“It Made Me Feel More Connected”: Lou from Team Booknboot Reflects on the 2025 Bibbulmun Virtual Hike Challenge
The Bibbulmun Track Virtual Hike Challenge continues to inspire and connect walkers from across Australia — even those hundreds of kilometres from the Track itself. We caught up with Lou, one-third of “Team Booknboot,” who, alongside her brother and sister-in-law, completed the 1,000km challenge in just 31 days, earning them a surprise third place finish.
A Dream Deferred — For Now
For Lou, based in Canberra, the Bibbulmun Track has long held a place in her heart — even if the full end-to-end hike has eluded her so far.
“It has long been a dream of mine to undertake the Bibbulmun end-to-end,” she shared. “Plans were thwarted several years running due to bushfire. But I’ve since changed jobs and am busy planning the logistics of a spring 2027 or autumn 2028 hike.”
Even though life circumstances have delayed her on-track experience, the virtual hike offered a meaningful way to begin the journey — step by step.
Walking Through the Cold — and the Magic
As a shift worker in Canberra, Lou’s challenge was as much about consistency and motivation as it was about distance.
“This challenge got me back to walking a minimum of 10,000 steps a day. And let me tell you, as a shift worker in Canberra this was no mean feat.”
She recalled a particularly chilly milestone:
“June saw the coldest month of morning minimums on record since 1984. To get my 10,000 steps on a 12-hour night shift, I often had to go out in -5.2° (feels like -8.6°) temperatures at 3am.”
But out of the cold came unexpected moments of beauty.
“I truly believe I saw a beautiful side to Canberra that most people don’t get to see: that moment when fog turns to frost, right before your eyes. Magical!”
“The fog turns to frost at 3am” — Lou’s shift walks in Canberra showed her a winter world few ever witness.
Together, From Afar
The challenge also brought Lou closer to family — even if they were on the other side of Bass Strait.
“I was doing the virtual challenge with my brother and sister-in-law, who are both also mad keen hikers, and it gave us so many great moments to connect from a distance (they are both in Tasmania).”
They found camaraderie and connection in working toward a shared goal, celebrating milestones and cheering one another on.
“We loved that our efforts were combined to achieve the goal as a team. That was a great initiative. I don’t think any of us realised how competitive we would become!”
Big Steps, Big Surprise
Despite the team’s impressive third-place finish, Lou admits she wasn’t expecting it.
“I personally set out just hoping we would finish the challenge in the allocated timeframe. None of us saw that coming!”
The effort paid off: “We are just so proud of ourselves to have walked 1000kms in 31 days,” she wrote. “It has improved my fitness, it has made me feel more connected — to people and to environment — and it has made doing the Track in person a priority for me once more.”
Team Booknboot (plus cousin John) during the three capes hike a couple of years ago. Left to right: Lou (booknboot), John (not in the challenge), Juzzie and Steve.
Lou walking in Sydney for Vivid Festival — “those ramblings contributed to something bigger.”
Looking Ahead
While the virtual hike may have ended, the motivation it sparked continues.
“We are all motivated to find something similar now that [we have completed the challenge] — to keep us motivated and connected.”
And as for the next challenge?
“We can’t wait to do the virtual challenge if it is offered again — as well as the real one within the next couple of years.”
Thanks again to Lou, Juz and Steve of Team Booknboot — and to all 189 participants who took on the 2025 Bibbulmun Track Virtual Hike Challenge.
Whether you walked in winter fog, city streets or coastal sunshine, your steps brought you closer to the Track — and to each other.
📣 Have a story to share from the Track or the virtual challenge?
Email us at events@bibbulmuntrack.org.au — we’d love to feature you!
