Wilderness Health

22/08/2026

Scott and I got home from our Larapinta hike last week. 13 days, 275km, nearly 8000m of ascent and descent (essentially Mt Everest) It was so hard but so rewarding!

This hike is logistically set up very well. You fly into Alice Springs (we paid with Velocity points 🤗), and get the shuttle to your hotel for $24/person. If you've purchased a trail support package with a company like Larapinta Express, your food tubs will be waiting for you there.

A typical support package includes 3 food drops at set locations along the trail ( meaning you're only ever carrying food for 3-5 days max) and either a pick up from the end if you're walking east to west (finishing at Mt Sonder), or a drop off at the start (if you're starting at Mt Sonder and walking back into Alice). This costs about $550 if you're solo, or $630 for 2 people.

We walked east to west, meaning we walked out of our hostel (Alice's Secret Travellers Inn - highly recommend!) at 6:30am, via the bakery, and out to the trail and beyond (5km from hostel to the start of the trail).

It was brutal and relaxing and gruelling and wonderful all at once! 🤣😅

Highlights were an off track side quest to summit Mt Giles (the only night it rained 😅) and a sunrise visit from the local dingoes at Ormiston Gorge.

Lowlights were back to back 12 hour days on occasion, including a 30km 12+ hour day in a place Scott and I have dubbed The Valley of Dispair, in which we spoke 10 words to each other the entire day. We escaped the valley and are still together, you'll be pleased to hear 😂

We ate some fantastically on the trail, and i will update you with our new favourite trail meals soon!

On day 13 (and the day after my 42nd birthday 🥳) we summited Mt Sonder for sunrise and were picked up from Redbank Gorge at 11am by the wonderful Larapinta Express (and owner of Alice's Secret) and whisked back to the hostel in 2.5 hours.

This is my second completion of this hike, and it is almost indescribable. The desert, the sky, the flowers, the rocks, the stars, the wildlife, the history. Pure magic. You must get out there.

Peace!

18/07/2026

My favourite thing about Gotu Kola is that you can find it everywhere! It grows as a w**d in coastal and urban areas, and can be easily cultivated at home.

Gotu Kola is not only great for connective tissue, but cognition also. You can eat it raw, make a tea out of it, or create a tincture. It has a look alike in the native violet and they often grow together.

Always check with a health care practitioner before starting any new herbs - especially if you're on medication.

01/07/2026

Ever wanted to hike The Overland Track? Jatbula? Larapinta? Join us on August 29 and 30 for an empowering, inclusive weekend where you will learn everything you need to know to take the leap from day hiker to overnight Adventurer. No previous experience necessary!

Hit Follow for regular workshop updates and follow the link in my Bio for more info.

26/06/2026

Luxmore cave is a short side-trip out from Luxmore Hut, commonly the first night on the famous Kepler Track in New Zealand's South Island.

I had no idea this existed until recently! What a fun side quest! We followed the cave a couple hundred metres downstream until we could go no further. Not recommend for the claustrophobic!

25/06/2026

21/05/2026

I loved this hike so much. The Frenchman's Cap trail near Lake St Clair in Tasmania is a world class multi-day hike. At 45km return, this out and back is usually hiked over 3-5 days. It has a whopping 2,620m of elevation, but the views at the end are worth it, if you get them through the Tassie clouds.

I was blessed with beautiful weather and ended up smashing it out in 2 days to beat the weather and get a day to explore Launceston. I highly recommend this trip!