Advertise on podcast: Australian Hiker

In today’s episode we talk to Tom Bartlett about the unique hiking practice of setting the Fastest Known Times, also known as an FKT, on the WA based Bibbulmun Track, the Alpine based Australian Alps Walking Track, and the New Zealand based Te Araroa Trail. This form of hiking takes things to the extreme, completing these tracks in times that the average hiker wouldn’t even think was possible, so in this episode we look at what’s involved in setting an FKT why people attempt it. www.australianhiker.com.au   Australian Hiker can also be found on our various social media platforms Australian Hiker Facebook Australian Hiker Instagram Australian Hiker Threads Australian Hiker Vimeo Australian Hiker Youtube

The Outdoor Retailer Australia Show was held on 13-15 October 2026 at the exhibition centre located minutes from the centre of Canberra city. For me this trade only show is a chance to see any new and upcoming gear as well as to strengthen relationships within staff and companies within the outdoor industry. As usual from our discussions with the various suppliers at the show, we will be undertaking a number of gear reviews over the upcoming year as the opportunities arise that will be of interest to you. www.australianhiker.com.au   Australian Hiker can also be found on our various social media platforms Australian Hiker Facebook Australian Hiker Instagram Australian Hiker Threads Australian Hiker Vimeo Australian Hiker Youtube

Mongolia is one of those destinations that is still rare and unique from a tourist perspective, even more so as a hiking destination. In this podcast episode we catch up with New Zealand Hiker Jonty Crane about his unique 18-day adventure in Mongolia following in the footsteps of the nomads! www.australianhiker.com.au   Australian Hiker can also be found on our various social media platforms Australian Hiker Facebook Australian Hiker Instagram Australian Hiker Threads Australian Hiker Vimeo Australian Hiker Youtube

I can remember clearly going into the Canberra Scout Store as a teenager with a parent and purchasing my first real tent (nylon) and external frame aluminium and nylon pack for an upcoming week long trip. These days we have no end of purchasing options from nationally branded stores and well known standalone specialists. In addition over the past couple of years in particular we are seeing international branded stores entering the retail market including The North Face, Arcteryx, and Patagonia. These stores have come into existence for two main reasons. In this podcast episode we discuss the rise of outdoor gear as a fashion item and this means for the industry. www.australianhiker.com.au   Australian Hiker can also be found on our various social media platforms Australian Hiker Facebook Australian Hiker Instagram Australian Hiker Threads Australian Hiker Vimeo Australian Hiker Youtube

Aussie women are increasingly choosing hiking holidays and women-only trips over traditional getaways after children, milestone birthdays, divorce or a major life upheaval. In this podcast episode we catch up with Frith Hudson from GirlsTrek to talk about what they have to offer as well as how and why she came to create this women’s only hiking business. www.australianhiker.com.au   Australian Hiker can also be found on our various social media platforms Australian Hiker Facebook Australian Hiker Instagram Australian Hiker Threads Australian Hiker Vimeo Australian Hiker Youtube

In hiking the impact of condensation varies from being almost non existent to being a major inconvenience. For condensation to occur there needs to specific factors that coincide for it to be an issue. This podcast episode discusses the causes of condensation, how it can impact your hiking experience, and more importantly how to prevent or reduce its impacts. www.australianhiker.com.au   Australian Hiker can also be found on our various social media platforms Australian Hiker Facebook Australian Hiker Instagram Australian Hiker Threads Australian Hiker Vimeo Australian Hiker Youtube

The Manaslu Circuit is a less-crowded trek in the Nepalese Himalayas that encircles Mt. Manaslu, the world's 8th highest peak. Ranging between between 130–175 km depending on the choices you make, this 13-to-16-day route starts in Machha Khola and features some dramatic landscapes including the challenging 5,106m Larkya La Pass, suspension bridges, and showcases the Tibetan-Buddhist culture. In this podcast episode we catch up with New Zealand hiker Jonty Crane about his adventure on the Manaslu Circuit. www.australianhiker.com.au   Australian Hiker can also be found on our various social media platforms Australian Hiker Facebook Australian Hiker Instagram Australian Hiker Twitter Australian Hiker Threads Australian Hiker Vimeo Australian Hiker Youtube

In this podcast I talk about the second section of my journey on the Heysen Trail with the end result being a premature end to this walk. To finish of this podcast we discuss my discuss key learnings from the 151km that I covered on the northern end of Australia's longest dedicated hiking trail. www.australianhiker.com.au Australian Hiker can also be found on our various social media platforms Australian Hiker Facebook Australian Hiker Instagram Australian Hiker Threads Australian Hiker Vimeo Australian Hiker Youtube

In this podcast episode we bring you the first section of my on trail episode starting from the Northern trail head in Parachilna. The episode includes my travel days and the first 5 days of my journey on Australia's longest designated hiking trail.  www.australianhiker.com.au   Australian Hiker can also be found on our various social media platforms Australian Hiker Facebook Australian Hiker Instagram Australian Hiker Twitter Australian Hiker Threads Australian Hiker Vimeo Australian Hiker Youtube

As this podcast goes to air I am just 8 days out from starting my journey on the Heysen Trail  in South Australia. In this episode I talk about the trip planning and discuss my pre trip expectations, hesitations, and concerns! www.australianhiker.com.au   Australian Hiker can also be found on our various social media platforms Australian Hiker Facebook Australian Hiker Instagram Australian Hiker Twitter Australian Hiker Threads Australian Hiker Vimeo Australian Hiker Youtube

It's the 7th of July, 2026, and in a few weeks’ time I’ll be commencing my southbound journey on South Australia’s Heysen Trail. This trail is Australia’s’ longest dedicated hiking trail spanning approximately 1200km from Parachilna in the north, to Cape Jarvis on the coastline in the south. It has everything I love about hiking from arid landscapes to a coastal connection and everything in between. In this podcast episode we talk with Neil Hendry to get an introduction to the trail and the role that the ‘Friends of the trail' plays. This is the first of 11 planned episodes with will include a number of episodes recorded on trail to relay what I am thinking and how I am feeling in 'real time' to hopefully help you out if you decide to walk this trail www.australianhiker.com.au   Australian Hiker can also be found on our various social media platforms Australian Hiker Facebook Australian Hiker Instagram Australian Hiker Twitter Australian Hiker Threads Australian Hiker Vimeo Australian Hiker Youtube

The Coast Track is located in Royal National Park on the southern side of Sydney. This is a walk I have been trying to do for a number of years but for various reasons I could never quite make it! Recently Gill and I picked the perfect weather window and had a spectacular day doing this 27km walk in a single day. So much so, this walk will be added to our top 10 walk list in the next time we update. In this podcast episode we bring you a series of podcast recording undertaken on the day and in the final section talk more generally about the track, making recommendations on how to get the best of out this walk. www.australianhiker.com.au Australian Hiker can also be found on our various social media platforms Australian Hiker Facebook Australian Hiker Instagram Australian Hiker Twitter Australian Hiker Threads Australian Hiker Vimeo Australian Hiker Youtube

The Portuguese Camino spans 625km from Lisbon in Portugal to Santiago in Spain but rather than doing the full walk many people opt for the shorter 260km Portuguese Coastal Way running between Porto and Santiago and which takes most people 12 to 14 days. In this podcast episode we catch up with Canberra Based Hiker Mary Wiley-Smith who late last year undertook her own adventure on the Portuguese Coastal Way along with her friend Kylie. www.australianhiker.com.au   Australian Hiker can also be found on our various social media platforms Australian Hiker Facebook Australian Hiker Instagram Australian Hiker Twitter Australian Hiker Threads Australian Hiker Vimeo Australian Hiker Youtube

In 2018 I undertook my first really long distance walk spending 35 days walking the 1000 km Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia. In preparation for this walk I spent the 18 months prior setting myself a number of physical challenges to see what I was physically capable of. The aim of these challenges wasn’t about breaking or setting records it was about working out how much annual leave I needed to take from my job and based on that, what I needed to achieve each day. This podcast episode discusses why you should know your walking speed and in addition, looks at the health implications of walking speed as we age. www.australianhiker.com.au   Australian Hiker can also be found on our various social media platforms Australian Hiker Facebook Australian Hiker Instagram Australian Hiker Twitter Australian Hiker Threads Australian Hiker Vimeo Australian Hiker Youtube

Over the past seven years, after some failed hikes, some ever worsening issues with my right leg, and much not so subtle badgering from my wife Gill, I finally decided to see a specialist only to discover that I needed my right hip replaced. Now the reason for me releasing this podcast is that as an information driven individual I need all the facts that I can find and after searching the internet for ‘hiking with a hip replacement’ I found minimal hits and those that I did find has less information than I was after. In this podcast episode I take you through the process leading up to my operation and finishing 12 months later with the hope that it will help those of you in a similar situation. www.australianhiker.com.au   Australian Hiker can also be found on our various social media platforms Australian Hiker Facebook Australian Hiker Instagram Australian Hiker Twitter Australian Hiker Threads Australian Hiker Vimeo Australian Hiker Youtube