A surgeon, a farmer, and a tax advisor walk into a bakery...
Nine strangers sat awkwardly, sipping coffee at the back of Daci and Daci Bakery on Hobart's waterfront, preparing to embark on a three-day, 30 kilometre walking adventure on Bruny Island.
I was one of them and was not looking forward to it, not because of the people or (incredible) place we were headed to on a private boat, but the walking. As a high-energy individual who loves to waterski and mountain bike, I find this activity slow and a mental slog for the ample time it provides to ponder life and my seemingly endless to-do list. Of course, I hear all the time about the benefits of bushwalking from friends and colleagues but had so far kept this reflective activity at bay. As I slurped the last bit of my latte, that was about to change, and in three days after Tas Walking Co’s Bruny Island Long Weekend, I’d emerge with a refreshed perspective on walking – and life – all tucked into my lightweight daypack.
We set foot on Bruny after our zippy vessel called Wild Thing, skippered by Jonty, dropped us off at the jetty where our awesome guides were waiting with big, welcoming grins. Lucy and Rose have stacks of experience in multi-day walks through wilderness and are testament to the enduring legacy of Tasmanian Walking Company’s founder, Ken Latona, who had a vision of combining world-class hiking with local food and storytelling. Ken’s dream has turned into 17 iconic multi-day walks around Australia, known by many for the warm Tasmanian hospitality that comes with each epic itinerary.
When we reached the trail head shortly after arriving, we started walking, thinking, and chatting. These are the things I didn’t expect to happen next:
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1. I learnt that you can do anything that you set your mind to from an 81-year-old German hiker.
The group dynamic changed as soon as we hit the trail. Friendships quickly formed as we filed through the low scrubland – except for one guest who was miles ahead already and would continue to lead the pack up winding hills and down the long stretch of beach known as Great Bay. This speedy lady, we later learnt over a glass of pinot at our private camp, was an 81-year-old German visitor who had just walked the 260 kilometre Camino Trail as a precursor to Bruny! In coming days, she’d share candid stories in broken English about her eight decades on earth that inspired and wildly entertained. And as she strode ahead each time we hit the undulating coastal trail, I couldn’t help but marvel at her energy, determination, and joy she so clearly gained from each step. She wasn’t just leading us up hills—she was showing us how to live. In any other world our paths probably would not cross but wow - I’m glad they did.
2. I like bushwalking now.
As I ascended East Cloudy Head on day two, I finally got it. There had been enough time for me to disconnect from the outside world and dismiss the initial panic, align with a new rhythm, and relish the dopamine release that bushwalking (plus a cheeky swim) offers.
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3. I really like bushwalking now.
I used to see walking as nothing more than a slow, frustrating mode of transportation, but that perspective completely shifted on Bruny Island. Walking isn’t just about covering distance; it’s about the process, the act of moving deliberately through the wilderness (and the world). It forces you to notice things you might otherwise miss—the quiet crunch of your boots on a trail or the colour of the Tassie ocean under different lights of day. As French philosopher Frédéric Gros says, “Walking is not a sport.” It isn’t about speed, competition, or productivity. It’s about immersing yourself in the moment and truly seeing and experiencing the space around you. I learned that slowing down is not a weakness; it’s an antidote to the chaos of modern life.
I don’t expect to reach for my (now worn in!) hiking boots regularly, but won’t leave it so long between hikes, that’s for sure.
4. The surgeon, farmer, and tax advisor are friends now!
Throw strangers from all walks of life together on a hike and who knows what might happen. BUT I can happily confirm that this diverse group of excellent humans ended up pals, exchanging pics and emails and even suggesting they catch up over another coffee down the track...
***Spoiler – I'm not only a novice hiker but also the Marketing Manager for Tas Walking Co. So here’s my call to action:
If you’ve ever felt life moving too fast, consider stepping into the wilderness. Whether it’s Bruny Island, going for a solo walk or one of the other breathtaking trails offered by the Tasmanian Walking Company, you might just find the peace you didn’t know you were looking for.
Thanks for reading.
Sarah x
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Keep reading about Bruny Island
Bruny Island Long Weekend Featured in The New York Times for 2024 by Australian Traveller→
Bruny Island Time: Walk, Eat, Sleep Repeat by Andrew Bain→
Bruny Island Destination Guide by Discover Tasmania→
Our guests' reviews of Bruny Island→
