Something I love to do when I go bush walking on my own is take my watch off – leave it behind completely. Why do I need a clock anyway? I can eat when I’m hungry, sleep when I’m tired and wake up to the sun. I take pleasure in the fact that I don’t need to set an alarm – I always try to position my tent so that I am facing the sunrise; there’s no better way to wake up than to the sunrise. 

A self-guided hike gives you freedom. Freedom to walk at your own pace, stop when you want or keep walking as long as you want. You can spend 15 minutes getting that perfect photo of a beautiful wild flower, or just sit, look and contemplate. There’ll be no one telling you it’s time to leave, or to hurry up because you are running late. No one telling you to stop and rest when you don’t need to. Don’t worry though; you won’t be the only one out there doing it on your own. 

You will meet other people who are also enjoying the perks of a self-guided walk. While you may not walk with them during the day, they will all be waiting for everyone to arrive safely at camp – it becomes a lovely little community, everyone looking out for each other, sharing some tea, or some chocolate, lending a hand if something breaks. 

By the end of the week you will have formed friendships with other hikers – who knows, you may have found a new hiking buddy for future adventures! 

There may be moments where you second-guess yourself on the trail, where you think…. Maybe I can’t do this. You may wish you had bought that other pair of boots, or an extra layer of warmth…. Or that flask of port. 

By the end of the walk you will have had to motivate yourself, talk yourself through situations, say… hang on, I can do this! 

Knowing that you have made it relying on no one other than yourself awards you with such a great sense of achievement you will be planning your next self-guided adventure on the way back home!  

Inspired? Check out our Self guided walks here

Holly is one of the owners of the Tasmanian born Wild Island Adventure Hire. Over the past decade, Holly has been involved in the gear and outdoor industry in Tasmania and the Northern Territory, having walked almost every major trail.