Blog

By The Wild Women Team

We're pretty lucky in Australia. As keen adventurers and hikers, we are spoiled for choice. Sometimes it's easy to forget we are home to some of the world's most beautiful natural wonders. Life-changing and breathtaking adventures are right on our doorstep. They don't require a passport. They don't require a change in currency. And they're perfect microadventures for a girl's weekend away.

If you're from Queensland, or you're hoping to explore the Sunshine state, there are hundreds of trails to try. 

Liz Walden hasn't always been into hiking. In fact, before she joined Wild Women, she was a complete newbie to the world of trekking and adventuring. But after taking on the Sydney Coastrek challenge with her friend Margaret, Liz signed up for Trek Training sessions and since then her life has transformed. So how did this complete newbie become a hardcore hiker? Liz reveals how she made it happen.

When Kelly Books first joined Wild Women 16 years ago, she was probably just like you. Excited and maybe a bit nervous about meeting a new group of women for the first time. But, like many of our Wild Women, it didn't take Kelly long to find her feet and fully immerse herself in the community. She started out as a client, coming to Di's Trek Training in Clontarf on Monday nights. But within about 18 months, Kelly was working in the Wild Women office. Then, five years later, she became one of our first adventure coaches!

When you think of a wild woman, there's one adventurous, kick-arse lady who should come to mind. Our Founder and Chief Adventure Chick Di Westaway. Di has been on some epic trips around the world and her bucket list gets longer and longer as the years go by. This week, Di shares her top hiking tips, her favourite trek of all time and where she's flying off to next. And it's giving us some major FOMO.

Two years ago, Margaret Gosper had never hiked before. She wasn't into camping, adventure or travel. Just work. But following a series of major life challenges, including divorce and a cancer diagnosis, Marg joined our community as a quiet, nervous newbie with no idea that her life was about to be turned upside down... in the best way possible! Marg is the definition of 'attitude is everything', and proves you can change your life at any stage - you just have to be a little wild. 

For adventure veteran, trekking expert and coach Jacqueline Conway, it would almost be impossible to answer the question: 'What's the best hike you've ever done'. Her choice is one you might not expect. The "magic" adventure isn't too far from home, has only recently been discovered and is one trek, Jacq believes, should be on your bucket list.

Wild Woman Fiona Chapman isn't one to shy away from a challenge. This veteran Trek Training member and long-time explorer is putting her foot on the gas. This year, she's taking on a different kind of adventure, one that absolutely gets our tick of approval. Fiona tells us how becoming a Wild Woman has pushed her beyond what she thought she was capable of.

Wild Woman Margaret Sheridan was nudging 70 when she thought she might be getting too old for adventure hiking. But a challenge from her youngest son stopped those doubts in their tracks. Now 79, Margaret has completed three Coastreks and is proof that age is just a number. Here's what she's got planned next.