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Do you live on the route?
It will be cooold in June in the places Mark is going! If any kind soul that lives along the route that Mark is following would like to accommodate Mark for a night during the walk, please contact Mark.
 
Fancy a stroll?
I am more than happy to have people join me for a day or two as I walk. If you feel like a day's walk through the  countryside, check out the route, pick a day that suits you and contact Mark.

 

The Walk
 
 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

 
When are you leaving?

I will leave at 5am on Monday, June 19th 2000, from the lowest point in the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, escorted from the Sydney Harbour Tunnel and the Domain Tunnel by the NSW Police Service and the RTA (and my mate Greg driving my van taking photos).

How far is it?

About 560 km (350 miles).

How long will it take?

My itinerary (see the Route page) involves 20 days, including 1.5 rest days.

Is the Sydney Harbour tunnel really the lowest point in Australia?

Lake Eyre, SA is the lowest physical point in Australia, at 14 metres (46 feet) below sea level.  The lowest man-made point in Australia is probably the bottom of some mine shaft somewhere.  So the bottom of the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, at 27 metres (88 feet) below sea level, would be (in my guess) the lowest publicly-accessible point in Australia (if anyone knows of a lower one, they can kindly keep it to themselves, thanks very much).  How convenient that it's in Sydney, where I live....

What is the total vertical height you'll climb?

From 27 metres (88 feet) below sea level to 2228 metres (7310 feet) above sea level, a total climb of 2255 metres (7398 feet).

Will you have a support vehicle?

I can't imagine why I'd need one.

What route are you taking?

The full route, with a map, is described on the Route page.  I will be sticking to secondary roads for most of the walk, for a few reasons:

  1. It makes the route shorter and thus faster

  2. It is more convenient for me to buy supplies along the way.

  3. It affords maximum visibility for the sponsors

  4. It is safer

Where will you sleep?

I will stay in (or near) towns for almost all nights.  This should make the walk a little more comfortable on cold nights, when I can sit in a cafe (or something) and read, or write the web updates, etc).  I will carry a tent for the nights when no offers of accommodation have been made in a town (I expect to sleep in the tent for at least half the nights).

What will you eat?

As much as possible, I will by buying prepared food.  I will carry a camping stove, but I don't plan to do much cooking, except when I'm away from towns in the evenings.  I will carry snacks and a quantity of the finest scroggin (trail mix) in the world.

Won't it be cold?

Yes, undoubtedly, especially in the Australian Alps.  I may even need to do the last few kilometres on cross-country skis.  But I have plenty of experience camping in cold weather, and I don't anticipate the cold to be any problem.

What are you going to take?

I will carry all equipment in a backpack, including:

  • Tent

  • Warm sleeping bag and mat

  • Warm clothes

  • Wet weather gear

  • First Aid kit

  • Cooking equipment

  • Snacks/water

  • Palmtop computer

  • Mobile phone

  • Maps

What is your recipe for that fabulous scroggin (trail mix)?

  • 1 part unsalted peanuts

  • 1 part sultanas

  • 1 part dark cooking chocolate pieces

  • 2 parts rolled oats

 

 

 
The Cause

All monies collected on this walk will be donated to Mission Australia to care for the homeless.  To learn more about their work, visit www.mission.com.au
 
Spread the word
The more people that know about this walk, the more successful it will be.
Please TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

 

 

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