Mahalia Smith: Finding New Perspectives on Familiar Paths

For Mahalia, a love of the outdoors was never something she had to discover. Growing up in Indonesia, her childhood was spent exploring the jungle with her siblings and finding adventure in the natural world around her. Upon returning to Tasmania, she found herself surrounded by family, friends and mentors who shared that same connection to nature, many of whom had worked as guides for the Tasmanian Walking Company. However, her connection to the Overland Track began even earlier. In fact, her first journey on the trail was in her mum's tummy.

"It always seemed like such a cool job," she reflects.

However, it was an Outdoor Leadership course in her final year of school that introduced Mahalia to several Overland Track guides who sparked a renewed curiosity about the trail. Before long, she was following in their footsteps, beginning a career of her own.

Today, four years into guiding with the Tasmanian Walking Company, Mahalia still experiences the same sense of wonder that first drew her outdoors. In fact, one of the questions she's asked most often is whether she ever grows tired of walking the same track again and again.

For her, the answer is simple.

"The track is always changing, whether it's the seasons bringing different flora and fauna, the people you meet, or the weather conditions. There have been trips where we're slathering on sunscreen on the first day, then pushing through knee-deep snow by the fourth. Every trip offers something new, which is what keeps me excited to get back out there."

There is a common misconception that familiarity dulls experience. Yet for guides like Mahalia, the opposite is often true. Walking the same landscape offers a deeper appreciation for its subtle changes. A favourite stretch of trail can look entirely different beneath fresh snow, a burst of wildflowers or the golden light of late afternoon.

Meet Mahalia...

When asked about the moments that stand out most from her time guiding, Mahalia hesitates. There are too many to choose from. But rather than singular highlights, it is the people she shares the experience with that first come to mind. Like many of our guests, she speaks warmly of the connections formed on the trail, both with fellow guides and walkers.

"A lot of my favourite memories are with my co guides who are just amazing people and so much fun to work with. Whether it's going for swims in the snow, them carrying a cake and candles onto track for my birthday, or sleeping out under the stars. They are so knowledgeable and hard working and I am so grateful to be able to work with such beautiful people.”

Mahalia, Co. Guides and Fellow Walkers on the Overland Track

The guests leave their mark too.

"It's always so special to see the track through someone else's eyes. Every group brings new conversations, different perspectives and their own sense of wonder. They teach me just as much as I hope I teach them."

Perhaps that's one of the most rewarding parts of walking. No two journeys unfold in quite the same way. Different weather, different people, different conversations. The landscape remains, but the experience is always changing.

And for those feeling nervous about taking on a multi-day walk, Mahalia offers some reassuring advice.

"Train and pack accordingly, but after that, try to lean into it. Some of the most rewarding experiences come from stepping outside your comfort zone. I've seen guests arrive feeling incredibly nervous, only to finish the journey saying it was life-changing and something they'd do again in a heartbeat. The nerves rarely last long, but the memories do."

Last updated 22 September 2026.