Real Trail Talk

Episode 104 - The Hexatrek with Tilly Hikes

Fri, 15 May 2026 07:00:00 +0800

We are joined by WA local Tilly Johnson (aka @tillyhikes) to talk about her 3000-kilometre hike across France on the Hexatrek. Chatting about everything from logistics, to food, to the people, it was great to sit down and hear all about Tilly's adventures.

Episode 103 - 2025 Year in Review

Fri, 01 May 2026 07:00:00 +0800

Donovan and Mark discuss their 2025 adventures, highlights, lowlights, answer your questions, and run through the yearly topics.

Episode 102 - Hiking with Kids

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:30:00 +0800

We are joined by Expedition Leader, Ecologist, Hiker, and Mum, Dr Kate Grarock to discuss everything to do with hiking with kids. With Donovan and Kate both becoming parents in the last few years, we talk about the joys, challenges, funny moments, and all the considerations that go into hiking with small children.

Episode 101 - Native Gardens

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 16:08:19 +0800

Joining us in the studio to discuss all things native gardens are big time gardening enthusiasts, Angela from Studio Nikulinsky, and Christine from the ABC. In this episode we nerd out on what we enjoy about our own native gardens, what got us into native gardening, our favourite plants, challenges, heartbreak, and everything in-between.

We hope you enjoy this tangential discussion, and get inspired to plant your own native garden.

Episode 100 - A Look Back + Q&A

Tue, 20 May 2025 06:00:00 +0800

We made it to 100 episodes, and to celebrate we take a look back at the past eight years of the podcast, talk about the journey, our favourite moments, and then answer your questions.

Thank you to everyone that has listened to us ramble on about trails and hiking over the years, it really is appreciated when you reach out with questions, feedback or general comments.

Episode 99 - 2024 Year in Review

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 11:09:27 +0800

It's that time again, where Donovan and Mark sit down and discuss their 2024 adventures, where they visited, what they did, and how they felt about the year.

Visit The Long Ways Better here

Visit The Life of Py here

Episode 98 - Kiandra to Kosciuszko

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 07:00:00 +0800

Donovan hiked a six day stretch of the Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) in 2024 between Kiandra and Kosciuszko, and we sit down to have a chat about the experience.

From historic huts to stunning alpine terrain, there is plenty to enjoy along this hike, although Donovan did encounter some challenges that we discuss during the episode.

Episode 97 - The Australian Triple Crown

Sun, 27 Oct 2024 07:40:35 +0800

Donovan chats to Kevin Moss aka Goin Feral about the Australian Triple Crown, the Australian Alps Walking Trail (AAWT), Heysen Trail and Bibbulmun Track. Kevin completed all three trails in 2024, and discusses what makes them different, his experiences on all three, and how they compare.

Episode 96 - Mark Wrote a Second Book

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0800

After releasing his first book in 2023, Best Walks of South West WA, Mark has a follow-up book titled Best Walks of South Coast WA.

Covering the stunning walks between Walpole and Cape Arid, and everything in-between, there are 42 trails ranging from coastal hikes to mountain climbs.

Get your copy today by visiting Mark's Online Store, using the code RTT10 to get a further 10% off the new book.

Episode 95 - Day Hikes of the Northern Territory

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 07:00:00 +0800

With a plethora of national parks and stunning scenery in the Northern Territory, we sit down and discuss the hiking options going from the north to the south.

Episode 94 - What Makes a Good Trail

Fri, 10 May 2024 07:00:00 +0800

In this episode we discuss what makes a good trail, ranging design, experience, scenery, facilities and everything in-between. On top of that we talk about why we like trails so much, and what goes into a great trail experience in our opinion.

Episode 93 - 2023 Year in Review

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 07:00:00 +0800

One of our favourite episodes of the year, we discuss our 2023 Adventures by going through what we enjoyed, what we didn't, and then some answer some listener questions. Thank you everyone who has tuned in during 2023, we really appreciate it.

Episode 92 - Bibbulmun Track 25th Anniversary

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 07:00:00 +0800

We are joined by Steve Sertis from the Bibbulmun Track Foundation to discuss the journey of what went into the 25th Anniversary End to End Walk. Steve shares some great stories, explains the challenges of organising the event, and reflects on the Bibbulmun and the wonderful community that supports it.

Episode 91 - Mark Wrote a Book

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 07:00:00 +0800

Best Walks of South West WA is a new guidebook written by Mark, showcasing 40 great walks from the South West and exploring the beautiful forests, coastline and rivers of this unique region. In this episode we have a bit of a chat about the process of writing the guidebook, what you can expect and what's coming in the future.

Order your copy using the link below and use the code RTT10 to get a further 10% off the already great price on The Life of Py.

https://www.thelifeofpy.com/product-page/best-walks-of-south-west-wa

Note - The episode was recorded before the book was launched and there is now a flat $5 shipping fee on every order but the free gift with purchase remains.

Episode 90 - South Coast Track - Part Two

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 07:00:00 +0800

Continuing on with our discussion about the South Coast Track, this episode sees Bronwyn return as we chat about the final three days on this stunning week long hike in the Tasmanian Wilderness.

Episode 89 - South Coast Track - Part One

Wed, 10 May 2023 07:00:00 +0800

In January 2023, Donovan, Mark and Bonny completed the South Coast Track in Tasmania and we sit down to discuss the first four days on this rugged adventure in the remote wilderness of Southwest National Park.

Episode 88 - 2022 Year In Review

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 07:00:00 +0800

We are back!!! While we have taken a break from podcasting for the latter half of 2022, we were still out exploring. As we discuss, there have been some big changes to our lives in 2022 (Donovan especially) and so we've sat down to have a chat about everything that happened.

Episode 87 - Munda Biddi - Denmark to Albany + Aron

Fri, 06 May 2022 09:01:51 +0800

We are joined by Aron aka 1A1R to discuss the final section of the Munda Biddi Trail between Denmark and Albany before chatting about Mark and Aron's E2E back in September 2021.

Episode 86 - Munda Biddi - Walpole to Denmark

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 13:03:54 +0800

The penultimate section of the 1065km Munda Biddi Trail, this is the last of the wilderness as you head into the Tingle Forest leaving Walpole and then explore the national parks to the north of the coastline. We had wildly different opinions about this section from our different experiences of riding the trail.

There are also a couple of announcements regarding the future of the podcast so if you're a long time listener then stay until the end.

Episode 85 - 2021 Year in Review

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 11:35:11 +0800

It's been a weird and disrupted year so we sit down to discuss the past 12 months, our adventures, our thoughts and then answer your questions.

Episode 84 - WA Hiking Draft

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0800

Joining us in the studio are podcast regulars Steve Sertis and Bonny Wells for the WA Hiking Draft, a concept we've stolen from The Big Picture where we select what we think is the best suite of trails from the various categories listed below. We hope you enjoy and check out the various Real Trail Talk, The Life of Py and The Long Way's Better social media platforms to vote on who you thought was the "winner".

Rules

Each person must pick one trail from each category

A trail can only be selected once

Episode 83 - Munda Biddi - Northcliffe to Walpole

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 12:00:00 +0800

We are joined by special guest Brad Serls from Cycles Bespoke to talk about the Northcliffe to Walpole section of the Munda Biddi Trail. A stunning and varied section of the trail with some really unique terrain and big hills including a little side quest up to Mount Frankland.

If you're looking to get into bikepacking or thinking about riding the Munda Biddi then go see the team at Cycles Beskpoke in Bayswater.

Epsiode 82 - Yonga Trail

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 08:28:32 +0800

It's not everyday we get a new hiking trail in WA, let alone an overnight trail so with the opening of the 28km Yonga Trail in Lesueur National Park, we had a discussion on what it was like from two different perspectives. Donovan and Alissa did this as a long day walk while Mark and Caris completed it as a leisurely overnighter.

Yes, we have our first couples podcast!!!

Episode 81 - Electric Bikes

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 12:39:58 +0800

Donovan has a new love with the discovery of e-bikes and he has introduced his other love (his wife Alissa) to the joy of electrically assisted cycling. In this episode we discuss their adventures on the Munda Biddi and what benefits an e-bike can deliver.

Episode 80 - Munda Biddi - Manjimup to Northcliffe

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 07:45:12 +0800

Continuing on with our series on the 1050km Munda Biddi Trail, we are joined by Michelle from Feed the Hike to discuss the Manjimup to Northcliffe section of the ride. Filled with lovely forests, farmland and some enjoyable towns along the way, this section has some of the best riding of the whole trail.

As a special discount for Real Trail Talk listeners, Michelle has kindly offered a 10% discount on all Feed the Hike orders for the month of October. Use the code REALTRAILTALK10 at the checkout to apply the discount.

Episode 79 - Hiking Fitness with Rowan Smith

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 08:54:28 +0800

In this episode we have a bit of a discussion about fitness, injuries and our experiences before Donovan has a chat with Rowan Smith from Summit Strength about helping hikers with their preparation, training, strength and injury prevention plus a whole lot more.

Episode 78 - Gibb River Road

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 11:15:53 +0800

We are joined by Alex Garner from Intents Offroad to discuss the famous Gibb River Road in the Kimberley. Stretching 660km between Derby and Kununurra, this old stock route explores some beautiful country including Windjana Gorge, Mitchell Falls, El Questro and Purnululu National Park.

Episode 77 - Munda Biddi - Nala Mia to Manjimup

Fri, 21 May 2021 08:00:00 +0800

We are joined by Rod Annear to discuss the next section of the Munda Biddi between Nala Mia Campsite at Jarrahwood to the track town of Manjimup.

Riding on old rail formations, roads, vehicle tracks and single track you visit Nannup, Donnelly River along with being introduced to the Karri Forest for the first time.

Episode 76 - Mark & Don's Easter Adventures

Fri, 07 May 2021 08:14:47 +0800

With Easter providing a good opportunity to get some more bang for your buck with regards to holiday leave, we both set out on different adventures across the country. Don headed north to swim with the whale sharks and check out Mount Augustus while Mark flew over to Tassie for a two and a half week road trip around the Apple Isle.

Have a listen to hear all about our trips and what's expected in the coming weeks and months on both The Long Way's Better and The Life of Py

Episode 75 - Josh Carr Hikes

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 07:00:00 +0800

We are joined in the studio by Josh Carr, videographer extraordinaire and hiking enthusiast about his adventures around WA and Tasmania. A talented filmmaker, Josh explains what goes into making one of his stunning videos and what drew him into making films about hiking.

Episode 74 - Perth Hiking Expo

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 07:00:00 +0800

We are joined by the President of HikeWest, Dave Osborne, to talk about the upcoming WA Hiking Expo that is being held on Sunday the 2nd of May at the Perth Hills Discovery Centre in Mundaring.

A celebration of hiking, trail running and the community, we discuss what has gone in to organising the first event and all the challenges of postponing due to Covid.

https://www.wahikingexpo.com.au/

Thanks to our wine sponsor, Green Door Wines and as a special offer for Real Trail Talk listeners simply enter TRAILTALK at the checkout for a 10% discount on your first online order.

Episode 73 - Feed the Hike

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0800

We are joined by Michelle Ryan to discuss her new dehydrated meal company, Feed the Hike. Providing tasty, fresh and smartly packaged options for the trail, we talk about why she created Feed the Hike, the journey to get to this point and what's in the future.

As a special offer for Real Trail Talk listeners, use the code REALTRAILTALK15 for 15% off any purchase on the website for the month of March 2021 (https://feedthehike.com/store/)

Thanks to our wine sponsor, Green Door Wines and as a special offer for Real Trail Talk listeners simply enter TRAILTALK at the checkout for a 10% discount on your first online order.

Episode 72 - Munda Biddi - Collie to Nala Mia

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0800

The next episode in our Munda Biddi series discussing the section of the track taking you from Collie to Nala Mia with special guest Saf Flatters from Bark and Spark.

Exploring the stunning Jarrah forests of Wellington National Park, including one of the more entertaining downhill stretches, the trail then heads into the Ferguson Valley for rolling farmland and orchards before arriving in the apple capital of Western Australia, Donnybrook. From Donnybrook the trail heads through the forests and farmlands to the old timber town of Jarrahwood and the Nala Mia Campsite.

Welcome to our first wine sponsor, Green Door Wines and as a special offer for Real Trail Talk listeners simply enter TRAILTALK at the checkout for a 10% discount on your first online order.

Episode 71- 2020 in Review

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +0800

In what was an unexpected year for the world, we sit back and discuss the year that was, our trail adventures and then get into a Q&A.

Welcome to our first wine sponsor, Green Door Wines and as a special offer for Real Trail Talk listeners simply enter TRAILTALK at the checkout for a 10% discount on your first online order.

Episode 70 - Munda Biddi - Dwellingup to Collie

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 08:50:25 +0800

The next episode in our Munda Biddi series discussing the section of the track taking you from Dwellingup to Collie.

Taking in some really nice Jarrah forest, this section is unfortunately blighted by the ongoing destruction of the forests by Alcoa and their bauxite mining operations.

To read more about the section and see some great photos check out The Long Way's Better

Episode 69 - Kep Track

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 08:05:19 +0800

Running between Mundaring Weir and Northam, the historic Kep Track follows the old rail trail as it winds through the forests, towns and farms along the water pipeline. This 75km trail is best experienced on a bike so on a rainy November day, we loaded up our mountain bikes to discover what this trail was all about.

Episode 68 - Mark's Spring Road Trip

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 07:52:25 +0800

After a long break we have returned with Mark giving an account of his four week road trip where he hiked the Cape to Cape, ticked off several hikes on his to-do list around Walpole, Albany and Esperance and finished with a fun weekend at the Pemby Trail Festival.

To hear Mark's response to several previous episodes plus get a sneak peek of the content that will be coming to The Life of Py over the next few months, settle in and have a listen.

Episode 67 - Dave Osborne from WalkGPS

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 10:00:00 +0800

This week we are joined by Dave Osborne from WalkGPS to discuss off-track hiking, what went into creating the depth and breadth of walks on his website and the state of bushwalking in Western Australia.

Episode 66 - Risk

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 08:38:52 +0800

We are joined by Risk Expert Alan de Souza, who also happens to be father to Donovan, to discuss the topic of risk and how it relates to trails, government and decision making.

Stay to the end for a quick Q&A on what Donovan was like as a kid.

Episode 65 - Munda Biddi - Jarrahdale to Dwellingup

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 09:13:59 +0800

The second episode of our Munda Biddi series sees us joined by Jake from Intents Offroad to discuss the Jarrahdale to Dwellingup section of this 1000km cycling trail.

Taking you through the Jarrah forests of the Darling Range, there is some lovely cycling mixed in with mining and forestry operations.

Episode 64 - Neil McCulloch from the First Hike Project

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 07:00:00 +0800

We sit down with Neil McCulloch from the First Hike Project, a not for profit organisation that takes newly arrived youth from refugee and migrant backgrounds out on hiking trips in the Australian bush to help introduce them to the outdoors and build confidence. Discussing what is involved with the trips, who participates and the effort required, this was a really fascinating chat with a man that is doing a lot of great things in the community.

If you'd like to help out in any way send the FHP an email at contact@firsthikeproject.org.au, anything you can do will be greatly appreciated.

Episode 63 - Jess Beckerling from the WA Forest Alliance

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 08:14:43 +0800

In this episode we interview Jess Beckerling from the WA Forest Alliance to discuss the threats facing the forests of the South West of WA, the transition away from native logging, the future of the forests and how you can help save their beautiful ecosystems.

Episode 62 - Munda Biddi - Mundaring to Jarrahdale

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 06:30:00 +0800

Hopping on the mountain bike for 2020, Donovan has started a sectional end to end of the Munda Biddi, a 1000km long distance trail running from Mundaring to Albany. Running North to South we are doing a series on the track starting with the Mundaring to Jarrahdale section that runs through the Darling Range.

Episode 61 - South West Road Trip Challenge

Wed, 27 May 2020 07:00:00 +0800

Our mission for this episode was to come up with the ultimate South West Road Trip given a time frame of roughly two weeks that could be realistically accomplished. We both map out our hypothetical routes and discuss how we would fill each day (which of course included a lot of trails).

Episode 60 - Hiking Gear Discussion

Fri, 01 May 2020 08:25:31 +0800

In this episode we get into a discussion about hiking gear, what we use, how we came to choose that gear, a brief chat about ultralight gear, sustainability and what gear we'd like heading into the future.

Episode 59 - Mark's Bibbulmun Track Rebuttal

Sat, 18 Apr 2020 07:00:00 +0800

After finally finishing his sectional end to end, Mark discusses his thoughts on the entire Bibbulmun Track and how life has changed over that time.

Episode 58 - Snorkelling in WA - Coral Coast and the North West (Part Two)

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 08:12:00 +0800

We are joined again by WA outdoor adventure enthusiast Shavaurn to discuss the world class snorkelling locations up and down the northern part of Western Australia. With some of the most stunning spots in the whole of the state (and perhaps the country), the snorkelling at places like Ningaloo is beyond amazing.

Episode 57 - Snorkelling in WA - Perth and the South West (Part One)

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 08:03:02 +0800

We are joined by WA outdoor adventure enthusiast Shavaurn to discuss the various snorkelling spots around Perth and South West. With summer meaning a break in the hiking season, we like to get out into the water and explore a different type of scene. Thanks to the Leeuwin Current there is a variety of sea life and coral to see so close to shore.

Episode 56 - Tongariro Northern Circuit

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 06:30:00 +0800

The second of our two Great Walks of New Zealand discussions, we talk about the Tongariro Northern Circuit that was completed by The Long Way's Better at the end of 2019.

This four day hike takes you around the active volcanoes of Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe (used as Mt Doom from Lord of the Rings) with public huts along the way to stay in.

Hear all about the adventure as Donovan and Alissa recount their journey through this remarkable landscape.

Episode 55 - Abel Tasman Coast Track

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 06:30:00 +0800

In this episode we are joined by the other half of The Long Way's Better to discuss their Christmas expedition on the Abel Tasman Coast Track in New Zealand. This 4.5 day coastal hike is a relaxing escape from the usual rigours of multi-day hiking with stunning scenery, nice huts to stay in and some casual distances on each day.

Episode 54 - 2019 in Review

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 06:30:00 +0800

With a busy year for both The Long Way's Better and The Life of Py, we sat down and reminisced about the past year's adventures and what will be coming up in the future.

Episode 53 - Dream Bibbulmun (Part Two)

Thu, 26 Dec 2019 07:00:00 +0800

Continuing on with the blank slate idea of where we would take the Bibbulmun Track in an ideal world, the journey continues from Donnelly River to Albany. We are joined by Steve Sertis from the Bibbulmun Track Foundation and Bonny from Friendly Dropbear as the hotly debated coastal section receives a major realignment including an epic finish as proposed by Mark.

Episode 52 - Dream Bibbulmun (Part One)

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 07:27:22 +0800

In this episode we are joined by Steve Sertis from the Bibbulmun Track Foundation and recent end to ender Bonny to discuss where we would take the Bibbulmun Track if given a clean slate.

Grab a map or follow along on the Bibbulmun Track website and join us as we have a fun discussion about the changes we would make and why.

Episode 51 - World Trails Network

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 06:30:00 +0800

This week we sit down with Melina, a World Trails Network Ambassador from Perth to discuss who the World Trails Network, what they do and what the future holds. It was a great insight into the world trails community that is developing and what to expect at the 2020 World Trails Conference in Nepal.

For more information visit their website a visit (https://worldtrailsnetwork.org/)

Episode 50 - Half Century Q&A

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 07:00:00 +0800

To celebrate our 50th episode we asked you, the listeners, to send in your questions that we would try our best to answer. We had some fun in the process and thank you to everyone who sent in something. Here's to our first 50 episodes and to continuing on with the next 50 episodes.

Episode 49 - Golden Outback Coastal Walks

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 07:00:00 +0800

With Western Australia being home to some spectacular coastal walking, we spend this episode talking about some of the best coastal walking along the south east part of WA. With walks in Cape Arid NP, Cape Le Grand NP and Esperance, we discuss what makes this area so special.

In the second half of the episode Donovan provides his insight into his visits to Fitzgerald River National Park that we previously talked about with Erika Jacobson.

Episode 48 - Grose Valley

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 08:22:37 +0800

Part 2 of our NSW series of overnight hikes, this episode we are talking about The Long Way's Better's adventure at Grose Valley in the Blue Mountains. A challenging hike, you descend down into the valley where you follow the Grose River and camp the night before heading up some steep terrain to the finishing point.

Episode 47 - Royal Coast Track

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 13:29:50 +0800

This week we are joined by Alissa for the first of a two part NSW special discussing the Royal Coast Track, located in Royal National Park, just south of Sydney.

Episode 46 - Caminos and Pilgrimages

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 06:30:00 +0800

We are pleased to welcome back Michelle Ryan from Walkingtwobytwo to discuss Caminos from around the world, what they are, what defines them, the experience of walking a Camino and who hikes them.

Episode 45 - Bibbulmun Track - Denmark to Albany

Wed, 31 Jul 2019 07:00:00 +0800

Joined by Kerstin Stender, former maintenance volunteer in this area and current Unit Coordinator for the Trails and Recreation Department of Parks and Wildlife, we discuss the Denmark to Albany section of the Bibbulmun Track. The final section of the 1000km track, enjoy the coastal finish into the Southern Terminus with plenty of great views and nice beaches.

Stay tuned for more Bibbulmun Track content in the future as we wrap up the whole 1000km in one giant episode.

Episode 44 - Shire of Kalamunda Walks

Wed, 17 Jul 2019 11:10:46 +0800

This week we are joined by Bonny from Friendly Drop Bear to discuss the extensive list of Shire of Kalamunda Walks that have been mapped out for our hiking pleasure in Perth. We discuss the good, the bad and the interesting from these collection of hikes located on the Darling Scarp.

Episode 43 - Wiilman Bilya Trail

Wed, 03 Jul 2019 07:00:00 +0800

With new hiking trails in Western Australia few and far between, we were excited to check out the recently opened Wiilman Bilya Trail located in Wellington National Park just near Collie. Opened in January 2019, this 20km one way trail will eventually connect up and form a loop trail around Collie so we thought we would head out to see what it was like. To hear all about our adventures and what to expect from the Wiilman Bilya Trail have a listen.

Episode 42 - Hiking Blogging - Behind the Scenes

Wed, 19 Jun 2019 06:30:00 +0800

In this episode we have a chat about what it's like adding to and maintaining both our websites, social media interactions, the process of going from planning to a finished trail experience, what we've learned over the years, a philosophical deep dive on why we do it and what's in store for the future.

If you're interested in starting a hiking blog or any other kind of blog, or even if you're just curious about we do behind the scenes for The Long Way's Better and The Life of Py then have a listen.

Episode 41 - Bay of Fires Lodge Walk

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 07:00:00 +0800

This week we are joined by Caris to discuss the Bay of Fires Lodge Walk, a four day trek offered by the Tasmanian Walking Company. Taking in the picturesque coastline of North East Tasmania, explore pristine beaches, rocky headlands and stay at the famous Bay of Fires Lodge.

Ending Music - Layla as performed by Jessie Holden. Live for one night only at the Bay of Fires Lodge

Episode 40 - Albany Opportunities

Wed, 22 May 2019 06:30:00 +0800

While we both love the Albany region for the plethora of lovely hikes that exists there, we've always thought the area has so much potential so for this episode we've brought in Bonny from The Friendly Drop Bear to discuss where we think there are opportunities to expand on the great hiking within the greater Albany area.

Episode 39 - Hiking in Kalbarri

Wed, 08 May 2019 07:53:38 +0800

Alissa once again joins us in the studio to discuss the various adventures that The Long Way's Better have had over the years around the coastal town of Kalbarri. A popular holiday destination 6.5 hours north of Perth, there are a range of hiking options available from coastal walks to exploring the inland gorge systems.

Bonus Episode - Helena Campsite

Wed, 01 May 2019 06:30:00 +0800

As a special treat we kept Steve Sertis from the Bibbulmun Track Foundation in the studio to ask him some questions about the new Helena Campsite that is currently under construction and is due for completion around June 2019.

Episode 38 - Bibbulmun Track - Walpole to Denmark

Wed, 24 Apr 2019 07:00:00 +0800

Continuing on our Bibbulmun Track journey, we are joined by Steve Sertis from the Bibbulmun Track Foundation to discuss the Walpole to Denmark section. Often described as one of the best town to town sections on the track, both Donovan and Steve talk about their experiences and the many great sites you can see along the way.

Episode 37 - Tasmanian Day Walks

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 06:53:10 +0800

In this episode we discuss the wide variety of day hikes that we've both covered in Tasmania. With hundreds of walks to explore around the island we limited ourselves to walks we've experienced ourselves and between us we've covered most of the "greatest hits". Ranging from Southwest National Park to Mount Field National Park to Cradle Mountain and Freycinet National Park, this is a great listen for those planning a holiday to Tasmania.

To check out the hikes we talk about visit thelongwaysbetter.blogspot.com/ or www.thelifeofpy.com

Episode 36 - Wilsons Promontory Southern Circuit

Wed, 27 Mar 2019 06:50:07 +0800

In this episode we talk about Donovan's adventures on the Wilsons Promontory Southern Circuit in Victoria with his friend Zach. This four day hike just outside of Melbourne is a popular destination and as we discuss, a very lovely coastal walk worthy of the popularity. Enjoy hearing about the misadventures of young Zach and also what kind of scenery you can expect from this part of Australia.

Episode 35 - Women Who Hike Roundtable

Wed, 13 Mar 2019 06:44:17 +0800

To celebrate International Women's Day Alissa takes over hosting duties to bring together a round-table of women who hike to discuss a range of issues ranging from their favourite hiking moments, hiking solo as a female, women's hiking gear, the term "women hikers", group hikes and hygiene on the trail.

A big thank you to Michelle (WalkingTwoByTwo), Bonny (Friendly Drop Bear) and Louise for joining in the discussion.

Episode 34 - Bushfires and Prescribed Burns

Wed, 27 Feb 2019 06:56:06 +0800

Our long awaited episode on Bushfires and Prescribed Burns is finally here and to help us to discuss the topic is Piers Verstagen from the Conservation Council of Western Australia and Hannah Etchells, a PhD student from UWA studying Fire Ecology in the South West of WA. The aim of this discussion is to get people talking about fire management, the different reasons behind prescribed burns and bushfires, how the environment responds to fire, climate change and also how you can make a difference in shaping the future of the forests of Western Australia.

Episode 33 - Frenchmans Cap

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 06:57:00 +0800

In this episode we are joined once again by Alissa to discuss the four day hike to Frenchmans Cap in beautiful Tasmania as experienced by The Long Way's Better. Taking in one of the most picturesque landscapes in Australia, this stunning hike is a challenging but rewarding experience that should be on the "to-hike" list for every avid hiker.

Episode 32 - Bibbulmun Track - Northcliffe to Walpole

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 07:49:01 +0800

We are joined once again by Ben Dineen from Going Solo to discuss the Northcliffe to Walpole section of the Bibbulmun Track. Home to the infamous Pingerup Plains, this section is marketed as one of the best wilderness experiences of the trail. Enjoy some lively conversation in this episode about what merits that title along with Ben and Donovan's experiences in this section.

Episode 31 - 2018 in Review plus Q&A

Wed, 19 Dec 2018 07:39:21 +0800

In our last episode of 2018 we sit down to have a rundown of what we both did during 2018 in what was a pretty crazy year for both of us. Going through season by season we explain where we were, what we were doing and how we enjoyed that particular place. Around the 50 minute mark things get a bit philosophical as we discuss the whys of all our adventures and we finish with a few questions sent in by our lovely listeners.

Episode 30 - Bibbulmun Track - Pemberton to Northcliffe

Wed, 05 Dec 2018 06:54:11 +0800

Continuing with our look at the Bibbulmun Track, we move on to the Pemberton to Northcliffe section where you will find no shortage of Karri forest, farmland and waterways to keep you entertained. One of the more manageable sections at only three days, this section is perfect for a quick getaway or a long weekend.

Episode 29 - Three Capes Track

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 06:40:59 +0800

This week we are joined by the other half of The Life of Py, Caris, to discuss the Three Capes Track on the East Coast of Tasmania. This four day hike takes in some of the best coastal scenery in Tasmania and can be done in a variety of ways ranging from free day walks to self-guided public hut walks to the full luxury lodge option.

Episode 28 - Fitzgerald River: The West Side

Wed, 07 Nov 2018 06:42:29 +0800

To conclude our two part series on Fitzgerald River National Park we are once again joined by Dr Erika Jacobson from Edgewalkers to discuss the western side of the park. A Unesco Biosphere reserve, Fitzgerald River is renowned for its incredible biodiversity and stunning beaches that rival the more famous Cape Le Grand National Park.

The more isolated western side of the park is home to the best overnight walks in the state, the Mamang Trail, along with the day hikes at West Mount Barren and the Point Ann Heritage Trail. Camping is available at St Marys Inlet where it is possible you will have the entire beach all to yourself.

Episode 27 - Fitzgerald River: The East Side

Tue, 23 Oct 2018 19:10:57 +0800

This week we are joined by Dr. Erika Jacobson from Edgewalkers to discuss the east side of the spectacular Fitzgerald River National Park. A Unesco Biosphere reserved, Fitzgerald River is renowned for its incredible biodiversity and stunning beaches that rival the more famous Cape Le Grand National Park.

For this first part of a two part mini-series, we discuss the walks on the eastern side of the park, including the rugged East Mount Barren and the Hakea Trail, which ranks as one of the best coastal overnight hikes in the country.

Episode 26 - Outdoors October With Jamie Bennett

Fri, 12 Oct 2018 06:54:26 +0800

This episode we are joined by Jamie Bennett from Outdoors WA to discuss Outdoors October and the various events that are taking place as part of this month long program. Jamie is one of the leading voices in the outdoors community, bringing people together and trying to get people outdoors and exploring the beautiful home we call Western Australia.

To find out more about Outdoors October, visit the website below and make your Outdoors October pledge along with tagging all your photos with #OutdoorsOctober.

www.outdoorsoctober.com.au

Episode 25 - Walls of Jerusalem

Thu, 27 Sep 2018 06:58:51 +0800

This week we are joined by Alissa to discuss one of Tasmania's Great Multi-Day Bushwalks, the Walls of Jerusalem. Home to some of the finest alpine scenery in Australia, the Walls of Jerusalem National Park lies within a core reserve of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and is recognised as one of the more pristine places in Australia.

This hike can be done as a choose your own adventure with trips lasting from one day up to eight days but for the purposes of the podcast we will be discussing Don and Alissa's three day trip from Lake Rowallan to Dixon's Kingdom.

Episode 24 - Bibbulmun Track - Donnelly River to Pemberton

Fri, 14 Sep 2018 07:00:30 +0800

Continuing on our Bibbulmun journey we pick up where we left off at Donnelly River Village and begin the first of the true experiences through the Karri forest. This lush and magical section is full of fungi, wildflowers, streams and the Donnelly River, which you will follow for a couple of the days. Feauturing some of the best campsites on the track, this is rated very highly for good reason. Finishing at Pemberton rounds off this five day experience where you get the opportunity to relax and enjoy a hot meal and shower.

Episode 23 - Cape to Cape Track

Wed, 29 Aug 2018 06:39:07 +0800

We are joined this episode by Dr Erika Jacobson from Edgewalkers to discuss the 135km Cape to Cape Track in the beautiful south west region of Western Australia. Following the journey from north to south, we discuss each day and what to expect from one of the best multi-day trails in Australia. From long beach stretches to stunning Karri forest to a variety of wonderful wildflowers, this trail has it all and is the perfect way to spend a week of your life.

Episode 22 - Hike Your Own Hike Roundtable

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 07:38:36 +0800

Joining us for the first ever four person Real Trail Talk roundtable discussion is Bonny from Young Perth Hikers and Ben from Going Solo to chat about the old hiking term "Hike Your Own Hike". One of our longest podcasts ever, we dive into the topic with discussion points around our various experiences, gear choice, the reasons why we hike and also who we like to hike with. If you love your hiking or want to hear things from a different perspective then brew up your favourite hot drink and strap yourself in for over an hour of us four going into the how's and why's of our hiking lives.

Episode 21 - Dave Willcox From Common Ground Trails

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 06:51:12 +0800

This week we were lucky enough to be joined by Dave Willcox from Common Ground Trails to discuss what goes into trail building, the process to get trails planned, approved, funded and built along with how WA stacks up when it comes to trail planning and construction. This was a really fun chat as Dave has extensive knowledge of the trail industry and as an avid trail user himself, has a fantastic insight into what is going on right now within the trail community.

Episode 20 - Bibbulmun Track - Balingup to Donnelly River Village

Thu, 12 Jul 2018 22:31:47 +0800

In our 20th Episode, special guest Michelle Ryan (Walkingtwobytwo) returns for an an extended overview of the Balingup to Donnelly River Village section of the Bibbulmun Track, talking about the transition to lush Jarrah and Karri forests. Includes discussion about Mark's third opinion on the Dwellingup to Collie section of the Bibbulmun and Michelle's newly released guidebook to the Cape to Cape Track

Episode 19 - The Overland Track

Wed, 27 Jun 2018 06:46:15 +0800

We are joined once again by Alissa to discuss The Long Way's Better's adventure on the Overland Track in Tasmania. This world famous multi-day hike takes you through some true wilderness but with a touch of comfort along the way. Explore mountains, plains, waterfalls and temperate rainforest in one of the best hiking destinations in the world.

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They also provide free worldwide shipping. Use the code TRAILTALK to receive 15% off your order and get yourself a stylish and quality set of headphones for all your trail adventures.

Episode 18 - Karijini Adventures

Mon, 11 Jun 2018 07:15:07 +0800

With the peak Karijini National Park visitation period upon us, we are joined by Alissa (the other half of The Long Way's Better) to discuss what goes into a road trip up to Karijini National Park, the various hikes that you can do while you're there and what to expect in terms of accommodation, facilities and adventures.

If you're planning a trip to Karijini then this is essential listening as Don and Alissa talk about their experiences and what they thought of this iconic part of Western Australia, located in 1400km north of Perth.

They also provide free worldwide shipping. Use the code TRAILTALK to receive 15% off your order and get yourself a stylish and quality set of headphones for all your trail adventures.

Episode 17 - Bibbulmun Track Events with Steve Sertis

Wed, 30 May 2018 06:30:00 +0800

Joining us for a return visit is Steve Sertis from the Bibbulmun Track Foundation to talk about the events calendar that the foundation runs, his latest trip to Nepal and also a few stories from his time as Lead Guide. It's always great to have Steve on the podcast and as you can tell by the length we had a fun time talking trails.

They also provide free worldwide shipping. Use the code TRAILTALK to receive 15% off your order and get yourself a stylish and quality set of headphones for all your trail adventures.

Episode 16 - Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area

Mon, 14 May 2018 06:57:30 +0800

With Donovan now safely back on Western Australian shores we discuss his three month stint exploring the Gondwana Ranforests of the Australia World Heritage Area in Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales. Joining us for the first time to provide a different viewpoint is the other half of The Long Way's Better, Alissa, who regales us with some great Donovan stories.

They also provide free worldwide shipping. Use the code TRAILTALK to receive 15% off your order and get yourself a stylish and quality set of headphones for all your trail adventures.

Episode 15 - Mark's Costa Rican Adventure

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 06:52:12 +0800

This episode Donovan interviews Mark about his 2008 travel adventure to Costa Rica that sparked his interest in hiking and confirmed his love of the outdoors. Partaking in a World Expeditions three week trip, hear about Mark's cross country "origin story" and all the trials and tribulations that came his way.

Episode 14 - Bibbulmun Track - Collie to Balingup with Steve Sertis

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 07:25:34 +0800

We continue on the Bibbulmun Track discussion with the next town to town section, Collie to Balingup. Joining us in this episode is Lead Guide and Events Manager from the Bibbulmun Track Foundation to share his experiences and offer a counterpoint to Donovan's opinions. One of the shorter town to town sections, Collie to Balingup takes you through some regrowth Jarrah forest and you get to see some of the first farmland areas on the track.

Episode 13 - Dream Trails and Hiking Movies

Mon, 19 Mar 2018 06:57:44 +0800

In this week's episode we have some fun discussing our dream trails both in Australia and Overseas. With no limit on money we pick five trails from each location and discuss why we selected our dream hikes. In the second half of the podcast we talk about our favourite hiking related movies and what makes us associate them with hiking (warning: spoiler warnings for all movies discussed).

Episode 12 - Interview With Melina from Perth Trail Series

Mon, 05 Mar 2018 06:53:01 +0800

Joining us in the studio for Episode 12 is fellow trail lover and enthusiast, Melina Mellino, Director of the Perth Trail Series trail running events to discuss trail running, being a trail visionary and what goes into running the Perth Trail Series.

Episode 11 - Donovan's Vietnam Adventure

Mon, 19 Feb 2018 06:57:22 +0800

Donovan sits down to discuss his post Christmas adventures exploring the beautiful country of Vietnam and specifically his three day expedition on the Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer. Taking in some of the best cave systems in the world combined with some tough jungle trekking, Donovan describes what it was like, how he fared and his experiences with Oxalis Adventures.

Episode 10 - Bibbulmun Track Documentary and Helena Campsite

Mon, 05 Feb 2018 16:54:32 +0800

With the highly anticipated premiere of a documentary about the Bibbulmun Track and the people who use it we talk to the woman behind the project, Michelle Ryan from WalkingTwoByTwo about what went into making it and her love for the track. We also discuss the recent destruction of the Helena Campsite and the devastation of losing another campsite to bushfires.

Episode 9 - Summer Hiking, 2017 in Review and 2018 Plans

Sun, 07 Jan 2018 22:56:03 +0800

Welcome to the first podcast of 2018 as we discuss some great tips for hiking in summer, how our 2017 hiking adventures went and what we both have planned for 2018.

Episode 8 - Rottnest, Q&A and Christmas Ideas for Hikers

Mon, 18 Dec 2017 07:46:29 +0800

In Episode 8 we discuss the hiking trail network on Rottnest Island, the Wadjemup Bidi, answer some more questions that have come through on the email and talk about some Christmas present ideas that you can get hikers this holiday season.

Episode 7 - Interview with Rod Annear (Assistant Director of Visitor Services, Parks and Wildlife Service)

Sun, 03 Dec 2017 20:36:05 +0800

In our seventh episode, we interview Rod Annear (the Assistant Director of Visitor Services at the Parks and Wildlife Service) and ask him about his Munda Biddi adventures, what happened to the proposed multi-day hike in Fitzgerald River National Park, his appearance on Karri FM radio and the future of trail development in Western Australia.

Episode 6 - The Bibbulmun Track - Part Two - Dwellingup to Collie

Sun, 19 Nov 2017 21:54:03 +0800

In Episode Six, special guest Michelle Ryan (Walkingtwobytwo) joins us for an an extended overview of the Dwellingup to Collie section of the Bibbulmun Track, talking about some of the section highlights, lowlights and burnt Jarrah forest in general.