Once the NSW lockdown lifted, Bee and Jake escaped to Hinchinbrook Island for a week to take on the Thorsborne trail and bliss out in nature. And it was the perfect way to reset.

 

I won’t labour the point about how screwed up this year has been. We’re all quite clear on that one. Let’s jump straight into why, when the opportunity pops up, hitting the trail for a few nights is literally the best thing you can do.

‘You’re a human, remember that?’

Often it’s not until the second day of a hike that those human skills/things begin to resurface.

 

Am I a Bat?

At night time, with less light pollution, you realise just how good your peepers are at seeing in the dark. At one point, on a run to collect some water, I began to wonder if I was actually part bat. No, our eyes can adjust to the dark if only we let them.

Feeling Those Circadian Rhythms

One begins to rise and fall with the sun. At 8pm, looking at my hiking buddy, I’d start to wonder how I ever stayed up past 8:30pm. It’s not that campsite chats were boring, but a natural tiredness would come over us, a human feeling that yes, we’re meant to curl up when the sun goes down. Goodnight, blue-light screen induced anxiety, hello deep restful sleep, intense but good dreams, and waking to magical birdsong, feeling rejuvenated.

 

These Legs Are Made For Walkin’!

During waking hours you’re constantly on the move. I don’t remember my legs being made at a ninety-degree angle, designed to be shoved under a desk. Gaw-blimey do they feel good when they’re walking around all day, hitting hills, crossing streams and maybe getting a stretch if they’re lucky!

We didn’t really walk that far for a multi-day trek, completing the 32km of the Thorsborne Trail in around 4 days. But it just felt so good to be moving in the fresh air. Upon returning our motto is ‘at least 5km a day or you’re not living’. 

Chowing Down Like Nature Intended

G’day natural metabolism! No more swinging off the pantry door, nibbling away at whatever snack you can get your hands on before the next Zoom call. You’re eating proper food that keeps you nourished and isn’t overly indulgent. Geoff the barista isn’t at your beck and call either, so your adrenals can take a break – allowing your natural energy to find its flow again. 

 

Letting Those Walls Down

You get a bit weird, it feels good and you laugh more. There’s less ‘shit-does-my-linen-match-my-surfboard-which-matches-my-car’ vibe. You’re just being you with none of the wild masks we slip into wearing back home.

Break Out of Your Bubble and Meet Some Legends

You meet some quirky and incredible characters, who’re vastly different from the crew you’ve been locked up in iso with. The hero of our trip was John, King of the North. It was like he’d stepped straight out of a Winton novel onto the rustic tinny in front of us.

A Lucinda local, John runs Absolute North Charters dropping hikers to and from Hinchinbrook Island each day. Passionate about protecting the island, this guy can yarn, and you can listen. He’s at one with that magical place. Words won’t do a meeting with John justice, so do me a favour and go meet him would ya?

Relax For Real

What a great way to relax too? There are enough survival duties like collecting water, cooking up food, brewing a bean or finding a dunny to give your day purpose. These duties are perfectly balanced by; the ‘one foot in front of the other’ sensation, some waterfall hangs if you choose the right walk, sweet moments of silence, and a touch of book reading to really help you drop out fast.

 

Get a Fresh Perspective

The biggest one? You take stock of what’s important. As we made our way to the end of the island and the mainland came into view I got this terrifying feeling – what was I going back to? When you’re out in the bush you’re able to realise what’s important and get really serious about removing the stuff that’s not serving you. 

Need I say more? Start planning to get back out there! It will do you the world of good!