Darwin was headed into wet season. The heat had sky rocketed along with the humidity, the parks were closing down, the tourists were slowly leaving and I was unsure of where I was headed for summer. A chance conversation with a friend had me on the blower to Hassie, the owner of the Nullarbor Traveller who was looking for guides for the summer season.
Apparently one recommendation from a trusted friend was all he needed and the promise of a challenge was all that I needed. With no more than my hope in the honour of a word, from a man who I had never set eyes on, I left my home and friends in Darwin to set out on a new adventure. Just down the road and around the corner about 3015kms, give or take a few, was Adelaide and Nullarbor Traveller.
Now I’m not going to lie. I was shitting myself a little (a lot!). Ten days on the road being responsible for the welfare and travel dreams of up to 17 excited adventurers?! Yep it is safe to say I didn’t sleep a lot before my first trip training which was led by the Nullarbor’s tour guide extraordinaire, Craig.
Before I knew it three months had flown by! The camping adventures were stacking up along with the mountains being climbed and the scenery between Perth and Adelaide was getting even more beautiful. The good times spent around campfires were countless and I was surer than ever that this was where I was meant to be this summer.
The only thing I was missing was that feeling of home. Passengers have asked me countless times “where do you live?” And technically at the moment I’m homeless, so that’s what I generally reply with. This then leads to a lengthy discussion and ends with me saying my home is Australia. Many people are bewildered that I don’t have a house I call home and that when I finish camping with them for 20 odd days that I prefer to go back out bush instead of staying in the city.
