Kia ora from Auckland – TA 2016 Pt.1

Well it seems impossible that next week I’ll be hiking 90 mile beach (not actually 90 miles but nearer 90 km!)  with three other intrepid hikers, marking the start of our Te Araroa adventure. I have been in NZ for a few days now. On the second day I woke up with a bit of … Read more

My Bibbulmun Track Trip

I left the YHA Perth City in the pouring rain. It had been home for four nights while I went outdoor gear shopping mad in the city. The manager said they would look after some of my gear that I did n’t need while hiking e.g. laptop, smarter clothes, shoes etc. The usual guy was … Read more

Countdown to Te Araroa

I am back in the Perth YHA after walking a couple of sections of the Bibbulmun Track. Summer is certainly knocking on the door of Western Australia as it felt hot stepping off my bus from Albany. Summer was very much absent on the Bibb! It has been good for trying out my gear and … Read more

My Bibbulmun Track Mini Datasheet

Here is some general information for anyone thinking of doing the Bibbulmun track. I must start off by saying that the official Bibb track site is absolutely awesome and should be your first (or next) port of call. Where is the Bibbulmun Track? The Bibb is located in South Western Australia and runs 1000km from … Read more

Western Australia, where fame is just a bite away

After spending six weeks in steamy Southeast Asia, I arrived in a much cooler Southwest Australia. Winter here is turning into spring, so the perfect time to get out for a walkabout. It was pretty neat to travel so far and still be in a same timezone. No jet lag here! This is all good because I am … Read more

When lots of research becomes too much

There is nothing more off-putting than reading too much about a trail. As a committed over-thinker, I am slowly learning that too much research can lead to analyse paralysis and even giving up on an idea. Take my next adventure; the Bibbulmun Track, one of the World’s great long distance hikes. In a previous post … Read more

What and where is the Bibbulmun Track

The Bibbulmun, known locally as The Bibb, is a long distance hiking trail in Western Australia. The entire trail is over 1000 km long starting from the Perth Hills and ending in Albany on WA’s southern coast. Some people walk it north bound starting from Albany, but the most popular way is to go southbound. … Read more

What I read on the Camino, about the Camino

I am an avid reader of books. One the best things that I ever bought (and subsequently bought new versions) was the Amazon Kindle. I have the 4th version, just the basic one that I bought in Heathrow departures for £59 ($80 ish). John Brierley – Pilgrim Guide to the Camino de Santiago, 2015 The … Read more

Snakes on the trails

I am currently in Hoi An, Vietnam. I love this place! Shame there are no trails here although the temperatures are in the late 30s, so not really suited to long walks! There is the Ho Chi Minh trail, but you really need two wheels and an engine for that one. As I mentioned in an … Read more

Half a World away

Welcome to Long Trails and my first TA blog post! This is more of a test post than anything, but rest assured, I will be writing a lot more about the TA before I embark on the walk from early November. I am currently in Vietnam, pretty much half way between the UK and NZ. … Read more