Our complete guide to working on the road
When travel savings run low, working on the road can keep the adventure rolling — and give you time to truly explore places like a local.
Day 3 hiking the Australian Alps Walking Track solo
- Australian Alps Walking Trail, Hiking, Trail Journal
Steep forests, goat tracks to Mt Bimberi, kangaroos in camp, tent mishaps, and 16.9km on the track to Oldfields Hut.
Cotter Hut to Oldfields Hut (16.9km) | TOTAL- 56.2km
I set off at 7.30am after a good night’s rest and cranked the new Mia Wray album to get me in the zone, help lessen my focus on my aches, and feel a little less alone in the wilderness.
The morning took me through a steep rolling forest of gumtrees, which got my heart pumping early on. I’m yet to greet a day with a kind, flat start.
I really enjoyed singing along to the tunes and hearing some voices – Mia’s and my own. This was a warm up for what was to come – a phone call atop a hill to my wife (for that, it was definitely worth the gruelling climb). It was so good to hear her voice.
Late morning, I ditched my pack and set off on a side trip to Summit the ACT’S highest peak – Mt Bimberi (1,913m). It was a tough slog up following an indistinct trail, which looked like a goat’s track. Luckily, lots of little rock cairns had been placed so I largely stayed on track.
The peak offered stunning 360 degree views, and another phone call with my wifey. I also met five hikers (one group and one solo) on the way up. It was nice to chat with friendly humans.
Spotting Oldfields Hut off in the distance felt like a scene out of a movie. Picture the most gorgeous rustic little wooden hut surrounded by a field of green grass and bordered by forest in every direction – and Mt Bimberi right in front.
At the hut I bumped into the female solo hiker – an outdoor education teacher doing a ‘reccy’ for an upcoming trip. After a lovely chat, I bid her farewell and got to work lighting a fire in the hut.
It felt divine to be sorrounded by four walls, before th glow of a blazing fire. I took the opportunity to heat some water on the fire for a much needed bird bath, cooked myself pasta for dinner (a bit lack luster but oh well), then read many pages of notes from fellow explorers in the logbook, all the while listening to Tracy Chapman, Cub Sport and Dope Lemon.
Outside the hut, kangaroos were grazing and smoke from a nearby controlled burn wafted in the sky.
Tonight, I’ll go to sleep in NSW after crossing the state border near Mt Bimberi.
Kangaroos were grazing around my tent late in the evening, and I could hear them pulling and munching on grass just inches away from my tent (and head).
I whacked the tent to scare the roo off. This startled the roo who jumped through one of my tent strings causing a partial collapse, which required me to re-erect it.
Share:
More posts
How we scored a $1 campervan hire (and you can too)
We road-tripped from Adelaide to Melbourne for $1 a day. Here’s how campervan car relocations work — and the catches.
Vanlife like a pro: Tips to nail your vanlife setup
Hard-earned tips for setting up your vanlife rig, choosing the right gear, and thriving on the road in Australia.
Top 15 hiking gear hacks we swear by
Developed and tested on some of Australia’s toughest trails and in extreme weather, these 15 hiking gear hacks will elevate your hiking experience.
Want to roam with us?
Sign up to receive our latest travel stories, tips, tricks and destination guides.
Want to roam with us?
Sign up to receive our latest travel stories, tips, tricks and destination guides.
We honour the ancient cultures of the First Nations peoples whose land we travel.
Copyright © Franky Roams | 2026 | All Rights Reserved