If hard bodies and fast transportation seem oddly outdated, you’re not wrong. Walking is the new soft pants of travel, and watching others walk is almost as good as walking yourself.
Example 1. A grumpy old man decides to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Although not exactly a high-concept film, Bill Bennett’s film The Way My Way, based on his 2013 memoir about walking an 800km pilgrimage, was one of this year’s Australian box office successes. This is one of the stories.
This humble, slow-sounding story has led to the worldwide popularity of walking the Camino, an increasingly famous foot trek that engages some 6 million people a year in a spiritual and touristic experience. Masu.
Example 2. On television, The Great Australian Walk with Julia Zemiro aired in August 2023 and was a critical success on SBS, becoming one of the network’s highest rated shows. Who would have thought that walking around would make good television? SBS has announced that The Great Australian Walk will return for a second series, premiering on August 22.
In contrast to flashy travel shows like The Getaway, the first series of The Great Australian Walk featured no jet planes or luxury hotels, and an almost lame mix of history, travelogue and gentle humour. It was a heartwarming depiction of Zemiro going through a series of 10 episodes. – A day spent walking through picturesque, but not exactly exotic locations. These include Sydney’s Bondi to Clovelly seaside walk, Victoria’s Point Nepean and Hobart’s Mt Wellington.
In each episode, the comedian and actor speaks with prominent figures from the region, touching on difficult politics and Indigenous history, but always with kindness and her signature wry humor. did.
Read: ‘The Way, My Way’ hits $2 million at Australian and New Zealand box office
See more Great Australian Walks
Ten new episodes of Great Australian Walks explore new regions of Australia including Margaret River, Rottnest Island, Newcastle, St Kilda and Bruny Island, Uluru, Mt Kosciuszko, rolling vineyards along the Riesling Trail and historic Beechworth. will be expanded to.
This time, two new hosts will also be joining Zemiro. Comedian Susie Youssef (Deadlock, The Project) and inaugural Alone Australia winner Gina Chick. Gina Chick became an instant star with her big smile ever since she first appeared as a contestant on the survival reality show. Woo-woo philosophy and a possum fur cloak. As the winner, it turns out that Chick is actually a smart woman. She knew what she was doing out in the field.
Chick is also a fan of wide horizons as an anxiety reliever. She says in the IG video below: “It’s hard to feel like the most important thing in the universe when it falls on the horizon.” Its infinite edges help give context to our lives and connect us to the web of life. ”
As quoted in an SBS media release, Chick said of his first hosting gig: “Our world is experiencing an accelerating shift in culture as humans become increasingly disconnected from nature. Inside, this show is the perfect antidote, reminding us to slow down and look up.” And by letting the horizon do what the horizon does, we’re embracing the interconnected nature of life.” We become more aware of our place in the web. Or go for a walk with a friend and discover some of the more amazing secrets our wonderful country hides in plain sight. ”
Great Australian Walks – Series 2 is produced by Mint Pictures and executive produced by Julia Zemiro. Guests joining the hosts this season include ARIA Award-winning musician and activist John Butler, broadcaster and author Benjamin Law, comedians Geraldine Hickey and Rachel Berger, and Indigenous singer-songwriter They include Kutcha Edwards and award-winning authors Craig Silvey and Katheryn Kovačić. and Olympic legend Kurt Fearnley.
The series also explores Australia’s history, from the Stuart Diver being salvaged from the Thredbo landslide in 1997, to the historic return of Uluru in 1985 and the infamous Ned Kelly shootout, which was dubbed the country’s first paparazzi. It also promises nostalgic archival footage of key moments in the country’s history. photograph.
In announcing the program, Zemiro said: “We were overwhelmed by the enthusiastic and passionate response from viewers to series one of The Great Australian Walk.” People really crave the connection with nature and the peace that walking can provide. ”
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Walking is the new mindfulness
Don’t worry that virtual walking (watching others walk) will replace real activity. Great Australian Walks aims to inspire viewers to get outside and do something, with each episode featuring individual, achievable walks that are easily rated. Moderate.
And, in keeping with the show’s easy-going tempo, the Bruny Island episode sees host Gina Chick tackle a steep hill on an electric bike. There are no rules when it comes to walking. No macho nonsense. There is no need to strive for Mount Everest among frozen corpses.
Many of us have rediscovered the joy of walking during the coronavirus lockdown. This is because restrictions on going out have forced people to find novelty and small escapes in the backstreets and alleys within their permitted range of movement. And now that we’re allowed to travel again amid the unfolding climate crisis, air travel feels like a guilty pleasure. I might still be able to enjoy it (I confess I’m currently planning a trip to Fiji), but that feeling is waning. It’s closer to home than walking.
The Great Australian Walk – Series 2 premieres on Thursday 22 August at 7.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand. The 10-part series continues weekly.
