tent for hiking
If you belong to just about any online hiking forum one of the most commonly discussed topics that you will see posted is ‘what sort of tent should I buy?’ This episode discusses the key considerations in choosing a tent for hiking.
047-Christmas gift ideas for hikers
With Christmas approaching it is an ideal time to buy new gear with many manufacturers clearing soon to be superseded products in anticipation of the release of new models. If you are buying presents for a hiking fanatic then this episode provides some options worth considering
046-Australian Hiker 1st Birthday
On 11 November 2017 Australia Hiker celebrated its first birthday. This episodes is a review on what we have achieved and a teaser on where we are heading in 2018
045- Women in hiking; interviews
This episode follows on from episode 44 and provides two interviews from female hikers on how they have found their time on the trail.
A lot is written about the different needs of women and men but when it comes to hiking, are the considerations for women that different to those of men? This podcast episode discusses issues relevant to women on the trail and offers hints, tips and suggestions that will hopefully help to answer questions that you may have.
043-How to choose and fit a backpack
This podcast episode discusses considerations for choosing an appropriate pack as well as goes though the correct fitting process.
042 – Snakes,Ticks and spiders on the trail
For most new hikers snakes are are our biggest worries but we also have to contend with other smaller potential dangers such as the odd poisonous spider as well as ticks that are present in certain areas of the country. This episode discusses what you need to know about each of these potential dangers, how to avoid them and what to do if you are bitten on the trail.
041 – Hiking with Kids: Part 2 Interviews from the trail
Part 2 on the Hiking with Children episode. This episode consists of a series of interviews from the trail as we take our niece and her two young sons, aged 6 and 9 on their first overnight hiking trip
040 – Hiking with Kids: Part 1
Part 1 of two parts on Hiking with Children. Episode 040 discusses the theory side of Hiking with Children. Hiking is a fantastic past time and one that can be enjoyed by all ages and fitness levels. Those of you who have lots of hiking experience will want your younger family members to enjoy the same experiences you have when out on the trail. Others may not have much hiking experience – just a house full of energetic young people and you want to get them outdoors to channel all that energy.
039 – Interview with Bushwalk the ‘Gong
In the September 2017 Australian Hiker Bonus episode we interview Jenae from Bushwalk the ‘Gong based in Wollongong NSW.
038 – The 10 Essentials: How relevant are they?
This episode looks at The 10 Essentials. What they are, are applicable to Australian conditions, and should you take a more tailored approach? In this podcast I also share my 10 essentials list with you to give you an idea of what I carry.
037 – Hiking for Beginners: 10 tips to get you started
Many of you who listen to our podcasts are experienced hikers just looking for their next fix as they eagerly await an opportunity to go for another hike. Others are new to hiking, or have yet to start, and are slowly building up the confidence and knowledge to set out on their own. This podcast is aimed squarely at this second group; beginner hikers. Be warned the learning never stops and hiking can become addictive! Prefer to read instead of listen?
036 – Interview with John Feeney from the Hiking Society
In this August 2017 Australian Hiker Bonus episode we interview John Feeney who is the founder and creator of Melbourne based Hiking Society.
At some stage many of us will choose to transition from day hiking to overnight hiking and apart from considerations such as weather, food and site selection, we also need to consider equipment aspects including some form of lighting otherwise we are going to be travelling in the dark….literally. So what to choose? Handheld, head torch or lantern? This episode discusses lighting options for overnight hiking including the pros and cons of the different types available.
034 – 10 Tips for Hiking in the Rain
When most of us first started hiking the common factor as a newbie, almost without fail, was we usually only hiked in good weather. Hiking in wet or rainy conditions is a skill that we progressively learn and often come to relish when the conditions are right and we have planned appropriately. This episode discusses Ten Tips for Hiking in the Rain that can make your wet weather experience much more enjoyable.
Worrying about accidents or safety is not something we really want to do every time we go hiking but it is crucial to put some thought into it and as the saying goes ‘plan for the worst and hope for the best’. In this episode we discuss the best way to prevent accidents, provide an example of a typical first aid kit for hiking, and discuss the skills needed to keep us safe on the trail.
032 – Interview with Fitness Guru Joe Bonington from Joe’s Basecamp
In this July 2017 Bonus episode we talk to Joe Bonington, from Joe’s Basecamp in Sydney. Hiking is not just about equipment, you also need a degree of fitness to ensure you get the best out of your planned adventure.
031 – Water on the Trail Part 2-Filtration
In episode 029 we talked about carrying water on the trail but sometimes that’s just not enough; we also need to think about the quality of what we are drinking. At best poor quality water will taste revolting, at worst it can cause a range of both minor and major waterborne ailments ranging from the uncomfortable to the life threatening. Do you filter your water?
030 – Outdoor Retailer Australia Show-June 2017
We recored this episode at the 2017 Outdoor Retailer Australia Show was held on 18-20 June 2017 at the Moore Park Exhibition Centre in Sydney. In the end, we interviewed six companies we thought would be of interest to our podcast listeners.
029 – Water and Hiking: How much and how to carry
- Regardless of the gear we do or don’t carry and the passionate arguments about which is the best thingamajig, the one thing you can guarantee is that in every hiker’s pack there is water. Water is essential to our wellbeing and without it we can’t survive. This episode looks at how much water you should carry and the carrying options.
As we grow in experience as hikers we start to gain an understanding of our equipment, how it works, or how it doesn’t, and this includes our hiking clothing. Over a series of hikes you’ll learn to read your body’s requirements and which pieces of clothing go together to form a ‘layering system’ that will keep you comfortable no matter what the conditions. This podcast starts by looking at what a layering system is, discusses the common layers, and looks at what goes into making up a layering system using examples from our own experience based on three-season hiking.
027 – Transitioning to Overnight Hiking; on the Trail
This podcast episode follows on from episode 026 which provided a step by step guide to your first overnight hike and provided a real-time example of an overnight trip and what to expect by using the Northern Campground Trail review as an example.
026 – Transitioning to Overnight Hiking; Step by Step
So you’ve been doing day walks for a while now. You enjoy them but you feel that you are missing out. Your friends keep on raving about longer trips they’ve done but you’re not sure you are up for the change to overnight trips. This podcast episode is aimed at hikers making the transition to overnight hiking from single day hikes.
025 – Which backpacking stove?
Sometimes on overnight trips and longer day trips you just want a hot meal or drink to warm you up. With so many options available to us it is difficult to know what is best for you. This episode looks at the types of stoves suitable for backpacking, discusses the pros and cons of each type before suggesting what to consider in selecting the right stove to suit your needs.
024 – Technology on the Trail: Part 1 – Personal Locator Beacons
The use of technology on the trail is a controversial topic that can generate heated conversations over the advantages and disadvantages of different technology as well as the impact on the hiking experience in general. This episode looks at the use of Personal Locator Beacons on the trail and reviews one of Australia’s most popular devices currently available.
Like any pastime there are a number of rules of behaviour that help make the experience better for all participants. This episode discusses the commonly accepted ‘rules of the road’ for hiking to help you get the best out of your time on the trail.
022 – The Overland Track – Interviews from the Trail
This episode includes a series of interviews we did with other hikers on the Overland Track and provides diverse perspectives of what the track is like.
021 – Trekking Poles: are they worth it?
This episode discusses the benefits and uses of trekking poles
020 – The Overland Track – A Day on the Trail
Have you ever wondered what a typical day on the Overland Track is like? In this second of three podcasts on the Overland Track we share a series of recordings from a typical day on the trail, providing additional commentary as we go on the things we are seeing, doing and experiencing.
019 – The Sleep System: getting a good nights sleep
This episode provides information to guide your choices on selecting your full sleeping system.
018 – The Overland Track – Expectations v Reality
This is the first of three bonus episodes for our recent Overland Track trip in Tasmania. The trip is one of the most well known hiking trails in Tasmania and one of the most popular.
017 – Solo Hiking; is 1 better than 2?
Ever thought about doing a solo hike? In this episode we discuss solo hiking. We look at the differences between solo and group hiking, the pros and cons of hiking by yourself, and what additional skills you need when traveling solo. We also discuss times when you shouldn’t solo hike.
016 – Canberra Centenary Trail – Bonus Episode Part 2 of 2
This is part 2 of the two part bonus podcast for February 2017 on my recent trip on the 145 km (90 Miles) Canberra Centenary Trail. This is Canberra’s longest walk and is designed as a shared walking and cycling trail to showcase the best of Canberra’s natural scenic and historic views.
015 – Canberra Centenary Trail – Bonus Episode Part 1 of 2
This is the first of two bonus on-trail episodes on my Canberra Centenary Trail walk undertaken 26-28 January 2017.
014 – Cameras: Equipment basics to improve your photography
This is the second episode in our camera series on photography. While our first episode discussed basic skills for improving photography this episode looks as some basic camera accessories that will contribute to your on-trail photography.
013 – 10 Basic Photography Tips for Hikers
This is the first part of our two part episode on photography of hikers. In the first segment of this episode we discuss ten tips to improve your photography on the trail. These basic tips are easy to implement and have helped me get some great shots over the years.
012 – Mt Bimberi – From The Trail
This episode is a series of recordings from a one day, 53 km hike I did just before Christmas 2016 to Mt Bimberi located south of Canberra. For me, this hike was mainly about testing my limits and abilities to aid in some planning for both short term and longer hikes I am planning over the next few years.
In the first segment of this episode we discuss the benefits and pitfalls of hiking as a couple. While I like solo hiking, I also enjoy hiking with my partner, however there are some things to consider to ensure that all goes well particularly on longer hikes.
Episode 010 Why do we Hike
In this episode we discuss some of the more common reasons why we hike as well as some of the more extreme reasons. In the second half of the episode, we review the Campers Pantry freeze dried vegetables that now provide Australian hikers with a greatly increase choice for their hiking adventures.
009 – Spit Bridge to Manly Walk; Sydney’s Hidden Walk
In this episode we review the Spit Bridge to Manly walk in Sydney, New South Wales. This walk, located within the city is one of Sydney’s best kept secrets with many locals being unaware of its existence. This episode is a series of recordings along the trail designed to give you an idea of what the trail is like.
008 – 14 steps to Choosing new Hiking shoes; A Bigfoots View
As the proud owner of size 14 US feet I struggle to find a good selection go hiking shoes. This episode goes through 14 considerations for buying hiking footwear.
This episode discusses the concept of ‘Take only memories and leave only footprints’ and identifies ways to reduce your impact on the environment as a hiker.
006 – Larapinta Trail, the Final Word (Bonus Show)
Today’s episode is the last of our Bonus episodes on our Larapinta Trail series. These are our final thoughts and lessons learnt from our trail experience.
005 – Interviews from the Larapinta Trail (Bonus Episode)
Our second bonus episode recorded on the Larapinta Trail. This episode is a collection of interviews from our 2016 Larapinta Trail hike. Listen to a diverse range of hikers from lifelong hikers, to first timers, and hear their experience on the trail.
004 – A day on the Larapinta Trail (Bonus Episode)
This is the first of our Bonus episodes that we will be publishing and is made up from interviews and thoughts recorded on our 2016 Larapinta Trail expedition. Episode 4 consists of a series of short recordings that will provide an overview of what a typical day on the Larapinta Trail was like for us.
003 – 10 Steps to planning a Safe Hike
In Episode 3 we will be discussing the 10 steps to planning a safe and enjoyable hike and providing an introduction to one of Australia’s premier hiking trails, the Larapinta Trail.
002 – A journey towards Ultralight Hiking
In this episode we:
- Discuss the concept of ultralight hiking and what it means
- Review the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 tent , and
- Talk about why we should all be doing shakedown hikes
001 – A Beginners guide to choosing Hiking Equipment
This episode is the first of our regular fortnightly episodes. In this episode we:
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- Provide a general overview on how to choose hiking equipment
- Review the lightweight Osprey Exos 48 Pack, and
- Share one of our favourite recipes with you – Peanut Butter Overnight Oates ; Hiking Style
- For the written version of this podcast article go to this link
000 – An Introduction to Australian Hiker
This episode is a very brief introduction to the Australian Hiker podcast and website. Launched on 11 November 2016 by Tim and Gill Savage, Australian Hiker aims to provide a resource on hiking in Australia as well as providing a southern hemisphere view on hiking worldwide. This is our very first episode and it shows.
Australian Hiker episode 041. To play this or any other episode, go to the episode page and click on either the podbean player just below the image or the small player that is visible off the the right hand side if using a desktop/laptop computer. The episode will launch after a few seconds but you will need to ensure that the volume is turned up to a comfortable level
Podbean
Our podcast episodes are currently hosted on the Podbean Podcasting host. You can listen to our episodes through the various Podbean options.
- Through the Podbean website here
- Through the Podbean app for iPhones here
- Through the Podbean app for iPads here
- through the Podbean app for Google devices here
Apple Podcasts
Apple currently dominates the podcast market and if you have an Apple device such as an iPad, iPhone etc, this is the easiest method to listen to the podcasts. If you subscribe to the podcast you can have the latest episode delivered to you device when they are released.
- Listen though Apple Podcasts (Itunes) here
- Or listen through the podcast App on your Apple device
Apple Podcast page
Soundcloud
Up until mid 2019 our podcast was hosted on Soundcloud and you can still listen to older episodes on Soundcloud here. Once you go to the Soundcloud link, you can choose your episode. Soundcloud doesn’t require a subscription. Please note that we no longer post new podcast episodes to Soundcloud.
You can also listen through the downloadable Soundcloud app on both Apple or android devices
Spotify
Spotify is now one of the biggest players in the podcasting market and if that’s what you use for your podcasting and music listening then you can find the Australian Hiker Podcast here
Other Choices
In addition the are a number of other ‘podcatcher’ services that allow you to download our episodes. Below are a few options where to find us:
You can listen to just one episode but the best way to listen to the Australian Hiker Podcast is by subscribing through iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher Radio, Spotify where the podcast episodes will be delivered to your device almost as soon as they are published. Go on, you know you want to!
You can listen to the Australian Hiker Podcast in the following ways:
- Through our website. All our episodes can be found here
- On Apple technology listen through Apple Podcasts here
- On Android phones (as well as apple) we recommend Podbean
In addition the are a number of other ‘podcatcher’ services that allow you to download our episodes. Below are a few options where to find us:
Our 10 downloaded episodes
These are our 10 most downloaded episodes at 30 September 2023 when we reached 1,000,000 downloads
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- Episode 76 Bibbulmun Track Week 1
- Episode 108 Tangles and Tails Interview with Lucy Barnard
- Episode 72 Getting Fit for Hiking
- Episode 77 Bibbulmun Track Week 2
- Episode 78 Bibbulmun Track Week 3
- Episode 127 Dehydrated Food on Trail
- Episode 106 How Much Does it Cost to Hike?
- Episode 80 Bibbulmun Track Week 5
- Episode 64 Australia’s Long Distance Trails
- Episode 207 Three Capes Expectations versus Reality
- Six out of our top 10 episodes are trail related
- The Bibbulmun Track series is our most popular trail series
- Six out of our top 10 episodes are trail related