Bushwalking safety in the spotlight after WA rescue
Carolina Wilga was missing for 12 days when she was found alive with just minor injuries.
And while the circumstances of how Caroline survived for almost two weeks are yet to come to light, professional hikers are urging people to do their research before attempting walks in difficult terrain.
Guest: Terry Hewett, WA adventure tourism operator and outdoor educator with Adventure Out Australia
Producer: Grace Stranger
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ABC News
15 hours ago
- ABC News
What the stories of Robert Bogucki and Christopher McCandless reveal about our cultural obsession with survival
How would you cope if you got lost in the bush? How long could you survive if you had to rely on your own skills? Would you drink your own wee if it was the only option? They're questions few of us will ever answer. Most of us are too busy watching survival TV shows and scrolling wilderness content on social media, all from the safety of the suburbs. However, every year there are people who risk death to prove they can live off the land and endure the elements. People like Robert Bogucki, who danced with death during his 1999 pilgrimage into the Great Sandy Desert, and captivated strangers all over the world. Decades later, we're still hooked on watching folks more brazen than us grapple with their mortality. Survivor, about to embark on its 49th season, is one of the longest-running reality TV shows of all time, while Alone Australia remains SBS's most successful franchise, with its latest season pulling in 3.5 million viewers. But at a time when Australians are more buffered from risk than ever before, the pop culture obsession with outback survival is a strange phenomenon. It hints at a craving for hardship and a desire for meaning that many feel is lacking in their lives. For thousands of years — and to this day, in many parts of the world — humans struggled to locate enough water, food, and shelter to survive. These days it's typically people from privileged backgrounds who test their mettle in outback survival quests — flexing their practical skills to achieve a sense of strength and psychological wellbeing by enduring discomfort and overcoming adversity. Others opt for a safer, entry-level option — booking into the growing number of commercially run outback survival retreats. But most people only watch survival challenges vicariously online. Mike Atkinson, who's trained in outback survival in the Australian military and showcased his skills on the reality TV show Alone, has noticed interest growing in recent years. "Most of us in our current lifestyles probably don't get out into the wilderness, but there's definitely a growing trend in recent years for people wanting to explore that kind of area," he says. Atkinson now creates content about his wilderness adventures full time, and goes by "Outback Mike". He believes people are drawn to the genre because they feel disconnected from nature. "Modern life is pretty devoid of real challenges and outback survival gives you that real challenge," Atkinson says. "It's a connection to our evolutionary past, and they want to experience it. "But I reckon less than half of people watching this material will ever actually use the skills, whether it's on camping trips or overnight hikes, or trying more challenging outdoor activities." Reality TV shows create an illusion of risk, with paramedics and evacuation teams waiting on standby to snatch contestants away from danger if needed. But a small number of people risk their lives in search of solitude and spiritual growth, drawing on an age-old belief that romanticises nature as "authentic", and capable of revealing fundamental human truths. This yearning for spiritual connection is what sent Robert Bogucki out into the Great Sandy Desert in 1999. His remarkable story of survival, as told in the ABC's Expanse: Nowhere Man podcast, inspired visceral reactions among the public. Some were envious of his chance to seek solitude and challenge away from the shackles of daily life, while others were angry about the resources that went into large-scale search efforts to find him. Many were simply baffled by an impulse to disappear alone that they couldn't understand. While Bogucki and his long-time partner Janet North received letters of support and celebration of his survival from around the world, there was also significant backlash. The WA Premier at the time described Bogucki's actions as reckless, while letters to the editor scolded him as a "'selfish ignorant rich kid" who "needed a good smack in the mouth". Ben Martin, a former reporter for The West Australian who joined the search for Bogucki in 1999, believes the public response is revealing. "There's a fine line between celebrating some sort of frontier spirit, versus someone regarded as doing something a bit weird," he reflects. "People judged Robert so harshly … but people are paying thousands of dollars to go to yoga retreats to disconnect and just think, which is not that different to what Robert was seeking. "So I think the depth of thought that Robert was seeking was lost on a lot of people." The saga revealed a double-standard in how we respond to people who undertake risky endeavours. An attempt to break a world record is considered brave and bold, and extreme sports like base-jumping are deadly but tolerated. But dangerous journeys to achieve a spiritual, psychological or religious objective tend to puzzle and even offend the general public. The fall-out from Bogucki's odyssey revealed a deeper tension between the desire of the state to keep people safe, and the freedom of the individual to live and die as they wish. There are similarities with the much more famous case of Christopher McCandless, who starved to death in remote interior Alaska in 1992. McCandless — whose story was immortalised in the 1996 book Into The Wild, and later adapted for film — was determined to prove he could live off the land, but misjudged river levels and became trapped as the freezing winter approached. Both Bogucki and McCandless were intelligent, independent-minded young American men from highly educated and well-to-do families. Both embarked on physically and mentally challenging journeys into the wilderness, with an awareness and acceptance of the risks involved. But only one lived to tell the tale, while the other died a preventable death in the prime of life. Looking back now, Robert Bogucki says he can understand the comparison, although their motivations differed. "All I can say about McCandless is that he got what he wanted, to be out there alone in the wilderness," he says. "And I think he had a fulfilling life. He got what he asked for. "Some people would say 'oh, that's terrible because he died', but where do you want to die, in a hospital with a bunch of tubes sticking out of you?" While Robert's quest was primarily spiritual, he endured many of the challenges and discomforts experienced by those undertaking more straight-forward survival quests. Towards the end of the trip, he was so weakened by dehydration and malnutrition that he felt he'd die if he succumbed to the feelings of despair, or stopped moving to sit under a tree for more than a few minutes. On day 36 on his journey, he was so thirsty he considered drinking his own urine, but decided against it, deciding it would be akin to "giving up". Ultimately, Bogucki believes it was his faith in God and positive mindset that allowed him to endure a level of deprivation that the guidebooks suggest no-one could survive. "The simple answer [for how I survived] is by focusing on the good and not the bad — the life aspect, as opposed to the things that sucked energy from me," he says. "It came down to believing in God because of the love of life, as opposed to a fear of dying or hell." Those long, hot days and nights in the desert changed Bogucki, instilling a self-awareness and confidence in his ability to endure hardship that would be difficult to replicate. "It definitely caused me to slow down … it helps you identify your ego, that detrimental part of your self-awareness that I had to learn about, and that's always there," he says. "To be aware of that definitely helps deal with these modern times." Bogucki, now aged 59, lives with his partner Janet in a log cabin in remote central Alaska — not far from where McCandless died. He recognises that many people face adversity and hardship in daily life. "Not everyone's going to go for a walk in the desert, or go to the edge of the abyss, but they'll have their own troubles and trials and tribulations," he says. "I learnt you have a strength you don't know you have … everyone's got their cross to bear." The Bogucki saga exposed deep divisions over whether people should be allowed to undertake risky activities in the outback, or be protected from themselves in what's often characterised as a "nanny state" intervention. Opinion pieces published in the wake of his rescue dissected the ideological tension. One, by Alaskan outdoorsman Charlie Campbell, captured the culture of staunch individualism that's more pervasive in the US than Australia. "[Bogucki's case] raises an interesting question, one with profound moral dilemmas attached," he wrote in the Fairbanks Daily Miner. "What is society's responsibility to rescue people who may not want to be rescued? "We live in an age where more and more a huge safety net is created under most any activity we undertake. The problem with this is it runs counter to a basic human need to exercise free will." He pointed to the installation of boardwalks and handrails across scenic locations and national parks, "excessive" warning signs, and children so buffered from risk they would emerge into adulthood timid and unchallenged by adversity. The column also suggested a legal disclaimer could be considered for those of sound mind who wanted to undertake high-risk endeavours without intervention by authorities. It's an idea supported by Atkinson, who believes society has tipped too far in favour of minimising risk. "People end up so risk-averse that they've lost the ability to actually weigh up the positives and negatives of a risk decision, and they're missing out on a heap of positive experiences in nature because of that," he says. "It's detrimental, especially when parents seem to set this goal that my child shouldn't go through any hardship, whereas really it needs to be: 'What are the suitable risks that they can take, and what are the deliberate hardships that I'm going to allow them to experience in order for them to grow?'" A 2024 study from the Australian Institute of Family Studies showed the amount of time children under five spend indoors has increased in recent years, with researchers warning it could negatively impact wellbeing and development. Atkinson is by no means reckless. His wife and children are forefront in his mind, and he says he assesses the dangers of each journey carefully, whether it's sailing a handmade canoe through tropical waters or surviving alone on a remote beach for weeks. At times, he's carried a satellite communication device, leaving instructions to contact authorities if he doesn't do a digital "check-in" for more than seven days. But the 47-year-old former military pilot believes strongly that individuals should retain the right to risk their lives, so long as they're of sound mind and communicating clearly. "I've thought a lot about the most responsible way for people to do something like what Robert Bogucki did, and I think an indemnity form is the answer," he says. "So you can sign a form saying to the authorities: 'Hey, I'm going out bush, and I'm not going to tell you where, because I don't want you to have to feel responsible for searching for me.' "You should be able to do that as a kind of basic human right, because otherwise it opens up a whole bag of worms about how much risk you're allowed to take in your own life." It's the kind of system that could help authorities navigate cases like that of Thomas Seibold, a German man who disappeared in 2012 during an ambitious adventure in remote interior Alaska. Seibold was an experienced, resilient survival instructor at an outdoor skills school in Wisconsin. The police incident report into his disappearance, obtained by the ABC, states that Seibold had hiked to a remote cabin and planned to stay a couple of months alone to "spend time with nature". He was due to trek the 40 kilometres out to safety at the start of winter, but was never seen again. An inventory of his belongings — found at the cabin — included maps, winter clothing, a 0.22 calibre rifle, a moose carcass and a handful of berries. "Seibold has been presumed deceased … he is officially listed as a missing person," the police report states. Another life likely lost in the pursuit of solitude in the wilderness, in a manifestation of free will that few would choose. In Australia, it's becoming harder and harder to be alone in the wilderness to test your skills and enjoy peace and quiet. Every year, the spiderweb of sealed road spreads across the outback landscape. And mobile phone reception is expanding across the vast interior, making it difficult to avoid the incessant buzz of notifications. It's no doubt a positive for remote residents, for whom the bitumen and bars of reception are a critical link to help in times of crisis. But many, like Bogucki, believe we're less happy because our increasingly safe, suburbanised existence. "It's pretty clear that the answer is to get back to respecting the earth and having a connection with it," he says. "When you're in the city everything's so easy to get … and when you tear away all that modern world stuff, you can feel the benefits. "Your ego drops, you stop looking at yourself in the mirror. Don't take the selfie, don't take your phone out there and take selfies. It's not conducive to the spirit path, and it's not conducive to life." As technology expands to fill almost every facet of our lives, the promise of the wilderness shimmers like a mirage in our minds — a place to disconnect, to be alone, and, in as Bogucki puts it, "strip away the bark to find your essence". This concept of choosing to "go bush" for spiritual enlightenment is, in some ways, a privileged perspective. Aboriginal people continued to "survive" in some of the most challenging wilderness landscapes in Australia until around 50 years ago. Many still rely on age-old hunting and fishing techniques in places where shops are far away and incomes low. They're skills that help people survive when things go pear-shaped out bush. And it's often local Indigenous people who find and help tourists when they become stranded. Jabirr Jabirr and Nyikina man Lindsay Greatorex says older Aboriginal people's knowledge of Australia's remote landscapes is unparalleled and underestimated. "For tens of thousands of years, Aboriginal people built this incredible knowledge of country … they knew where the soak holes were, they knew the weather and the timing of everything," he says. "That's how we survived in those arid locations over the years, and there's still this survival instinct of the mob. Greatorex worked as a police officer across Western Australian for almost 20 years, and was part of the local team that went out in search of Bogucki in 1999. At times throughout his career, he watched in disbelief as men who'd grown up in the desert used their tracking skills to quickly locate missing people in remote areas. But he says the skills are at risk of disappearing, with younger generations largely stuck in towns and unable to learn how to live off the land their ancestors survived in for generations. "It's sad to see, and it's why it's so important we do our best to get our kids out bush," he reflects. "I have a bit of knowledge, but even I get my bush tucker from the supermarket — it's not like the old days, that's for sure." Outback survival makes for riveting viewing because it captures a reality that terrifies most people — being forced to rely on only yourself as imminent death looms. Australians are increasingly buffered from risk, and living longer than ever before. Outback survival offers a glimpse at an earlier existence that few would want to relive, but one that many suspect offered a sense of focus, purpose and wellbeing many now struggle to achieve. As Australian writer Ruth Ostrow observed in an article about Bogucki's disappearance in 1999, the fear of a life unlived haunts those of us fortunate enough to never know how we'd cope in a life -or-death situation. "As I stare into Bogucki's eye, I am afraid. Afraid of letting life pass me by," she wrote in a piece titled In Search of Peace on Earth. "But most of all, I'm afraid that I will never roam barefoot through dusty sand dunes, totally alone with the sound of my heartbeat and the wind, in the wilderness of my soul. "We've grown fat on money, food and possessions. But still we remain empty.
News.com.au
15 hours ago
- News.com.au
Image of BC Place in Vancouver shows what Australia is missing
Down Under we're incredibly blessed with world class restaurants, arguably the best coffee on the planet and beaches that tourists come for miles to catch a glimpse of. Outside of our love of sitting on the sand and soaking up the sun along with enjoying a nice cold drink on a Friday afternoon, Australians love nothing more than watching and heading to sporting events. We seemingly have everything we could need and more, but despite everything on offer … we're missing one thing. While we have some phenomenal stadiums on offer, none sit right in the heart of the city like they do overseas. The walk to and from a sporting event Down Under can still be a euphoric experience, but it all depends on the teams and in turn, the fan bases in attendance. In Vancouver it doesn't matter who is playing as the proximity of the stadium means the vibe of any sporting contest is felt across the entire city. The difference between BC Place and stadiums in Australia is abundantly evident when you're in the thick of the action. As soon as you walk out the door of your hotel in Vancouver you feel like you're a part of the action as fans stream past on their way to an event. In Melbourne or Sydney, unless you're in the general vicinity of the stadium you wouldn't know a sporting event is unfolding. Now this isn't me taking a shot at Australian sporting events, we Aussies are about as diehard as it comes … but the difference in having a stadium effectively on the city's doorstep is such a major plus to any event. It makes it clear that with the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Vancouver set to play host to seven matches, the vibe around the entire city over the course of multiple weeks will be akin to what we experience for a few days in the lead up to a Grand Final. While all eyes during the tournament will be focused on BC Place, it's around the city where the real experiences lie. And in one truly surprising twist, Vancouver may be the destination hotspot for foodie loving travellers. When you think about the places to visit for world class food experiences, the city of Vancouver rarely enters the conversation. When in reality it deserves a seat at the table. The spots foodies simply must go to Como Taperia A Spanish tapas restaurant that is a football lovers heaven. The food on offer is potentially some of the best Spanish food you'll ingest while the drinks match that level. But the real hidden treat for sports fans or card collectors … the toilets. The walls within the toilets are decorated from floor to ceiling in old school player cards. It's a dangerous decoration that you could sit and stare at for a bit too long. Anh and Chi If you want a feed that feels like a home cooked meal, head to Anh and Chi. A family run Vietnamese restaurant that delivers food that packs a punch. You won't be disappointed with anything you order, but the one thing you simply have to try is Grandma's Crab Tomato Noodle Soup. With a recipe that has remained unchanged for countless years, the taste will leave you salivating for months after. L'Abattoir Arguably the best spot in the city, the food is truly something else and the cocktails are what you'd expect at a world class bar. The old saying is don't fill up on bread, but at L'Abattoir that rule is out the window because I could've eaten my body weight in it. Places you have to visit in Vancouver Granville Island Another one for foodie lovers but also one for everyone. The markets have everything imaginable on offer with the island also home to a brewery and even a spa. The Granville Island foodie tour gives you an insight into all the mouth-wateringly good local food on offer. Those looking for a bit more relaxation need to give Circle Wellness a visit, the experience is unlike any other spa you may have visited. Capilano Suspension Bridge Only 20 minutes out of the city, the historic suspension bridge is a must see for visitors. Quick little hint if you're afraid of heights, don't look down. The 140m long bridge spans over the river and while it bounces around under all the foot traffic, the views are breathless. Where to stay If you're considering adding Vancouver to your travel list, and I highly recommend it should be high on any list, you want to be in the heart of it all. With that in mind the Opus Vancouver is the perfect spot. Situated in Yaletown, the boutique hotel is barely a 10-minute walk to BC Place and is surrounding by restaurants and bars. Don't feel like walking? The restaurant attached to the hotel, Capo & Spritz, offers up delicious food and drinks that can be enjoyed in doors out streetside in the sun.
News.com.au
17 hours ago
- News.com.au
Aussies venture beyond the hotspots in 2025 to ‘hidden gems' in China and Japan
Aussie travellers are becoming fed-up with crowds at some of their favourite hotspots and have instead shifted their attention to a few surprise locations. New research from Australian-based travel company, Wendy Wu Tours, has revealed how overtourism is fuelling Aussies' growing desire to explore lesser-known destinations. While places like Bali, Tokyo and various hotspots in Europe such as Paris, Spain and Italy will always be high on Aussies' travel lists, new search data shows there's been a 40 per cent spike in interest in lesser-known destinations. As such Aussies have shifted their attention to certain parts of Asia such as Zhangjiajie (China) – inspiring the film Avatar, Yangshuo (China), Kanazawa (Japan's samurai district), Takayama (Japan) and Nagano (Japan) as travel habits continue to evolve. According to the company, the shift reflects a broader movement toward conscious travel, where authenticity, sustainability, and off-peak exploration matter more than ticking off traditional tourist spots. 'We're seeing a global push to share the benefits of tourism more evenly and to reduce the pressure on heavily-visited and concentrated areas,' Simon Bell, managing director of Wendy Wu Tours told 'A crowded street in a famous city may look good in photos, but it's not always enjoyable 'in the moment'. 'Across the board, it's clear that Aussies are seeking deeper cultural connections with destinations, and travel that leaves a positive footprint.' In China, they're seeing great interest in Zhangjiajie – famous for its towering sandstone pillars. 'But what draws people now isn't just the visual splendour – it's the sense of stepping into a living landscape that feels almost untouched,' he told 'Waking up to mist curling around those spires offers a very different experience than battling through crowds at a major monument. Yangshuo is another example – its karst peaks rise from green rice paddies, and you can cycle between villages, stopping for tea in a farmer's courtyard. @ Visited Zhangjiajie six times, and this is the most fun route I've summarized. #chinatravel #vacation #traveltiktok #tourchina #travel #chinatrip #zhangjiajie #hunan #nature ♬ original sound - @cyncynti I've been there twice in two different years and this is what I learned: 🗓️The best time to visit is during early June, late September 🚊 Train Shanghai - Yangzhou 扬州 121-135rmb 2.5-3hrs 🚕 Taxi Yangzhou downtown to 📍 Luyanghu Wetland 1hr 🇨🇳 Name in local language: 📍渌洋湖湿地公园 💰 Entrance fee is 10rmb and 50rmb for the boat for 2 people for 40min Do you still have questions? Feel free to ask 🥰 . . #chinatravel #yangzhou #traveltips #travelguide #placestogo #travelblogger #uniqueplaces #chinadestinations #greenlake #china ♬ Space - French Fuse 'That kind of intimacy with a place is hard to find in the well-trodden tourist hotspots.' Tourism to China has surged thanks in part to a 30-day, visa-free policy introduced mid last year. Mr Bell said some Aussies are under the impression China is just big cities and concrete jungles, adding this couldn't be further from the truth. 'Yes, China's cities are impressive and while cities like Beijing and Shanghai are world-renowned, China is home to incredible natural wonders and lush green spaces, quaint rural villages, and national parks that rival anything seen elsewhere in the world,' he said. He explained when travellers venture off the main tourist trail, their spending supports small businesses, local producers, and family-run accommodation. 'These are often the people who miss out when tourism concentrates in a few overexposed spots,' he said. 'It also helps to distribute visitor numbers more evenly, which can ease pressure on fragile heritage sites, infrastructure, and the environment.' It's something that's currently happening in Indonesia with authorities encouraging Aussies to visit areas outside the usual suspects of Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu and Ubud. 'While Bali remains an incredibly popular destination for Australians, there's a wealth of cultural, natural and historical treasures across Indonesia that deserve more attention. These lesser-known regions offer travellers a richer and often more relaxed experience,' Mr Bell said. Aussies, who make up the bulk of their foreign visitors, have been asked to visit areas such as Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara. @ Kanazawa was so so underrated #japan #traveljapan #cherryblossom #visitjapan #kanazawa #japanesefood #japantiktok #fypシ゚viral ♬ original sound - Alexis While grateful for tourism in the hotspots, the country is trying to spread economic benefits and combat overtourism. 'Overtourism is certainly influencing how travellers are thinking about their next trip,' Mr Bell said. 'Rising crowds, visa fees and changes in the traditional Bali experience are prompting many Aussies to look further afield. It's not about abandoning Bali altogether, but expanding horizons to explore beyond the well-worn paths.' Mr Bell said, as for Japan, while demand is still strong, they're noticing Aussies wanting to go beyond Tokyo and Kyoto to places like Kanazawa, where centuries-old samurai and geisha districts remain beautifully preserved – and less crowded. 'In Takayama, there's a rhythm to daily life that travellers are drawn to – morning markets by the river, wooden merchant houses that still feel lived in,' he said. 'In Nagano, people aren't just coming for the snow. They're walking through cedar forests to ancient temples, soaking in hot springs, and experiencing the slower traditions of the Japanese Alps.' Like Indonesia, Japan is also urging Aussies to look beyond the popular cities as it battles overtourism. Meanwhile, Mr Bell explained more Aussies are choosing to travel outside the busy seasons meaning fewer people on the same trails, quieter hotels, and more opportunities to interact with locals in a relaxed way. 'In many destinations, the shoulder seasons bring beautiful weather and seasonal foods that you'd miss at other times,' he said. Mr Bell said the company has responded to the travel shift by designing their tours to take in the iconic cities while also including nights in smaller towns and rural areas. He said this way it gives guests time to linger and connect more deeply with each place. 'That might mean exploring Tiger Island on a three-wheeled xe loi, meeting local craftspeople who make plant pots and incense, joining a farmer for a day's work, or relaxing in a traditional onsen in Nagano,' he added. Mr Bell advised Aussies planning a trip this year to think about what you most want to get out of your time away. '[It] can mean packing in as many sights and experiences as possible; while for others, it's about slowing the pace and soaking in the atmosphere,' he said. 'The most memorable trips often strike a balance, blending must-see highlights with moments that surprise you – be it a hidden cafe down a quiet street or a local festival you didn't know was happening. 'Leave space for the unexpected, and your journey will stay with you long after you return home.'
