THIS WEEK IN THE WILD - Post 0001 - 19 October 2026
A weekly roundup of news and views concerning the bush, environment, wilderness and wildlife (and much more)
THIS WEEK IN THE WILD
Kevin
10/18/202612 min read
Welcome to the very first issue of This Week in the Wild, a weekly digital gathering dedicated to the sprawling beauty of the bush, the fragile rhythms of our natural ecosystems, and the timeless call of the great outdoors. If you have been following my digital footprint over the years, you will likely know that I am rarely one to shy away from a bit of digital evolution—or a stubborn administrative headache. With social media platforms like Facebook continuously shifting the goalposts for community pages and demanding hefty toll fees simply to ensure your updates reach the people who actually asked for them, I decided it was high time to reclaim full control over how we share our stories. Rather than playing a losing game dictated by algorithms, I have chosen to pivot our approach. Moving forward, this curated newsletter-style post will land right here on the blog on a weekly basis, serving as a reliable campfire where regulars and newcomers alike can drop anchor. Whether you are a seasoned bushwalker tracking down trail notes, a local resident stopping by for a breath of green air, or a traveller making the scenic transition over from our social channels, I hope this space becomes an enjoyable and informative read. The wilderness is vast, endlessly fascinating, and always has something new to teach us—so let’s dust off our boots, settle in by the hearth, and get this inaugural edition off and running.
The Great Koala National Park
Legislation to establish the long-awaited Great Koala National Park in New South Wales has officially landed in parliament, marking a monumental step forward for Australian conservation. If successfully brought to life, this sprawling reserve will encompass roughly 475,000 hectares of protected landscape, wrapping more than 178,000 hectares of newly added state forest and Crown land into the existing national park estate. Beyond protecting an estimated 12,000 koalas and 36,000 sugar gliders, this massive green corridor will safeguard more than a hundred threatened species, ranging from rare flora to vulnerable birds and forest mammals. Yet what makes this legislative push particularly fascinating from an outdoor enthusiast’s perspective is how it balances strict environmental protection with public access. Rather than locking the gates entirely, the proposed framework designates specific zones—including regional parks—that explicitly safeguard recreational freedoms. This means traditional bushwalking, camping, trail running, mountain biking, kayaking, and four-wheel driving can continue side-by-side with crucial habitat preservation, ensuring that future generations can experience the raw beauty of our native forests firsthand while knowing the wildlife within is finally given the breathing room it deserves.
For more visit:
A Trek Through Badlands National Park
For anyone who thinks a walk in the park involves a well-graded gravel path and a neatly painted interpretive sign, long-distance trekker Cam Honan’s traverse across South Dakota’s Badlands National Park is a brilliant reality check. Spanning some 90 miles across five days of relentless, self-supported hiking, Honan’s route took him right through the heart of one of America's most striking and unforgiving natural landscapes—a place where vibrant prairie grasslands collide with an intricate, moon-like labyrinth of eroded buttes, spires, and steep, crumbly gullies. Without a formal backcountry trail network to lean on, navigating the Badlands demands serious route-finding grit, a tolerance for scorching daytime heat that can swiftly give way to biting winds and sudden rain, and careful logistical planning around sparse water sources. Yet it is precisely this lack of artificial infrastructure that makes the journey so compelling. Traversing a landscape largely untouched by human interference offers a rare chance to witness native fauna—from fleet-footed pronghorn and roaming bison to reintroduced bighorn sheep—thriving in a truly wild environment. It stands as a masterclass in modern backpacking, reminding us that the most rewarding trails are often the ones we have to piece together ourselves.
For more visit:
Walks of the Glass House Mountains National Park
Rising dramatically out of the flat agricultural plains of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland, the striking volcanic plugs of the Glass House Mountains offer some of the most unique walking terrain in eastern Australia. Steeped in deep cultural significance for the Jinibara and Kabi Kabi peoples, these ancient stone monoliths are far more than just a scenic backdrop—they are an invitation to explore a landscape shaped by geological history and rich Indigenous heritage. For day-trippers and weekend bushwalkers, the national park provides a wonderful spectrum of trails, ranging from leisurely family-friendly strolls around the base of Mount Tibrogargan to moderately steep climbs up Mount Ngungun that reward your huffing and puffing with panoramic, postcard-worthy vistas across the entire hinterland. For the truly adventurous, challenging routes like the Yul-yan-man track—whose very name translates to "walk slowly" in the local Indigenous language—demand absolute respect, proper preparation, and a steady head for heights as you scramble across exposed rock faces. Whether you are looking for a gentle Sunday morning leg-stretcher through eucalypt woodland or an invigorating test of your scrambling skills, the Glass House Mountains remain an essential chapter in any Australian bushwalker's itinerary.
For more visit:
A Quick Look at the Bungle Bungles
Tucked away in the remote reaches of Western Australia’s East Kimberley region, Purnululu National Park is home to one of the most visually arresting landscapes on the Australian continent. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Area, the park is world-famous for the striking, beehive-shaped sandstone domes of the Bungle Bungle Range, which rise in dramatic fashion up to 250 metres above the surrounding savanna floor. These iconic orange-and-grey banded towers are a geological marvel; the vibrant bands are created by alternating layers of iron oxide and microscopic cyanobacteria that cling to moisture in the porous rock. For thousands of years, this rugged country has been the traditional home of the Kija and Jaru peoples, whose deep cultural connection echoes through every shaded gorge and ancient rock shelter. Exploring Purnululu is an adventure in the truest sense of the word, requiring a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle to navigate the bone-rattling Spring Creek Track just to reach the park boundaries. Once inside, walking trails lead intrepid visitors into astonishing natural anomalies like the soaring, cathedral-like acoustics of Cathedral Gorge or the narrow, towering shadows of Echidna Chasm, where the midday sun paints the sheer rock walls in brilliant strokes of fiery gold.
For more visit:
Porcupine Gorge National Park
Often affectionately described as Australia’s "little Grand Canyon," Porcupine Gorge National Park is a breathtaking geological surprise hidden away in the sweeping savanna plains of Outback Queensland, north of Hughenden. The relentless flow of Porcupine Creek has sliced deep into the earth, carving out a magnificent gorge whose towering, multicoloured sandstone cliffs expose ancient sedimentary layers in striking reds, yellows, and creams. Right on the gorge floor stands the Pyramid—an isolated, wind-and-water-sculpted monolith that commands attention and anchors the dramatic scenery. For travellers willing to venture off the main highway, the park offers a wonderful variety of experiences, from gentle strolls along the rim at the upper lookouts to the invigorating challenge of the Pyramid walking track, which descends steeply down a rugged path to the permanent waterholes and tranquil stream bed below. These shady oases serve as vital wildlife refuges in the harsh outback climate, providing a haven for an abundance of native birdlife, including noisy flocks of red-tailed black cockatoos. Whether you choose to spend an afternoon admiring the views from above or set up camp under the starry outback night sky at the Pyramid camping area, Porcupine Gorge stands out as a true jewel of the northern interior.
For more visit:
Visit One of the World’s Top Sunset Spots Here in Australia
It comes as little surprise to anyone who has ever stood in the quiet dust of the Red Centre, but Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park has officially been crowned one of the absolute finest places on Earth to watch the day draw to a close. In a comprehensive global study evaluating atmospheric clarity, minimal light pollution, cloud patterns, and weather stability, Australia’s iconic red monolith scored a place in the global top ten—and claimed the top spot in Oceania. While coastal sunsets certainly have their charm, there is a distinct, almost mystical magic to watching the sun sink over Anangu land. As the golden hour sets in, the ancient sandstone monolith undergoes an astonishing transformation, shifting through a fiery spectrum of ochre, deep terracotta, and glowing purple as the desert sky fades to velvet darkness.
Yet, for bushwalkers and nature lovers, the true magic of Uluru-Kata Tjuta extends well beyond pull-apart viewing platforms at dusk. Experiencing this sacred landscape on foot—whether following the 10-kilometre Uluru Base Walk past weathered caves and ancient rock art, or navigating the soaring, dome-shaped rock formations along the Valley of the Winds trail at nearby Kata Tjuta—offers an unhurried connection to one of the world's oldest living cultural landscapes. The key to soaking it all in is simply giving yourself time. Pair an early morning walk through the cool, quiet shadows of the desert gorges with an evening spent quietly watching the last light warm the ancient stone, and you will quickly realize why this corner of Australia continues to captivate travelers from every edge of the globe.
For more visit:
Getting Out In and Around Sydney
When most people picture Sydney, their minds immediately jump to harbour ferries, glitzy high-rises, and crowded stretches of golden sand. What is far less recognised—and far more rewarding for the outdoor enthusiast—is that Australia’s largest city is essentially a bustling metropolis completely woven into a world-class outdoor playground. Ringed by spectacular national parks and carved up by intricate harbour waterways, Sydney offers an incredible diversity of nature escapes right on its urban doorstep. From the dramatic sandstone sea cliffs and hidden ocean pools of the eastern suburbs to the serene bushland tracks hugging Ku-ring-gai Chase to the north and the wild, wind-swept coastal bluffs of the Royal National Park down south, you are never more than a short hop away from a genuine breath of wilderness.
For those eager to swap paved footpaths for dirt trails and salt spray, exploring the city’s greener edges yields endless surprises. You can spend a morning navigating iconic coastal routes like the Spit to Manly walk—weaving through pockets of native angophora forest and quiet, emerald harbour coves—or head for lesser-known gems like the Hermitage Foreshore Track or the secluded swimming spots tucked away in Middle Harbour. Add in the network of historic tidal baths, secret rock pools, and bush-backed beaches like Store Beach or Collins Flat, and Sydney proves itself to be far more than a concrete jungle. It is an extraordinary basecamp for bushwalkers, swimmers, and weekend wanderers who prefer their morning coffee served alongside a sweep of wild Australian coastline.
For more visit:
11 Walks on the NSW South Coast
There are few stretches of the Australian coastline quite as captivating as the New South Wales South Coast, where rugged eucalypt forests sweep down to meet pristine turquoise waters, golden sand coves, and ancient rocky headlands. For anyone looking to swap the hum of the highway for the crunch of gravel underfoot and the rhythmic crashing of ocean waves, a newly highlighted collection showcases eleven of the finest walking trails across the region. From gentle clifftop strolls that offer front-row seats to breaching whales and pods of dolphins to invigorating bush tracks winding through lush coastal national parks, this curated guide is an exceptional reminder of why the South Coast remains a sanctuary for weekend wanderers and dedicated bushwalkers alike.
What makes this coastal region so rewarding on foot is its incredible diversity of landscapes packed into a relatively accessible stretch. In places like Murramarang National Park, trails take you right across fascinating rock platforms, past shady spotted gum forests where kangaroos contentedly graze near the surf, and out to sweeping ocean lookouts. Further down the coast, iconic trails like the multi-day Light to Light walk in Beowa National Park or the powdery white sands of Jervis Bay offer immersive journeys through distinct ecosystems that feel worlds away from modern civilisation. Whether you are planning a quick afternoon leg-stretcher or piecing together a weekend-long nature immersion, these trails invite you to slow your pace, breathe in the salt-sprayed air, and experience the wild, untamed beauty of the south.
For more visit:
Now for some Videos
There are always some great videos to watch on YouTube, from updates on important issues regarding the environment to documentaries on wilderness and wildlife. There are even personal accounts of visits to wilderness areas, etc. Each week I’ll be highlighting some of them in this newsletter for you to enjoy and stay informed.
Lessons from the Okavango Delta in Botswana
Few environments on Earth command the ecological significance or raw majesty of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed inland wetland where pristine floodwaters spill directly into the arid sands of the Kalahari rather than meeting the sea. In this insightful feature from ABC News' Landline, viewers are taken on a journey deep into this sprawling, two-million-hectare sanctuary alongside an international collective of university students and leading researchers. The piece explores the intricate "boom and bust" rhythms that sustain a staggering abundance of wildlife, from roaming elephant herds and hippos to endangered African wild dogs. Yet beneath the breathtaking natural beauty lies a stark, universal warning. Researchers draw direct, sobering parallels between the over-extraction and climate pressures facing the Okavango and our own troubled inland river systems back in Australia, such as the Murray-Darling Basin and Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre. As upstream agricultural development intensifies, the film highlights why protecting these vital freshwater arteries requires rigorous cross-border management and a new generation of dedicated conservationists. It is a compelling reminder that the challenges governing water, life, and survival in the wild transcend international borders.
Visit:
Cambodia’s Secret Rainforest and Rare Wildlife
Deep within the rugged, mist-shrouded peaks of the Cardamom Mountains in southwest Cambodia lies one of Southeast Asia's last truly intact and untamed rainforest frontiers. Once a heavily guarded stronghold for Khmer Rouge guerrillas, this 44,000-square-kilometre wilderness has largely escaped modern development, sheltering an extraordinary wealth of biodiversity that includes Asian elephants, gaurs, sun bears, and the critically endangered Siamese crocodile and southern batagur turtle. This captivating documentary pulls back the green curtain to follow dedicated conservationists and local field researchers as they utilise modern camera traps and hands-on community initiatives to monitor and protect vulnerable wildlife populations. Beyond documenting the elusive daily lives of forest inhabitants, the film shines a light on the delicate human-wildlife dynamics playing out on the jungle's edge. It explores innovative community projects—such as early-warning bell systems and non-lethal deterrents—designed to help local farmers coexist peacefully with wandering elephants, alongside sustainable harvesting traditions like cultivating aromatic eaglewood (oud). It is a mesmerising testament to a remarkable landscape fighting to retain its wild heart against the pressures of a changing world.
Visit:
The Secret Life of Seals
For most of us, the mysterious world of the Baltic grey seal is glimpsed only in fleeting moments along windswept shores. This immersive nature documentary invites viewers far out into the icy, isolated archipelagoes of Stockholm during a brief, two-month winter window when hundreds of grey seals haul themselves onto barren rock islands to give birth, nurse their pups, and mate. The film offers an intimate look at the immense challenges these intelligent marine mammals face, from fiercely territorial bulls and opportunistic white-tailed sea eagles to the delicate bonds between mothers and newborns. Beyond the dramatic seasonal pageantry, the documentary delves into the broader environmental narrative surrounding the Baltic Sea. It traces how historic contamination from toxic PCBs nearly pushed the species to the brink of extinction decades ago, and how stricter regulations have helped the population claw its way back to recovery. Yet, the story also confronts modern realities: as dwindling commercial fish stocks force seals closer to human shipping lanes and fishing grounds, the age-old friction between human livelihoods and marine predators resurfaces. Blending breathtaking underwater cinematography with sobering ecological insights, it is a fascinating portrait of survival against the elements.
Visit:
Celtic Rewilding and the Agile Frog
When we think of ecological restoration, our minds often jump to grand visions of returning apex predators or reforesting vast tracts of land, frequently overlooking the smaller, vital creatures that quietly hold food webs together. This engaging dispatch from Leave Curious turns our attention toward a pioneering rewilding initiative in Britain tackling a deeply ambitious goal: bringing back one of the region's long-lost native amphibians, the agile frog. Armed with a significant £100,000 investment and cutting-edge recirculating aquaculture technology, conservationists are establishing a state-of-the-art breeding and biosecurity facility designed to raise thousands of robust tadpoles for future reintroduction. The video explores the unique ecological niche of the agile frog—a remarkably fast jumper that relies heavily on the microclimates created by healthy, broadleaf deciduous woodlands and seasonal ponds. As the project partners with estates like Norfolk’s West Acre to prepare secure, thriving release sites, the film makes a passionate case for the importance of public engagement and grassroots support in funding these lesser-known restoration efforts. It is an inspiring, behind-the-scenes look at the meticulous science and unwavering dedication required to stitch the missing threads back into a fractured ecosystem.
Visit:
The Bit at the End
If you enjoyed this inaugural issue of This Week in the Wild, thank you for stopping by! This is just the beginning, and I am excited to have you along for the ride as this newsletter evolves over the coming weeks. Behind the scenes, I am already cooking up plenty of fresh content, including field-tested gear reviews, detailed track notes, and firsthand personal accounts from my own bushwalking and camping adventures out in the wild.
Be sure to bookmark the blog and check back next week for Issue 0002. If you have any feedback, trail recommendations, or just want to share a story from your own recent wanderings, I would love to hear from you. Until next time, stay safe, tread lightly, and enjoy getting out into the great outdoors!
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