We Are Explorers Podcast: Recent Episodes
We Are Explorers
This show celebrates the humans within Australia & New Zealand's adventure community. The We Are Explorers team delve into the minds of this renegade collective - community leaders, athletes, photographers, trail builders, store owners....the list goes on...but each is united by one thing: adventure has shaped who they are and how they lead their lives. The goal of this podcast is to tickle your ears and imaginations enough to live a little more adventurously.
Check in fortnightly to hear Henry, Tim and Amy have a yarn.
Hot off the back of creating their first podcast mini series, Wildlife Ahead hosts, James Worsfold and Elysee Lee, chat with We Are Explorers Editor, Amy Fairall, about their time on the road, exploring Australia, and creating a podcast set in the bush.
Find out what it was like for Elysee to enter into the world of journalism and podcasting without any prior experience, what the pair's new favourite Aussie animals are, and some key takeaways learnt about the state of Australia's biodiversity crisis.
Huge thanks to James and Elysee for their dedication and passion for spreading the word about Australia's unique and threatened species, and the people who dedicate their lives to protecting them.
When a species becomes ‘un-extinct’, how can their population be bolstered in the wild, but also be reintroduced into culture? Once plentiful in South-West Western Australia, the Gilbert’s potoroo was thought to be extinct for over a hundred years. Since their rediscovery by Western Science in 1994, it has now gained the title of the world’s rarest marsupial, with only just over a hundred individuals.
James and Elysee head to Two Peoples Bay to speak to Leigh Whisson, a conservation biologist, who was there on the day of its rediscovery. He explains how the potoroo was able to be found and protected because of the protection of another endangered species, the noisy scrub bird. Dr. Jackie Courtenay describes the early days of working with the potoroos and trying to help their population.
Next, James and Elysee follow Dr Tony Friend from the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions, to a predator-free insurance population to survey Gilbert's Potoroo numbers. As they go through traps and find potoroos and collect data, Tony talks about translocation and threats.
Finally, Leigh and Jackie talk about the Gilbert’s Potoroo Action Group and the importance of field volunteering, fundraising, and awareness raising to help the Gilbert’s Potoroo recover from the risk of both biological and societal extinction.
Thank you to:
Leigh Whisson and Dr. Jackie Courtenay from the Gilbert's Potoroo Action Group.
- To volunteer, donate and become a member visit: https://www.potoroo.org/
- https://www.facebook.com/GilbertsPotorooActionGroup/
Dr. Tony Friend
Recorded, written, and edited by James Worsfold and Elysee Lee.
Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef is a beloved international icon, and home to diverse sea life. A tourist hotspot for Australians and people all over the world, the reef sees about 2 million visitors each year. However, its plight is also well known – the coral is being increasingly bleached and killed.
In this episode, James and Elysee investigate if it’s possible to be an ethical tourist in one of the world’s most fragile and important ecosystems.
They begin on the Cairns wharf, talking to the reef visitors themselves. People have come far and wide to be here, and all know that coral is under threat, but not too many know exactly why. Marine biologist and reef guide, Kate Slaughter, explains what coral even is in the first place, and the cause of increased bleachings.
Tanya Murphy, a community campaigner with the Australian Marine Conservation Society, talks about the misconceptions behind the reef’s health and emphasises the impact of climate change on bleaching.
James, Elysee, and the wharf tourists reflect on their impact on the reef. Tanya and Kate also touch on tourism operators’ place in conserving the natural resource they profit from, with surveys and coral planting, but also highlight the importance of education and advocacy.
Thank you to:
Kate Slaughter from Coral Nurture Program
- https://www.coralnurtureprogram.org/
Tanya Murphy from the Australian Marine Conservation Society
- https://www.marineconservation.org.au/
- And her podcast, Word on the Reef
- https://open.spotify.com/show/5HH7mXTHistUgg4loRIqEz
Recorded, written, and edited by James Worsfold and Elysee Lee.
The Australian housing crisis isn't just affecting people, it’s causing an animal housing crisis too. With countless new developments popping up all over the country, James and Elysee talk to experts to find out exactly how it's affecting wildlife, like platypus and koalas, and what solutions there may be for living in harmony with them.
They first chat with Dr Michelle Ryan, an aquatic ecologist, about a healthy platypus population in Western Sydney. With the platypus habitat threatened by the effects of new housing developments around the corner, citizen scientists have helped get government attention to protect them.
Then, James and Elysee visit Koala Beach on the NSW North Coast, where 75% of the development area has been designated to keep as koala habitat. Irene Tims, a resident, explains what it’s like to live there.
Next, our hosts talk to Deborah Tabart, chair of the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF), about how she negotiated the protection of koalas at Koala Beach. The AKF says that a Koala Protection Act will help ensure that the impact of future developments won’t be as devastating to koalas.
Hugh Possingham, former Queensland Chief Scientist, is a supporter of higher density housing to save our precious species. He talks about how the set up of our cities and suburbs are currently unfavourable, not only for biodiversity, but also for us.
Thank you to:
Dr. Michelle Ryan
Cattai Hills Environment Network
- https://chen.org.au/what-we-do/citizen-science-research/
Irene Tims
Deborah Tabart OAM from the Australian Koala Foundation
- https://savethekoala.com/
Professor Hugh Possingham
Recorded, written, and edited by James Worsfold and Elysee Lee
A fish that can’t swim, the rarest fish in the world, needs a hand.
Our hosts James and Elysee are in south-east Tasmania, home to several species of handfish, a curious creature that ‘walks’ along the sea bed on fins modified to look like hands.
They chat to Dr Tyson Bessell who researches the Red handfish at the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania, and talk about the quirks of this little fish. Our hosts also speak to Prof Neville Barrett, a marine ecologist also at the University of Tasmania, who helped discover the decline of handfish several decades ago. Neville talks about how climate change is impacting this sedentary fish and Tyson discusses the Red handfish’s captive breeding program, affectionately nicknamed ‘Handfish School’.
James and Elysee also catch up with the Invasive Sea Star Clean Up group in Hobart, and join volunteers to dive and remove introduced sea star species from handfish habitat. They chat to organiser Keith Thomas-Wurth and other participants too.
Finally, James and Elysee travel to Dodges Ferry, a small town just on-shore from where the only Red handfish populations live. Here they meet Jenny Scott, a local resident who organised a mass beach protest against the expansion of salmon farming in order to protect the handfish. Our hosts discuss the environmental impacts fish farming is having on Tasmanian waterways and Jenny talks about the community's love for their own endangered fish.
Thank you to:
Dr Tyson Bessell
Associate Professor Neville Barrett
Jenny Scott
Keith Thomas-Wurth from Invasive Sea Star Clean up Tasmania
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/1318246581861063
- Clean ups once to twice a month, just show up!
Recorded, written, and edited by James Worsfold and Elysee Lee
The long-awaited Great Koala National Park in NSW's Mid-North Coast was announced in September 2025, and will protect over 400,000 hectares of native forest and countless endangered animals including koalas, Greater gliders, and Yellow-bellied gliders.
But behind this announcement has been years of tireless volunteer community work to put pressure on the government to fulfil their conservation promises, and to make sure that in the meantime, the forests and animals within will still be there to protect.
Hosts James and Elysee meet with ecologist Mark Graham, who introduces them to the lush subtropical forests in the hills behind Coffs Harbour and the charismatic gliders there threatened by native forest logging.
They also meet Deanna Markinova, head of Forest Ecology Alliance, a community volunteer group that conducts surveys to keep checks on logging activity and look out for vulnerable animals.
With De and ecologists Sue and Hank Bower, James and Elysee head out spotlighting to look for Greater and Yellow-bellied gliders to prevent their den trees from being logged.
Finally, James and Elysee visit the Blicks River Guardians – Meredith Stanton and Barry Hunt up in Dorrigo. Every morning they hold a vigil by the main road, blocking the entrance of Clouds Creek State Forest to prevent loggers from going in, and educate people passing by.
Thank you to:
Mark Graham
Deanna Markovina from Forest Ecology Alliance
- https://www.facebook.com/forestecologyalliance/
- Volunteers needed – send a message to their Facebook page or email forestecologyalliance@gmail.com
Sue Bower
Hank Bower
Meredith Stanton and Barry Hunt from Blicks River Guardians (Glider Reviver)
- https://www.facebook.com/blicksriverguardians
Recorded, written, and edited by James Worsfold and Elysee Lee
Like the brushturkey but much more elusive, the Malleefowl is a majestic bird on the decline.
James and Elysee track this bird down in the desert-like Mallee region of north-west Victoria, where they learn about its laborious lifestyle and compost-powered incubating mounds.
They meet a group of volunteers who head into the bush every breeding season to record important Malleefowl data to help aid its recovery, work that's otherwise too expensive for governments.
Ecologist Mirinda Thorpe takes James and Elysee out to find Malleefowl mounds and tells them how volunteer data has been used in a pilot program to rescue Malleefowl eggs after a bushfire.
James and Elysee also chat to Mick Webster and Ross MacFarlane, long-time volunteers, and Ross shares how his family’s farming community spearheaded the volunteer initiative.
James and Elysee explain land clearing and fragmentation, some of the drivers behind the Mallefowl’s decline.
They revisit Mirinda and her partner and fellow ecologist, Iestyn Hosking, to discuss addressing illegal land-clearing, as well as revegetation as a solution. The couple show James and Elysee around their property, which they've transformed from a cleared farm to one full of native vegetation and life.
Thank you to:
The Victorian Malleefowl Recovery Group
- https://www.malleefowlvictoria.org.au/
- Registrations for 2025 volunteer training are now open till the 3rd of October!
Ross MacFarlane
Mick Webster
Mirinda Thorpe
Iestyn Hosking
Macy Fuller
Recorded, written, and edited by James Worsfold and Elysee Lee
Welcome to 'Wildlife Ahead', a podcast mini-series about Australia’s unique and threatened animals and the passionate people working to save them from extinction.
This six-part series follows journalists and podcast hosts & creators, James Worsfold and Elysee Lee, on a road trip around Australia as they meet and learn from the invaluable folks dedicating their lives to protecting Australia's biodiversity, and spot some of our most precious animals for themselves.
A new episode of 'Wildlife Ahead' drops every second Wednesday from next week, so set your alarm, we're going bush!
This week we have a special edition of the podcast as we get Outback Mike AKA Mike Atkinson's take on the NSW National Park's proposal regarding camping fees. Mike brought the changes to the public's attention through an Instagram reel which has now reached over a million viewers, so we wanted to hear his thoughts firsthand.
Join our host Amy Fairall as she chats to Mike about the history of the booking system, some of the problems the changes are aimed at addressing and why he thinks they're going about fixing things the wrong way.
You can read more about NSW National Park's proposed changes here.
To have your say, respond to this survey by May 25th.
In this week’s episode, hosts Tim & Amy answer all your ExplorerFest questions, go through their ins & outs for 2025, and discuss their upcoming adventures.
ExplorerFest is our first time venturing into the festival space, and in this episode, we unpack what makes ExplorerFest unique, and what kind of activities, workshops, and entertainment you can expect on the long weekend.
In the lead-up to the new year, the We Are Explorers team has been chatting ins & outs for 2025, as well as their next 12 months of adventure plans, and this episode includes a sneak peek of both.
Tune in for the last time in 2024 and we’ll chat in the new year!
In This Episode We Cover
- ExplorerFest – Everything you need to know
- Ins & Outs 2025
- Tim’s recent MTB crash
- 2025 adventure plans
Show notes
- Get Your ExplorerFest Tickets!
- 4 Insights From My First Climbing Project
Follow Along for More!
Show us some love and subscribe wherever you get your audio fix. It helps us continue to bring you the goods and uncover the weird and wonderful adventure folk (that’s you!) who are doing inspiring things.
Find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with new episodes every second hump day.
Or check out the We Are Explorers Podcast page.
We Are Explorers Podcast host, Amy Fairall, chats with Jayden O’Neill (in person!), whose laundry list of titles includes We Are Explorers contributor, MOMENTS film category winner, and National Geographic Photo Instructor and Naturalist. By combining his knowledge from his bachelor’s degree in marine biology with the hard skills he’s learnt as a photographer and videographer, Jayden’s worked all over the world, from Antarctica to the Top End.
In this chat, we hear about Jayden’s career path so far, as well as stories from his adventures, one of which helped him take out the top film prize in our inaugural photo, video, and writing competition, MOMENTS. Jayden’s journey may not be a blueprint everyone can follow, but it’ll definitely inspire you to make decisions based on your passions.
In This Episode We Cover
- Working as a Marine Biologist in Antarctica
- Jayden’s passion for nature
- The importance of science communication
- Photography
- Storytelling
- Working with crocodiles
- Living in the Northern Territory
- The story of The Bleeding Assholes film
- Upcoming adventures
Check out Jayden’s winning adventure film, The Bleeding Assholes, from our inaugural photo, video, and writing comp, MOMENTS
Follow Along for More!
Show us some love and subscribe wherever you get your audio fix. It helps us to continue bringing you the goods and to uncover the weird and wonderful adventure folk (that’s you!) who are doing inspiring things.
Find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts with new episodes every second hump day.
Or check out the We Are Explorers Podcast page.
Hosts Tim and Amy have been chatting all things spooky in the outdoors, with inspo and tales from our readers.
What’s the spookiest thing that’s happened to you on the trail? Maybe you’ve walked through spiderwebs before sunrise or dropped something valuable down a drop dunny. Hosts Tim and Amy deep dive their biggest outdoor nightmares come to life as well as some of our readers.
Listen on, if you dare…
In This Episode We Cover:
- Household critters
- Dehydrating food
- Washing & Repairing expensive outdoor gear
- Outdoor horror stories
Show Notes:
- Hiker Rescued After Hanging by Her Bare Feet For 7 Hours
Follow Along for More!
Show us some love and subscribe wherever you get your audio fix. It helps us to continue bringing you the goods and to uncover the weird and wonderful adventure folk (that’s you!) who are doing inspiring things.
Find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts with new episodes every second hump day.
Dr Sheddy's story is one many people can relate to – finding out your career isn't exactly what you thought it'd be and trying to make sense of it all. But the way Sheddy found balance is pretty unique.
Leaving a veterinary clinic in Australia, she moved to China to save bears before buying a sailing boat in Panama. She now sails around Central America treating animals that'd never otherwise have access to care, and she does it all thanks to the support she gets online.
Listen to the episode to hear how she learnt to sail on her own boat, some of her wildest animal rescues, and what her future sailing vet adventures hold.
If you'd like to support Vet Tails, you can pledge a monthly donation to help Dr Sheddy keep up her work and follow along the sailing vet journey.
In This Episode We Cover
- Dr Sheddy's early career
- Learning to sail and upkeep a boat
- Living through Covid on the boat
- Access to resources
- How Dr Sheddy gets funding
- Work-life balance
- The online sailing community
- Interesting animal treatments
- How to support Vet Tails
Follow Along for More!
Show us some love and subscribe wherever you get your audio fix. It helps us to continue bringing you the goods and to uncover the weird and wonderful adventure folk (that’s you!) who are doing inspiring things.
Find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts with new episodes every second hump day.
Or check out the We Are Explorers Podcast page.
After a huge call from our Assistant Editor that Jatz Tim Tams are better than the originals, we got to thinking – what weird and wonderful snacks do our audience take hiking? We threw the question out to you on Instagram and people came back with some pretty quirky answers.
Have a listen!
In This Episode The Hot Takes We Cover Are:
- Hiking snacks
- Overland Track
- Hiking nutrition
- Dehydrating meals
- Ready made meals – shout out to On Track Meals
- Trail Drinks
Show Notes:
- Dehydrated Tex Mex rice
- On Track Meals review
- Radix Nutrition review
- Dehydrated and freeze dried hiking meals review
Aidan’s Skippy Jerky ‘Recipe’We always winged it and it never failed:
- Cut your kangaroo fillets into thin strips.
- In a bowl, combine soy sauce and honey, or use teriyaki sauce (any marinate you like works really).
- Add in finely grated garlic and ginger. If you want, dry rubs of spices also work.
- Allow to marinate in a covered bowl for at least a few hours.
- Remove strips and let them drip, then add to the dehydrator and run for 24 hours.
- Keep checking for optimal firmness. This will depend on your dehydrator but you don’t want to completely dry out the jerky, it should be just a little soft.
- Try not to eat it all in the car on the way to the trailhead.
Enjoy this episode? Listen to the next Tim & Amy episode, it’s full of outdoor hot takes.
Or if you’re after something different, learn How Nature Saved Kane Ford’s Life.
Follow Along for More!
Show us some love and subscribe wherever you get your audio fix. It helps us to continue bringing you the goods and to uncover the weird and wonderful adventure folk (that’s you!) who are doing inspiring things.
Find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts with new episodes every second hump day.
On this week’s episode, host Tim Ashelford is joined by Kane Ford, a Movember ambassador and founder and guide for Get Outside Australia. Kane opens up about the series of events that led to him quitting his corporate job, reconnecting with nature and confronting his anxiety.
From growing up a gay kid in a country town to working a high pressure corporate job, anxiety has been a constant through Kane’s life – but it wasn’t something he ever talked about. It took a series of panic attacks to force him to confront it and make a decision about his future.
While this episode won’t give you answers on how to find balance or deal with anxiety, it will explain how Kane is constantly working to find his.
In This Episode We Cover:
- Kane’s early life
- Feeling isolation in high school as a gay kid in a country town
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- The importance of destigmatising conversations about mental health
- Beginning Get Outside to share the power of the outdoors
- Working with Movember
- Checking in with others and yourself
- How to improve the experience of the LGBTQI+ in the outdoor community
- The goal of Get Outside Australia
Follow Along for More!
Show us some love and subscribe wherever you get your audio fix. It helps us to continue bringing you the goods and to uncover the weird and wonderful adventure folk (that’s you!) who are doing inspiring things.
Find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts with new episodes every second hump day.
We recently asked about your hot takes and controversial opinions on the outdoors. Tune in to find out which takes they agree with and which they think are just plain wrong. If you have an outdoor hot take you’ve been keeping from the world, now’s the time to let it out! Check out the original Instagram post and share your thoughts.
In This Episode The Hot Takes We Cover Are
- Jess Nehme thinks waterfalls are underwhelming
- Hiking Bec thinks 4WD shouldn’t be allowed to drive on beaches
- Kate Donald hates the beach
- Josh Fletcher thinks taking chairs on hikes is pointless – just sit on the ground
- Sarah Larcombe wants more walks to be wheelchair accessible
- Tim Ashelford thinks campfires in summer are unnecessary – unless you’re cooking on it
- Brooke Nolan and Elissa Ward think ultralight hiking is overrated
- @danielclarkephoto thinks ultralight hiking is worth it – trip dependent
- Mogely Tessa thinks camping is more effort than it’s worth
- Ben Dawson thinks bluebottles are absolutely absurd creatures and there’s no need for them
- Rhys John thinks the odd person taking a stone isn’t that bad
- Paul Fencaros wants to remove handrails and safety bars – people should be responsible for their own safety
- Caitlin Skye hates walking uphill – give her downhill any day
- Crisps on Tour/Anika Ebner asks how come everyone has forgotten to swim, filling all of the swimming holes in the Northern Territory with inflatables and pool noodles
- The Eastern Thredbo Village thinks cold water plunges are too cold
- @inthewildernessoz doesn’t want to hear how many steps you did, tell her about the adventure you did instead
- @littlechirpybird asks why people need music, podcasts or talking just for the sake of talking. When did people lose interest in the sounds of nature?
Follow Along for More!
Show us some love and subscribe wherever you get your audio fix. It helps us continue to bring you the goods and uncover the weird and wonderful adventure folk (that’s you!) who are doing inspiring things.
Find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with new episodes every second hump day.
Or check out the We Are Explorers Podcast page.
From studying spatial science at uni to being diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition that changed how he lives, Matt’s story is a tale of dealing with challenges as they come and turning passion and community into a career. Join We Are Explorers Podcast host, Tim Ashelford, as he chats with Matt about his personal journey and how it led him to founding Fractel.
They chat about the importance of community in building a brand, the challenges of creating sustainable products, and the difference between being tokenistic verses actually holding yourself accountable.
In This Episode We Cover
- Importance of sport in Matt’s life
- Matt’s early career
- Degenerative eye condition diagnoses
- Dealing with changes/challenges in life
- Getting back into running
- Starting Fractel
- Community and sustainability
- Working with and showcasing First Nations artists
- Upcoming work from Fractel
In this week’s episode, our hosts unpack how MOMENTS entries are going and the harmony between creativity and the outdoors. They yarn about outdoor sports in the Olympics, and how different this version of each sport is to the activities most of us know and love.
Finally, with a variety of articles catching the interest of our audience recently, they go deep into the stories that caused a stir!
In This Episode We Cover
- MOMENTS – photo, video, and writing competition
- Olympics – sport in a controlled environment
- Arc’teryx’s new ‘MO/GO’ pants
- Pros & cons of Tassie’s controversial ‘Next Iconic Walk’
- Fires in the bush – K’gari bushfire investigation
- PFCs in rain jackets – Your rain jacket is probably harming the planet
- 9 best 4WD tracks in Australia
- Junk sailing from Hobart to Sydney
Join We Are Explorers Podcast host, Tim Ashelford, as he learns how Cezary & Leo dreamt up this unique gap year, and what's gone down in the first six months. Joining the podcast from the Western Treatment Plant (yep, a sewage treatment farm that apparently has great spot bird watching), the pair are over 10,000km and 590 birds into their year-long adventure.
They've both deferred uni in favour of a wild adventure, combining their passion for birds, their bikes as a means of affordable transport, and a fundraising effort to build a school in East Timor.
In This Episode We Cover
- The 700+ bird species in Aus
- Getting into birding
- Why the pair chose to travel by bike
- Trip budget
- Bikepacking experience
- Fundraising for a school in East Timor
- Bird highlights
- Chasing the common redshank
- Characters on the road
- Bike setups
- Safety on the road
- What's next
- Spend it well – school in East Timor
Show Notes
Cezary and Leo are raising money for Spend It Well, a charity that builds schools in East Timor. You can follow along their journey via their joint Instagram @twobirderstwobikes.
Ready for an adventure of your own?
Follow We Are Explorers:
Website: https://weareexplorers.co/
Instagram: @we_are_explorers
Events Calendar: https://weareexplorers.co/events/list/
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Host: Tim Ashelford
Join our hosts as they recap some recent articles that have captured your imagination and take a deep dive into the world of misadventure. They also talk about the recent launch of Explorer Basecamp, our accommodation vertical and MOMENTS, our first creativity and storytelling competition which opens today! There are $15,000 worth of cash prizes to be won and entries are open until the 15th August.
In this chat we cover:
Recent articles
- Wombats – Tourism Tas & Maria Island
- Seasonal articles – Best Coastal Towns for a Beach Holiday
- Solo hiking
Misadventure
- NZ Bikepacking Adventure
- Pitches – what we do and don’t publish
- Infinite Raspberry Excerpt – Katrina Hemingway
- Tips to avoid misadventure
- Safety Messaging/articles
Recent We Are Explorers Launches
- Basecamp
- Moments
Brendan Waters set up his disability service provider Limitless Ability because he believed disability care should be individually tailored to each client. From group camping to gold panning, listen on to hear how he is providing people with disabilities the same coming of age experiences as everyone else.
In this week's episode, join We Are Explorers host Amy Fairall as she chats to Brendan to unpack how he got into the industry, the cookie cutter approach large scale providers take, and what he thinks is most important for people living with disabilities.
In this chat we cover:
- Brendans Journey into disability care
- What makes Limitless Ability different from other providers
- The activities Limitless Ability takes its clients on
- The benefits of getting outdoors
- The isolation that living with a disability can create
- Why the outdoors is so powerful
- Why family and friends can't offer this experience
- The importance of independence
- Terrible Trojans All Abilities Rugby Union team
- How to find similar providers
Find out more about Limitless Ability:Website: https://www.limitlessability.com.au/
Ready for an adventure of your own?
Follow We Are Explorers:
Website: https://weareexplorers.co/
Instagram: @we_are_explorers
Events Calendar: https://weareexplorers.co/events/list/
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Host: Amy Fairall
Hosts Tim and Amy are back on the pod together, without all the distractions that come with doing a bushwalk at the same time. They chat about recent articles that’ve been published about conservation and accessibility to nature in Australia.
Join We Are Explorers Podcast hosts, Tim Ashelford and Amy Fairall in this week’s episode without all the distractions that come with doing a bushwalk at the same time. They chat about recent articles that’ve been published about conservation and accessibility to nature in Australia. You'll also find out how the editorial team writes news and chooses what to publish, plus some more lighthearted discussion on fishing in the NT, Tim’s recent trail race in the Red Centre, and of course the wrap up from Alone Australia Season 2.
In this chat we cover:
- Conservation issues
- Lee Point land clearing
- National Parks – what can we learn from US National Parks and what makes Australia’s National Parks so special?
- Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area
- Making parks accessible to all
- How WAE write news and chooses which stories see the light of day
- Fishing in the NT
- Alone Australia finale
- West Macs Monster Trail Run
Follow Tim Ashelford:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim_ashelford/
Follow Amy Fairall:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.eloise/
Ready for an adventure of your own?
Follow We Are Explorers:
Website: https://weareexplorers.co/
Instagram: @we_are_explorers
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Hosts: Tim Ashelford and Amy Fairall
On the 64th day of the show, the winner of Alone Australia Season 2 was crowned. We Are Explorers were lucky enough to record this chat with the winner.
Alone Australia Season 2 Finale spoilers below
We Are Explorers host (and Alone Australia fanboy) Tim spoke to Krzyzstof about bed construction, the edit, Krzysztof’s favourite piece of gear and how the experience changed him.
In this chat we cover:
- The winning feeling
- The motivation to keep going
- Krzysztof’s shelter
- How he ended up on Alone Australia Season 2
- Neurodivergence and positivity
- Crafternoons
- Packing list
- The isolation
- How the experience changed him
Ready for an adventure of your own?
Follow We Are Explorers:
Website: https://weareexplorers.co/
Instagram: @we_are_explorers
Events Calendar: https://weareexplorers.co/events/list/
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Host: Tim Ashelford
This podcast was made possible thanks to our mates at Arc'teryx.
Divya Gordon is a visionary outdoor filmmaker who produced and directed the recently released film Maven, showcasing the women at the forefront of Australia's backcountry skiing community.
We Are Explorers host Amy Fairall had the chance to talk to Divya about how she got into the outdoors, filmmaking and why it's important to put a spotlight on women in the outdoors.
In this chat we cover:
- Living in a van
- Highlining
- Divya’s previous film Seven 7 Seven
- Divya’s latest film Maven
- Arc’teryx film tour
- Snow seasons and the impact from climate change
- Backcountry skiing
- Filming in the snow
- Women in the outdoors
Follow Divya Gordon:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divyagordonfilm/
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/divyagordoncreative
Ready for an adventure of your own?
Follow We Are Explorers:
Website: https://weareexplorers.co/
Instagram: @we_are_explorers
Events Calendar: https://weareexplorers.co/events/list/
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Host: Amy Fairall
Join We Are Explorers hosts Tim Ashelford and Amy Fairall as they take you on a walk through Sydney Harbour. Find out what the hosts do at We Are Explorers, hear some of their tales from past adventures and what they both have coming up.
In this chat we cover:
- Tim and Amy go on a walk in Sydney harbour NP
- Who is Tim
- Who is Amy
- Amy in Darwin
- Tim in Sydney
- Amy’s favourite thing to do outdoors
- Tims favourite thing to do outdoors
- Larapinta ultra
- Bouldering
- Stories on the site
- Adventures where things went wrong
Follow Tim Ashelford:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim_ashelford/
Follow Amy Fairall:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.eloise/
Ready for an adventure of your own?
Follow We Are Explorers:
Website: https://weareexplorers.co/
Instagram: @we_are_explorers
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Hosts: Tim Ashelford and Amy Fairall
Alone Australia Season 2 will premiere on Wednesday 27th of March at 7:30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand.
We Are Explorers host Tim Ashelford talks with Alone Australia contestant Rick J Petersen on how he developed his survival skills from a young age, his preparedness for undertaking Alone in the New Zealand climate and terrain, and his popularity on TikTok.
In this chat we cover:
- Rick's childhood on Tasman Island
- His love for Northern Australia
- 15 years in the army and SAS
- Interest in Aboriginal culture
- Alone Australia Season 2
- New Zealand wildlife, climate, and terrain
- Rick's survival courses
- TikTok
Follow Rick J Petersen:
Website: https://rickjpetersen.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickjpetersen/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-A7IpFyyBw_QFTgdXYRbEA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rickjohnpetersen
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rickjpetersen?lang=en
Ready for an adventure of your own?
Follow We Are Explorers:
Website: https://weareexplorers.co/
Instagram: @we_are_explorers
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Host: Tim Ashelford
Buckle up for some good old fashioned campfire storytelling of adventures gone awry.
These stories were first heard at The North Face’s inaugural Adventure Story Slam event in Hobart.
The winners (and our guests today) Jack, Sam and James chucked their names in a hat, threw caution to the wind and got up on stage in front of a crowd to tell their tales in 5 minutes.
The theme of the night was Misadventure in Wild Places, and misadventure there was.
Show Notes
- Jack Saward tells her story about mountain biking in Maydena, Tasmania
- Sam Cramer tells his story about a jaguar in the Bolivian Amazon jungle
- James Hattam tells his story of misadventure in the Chacabuco mountains
Ready for an adventure of your own?
Follow We Are Explorers:
Website: https://weareexplorers.co/
Instagram: @we_are_explorers
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Host: Tim Ashelford
Producer: Sian Brain
Amellia Formby is a zoologist, pilot, artist and adventurer extraordinaire. She flew around Australia in a tiny open cockpit aircraft to experience what it was like to be a migratory shorebird, share how amazing they are and promote stewardship of their wetland habitats across the country.
In this chat we cover:
- Wing Threads adventure
- Flying the microlight aircraft
- Migratory shorebirds
- What's going on with wetlands?
- How can we help?
- Milly's favourite places she flew over
- Flight logistics
- Empowering young people
- Background in the arts
- Favourite shorebird
Follow Milly Formby:
Website: https://wingthreads.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingthreads/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDt3XOvAwPCsSjuOoEbFizg
Book: https://www.publish.csiro.au/book/8006/#forteachers
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wingthreads/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wingthreads
Other Show Notes:Toondah Harbour development Moreton Bay
Milly's favourite bird, the Terek Sandpiper
Ready for an adventure of your own?
Follow We Are Explorers:
Website: https://weareexplorers.co/
Instagram: @we_are_explorers
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Host: Tim Ashelford
Producer: Sian Brain
Spolier Alert This episode discusses the results of Alone Australia Season 1.
Michael Atkinson, better know as Outback Mike, starred in the inaugural season of Alone Australia. Long before the lenses of Alone showcased his remarkable bushcraft prowess, Mike had been producing his own adventure films. He sailed the Great Barrier Reef in a dugout canoe he made himself and escaped from the remote Kimberley relying on nothing but his survival skills and primitive tools.
In this chat we cover:
- Modern Day Castaway
- Storytelling with history and place
- Getting into making adventure films
- Talking to Traditional Custodians
- Solo adventuring
- Emergency situations
- Alone Australia
- What’s next
- Tips - where to start with survival
Follow Outback Mike:
Website: https://outbackmike.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outback_mike/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OutbackMike
Podcast: https://outbackmike.com/podcast/
Book: https://outbackmike.com/product/modern-day-castaway-book/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/Outbackmike/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@outbackmike
X: https://twitter.com/Outback_Mike
Other Show Notes:Alone Australia: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-series/alone-australia
Zoleo satelite tracker: https://www.zoleo.com/en-au/satellite-communicator
Longest recorded case of survival without food and water: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/67607-longest-survival-without-food-and-water
Bushcraft Survival Australia: https://bushcraftsurvivalaustralia.com.au/
Ready for an adventure of your own?
Follow We Are Explorers:
Website: https://weareexplorers.co/
Instagram: @we_are_explorers
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Host: Tim Ashelford
Producer: Sian Brain
Nat Gallant (aka the Trail Run Physio) is a physiotherapist and running specialist with a tonne of personal experience to inform her practice. From running the 3000km Te Araroa trail to competing in the gruelling Godzone adventure race, she's physically and mentally prepared for massive running expeditions and nursed herself back from (the inevitable) injury.
In this chat we cover:
- Who is Nat?
- Running the 3000km Te Araroa trail
- Injury on the trail
- Preparation
- How to avoid injury
- Common treatments
- Shoes
- How to cope when you do get injured
- Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport RED-S
- GODZONE - Adventure Racing
Follow Nat Gallant:
Instagram:
@trailrun_physio
Website:
https://trailrunphysio.com/aboutme
Show Notes:Vibram Fivefingers: https://www.wildearth.com.au/brand/Vibram?utm_source=WeAreExplorers&utm_medium=Referrals&utm_campaign=WeAreExplorers
BPrimal: https://bprimal.com.au
Joe Nimble: https://bprimal.com.au/collections/joe-nimble
Pics Peanut Butter: https://www.picspeanutbutter.com/
Ready for an adventure of your own?
Follow We Are Explorers:
Website: https://weareexplorers.co/
Instagram: @we_are_explorers
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Host: Tim Ashelford
Producer: Sian Brain
Back in 2009 Ben Southall won ‘The Best Job in the World’ and became the Caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef.
Essentially becoming one of the first influencers - He saw hundreds of Queensland destinations, kayaked the length of the Reef and even had an interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Since then he’s continued to make adventure his life and share his enthusiasm and wonder for the world with others
In this chat we cover:
- The best job in the world
- Travelling Africa in a Land Rover
- What if he didn't win?
- Kayaking the length of the reef
- Best Life Adventures
- His son and adventure with children
- 3 quick fire adventure questions
Follow Ben Southall:
Instagram:
@bestlifeadventures
@bensouthall
Ready for an adventure of your own?
Follow We Are Explorers:
Website: https://weareexplorers.co/
Instagram: @we_are_explorers
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Host: Henry Brydon
Producer: Sian Brain
Australia has some of the most unique (and dare we say it darn cutest) wildlife on earth from koalas, emus and long-nosed potoroos (extra points if you've seen that elusive little creature!), but our most well known inhabitant is certainly the kangaroo.
Hailey Sullivan spent her time in Australia getting to know and care for these rambunctious marsupials as a volunteer wildlife carer. We find out what it's really like to live and work at a wildlife sanctuary deep in the The Kimberley in Australia's Western State.
In this chat we cover:
- What do you do as a wildlife volunteer?
- How many animals are in care
- Releasing the ‘big boys’
- Hailey's favourite animals
- How animals end up at a sanctuary
- How to become a wildlife carer
- What to do if you find an animal in need of care
- The Kimberley
- Hailey's favourite spot in Australia
- Wildlife caring in the USA
- Quick adventure questions
Follow Hailey Sullivan:
Instagram: @straysulli
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@straysulli?lang=en
We Are Explorers Article: A Day in the Life of a Kangaroo Rehab Volunteer in the Kimberley
Ready for an adventure of your own?
Follow We Are Explorers:
Website: https://weareexplorers.co/
Instagram: @we_are_explorers
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Host: Amy Fairall
Producer: Sian Brain
Jared Anderson is not your average adventure photographer. His passion lays in wild and dangerous photoshoots capturing rock climbing and living on the edge. While his social media has amassed a large following, Jared keeps things local and is adamant that he wants to keep his hobby just that, a hobby.
This chat will inspire you to find adventure and creativity in your own way, and not let your skill (or lack thereof) get in the way of participating.
In this chat we cover:
- Jared isn't a rock climber
- Why photography?
- How the passion began
- Keeping it as a hobby
- Social audience
- The photography process
- Safety
- Jared's values
- Transitioning to video
If you'd like to contribute to the upkeep of rock climbing in the greater Sydney area check out the Sydney Rockclimbing Club rebolting program that Jared recommends and help keep adventuring fun and safe for everyone.
Ready for an adventure of your own? Check out the We Are Explorer's Adventure Map to discover trails, wild swimming, campsites, National Parks and more. Follow @we_are_explorers on Instagram for your daily dose of travel inspiration.
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Thanks to We Are Explorer's Publisher Tim Ashelford for hosting this week
Produced by Sian Brain
This week we turn inward and throw the host in the hot seat to find out why Henry Brydon started We Are Explorers.
In 2010 Henry quit his corporate job in search of something more. That something more ended up being a two year cycling trip across the globe, some 35,000 km from London to Sydney.
After the journey of a lifetime Henry found himself rather unsettled sitting once again in an office chair, right back where he started, yearning for some adventure.
In this chat we cover:
- Who is Henry Brydon
- The decision to embark on a cycling trip
- Fates collide - meeting his cycling partner Jamie
- The route
- Sketchy moments
- Arriving in Australia
- 6 o'clock club
- Turning We Are Explorers into a business
- Values
Ready for an adventure of your own? Check out the We Are Explorer's Adventure Map to discover trails, wild swimming, campsites, National Parks and more. Follow @we_are_explorers on Instagram for your daily dose of travel inspiration.
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Thanks to We Are Explorer's Publisher Tim Ashelford for chatting with the big cheese.
Last year Alysse and Oscar Gallagher packed it all in for a life on the road with their two kids. They sold their house and all their possessions, and headed off on a lap of Australia. If you’re feeling the pressures of life and looking to make a change this episode might just inspire you to do it. Warning, after listening you may follow your dreams, get outside, and challenge the path you've been told to follow.
*This podcast episode mentions suicide. If you or somebody you know needs help please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
In this chat we cover:
- Deciding to leave
- Pressure of family life
- Preparation
- Kids adapting
- Reality and expectations
- Set up + savings
- Working on the road
- Tips for families
- Remote work
- Stressful moments
- Cultural norms + schooling
Follow along with this travelling family over on their Instagram @onefinevan and website.
Ready for an adventure of your own? Check out the We Are Explorer's Adventure Map to discover trails, wild swimming, campsites, National Parks and more. Follow @we_are_explorers on Instagram for your daily dose of travel inspiration.
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Thanks to We Are Explorer's Founder Henry Brydon for hosting this week.
Produced by Sian Brain.
Lucy Barnard is halfway to her goal of walking the length of the world. Whether you want to plan your own adventure overseas and need logistics advice from a seasoned pro, or are looking for inspiration to follow your dreams - this chat will have you questioning what you thought was possible for yourself.
In this chat we cover:
- Where is Lucy?
- The route
- Experience through South America
- Thinking about quitting
- Walking companion
- Safety
- What she has in her pack
- Visas
- Distance each dau
- The road ahead
- Favourite moments so far
You can follow along Lucy and Wombat's adventure over on her Instagram @tanglesandtail and on YouTube for the complete cinematic experience.
Ready for an adventure of your own? Check out the We Are Explorer's Adventure Map to discover trails, wild swimming, campsites, National Parks and more. Follow @we_are_explorers on Instagram for your daily dose of travel inspiration.
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Thanks to We Are Explorer's News and Features Editor Amy Fairall for hosting this week.
Produced by Sian Brain.
Sarah is a Swiss army knife with her hand in illustration, podcasting, writing, and of course all kinds of adventure pursuits. In this episode, We Are Explorers Publisher Tim chats to Sarah about adventure identity, passion projects and bringing to life those big goals we dream of.
In this chat we cover:
- Sarah's Adventure repertoire
- Content creation
- Adventure identity
- Gear illustrations
- Passion projects
- Into the Wee hours podcast
- Light to Light - 700km run through Scotland
- Fundraising
- Support team
- Achieving goals
You can follow along Sarah's adventures on her Instagram @allthegearnaeidea and check out her unique gear and outdoor illustrations at @allthegear.illustrated. If you love the We Are Explorers podcast, then you'll absolutely love Into The Wee Hours Podcast where Sarah and co-host Kristen Vautin share the stories of everyday adventurers.
Support Sarah as she runs the length of Scotland (including the islands!) while fundraising for Free to Run, an incredible NGO whose mission is to enable women and girls to safely and boldly engage in outdoor activity in conflict-affected regions like Iraq and Afghanistan. Donate to her campaign here.
Ready for an adventure of your own? Check out the We Are Explorer's Adventure Map to discover trails, wild swimming, campsites, National Parks and more. Follow @we_are_explorers on Instagram for your daily dose of travel inspiration.
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Thanks to We Are Explorer's Publisher Tim Ashelford for hosting this week.
Produced by Sian Brain.
Scott Williams better known as Scotty's Gone Walkabout chats to us about his wild camping journey and creation of his hit YouTube channel that has followers tuning in from all over the world. His long form content is immersive and refreshing in a world of TikToks and Reels. From hiking to pack rafting, fly fishing and more, Scotty will try and relish in any adventure, as long as he can camp at the end of it.
In this chat we cover:
- Scotty’s YouTube channel
- Wild camping
- Rules and legalities on wild camping
- Leave no trace
- Sharing locations
- Solo camping
- Planning a trip
- Maps
- Filming for YouTube
- Sketchy trip with Silly Swagman
- Bush craft and tucker
- Alone Australia
- How to start Wild Camping
Subscribe to Scotty's Gone Walkabout on YouTube for long form adventure bliss and on on Instagram for a little taste of what amazing adventures Scotty's embarking on next.
Ready for an adventure of your own? Check out the We Are Explorer's Adventure Map to discover trails, wild swimming, campsites, National Parks and more. Follow @we_are_explorers on Instagram for your daily dose of travel inspiration.
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us to continue bringing you epic adventure content!
Thanks to We Are Explorer's Publisher Tim Ashelford for hosting this week.
Produced by Sian Brain.
Paul Watkins races in marathons, but not just any old marathons. He battles it out for over a week, across 600kms of the frozen terrain in the Arctic Circle. This gruelling race is self supported in conditions that reach below -40 degrees celsius, with lack of sleep and little food, we had to find out what keeps driving Paul to go back and do it all over again.
In this chat we cover:
- Why do an Arctic ultra marathon?
- The 6633 Race
- 1st attempt in 2017
- Advice from a mate
- Learning from failure
- 2nd Attempt in 2019
- Training
- Food
- Sleep
- Hallucinations
- Pace
- Open the door to Adventure
- What’s next
You can keep up to date with what wild adventure Paul is up to next on his website and his Instagram @the.rogue.scholar. Paul also wrote a book about his journey called Lost & Found, it's a great winter read, tucked in by a raging fire while you marvel over the gruelling experience.
Ready for an adventure of your own? Check out the We Are Explorer's Adventure Map to discover trails, wild swimming, campsites, National Parks and more. Follow @we_are_explorers on Instagram for your daily dose of travel inspiration.
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us continue to bring you epic adventure content!
Thanks to We Are Explorer's Founder Henry Brydon for hosting this week.
Produced by Sian Brain.
Ever wanted to give up all your possessions, quit your job and go and live in the wilderness? That's what Miriam Lancewood planned to do for a year with her husband in New Zealand, and then 7 years went by.
In this chat we cover:
- Background as a physical education teacher
- Travelling to India
- Meeting Peter
- Possessions
- Living in the Wilderness in New Zealand
- How was it going to work?
- Learning to hunt with a bow and arrow
- Te Araroa trail
- Missing modern luxuries
- Keeping in contact with the outside world
- Woman in the Wilderness - Miriam's 1st book
- Long walking in Europe
- Peter's illness
- How has the world changed
- Independence
- Trekking in Himalayas
- Sleep
Miriam's Books
2023 - Wilder Journeys
2020 - Wild at Heart
2017 - Woman in the Wilderness
Ready for an adventure of your own? Check out the We Are Explorer's Adventure Map to discover trails, wild swimming, campsites, National Parks and more. Follow @we_are_explorers on Instagram for your daily dose of travel inspiration.
Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us continue to bring you epic adventure content!
Thanks to We Are Explorer's News and Features Editor Amy Fairall for hosting this week.
Produced by Sian Brain.
Calumn Hockey is a self-taught adventure photographer who has embarked on a path as a conservation advocate.
From humble beginnings using a compact digital camera (that broke after it got too dusty, RIP), he now captures compelling images showing devastating deforestation, climate change, and the plight of protest groups.
In this chat we cover:
- Was photography a passion?
- The beginning
- Camera technology
- Photojournalist
- Conservation photographer
- Logging image in Takayna
- Protest on Gumbaynggirr country
- Closing the climb of Uluru
- Shooting Trail Races
- For Wild Places
- Self Taught
- Calumn's Idols - Renan Ozturk and Krystal Wright
- Freelance hustle
- Current Gear
- Drone Rescue
- Business Website
- Advice to Beginners
See Calumn’s striking imagery on his website and Instagram and get inspired to do good and follow your passions.
Make sure to follow @we_are_explorers on Instagram for your daily dose of adventure. Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It helps us continue to bring you epic adventure content!
Thanks to We Are Explorers Publisher Tim Ashelford for hosting this week.
Producer - Sian Brain
After cycling 5,000kms off road from Canada to Mexico along the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route Richelle Olsen discovered that women around her lacked self confidence and belief in their ability to go on adventures of their own. She decided to do something about it.
Richelle started Escaping Your Comfort Zone, a body positive adventure and hiking club for women and non binary people, to make adventure more accessible and to be a cheerleader for people who underestimate themselves. No one gets left behind and everyone feels seen.
In this chat we cover:
- What is Escaping Your Comfort Zone?
- Riding from Canada to Mexico
- Being a cheerleader for others
- Events and leaders
- Plus sized stigma in the outdoors
- Outdoor Gear
- Inspiration
- How Escaping your comfort zone does things differently?
- Trips
- Accessibility and getting started
- Body Positive Stomp trail run
- Women and non-binary people
- Interstate members
- Join the FB groups for your region
- You don’t need to do the entire trail!
Want to join in on the fun? Head to Escaping Your Comfort Zone to join an event, follow along on Instagram @escapingyourcomfortzone and keep tabs on what Richelle is up to @richelleridesbikesandwaves.
Follow @we_are_explorers on Instagram for your daily dose of adventure and check out our website weareexplorers.co for destination guides, road trip itineraries and adventures from all over the country.
Thanks to Amy Fairall our News and Features Editor for hosting this week.
Producer - Sian Brain
Tim chats with full time explorer and travel writer Elisha Donkin on her experience hiking the Heysen Trail.
The Heysen trail is a 1200km Thru Hike in South Australia stretching from Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges in the north to Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula in the south.
In this chat we cover:
- Heysen trail overview
- Deciding to do the trail
- Taking time off work
- How long does it take
- Vanlife and backpacking
- Thru hiking v multiday hiking
- Thru hiking scene in Australia
- Preparing for the trip
- Food and Water
- Isolation
- Music and Books
- Terrain
- Gear and weight
- Cost
- Friends of the Heysen trail
- Making friends
- Australian Alps walking track
Check out Elishas adventures on her blog Beyond Wild Places or on Instagram @beyondwildplaces.
Make sure to follow @we_are_explorers on Instagram for your daily dose of adventure. Enjoying the podcast? Why not subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an ep. It help us continue to bring you epic adventure content!
Thanks to We Are Explorers Publisher Tim Ashelford for hosting this week.
Producer - Sian Brain
In this episode Henry has a yarn with survival instructor Alex Mileham and asked him what he would do in a survival situation in the depths of a Tasmanian winter.
After years of solo adventuring and training from some of the world's most renowned survival experts, Alex began to share his knowledge with others through wilderness survival courses. From bushcraft to mindset, Alex's whole philosophy can be summed up into these three words. Never give up.
In this chat we cover:
- Popularity of Alone
- Solo hiking
- Weather in Tasmania
- Teaching survival
- Qualifications
- Scenario - Lost in Tasmania
- Survival psychology
- Survival Steps
- Scenario - You’re not found
- Static and Dynamic survival
- How to get out
- Altitude sickness
- Desensitised to the outside
- Survival Courses Tasmania
Follow @we_are_explorers on Instagram for your daily dose of adventure.
Ready to take on some survival training? Check out Survival Courses Tasmania here.
Thanks to We Are Explorers Founder Henry Brydon for hosting this week.
Producer - Sian Brain
In this episode we chat with Dr Kate Grarock, a contestant on Alone Australia. She fills us in on how her background as an ecologist and avid solo hiker prepared her for the show and influenced her decisions while out there.
Do you have what it takes to go on Alone? Kate says yes... you do!
In this chat we cover:
- A Start in the Navy
- Ecologist
- Eating on Alone
- Fishing
- Introduced Species
- Impact on a Place
- Documenting the Experience
- Preparation for the Show
- Ultralight Hiking
- Who Should do Alone?
- Being Alone
Follow @we_are_explorers on Instagram for your daily dose of adventure.
Make sure to watch Alone Australia at 7.30pm Wednesdays on SBS and SBS On Demand and check out our website weareexplorers.co for weekly recaps on what went down.
You can follow Kate on her socials on YouTube and Instagram.
Thanks to Tim Ashelford our Publisher for hosting this week.
Producer - Sian Brain
In this episode we chat with Eva Davis-Boermans about what it's like to do a road trip around Australia, the highs, the challenges, and all the nitty gritty details in between.
In this chat we cover:
- Planning
- Car Set Up
- Budgeting
- Tracking the Trip
- KM's driving
- Car Repairs
- When and Where to Travel
- Destination Highlights
- Breaks
- Travelling as a Couple
- Meeting People
- Working on the Road
- Jatbula Trail
- Advice
You're in for a treat - Eva has shared her spreadsheet that tracked everything they spent on the trip . Take a peek at this Excel masterpiece.
Follow @we_are_explorers on Instagram for your daily dose of adventure and check out our website weareexplorers.co for destination guides, road trip itineraries and adventures from all over the country. Head to our Adventure Map for inspiration to start planning your own trip around Aus!
Check out Eva on Instagram @evadavisboermans for her trip highlights.
Thanks to Amy Fairall our News and Features Editor for hosting this week.
Producer - Sian Brain
In our final episode of our Inside Out podcast series brought to you by Arc'teryx, we're riding with Evan from Terra Rosa Gear and chatting in his gear loft all things adventure, gear and sustainability.
Evan is the first design ambassador in Australia for Arc’teryx’s ReBird program, bringing new life to old gear by cutting up and stitching mishmash fabrics back together to create one-of-a-kind, recycled products.
In Part Three of our Inside Out podcast series brought to you by Arc'teryx, we're shredding mountain faces and huddling in the back of a van to chat to the folk at Mountain Safety Collective.
MSC is a non-profit community making backcountry travel safer in Australia. Listen up as we learn about alpine hazards and ski some fresh powder in the process!
Show NotesCheck out Mountain Safety Collective hazard reports - LINK 28:30 -
Rohan Kennedy Images of slides on The Sentinel Ridge - LINK
Mountain Safety Collective analysis of The Sentinel Ridge slides - LINK
43:50 -
Mountain Safety Collective hazard reports - LINK
In Part Two of our Inside Out podcast series brought to you by Arc'teryx, we're scaling a cliff, mic in hand, to chat to Riley Edwards.
Riley’s a queer non-binary rock climber, outdoor enthusiast, LGBTQ+ advocate and educator. They are one of the founding members of Climbing QTs, a LGBTQ+ friendly social club on a mission to give everyone the opportunity to get outdoors and feel welcomed to the world of adventure – i.e a certified legend.
The We Are Explorers podcast is back with a little help from our friends at Arc’teryx, and this time, we’re bringing you an extra special four-part series we like to call, Inside Out.
In Part One: Hike, Henry finds himself in the wilds of the Blue Mountains, chit-chatting away with hiking tour guide Dan Jee, better known as @hikeandseek.
Beau Miles is back with another super local short film that redefines adventure. Instead of running laps of his block, this time Beau’s turned his head skywards, towards the Big Gums.
The special episode was recorded up a gum tree and is hosted by our trusty friend and long-time contributor to We Are Explorers Pat Corden.
WATCH BIG GUMS HERE -->
https://weareexplorers.co/big-gums/
https://beaumiles.com/
In 2016 Neil launched an initiative to take immigrant and refugee youth on their maiden voyage into the bush. This volunteer-run community has since grown across the country, helping countless kids integrate, make friends and understand the importance of the bush within Australian culture.
This is such a wonderful story and I feel privileged to share it.
https://firsthikeproject.org.au/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTib4WQofCk
Simon French is a Tasmanian who’s committed his life to creating MTB and hiking trails around the world with his company Dirt Art. He also created the Maydena Bike Park in the Derwent Valley which is an adventure playground for anyone into riding. The number of people who have enjoyed the fruits of Simon’s labour and passion must number in the millions, and it seems like he’s just getting started. I really enjoyed chatting to this visionary man about his story, his approach to trail design and building a life around what you love.
https://www.dirtart.com.au/
https://www.maydenabikepark.com/
Athena and Leon Morton created the Port Fairy Adventure Film Festival - Australia’s first standalone international adventure film competition.
With absolutely zero event experience they decided to launch the 3 day event in 2019 and not only did they make it happen; they also absolutely nailed it.
I hope you enjoy listening to their story - you’ll hear about why they did this, their highs, their lows and also how important Google is when learning how to start a festival.
https://www.portfairyfilmfest.com/
Monique Farmer is an adventure guide who founded an outdoor adventure community called Women Want Adventure, running epic trips across Australia and New Zealand for like-minded female frothers who want to hike, kayak or canyon. Covid threw a fairly sizeable spanner in the works for Mon, but she’s bouncing back! I love what she’s doing with her company and enjoyed chatting about how and why she built this movement and where we’re at with equality in the outdoor industry.
https://www.womenwantadventure.com.au/
Andy's a psychologist who has dedicated his life to helping young people struggling with mental health, childhood trauma or drug and alcohol problems. He does this through Adventure Therapy. Based in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, his not-for-profit 'Human Nature Adventure Therapy' takes at-risk youth (around 14-19 years old) on 10 day wilderness expeditions. Using the power of nature, adventure and therapeutic practice these programs have been transformative for young people.
Human Nature Website // https://www.humannature.org.au
Ellie's Article // https://weareexplorers.co/at-risk-teens-go-bush-i-tag-along/
This week's guest is Fuchsia Sims, a woman on a mission to change the future of adventure travel. She’s the co-founder of the Adventure Junky app - earth’s sustainable travel game - and she’s spoken at events all over the world about all things sustainable travel. We discuss the future of travel, protecting the places we explore, her fascinating upbringing and saving your mate’s old dreadlock.
https://adventurejunky.earth/
Welcome to the Explorer Podcast.
Hosted by We Are Explorers founder Henry Brydon, this first episode delves into the mind of pro adventurer and all round ledge-bag Justin Jones. Jonesy's best known for kayaking to New Zealand unsupported, skiing to the South Pole (and back again) and trekking nearly 2000km across the outback with his wife and 18-month old daughter. We discuss how to face fear, the daily need for 'adventure thinking', the adventure-dad life and lots, lots more.
Justin Joneshttp://justinjonesy.com/
https://www.instagram.com/justinrjonesy/
We Are Explorershttps://weareexplorers.co/
https://www.instagram.com/we_are_explorers/
https://www.facebook.com/weareexplorersANZ/