What is your story about?

Walking the first 70km of the Heysen trail in South Australia. Just completed it in the first week of October.

What is your favourite outdoor adventure of all time and why?

Cycling around the Isle of Man and Scotland for 6 weeks, tenting and using YHA . Including a climb to the top of Ben Nevis.

What advice would you give to someone who is new to spending time in the outdoors or hesitant to start?

Start small and work into it . Spend money on really good equipment. Look after your feet, try different boots or shoes.

What first drew you to the outdoors and how has your relationship evolved since then?

My first real taste was an overnight hike to the Pinnacles hut on a school camp when I was 14 (1977) and the rangers hut was the only hut up there. Been going back ever since .

What challenges have you faced being able to spend time in nature and how have you overcome them?

Sometimes pushing too hard . Have learnt to slow down. Take more breaks.

What challenges have you faced while being in the outdoors and how have you overcome them?

Food, still trying to work out what is the best to take over a long stretch.

Can you share a particularly memorable outdoor experience and why it stands out?

We were in the Kaimais and got caught out in really bad weather. Cloud was so thick and had very little visibility. Ended up crawling over a log to cross a river in flood to get to a hut. Not our finest hour but it turned out OK.

In what ways has spending time in nature impacted your physical, mental and/or spiritual well being? 

Every time I step out in the bush I feel better mentally for sure. It's peaceful.

What aspects of your outdoor adventure do you find most fulfilling and how do these moments make you feel?

Completing a long hard climb and looking out into the distance, gives a great feeling of achievement.

Has your appreciation for the outdoors influenced your daily life or perspectives once you’re home again?

Yes I feel it makes me appreciate the small things.

Is there a dream adventure you’d like to do?

The Te Araroa or sections of it is the main goal now . Plus some other areas of New Zealand, the Coromandel for sure.

Gavin Donaldson, Success Story

Your Story Can Make An Impact

Many of you have shared your stories privately with me, through direct messages, emails, phone and in person conversations. You are my inspiration and my superstars. Hearing the personal challenges you’ve overcome, how you felt before making a change, the positive transformation you’ve experienced and your outlook for the future are all inspirational. 

Now is your opportunity to share your Success Stories with the Freewheeling Kiwi Community so that in turn we may all be inspired by you. 

By sharing your story, you’ll help shape the narrative as to who spends time in our beautiful outdoors, you’ll influence others in a positive way and lift up our whole Freewheeling Kiwi Community. 

Your story will make an impact to the lives of others and this can only be good for us all. ❤︎

Planning a trip to New Zealand

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