Pilgrim
- Start date: 26 May 2023
- Age When Completed: 61
- Direction Walked: North to South
- Others in Group:
N/a solo
General Comments
Wonderful trail with great infrastructure! Easy to make more challenging just by increasing daily distance walked.
Food/Supplies Comments
Resupplied in trail towns along the way without any issues (I have no special dietary needs). Encourage others to do the same to support trail towns. Visitor Centres do an awesome job of also stocking hiker supplies.
Favourite Section
Probably all of the coastal sections; the green tunnel of the lengthy forest sections had me sorely missing being able to see the horizon. Plus I saw whales! ????
Highlights
Seeing a whale lazily play in the water beneath me! Also meeting lovely like-minded hikers along the way.
Personal Reactions
I picked a very wet year to walk it so weather was challenging. As such, I really appreciated having shelter each night! Hut beats a wet tent hands down! Wading through water for days was an interesting experience!
Wildlife
Kangaroos, Wallabies, Quendas, tons of birds, mice, native rats, feral pigs (learned they can growl like a scary dog when showing aggression!), foxes and whales!
Your Best Equipment
Very happy with nearly all my gear but Nike running tights and hiking poles were two of my favourites!
Your Worst Equipment
My aging and worn rain shell (over 4,000 kms of successful hiking on it) was no longer up to to the unanticipated amount of rain I encountered and often wetted out. ???? Bought a cheap brolly to compensate.
Advice for Others
Plan and learn from others but, above all, just start! You’ll figure it out as you go and it’s a very good trail for beginners.