Podcasts by Australian Hiker

AH 277-Shakedown Hikes from 2023-12-12T22:19:06

The intent of a shakedown hike is to try out new gear or new processes prior to a trip so you can iron out any bugs, familiarise yourself with new systems, balance your pack so that it’s comfort...

AH 276-Turn Left from 2023-11-28T23:18:14

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 ...

AH 275-Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Hikers 2023 from 2023-11-21T21:08:02

It’s that time of the year when you start to consider gifts for that special hiker in your life. In previous years we have looked at the full gambit of Christmas gift options covering every pric...

AH 274-Australian Hiker 7th Birthday from 2023-11-14T22:08:02

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. Day Trip Sydney 52 Nat...

AH 271-Kokoda Challenge from 2023-10-17T20:51:53

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 wo...

AH 270-Triple Crown from 2023-10-10T21:14:07

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 releas...

AH 269-1,000,000 podcast downloads from 2023-09-30T05:29

It's Saturday the 30 September 2023 and earlier this morning the Australian Hiker Podcast reached a major milestone passing the 1,000,000 download mark. Who would have thought when we launched A...

AH 268-Hiking in the Australian Alps from 2023-09-12T22:06:30

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 alpin...

AH 267-Thin Green Line Oceana from 2023-09-05T20:28:06

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 the...

AH 266-Cape to Cape Track: Reality vs Expectations from 2023-08-22T20:20:24

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. This was very much a trip of two hal...

AH 265-Cape To Cape Track, Interviews from the Trail Part 2 from 2023-08-15T09:00

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 expe...

AH 264- Micro adventures from 2023-08-01T21:38:13

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. While its easy for us ...

AH 263- Bathing on trail from 2023-07-25T21:02:37

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 while you do need to clean yourself all...

AH 262- Arid hiking from 2023-07-18T23:44:44

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 region...

AH 261- Best before from 2023-07-11T21:31:50

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...

AH 260-Night Owl or Rooster; what’s your sleeping pattern? from 2023-06-27T20:41:41

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 thi...

AH 259-Setting up a tent for hiking from 2023-06-20T22:54:41

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 impor...

AH 258-Is age a barrier to hiking? from 2023-06-13T19:51:11

Australian life expectancy has changed over the last century. In 1900 the average life expectancy for an Australian male was around 55 whereas now it's just on 80 years (women enjoy an additiona...

AH 257-Murramarang South Coast Walk from 2023-05-30T23:54:50

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 ...

AH 256-Goal setting and hiking from 2023-05-16T21:40:18

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 c...

AH 255-Waterproofing your pack from 2023-05-11T23:17:56

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...

AH 254-Journey towards ultralight hiking - the final chapter from 2023-04-25T20:49:46

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 light...

AH 253-Cape To Cape Track: start stop from 2023-04-18T21:32:38

In this podcast episode we briefly discuss our short trip on the Cape to Cape Track and why it came to a premature end. www.australianhiker.com.au...

AH 252-Cape To Cape Track, Interviews from the Trail Part 1 from 2023-04-11T23:28:42

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. W...

AH 251-Cape To Cape Track, an introduction from 2023-03-28T20:12:24

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 Ca...

AH 250-Adventure Expo 2023; Industry Interviews pt 2 from 2023-03-14T22:19:58

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 i...

AH 249-Adventure Expo 2023; Industry Interviews pt 1 from 2023-03-07T22:11:16

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 i...

AH 248-Changing tastes in trail food from 2023-03-01T21:39:10

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 die...

AH 247-Musicians on the Te Araroa part 2 from 2023-02-21T20:56:11

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 dif...

AH 246-Cascade Hut Trail from 2023-02-07T20:45:44

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 experienc...

AH 245-Dog Trip Sydney Guidebook: interview with the authors from 2023-01-31T20:18:55

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 thei...

AH 244-Boots vs Trail Runners from 2023-01-24T20:49:55

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 epi...

AH 243-Gaiters for hiking from 2023-01-10T21:57:50

When you start hiking you tend to have a picture in your mind about what a ‘hiker’ looks like. For many, the stereotype includes a broad brimmed hat, boots, kaki clothing, big pack, and of cours...

AH 242-South Coast Track: Expectations versus Reality from 2022-12-28T02:00

In this podcast episode we discuss our pre-trip expectations for the Tasmanian based, 85 km South Coast Track and compare them to reality. While I had certain expectations of the trip, some of w...

Ah 241-South Coast Track; Interviews from the trail-part 2 from 2022-12-23T04:21:44

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 recording...

AH 240-South Coast Track; Interviews from the trail-part 1 from 2022-12-18T21:07:19

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 ...

AH 239-South Coast Track, an introduction from 2022-12-06T21:11:57

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 t...

AH 238-Guthega to Charlotte Pass walk from 2022-11-29T22:07:19

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 sometim...

AH 237-Choosing rain gear for hiking from 2022-11-23T22:04:19

This podcast episode covers the key aspects of choosing rain gear for hiking. We deliberately haven’t gotten too carried away with the technical aspects because in all...

AH 236-Australian Hiker 6th Birthday from 2022-11-15T22:22:50

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 sometim...

235-Christmas Gifts for Hikers 2022 from 2022-11-02T21:20:27

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...

AH 234-Best Walks of NSW MID NORTH COAST guidebook-Interview with the Author from 2022-10-25T20:05:30

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 g...

AH 233-Beach hiking from 2022-10-19T22:56:35

This may seem like a strange topic for a hiking blog but there are a number of walks both in Australia and overseas that involve close contact with the ocean. Recently we did the Listen

AH 227-Great Ocean Walk, an introduction from 2022-08-23T21:33:21

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 100km Victorian Great Ocean Walk. In this e...

AH 226-When times get tough; motivation on the trail from 2022-08-10T20:52:52

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 alo...

AH 225-Industry Interviews July 2022 from 2022-07-27T00:56:40

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 ind...

AH 224-Wild camping for hikers from 2022-07-20T21:01:02

For many hikers and campers when we first start out it's common to go with an organised groups or club, or with a more experienced friend who can show you the ropes. Typically if ...

AH 223-Hiking in the cold from 2022-07-06T20:44:01

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.  While a bit of warmth can make a hike enjoyable too much...

AH 222-East Gippsland Rail Trail reality vs expectations from 2022-06-14T21:35:23

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 out...

Episode 221-East Gippsland Rail Trail Interviews from the trail from 2022-06-08T05:09:40

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 w...

AH 220-East Gippsland Rail Trail here I come! from 2022-05-31T21:27:45

In mid 2022 when I found my chosen hiking trail for my mid year trip ended up being closed for longer than was planned I needed to pivot and find a new adventure. I was looking for a roughly 4-5...

AH 219-Rail Trails from 2022-05-24T19:32

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 ep...

AH 218-Socks for hiking from 2022-05-18T00:13:39

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 dr...

AH 217-Choosing a jacket for hiking from 2022-05-04T00:16:43

In every hobby or activity we do there is always an ‘unofficial uniform’ and with hiking it’s the down jacket. But did you know that sometimes the ‘down’ jackets we see, while looking very simil...

AH Episode 216-Canberra Summits Walk from 2022-04-19T20:04:25

It's Easter 2022 and I was supposed to be finishing off the remaining section of the Hume and Hovell Track b...

215-Nordic Walking from 2022-04-05T20:30:25

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 ...

AH Episode 214-Wharf to Wharf Walk (NSW) from 2022-03-15T22:33:59

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. Over the weekend just...

AH Episode 213-Pillows and hiking from 2022-03-08T22:50:54

For many people transitioning to overnight hiking or camping brings a lot of new considerat...

212-Hammock Camping; from the trail from 2022-02-22T22:13:44

If you want an expert opinion on hammock camping then this episode isn't it! We've been playing with hammock gear for a couple of months and while we used them during the daytime for one reason ...

AH 211-Hammock Camping; an introduction from 2022-02-15T22:52:23

As hikers grow in their knowledge and ability they will often transition to overnight trips and the default...

AH 210-Food on the trail; a detailed look from 2022-02-01T23:34:28

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...

AH 209-Bikepacking; interviews from the trail from 2022-01-25T21:30:24

In this episode we bring you a series of recordings from a recent overnight trip on the Canberra Centenary Tra...

AH 208-Bikepacking from 2022-01-18T22:41:33

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 ...

AH 207-Three Capes Track; Expectations vs reality from 2022-01-05T21:31:24

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...

AH Episode 206-Three Capes Track, interviews from the trail from 2021-12-28T20:12:43

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 ...

AH Episode 205-Three Capes Track, an introduction from 2021-12-21T22:13:24

This is the first in a planned series of 3 podcasts to be released over the next 3 weeks. In today’s episode we set the scene for our upcoming trip and provide some background on what we expect ...

AH Episode 204-Day Trip Sydney Guidebook: interview with the authors from 2021-12-07T21:25

Like most guidebooks Day Trip Sydney 52 Nature Adventures provides you with the basics you need to do these walking adventures but where it stands out is by not assuming the participants are kee...

AH 203-Getting back into hiking after lockdown, Interview with Joe Bonington from 2021-11-23T19:56:14

Joe Bonington is the creator of Joe's Basecamp gym, Sydney’s Premier adventure training facility and over the past few years he has transitioned his training delivery into an online model and no...

AH 202-Australian Hiker 5th Birthday from 2021-11-16T21:38:33

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 w...

AH 201-Christmas gift ideas for hikers 2021 from 2021-11-02T23:18:37

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 focus on the best and brightest products including those released...

AH 200-Episode 200! from 2021-10-26T20:35:52

There are estimated to be approximately 2,000,000 podcasts in existence however many of these are no longer in production. Many shows start with a flourish but peter out after around 7 episodes ...

AH 199-Hiking and Plane Travel from 2021-10-21T21:42:17

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 fami...

AH 198-Tent pegs for hiking from 2021-10-05T22:08:42

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 hik...

AH 197-Urban Hiking from 2021-09-28T22:02:15

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. Depend...

AH196-Bondi to Manly Walk Guidebook: interview with the author from 2021-09-14T20:27:54

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...

AH 195-Tim‘s hiking podcast listening list from 2021-08-31T20:57:03

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 Aust...

AH 194-Tasmanian Trail: a wrap up from 2021-08-18T20:56:46

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...

AH193-Tasmanian Trail: week 2 on the trail from 2021-08-09T20:19:35

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.This podcast episo...

AH 192-Tasmanian Trail: week 1 on the trail from 2021-08-04T16:03:39

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...

AH191-Tasmanian Trail here I come from 2021-07-27T22:12:04

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...

AH 190-In the Footsteps of the Cannibal Convict from 2021-07-20T22:02:26

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 notewor...

Episode 189-Interview with the author-A Book of Australian Trees from 2021-07-06T20:36:45

In today’s episode we talk with author Inga Simpson about her latest book and first children's book, The Book of Australian Trees. Trees tell stories about places and Australia has some of the t...

Episode 188-Industry Interviews June 2021 from 2021-06-29T22:31:40

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 ma...

Episode 187-Trail Volunteering from 2021-06-15T22:26:22

Whether you walk trails only a few kilometres long or are into big trails many hundreds of kilometres in distance the next time you put feet to the ground spare a thought for how the trail gets ...

Episode 186-Hiking and epilepsy from 2021-06-08T22:23:50

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...

Episode 185-Whats in a name? from 2021-05-25T22:17

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...

Episode 184- Australian huts and hiking from 2021-05-11T20:20:30

Australia's alpine national parks consist of a series of eight National parks that run from the outskirts of Canberra in the north through NSW, and down into Victoria not far from the outskirts ...

Episode 183-Powering your hike from 2021-04-27T23:40:58

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 r...

Episode 182-A day in the life of a long distance hiker from 2021-04-20T22:12:55

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 goin...

Episode 181-Westward ho! from 2021-04-13T21:39:04

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...

Episode 180-Choose your own adventure from 2021-03-30T23:32:04

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 s...

Episode 179-Are equipment manufacturers missing the mark? from 2021-03-23T22:30:54

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...

Episode 178-Luxury items and hiking from 2021-03-09T23:14:27

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...

Episode 177-Operation Flinders from 2021-02-23T20:58:59

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 t...

Episode 176-Considerations for choosing a hike from 2021-02-09T20:54:46

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...

Episode 175- Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail: Fighting Monks and Burning Mountains from 2021-01-26T20:47:08

In this episode we interview author Paul Barach about his epic journey on the 1200 km Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail in Japan. This was a trail I hadn't heard of until talking with Paul and reviewing ...

Episode 174-Schlink Hut Walking Track from 2021-01-19T22:01:05

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 serie...

Episode 173-Hiking with animals from 2021-01-12T22:00:19

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...

Episode172-Guided hikes from 2020-12-29T21:41:46

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 h...

Episode 171-Social media and hiking from 2020-12-16T00:10:53

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 m...

Episode 170-Finding water on a hike from 2020-12-02T01:23:52

At home we tend to take the availability of water for granted, we walk to the tap, the fridge, or if we are out and about the store, and drink as we need. When we are hiking, particularly in rem...

169-Great North Walk; a Failed thru Hike from 2020-11-17T21:26:54

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...

Episode 168-Australian Hiker 4th Birthday from 2020-11-11T23:37:50

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...

Episode 167-Christmas Gifts for Hikers 2020 from 2020-11-04T01:09:56

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 th...

Episode 166-Take a Hike from 2020-10-27T23:13:33

In 2016 well known research company, Roy Morgan, undertook a study on hiking (bushwalking) and unsurprisingly found that the proportions of Australians who participate on a regular basis was on ...

165-Plan N from 2020-10-13T23:25:31

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 an...

164-Hiking with a disability from 2020-10-06T23:34:12

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...

163-Hiking with Injuries from 2020-09-30T01:19:17

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 most cases we aren’t talking about major medical prob...

162-Soldier On from 2020-09-15T20:55:46

If you are in the armed services, you will be familiar with the Soldier On organisation. However, if you’ve never had family or friends in the military you may never have heard of them. Soldier ...

161-Hiking and camping styles from 2020-09-08T23:40:33

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...

160-Perfect Motion from 2020-09-01T21:14:04

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...

159-Back country touring from 2020-08-25T22:48:46

In our last podcast episode, episode 158, we talked about snowshoeing in the Australian Alps. But for those th...

158-Snowshoeing in Australia from 2020-08-19T01:00:46

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...

157- Pack Training from 2020-08-11T22:41:38

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 n...

156-Industry Interviews August 2020 Part 2 from 2020-08-04T21:00:59

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 ...

155-Industry Interviews July 2020 Part 1 from 2020-07-28T23:36:18

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 ...

154 - Bushwalks of Bungonia National Park-Red Track from 2020-07-21T21:51:08

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 ...

153-Peak Bagging: the what and why from 2020-07-14T21:49:22

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 jus...

152-Contributing to Australian Outdoor Magazines from 2020-06-30T21:08:35

In episode 138 we talked with Craig Sheather who writes hiking guide books and in Listen

150-Donkeys on the Bicentennial National Trail from 2020-06-02T20:40:29

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 s...

149-Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail from 2020-05-19T22:49:01

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...

148-Australian Bush Legends and Myths from 2020-05-12T23:05:07

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, the...

147-Things that go bump in the night: getting a good night's sleep from 2020-04-28T22:33:52

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 th...

146-An update in strange times from 2020-04-14T21:55:11

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 ...

145-Things to do when you can't hike from 2020-03-31T23:24:41

It’s 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 tha...

144-Bondi to Manly Walk from 2020-03-17T21:30:56

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, residenti...

143-Te Araroa Trail, a catch up from 2020-03-10T23:13:25

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 ...

142-What to pack for a day hike from 2020-03-03T22:59:08

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 m...

141-Catching up with Tangles and Tail: February 2020 from 2020-02-25T20:49:45

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 ta...

140-Everest Base Camp from 2020-02-11T21:07:41

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...

139-Games on the trail from 2020-01-29T00:19:57

If you hike with children or are just into board and card games then this is the episode for you. There are literally hundreds of choices available for playing games when out hiking and in this ...

138-So you want to be a Travel Writer from 2020-01-14T20:41:06

In episode 135 we discussed what the life of an adventure photographer/videographer was lik...

137-What's up in 2020? from 2019-12-31T23:04:32

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 me...

136-Apps for Hiking from 2019-12-17T23:29:20

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 hi...

135-So you want to be an adventure photographer? from 2019-12-10T19:42:05

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 indivi...

134-Choosing a Sleeping Bag from 2019-12-04T00:19:06

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 sleepi...

133-Light to Light Walk from 2019-11-26T22:28:02

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 a...

132-Outward Bound from 2019-11-19T21:03:02

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...

131-Australian Hiker 3rd Birthday from 2019-11-12T23:59:05

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 ...

130-Christmas Gifts for Hikers 2019 from 2019-11-06T01:07:01

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...

129-Going to the toilet on the trail from 2019-10-30T00:08:25

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 t...

128-Book and Movie Review 2019 from 2019-10-22T22:45:04

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...

127-Dehydrated Food on the Trail from 2019-10-15T23:43:25

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 cho...

126-Catching up with Tangles and Tail: September 2019 from 2019-10-08T19:56:42

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 wi...

125-Choosing what to bring on a hike from 2019-10-01T23:08:54

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 assemb...

124-Musicians on the Te Araroa from 2019-09-24T22:22:41

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 wor...

123-Hume and Hovell Track-a premature end to a thruhike from 2019-09-17T22:49:20

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 ...

122-Hume and Hovell Track Week 2 from 2019-09-11T23:10:10

In this weeks episode we continue our on trail episodes from our Hume and Hovell Track adventure this time with recordings from day4-9. www.australianhiker.com.au

121-Hume and Hovell Track Week 1 from 2019-09-02T21:04:16

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 availabilit...

120-Choosing a camping site from 2019-08-28T00:12:39

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 e...

119-The John Muir Trail; an Australian perspective.mp3 from 2019-08-21T23:03:15

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 moun...

118-Zen and the Art of Hiking from 2019-08-13T22:43:28

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 al...

117-Hume and Hovell Track: in the footsteps of explorers from 2019-08-06T21:19:49

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 o...

116-Choosing a Sleeping Mat from 2019-07-30T22:57:36

Choosing the right sleeping pad/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...

115-Outdoor Retailer Australia Show July 2019 Part 2 from 2019-07-23T21:41:06

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 Showgrou...

114-Outdoor Retailer Australia Show July 2019 Part 1 from 2019-07-17T01:14:24

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 whol...

113-European Peace Walk-interview with Lexi Connors from 2019-07-09T22:13:14

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 th...

112-When is it time to quit a hike? from 2019-07-02T23:10:48

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 a...

111-Freeze Dried Meals from 2019-06-19T10:00

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 lun...

110-Boots McFarland Interview from 2019-06-12T10:00

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 hikin...

109-Environmentally Friendly Hiking from 2019-06-05T10:00

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 th...

108 Tangles and Tail; and interview with Lucy Barnard from 2019-05-29T10:00

In this week's episode we interview Lucy Barnard 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 epi...

107-Fire and Hiking from 2019-05-22T10:00

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 reacti...

106-How much does it cost to hike? from 2019-05-08T10:00

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...

105-Kiandra to Tharwa; a taste of the Australian Alps from 2019-05-01T10:00

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 challeng...

104-The History of Australian National Parks from 2019-04-24T10:00

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 aro...

103-One Man's Climb; interview with Adrian Hayes from 2019-04-17T10:00

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...

102-Mind, Body, and Soul; the health benefits of hiking from 2019-04-10T10:00

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 populat...

101-Packing Your Fears from 2019-03-27T11:00

'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 tenden...

100-Trail Design from 2019-03-20T11:00

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 righ...

099-Altitude and Hiking from 2019-03-13T11:00

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 sometim...

098-Coffee on the Trail from 2019-02-27T11:00

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 do...

097-Q&A (Hiker Questions) from 2019-02-13T11:00

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-Aussie 10 Walk from 2019-02-06T11:00

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 Ne...

095-Transitioning to multiday hiking from 2019-01-30T11:00

One of the biggest transitions that most hikers make is shifting from day hiking to overnight hiking. Transitioning from just a night or two to multi-day trips brings a whole new set of considerati...

094-Night Hiking from 2019-01-16T11:00

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...

093-First Hike Project from 2019-01-09T11:00

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 h...

092-Media Review from 2019-01-02T11:00

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 th...

091-Impacts of Long Distance Hiking from 2018-12-19T11:00

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...

090-Big Agnes Tents from 2018-12-12T11:00

In this weeks 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.

089-Eye Care and Hiking from 2018-12-05T02:13

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 tra...

088-The Great South Coast Walk from 2018-11-28T11:00

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...

087-Christmas Gifts for Hikers 2018 from 2018-11-21T11:00

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 alterna...

086-Australian Hiker 2nd Birthday from 2018-11-14T11:00

On 11 November 2018 Australian Hiker celebrated its second birthday. Over the past year we have been building up our online resources to help us make Australian Hiker your 'Go to Hiking Resource'. ...

085-Australia's Iconic Hiking Trails from 2018-11-07T11:00

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 v...

084-Hiking in hot weather from 2018-10-24T11:00

084-Hiking in hot weather by Gill & Tim Savage

083-Care and Maintenance of Hiking Equipment from 2018-10-10T11:00

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 pr...

082-Bibbulmun Track gear wrap up from 2018-09-26T10:00

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...

081-Bibbulmun Track Reality vs Expectations from 2018-09-19T10:00

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 from 2018-09-14T10:00

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. Over the n...

079 - Week 4 Bibbulmun Track 2018 from 2018-09-06T10:00

Week four is now over, just a short one with a four day trip from Collie to Dwellingup. In this episode we discuss peoples perceptions on the trail and how this will differ depending on the context...

078 - Week 3 Bibbulmun Track 2018 from 2018-09-01T10:00

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 h...

077 - Week 2 Bibbulmun Track 2018 from 2018-08-23T10:00

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 ...

076 - Bibbulmun Track Week 1 2018 from 2018-08-17T10:00

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 ...

075-Bibbulmun Track here I come from 2018-08-08T10:00

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 from 2018-08-01T10:00

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 di...

073-A journey towards ultralight revisited from 2018-07-25T10:00

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 w...

072-Getting fit for hiking from 2018-07-18T10:00

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 epis...

071-Planning a long distance hike from 2018-07-04T10:00

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 considerat...

070-Outdoor Retailer show 2018 part 2 from 2018-06-27T10:00

On 17-19 June 2018 the Outdoor Retailer Australia Show was held at the Moore Park Exhibition Centre in Sydney. This annual show is a chance for Australia’s outdoor wholesalers and manufacturers to ...

069-Outdoor Retailer Show 2018 part 1 from 2018-06-20T10:00

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 manufacturer...

068- Weather and hiking from 2018-06-06T10:00

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 attentio...

067-Hike your own hike from 2018-05-23T10:00

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 enj...

066-Technology on the trail-staying in touch with family and friends from 2018-05-09T10:00

In episode 066 of the Australian Hiker podcast we discussTechnology 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...

065-99 days to go.... from 2018-05-02T10:00

In this episode I announce announce my first long distance Australian thru hike, and also first thru hike and provide an overview on : * My reasons for doing a long distance multi week hike; * Why ...

064-Australia's Long Distance Hiking Trails from 2018-04-25T10:00

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...

063-Physical maintenance on the trail from 2018-04-18T10:00

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 f...

062-Personal safety on the trail from 2018-04-11T10:00

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 pr...

061-Hygiene and hiking from 2018-03-28T11:00

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. We are used to doing these things in our...

060-Happy feet from 2018-03-21T11:00

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 d...

059-Geocaching from 2018-03-14T11:00

The best way to describe Geocaching is as treasure hunting with a GPS/smartphone. Sometimes the kids, or you for that matter, just need  that extra little incentive to get outdoors and go hiking an...

058-Navigation on the trail: an introduction to maps and compasses from 2018-02-28T11:00

The level of navigation skills that you will need as a hiker will vary with the complexity of the walks that you do. If you never leave well marked trails the skill requirement you need, may, but n...

057 Nutritition on the Trail from 2018-02-21T11:00

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. But what happens when we undertake big ex...

056-How to pack a backpack: a beginners guide from 2018-02-14T11:00

Whether your a day hiker or are into extended multi night hikes ensuring that you have correctly assembled all your gear into some sort of order in your pack will make your trip run just that much ...

055-A weekend on the Main Range from 2018-02-07T11:00

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.  These tw...

054-The future of hiking from 2018-01-31T11:00

In this episode we look at where the future of hiking appears to be heading. We discuss trends as they relate to hikers, changes we are likely to see in trail design and use, the impacts of social ...

053-Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail-Expectations vs reality from 2018-01-17T11:00

Our final episodes in our Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail series. In this episode we revisit our initial expectations of this trip and compare them to the reality of the trail. In addition we  dis...

052-Kangaroo Island Wilderness trail; Interviews from the Trail from 2018-01-10T11:00

This is the second of our 'on trail' podcasts recorded while undertaking our recent Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail (KIWT) trip. This episode consists of four interviews with hikers, service provi...

051-Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail-A day on the trail from 2018-01-03T11:00

This is the first of three podcast episodes on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail and consists of a series of recordings done over a single day to give you an idea of what to expect from a typica...

050-Food on the trail, a beginners guide from 2017-12-20T11:00

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 h...

049-Kangaroo Island here we come; an overview from 2017-12-13T11:00

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 Aus...

048-Choosing a tent for hiking from 2017-12-06T11:00

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?’ Unfortunately there is no one answer to t...

047-Christmas gift ideas for hikers from 2017-11-22T11:00

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. It's also a great time t...

046-Australian Hiker 1st Birthday from 2017-11-15T11:00

On 11 November 2017 Australian Hiker celebrated its first birthday. This episode is a reflection on our past year and where we are heading over the next 12 months.

045-Women in hiking; interviews from 2017-11-08T11:00

In this episode we interview two female hikers, one younger, one older, who share their experiences and tips on hiking from a womens perspective.

044-Women in hiking from 2017-11-08T11:00

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 relev...

043 Choosing and fitting a backpack from 2017-10-25T11:00

After footwear, the backpack is one of the most crucial pieces of equipment that most outdoor enthusiasts will own. I mean you can’t even discuss hiking without talking about a backpack. Choosing t...

042-Snakes, ticks and spiders on the trail from 2017-10-11T11:00

This episode discusses snakes ticks and spiders on the trail including how to interact with them, avoid them, and if necessary how to treat any injuries created by these creatures.

041-Hiking with Children interviews from the trail from 2017-10-04T11:00

In this second episode on hiking with children we are take our niece and her two oldest sons aged 6 and 9 year on their first overnight hiking and camping trip. During the hike we get to hear their...

040-Hiking with Children-part 1 from 2017-09-27T10:00

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 no doubt want your younger family members to enjoy t...

039 - Bushwalk the Gong Interview from 2017-09-20T10:00

In this September 2017, Australian Hiker Bonus episode we interview Jenae from Bushwalk the 'Gong, an Australian blog centred around the Illawarra region of the southern NSW coast. Jenae is pass...

038-The 10 Essentials: How relevant are they? from 2017-09-12T10:00

This episode looks at the 10 Essentials. What they are, whether they are applicable to Australian conditions, and discusses if we should take a more tailored approach? Finally, I will share my 10 e...

037-10 tips for beginners from 2017-08-30T10:00

So you've been thinking about getting into hiking but are confused by the mass of gear available or don't know where to start. This podcast episode is aimed at beginner hikers to provide a basic ov...

036-The Hiking Society Interview from 2017-08-23T10:00

In this August 2017 Australian Hiker Bonus episode we interview John Feeney, founder and creator of the Melbourne based Hiking Society. The Hiking Society is a blog that provides hikers with up-to-...

035-Which Light for Hiking? from 2017-08-16T10:00

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 asp...

034-10 Tips for Hiking in the Rain from 2017-08-02T10:00

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 progressivel...

033-First Aid on the Trail from 2017-07-19T10:00

Worrying about accidents or safety is not something we really want to do every time we go hiking but it is crucial to ‘Plan for the worst and hope for the best’ to keep ourself safe on the trail. ...

032-Interview with Fitness Guru Joe Bonington from Joes Basecamp from 2017-07-12T10:00

In this July bonus episode we talk to Joe Bonington, from Joe's Basecamp in Sydney. Hiking is not just about equipment, you also require a degree of fitness to ensure you get the best out of your p...

031-Water on the Trail Part 2-Filtration from 2017-07-05T10:00

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 tas...

030 - Australian Outdoor Retailer Show 2017 from 2017-06-28T10:00

The 2017 Outdoor Retailer Australia Show was held on 18-20 June at the Moore Park Exhibition Centre in Sydney. This annual show is a chance for Australia's outdoor wholesalers to showcase their new...

029 - Water On The Trail Part 1 from 2017-06-21T10:00

Regardless of the gear we do or don’t carry and the passionate arguments about which is the best thingamajig, the one thing that you can guarantee is in every hiker’s pack is water. Water is essent...

028 - Layering For Comfort from 2017-06-07T10:00

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...

026 - Transitioning To Overnight Hiking - Step By Step from 2017-05-24T10:00

So you’ve been doing day walks for a while now, you enjoy them but you feel that you are missing out. Your friend’s keep on raving about longer trips that they’ve done but you’re not sure you’re up...

027 - Transitioning To Overnight Hiking - On The Trail from 2017-05-24T10:00

This podcast episode follows on from episode 26 which provided a step by step guide to your first overnight hike and provides a real time example of an overnight trip and what to expect by using th...

025- Which Backpacking Stove from 2017-05-10T10:00

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 this episode looks at the types of stoves suitable for backp...

024 - Technology On The Trail- PLB's from 2017-04-26T10:00

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 ...

023 - Trail Etiquette from 2017-04-12T10:00

Like any pastime there are a number of rules of behaviour (etiquette)that help to make the experience better for all participants. Unlike driving on the road these rules aren't taught in any formal...

022 - The Overland Track - Interviews From The Trail from 2017-04-05T10:00

This episode includes a series of interviews we did with other hikers on the Overland Track that provides a diverse perspective of what the track is like. If you are interested in listening to the...

021 - Trekking Poles- Are They Worth It? from 2017-03-29T11:00

Love them or hate them trekking poles now form part of many hikers equipment collection. In this weeks episode we will look at: The benefits of using trekking poles; The downside of using trekking...

020 - The Overland Track - A Day On The Trail from 2017-03-22T11:00

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, prov...

019 - The Sleep System; getting a good nights sleep from 2017-03-15T11:00

In this week's episode we focus on the sleep system needed for a good nights sleep on the trail. Choose the correct system and you'll have a warm comfortable sleep, night after night. Choose the wr...

018 - The Overland Track-Expectations vs Reality from 2017-03-08T11:00

Episode 018. Part 1 of 3- In this episode we provide an introduction into the Overland Track located in a World Heritage area in Tasmania. The track is considered one of the worlds best tracks and ...

017 - Solo Hiking; Is 1 Better Than 2 from 2017-03-01T11:00

In this episode we discuss solo hiking. We will 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 sol...

016 - The Canberra Centennial Trail - Bonus Episode Part 2 Of 2 from 2017-02-22T11:00

This is part 2 of the Canberra Centennial Trail on trail bonus episode for February 2017. To get the most benefit out of this episode listen to episode 15, part 1 first.

015 - The Canberra Centenary Trail - Bonus Episode Part 1 of 2 from 2017-02-15T11:00

This is the first episode of a two part series on my recent three day walk on the 145km (90 mile) Canberra Centenary Trail. Usually undertaken in seven days this greatly condensed walk was undertak...

014 - Photography And Hiking - Camera Basics from 2017-02-04T11:00

This is the second episode in our series on photography. While our first episode discussed basic skills for improving photography this episode looks as some basic camera accessories that will contr...

013 - Photography And Hiking - The Basics from 2017-01-25T11:00

Episode 013 - In the first segment of this episode we discuss 10 tips to improve your photography on the trail. We then review two pieces of photography equipment; the Sony RX100 mark 1 compact ca...

012 - Mt Bimberi - From The Trail - Bonus Episode from 2017-01-18T05:48

The second episode for the year and our bonus episode for January 2017. This episode is a series of recordings from a one day, 53km hike that I did just before Christmas 2016 to Mt Bimberi, located...

011 - When Couples Hike from 2017-01-11T05:48

In the first segment of this weeks episode we will be discussing the benefits, and the pitfalls, of hiking as a couple. In the second segment we will review what I consider to be one of Australias ...

010 - Why do we Hike? from 2016-12-28T11:00

Episode 010 In todays episode we discuss some of the more common reasons for why we hike as well as some of the more extreme reasons. In the second half of the episode we review the Campers Pantr...

009 - Spit Bridge To Manly; Sydney's Hidden Walk from 2016-12-21T11:00

This is the bonus episode from the trail for December 2016. In todays episode we review the Spit Bridge to Manly walk in Sydney, New South Wales. This walk, located within the city is one of Sydney...

008 - Choosing Hiking Shoes A Bigfoots View from 2016-12-12T06:41

As the proud owner of size 14US feet I struggle to find a good selection go hiking shoes. This episode goes through 14 considerations for buying hiking footwear. In addition we review the Superfeet...

007 - Leave Only Footprints from 2016-11-28T11:00

Episode 007 - Discussion on the concept of 'Take only memories, leave only footprints' and how to minimise your impact on the environment as a hiker.

006 - Larapinta Trail Round Up from 2016-11-11T11:00

Episode 006 - Final thoughts on their recent Larapinta Trail Hike. This episode looks back at our thoughts before we commenced our walk and compare them to the reality of the trail.

005 - Hiker Interviews On The Larapinta Trail from 2016-11-10T11:00

Episode 005 - A series of interviews with hikers from the Larapinta Trail. Listen to a range of people describe their experiences on the trail.

004 - A day on the Larapinta Trail from 2016-11-09T11:00

Episode 004- In todays episode we are listening to a series of recordings on a typical day on the trail starting from waking up in the morning and finishing at the end of the day at bedtime.

003 - 10 Steps To Planning A Safe Hike from 2016-11-08T11:00

Episode 003 - Today we discuss the 10 steps to planning a safe hike and then we review one of Australia's best known trails, the Lapainta Trail located in Australias north.

002 - Journey Towards Ultralight Hiking from 2016-11-07T11:00

In this episode we discuss the concept of ultralight hiking and my journey towards becoming an ultralight hiker. Gear review - Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 tent

001 - How Do You Select Hiking Equipment. A Guide For Beginners. from 2016-11-06T11:00

A beginners guide to choosing hiking equipment Osprey Exos 48 pack review Overnight Oates recipe website www.australianhiker.com.au

000 - Australian Hiker - An Introduction from 2016-11-05T11:00

Episode 000-This episode is a brief introduction to the Australian Hiker podcast and website. Australian Hiker launched on 11 November 2016 and is aimed at providing a resource on hiking in Austral...