Tuesday 20/01/2026 Aurora – Barrack Point – Shellharbour Village
Participants: Stephen Davies (Timelapse, Report)
With a strong aurora forecast, I headed down to Blacks Beach, Barrack Point, after sunset, chasing southern lights to the south. Thick cloud looked unpromising, but a faint purple glow teased the horizon as I reached the beach and moved out onto the rock platform.
2/12/2025 – 5/12/2025 Huemel Circuit
Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (Los Glaciares National Park)
Area Lago Viedma
Santa Cruz Province, ARGENTINA
Distance: 75.8km Time: 34 hours
Total Ascent: 2695m Total Descent: 2803m
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Pedro Navarro (Guide), Patrizia Schäffnerl, Valentina Sobol (Porter)
The Huemul Circuit is not a casual stroll but a full immersion into the raw weather, vast ice and big skies of southern Patagonia. From the moment our small team left El Chaltén and Monte Fitz Roy faded behind us, daily life was replaced by a rhythm of boggy lenga forest, wind‑buffeted passes, creek crossings and evenings spent drying gear beside lakes.
Guided by Pedro, with our porter, Valentina, carrying a very heavy pack and an endless supply of good humour, we circled Cerro Huemul above Lago Viedma, twice crossed the Río Túnel by Tyrolean traverses, and crunched over glacial ice while storms and sun took turns sweeping the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. This report aims to capture an experience that tested creaky knees and comfort zones, but rewarded us with a guanaco on a perfect backdrop, rare orchids, and the quiet satisfaction of finishing one of South America’s toughest and most beautiful treks.
Tuesday 9/12/2025 Arakur Ushuaia Resort – Camino Arakur – Base Cascada de los Amigos – Cerro Cortez
Cerro Alarkén Nature Reserve above Ushuaia
Patagonia
Tierra Del Fuego Province, ARGENTINA
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
We were keen to get out for a walk before boarding the boat for the next ten days this afternoon.
We walked down the road from our hilltop hotel along the Camino Arakur before following the trail through the forest. We enjoyed views of the stunning mountains under clear skies. There were still some wildflowers around, including some orchids.
27/11/2025 – 29/11/2025 Bariloche – Refugio Emilio Frey – Laguna Toncek – Laguna Jakob Rucaco – Refugio San Martin – Tambo Báez
Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi
(Nahuel Huapi National Park)
Rio Negro Province
Patagonia Lakes District
ARGENTINA
Distance: 46.6km Time: 21.5hours
Total Ascent: 1692m Total Descent: 1848m
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
A much-anticipated start after multiple delays.
Getting to the start of the walk was an adventure in itself. We were lined up to board our international flight from Sydney to Buenos Aires when the line came to a standstill. The staff were looking stony-faced as they were given the news. There was no announcement, but they came over to the line and started speaking to individuals. We soon learned that our plane had been “struck by lightning” and the flight was cancelled. Great start to our trip! We were offered overnight accommodation if we didn’t live in Sydney and a meal voucher. A few hours later, I received an email saying our flight had been rescheduled for the following day, 27 hours late. We were transferred by bus to the Holiday Inn Sydney Airport, where they were keen to give us free food. Dinner and breakfast were included as well as the shuttle back to the airport. We settled in for the afternoon.
We did take off at the new time the following day, but I had to adjust our travel plans, accommodations and our flight into Bariloche for the following day. The new flight time, unfortunately, had us waiting for seven hours in Santiago for the connection. We arrived in Buenos Aires close to 10:00pm, and I had organised accommodation close to the airport. Our flight the following day was at 3:15pm, but we had to check out of our accommodation at 10:00am, so we just headed for the airport. We checked our bags in, and soon after, I received an email saying the flight was delayed another six hours! So we had an 11-hour wait at the airport!
We eventually arrived in Bariloche close to midnight and fell asleep as soon as we hit the pillow.
Saturday 12/07/2025 Honeysuckle Falls Road – Evans Crown Nature Reserve Carpark – Evans Crown Track – Evans Crown 1103m
Evans Crown Nature Reserve, NSW
Wiradjuri Country (Wiradjuri people)
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
A cool mid-winter’s day set the scene for our circuit in Evans Crown Nature Reserve. Departing from Honeysuckle Falls Road, we parked beside the reserve entrance, where the air was crisp and the ground firm underfoot after a run of dry weather. The temperature hovered around 6 °C, never reaching higher than 11°C during our time on track, which made for comfortable walking conditions.
Tuesday 28/10/2025 Kidman’s Camp – PV Jandra – Darling River – North Bourke Bridge – The Big Billabong
Darling River Cruise
North Bourke, NSW
Ngemba Country (Ngemba people)
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
The PV Jandra—a replica of a classic paddle steamer—evoked the era when riverboats shaped regional life and trade. As we glided out from the wharf, our guide shared stories about early river explorers and the crucial relationship of the Darling River to Aboriginal Ngemba people. The backdrop of centuries-old red gums and gnarled coolibahs reflected the enduring life of these waters.
Friday 31/10/2025 The Sydney Peppermint Walk – Orchid Rock – Camel Rock
Ferntree Gully Environmental Reserve, Rylstone, NSW
Wiradjuri Country (Wiradjuri people)
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
Beginning within the leafy bounds of Ferntree Gully Environmental Reserve, the walking track weaved steadily east towards the sandstone features that define this distinctive loop. Over a distance of about 4 km, the path led across a mix of open woodland and moist gullies, never gaining more than 72 m in elevation. Severe gradients were avoided, with the track winding over gradual rises and short-sided gullies that divide the reserve’s plateaus.
Friday 31/10/2025 Ferntree Gully Walking Track – Ferntree Gully – Norm King Lookout – Ted Daniels Lookout – Gully Walk
Ferntree Gully Environmental Reserve, Rylstone, NSW
Wiradjuri Country (Wiradjuri people)
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
The Ferntree Gully circuit begins near the Ferntree Gully Environmental Reserve entrance, following the main walking track into the heart of the sandstone gorge. Over 5 km, the walk meanders through shaded gullies, past fern-lined moist slopes, and up to panoramic lookouts on the escarpment rim. Total ascent for the loop is 178 m, with steady climbs out of the gully and onto ridge tops punctuated by well-placed stone steps and graded track.
Thursday 30/10/2025 Cudgegong River – Quarry Lake – Turtle Island
Mudgee, NSW
Wiradjuri Country (Wiradjuri people)
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
The circuit through Putta Bucca Wetlands begins at the edge of the Cudgegong River, where a well-maintained path traces the water before curving towards Quarry Lake. Over a total distance of 2km, the route winds through a tapestry of restored wetlands, tall reeds, and open woodland, offering clear sightlines across open water and floodplain. The walking is comfortably flat, gaining only 8 m in elevation across the loop.
Monday 27/10/2025 Yappa (Mulgowan) Aboriginal Art Site
Gundabooka National Park and State Conservation Area, NSW
Ngemba and Paakantji Country (Ngemba and Paakantji people)
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
The track to the Yappa (Mulgowan) Aboriginal Art Site begins at the signed carpark within Gundabooka National Park. It follows a well-marked trail of firm red earth and occasional stony patches, gently winding through open woodland before reaching the art site.
Sunday 26/10/2025 Dry Tank Campground – Little Mountain Walking Track – Little Mountain Lookout
Gundabooka National Park, NSW
Ngemba and Kurnu Baakandji Country (Ngemba and Kurnu Baakandji people)
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
Departing Dry Tank Campground, the Little Mountain Walking Track quickly enters classic Gundabooka country—broad flats of red earth and sand, broken by low rises and rocky outcrops. The route is straightforward, tracing a mostly direct course for over 2.8 km each way, with just enough undulation to keep the walking lively without straining the legs. Continue reading