ABC’s “Back Roads” wraps up its season with a trek through Western Australia’s breathtaking wilderness, exploring the Bibbulmun Track, a thousand-kilometer trail stretching from Perth to Albany. This isn’t just about putting one foot in front of the other; it’s about the transformative power of long-distance hiking and the diverse people it draws to the Australian bush.
Guest presenter Rae Johnston takes viewers on a journey along a section of the Bibbulmun Track, experiencing the region’s forests and stunning coastline. Along the way, she meets Steve Sertis, the lead guide at the Bibbulmun Track Foundation, whose passion for hiking was sparked by a simple trail marker.
Rae also introduces viewers to Zara White, who, at just 17, became the youngest person to complete the entire Bibbulmun Track in 2023, averaging an impressive 38 kilometers a day for 54 days. Zara’s story is a testament to the resilience and determination fostered by a childhood spent exploring the track with her father.
The episode also features Bellamore Ndayikeze, originally from Burundi, who shares how the First Hike Project, combined with the serenity of the Bibbulmun Track, helped her to find peace and healing after experiencing childhood trauma.
“Back Roads” takes us beyond the tourist brochures, introducing us to the people who make these remote corners of Australia so special. Tune in to ABC Australia this Thursday, 20 March at 8:00 PM for the season finale.
