A young couple have travelled 1,600 kilometres on foot in 102 days with their one-year-old daughter in tow.
Adventurous parents Justin, 34, and Lauren Jones, 37, from Sydney’s Bondi, embarked on the epic trek with baby Morgan in the Australian Outback – setting off in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, in July.
The pair, otherwise known as ‘The Jonesys’, have walked across some of the country’s most rugged and remote locations – all while pulling along their little girl in her own custom-built cart.
Fast forward three months, the family have completed their journey after they arrived in South Australia’s Port Augusta on Wednesday – before boarding their flight back home on Thursday.
Adventurous parents Justin and Lauren Jones, from Sydney’s Bondi, embarked on the epic trek with baby girl Morgan in tow
The littlest traveller who used up to 700 nappies on her trek – even learned how to walk – and run in the bush
‘It’s been the trip of a lifetime,’ Mr Jones said.
‘Lauren and I spent our twenties chasing our love of travel and adventure. When we were starting our family, ‘settling down’ in the traditional sense of the word just didn’t appeal to us.
‘We value experiences over possessions, have a love of travel and enjoy being outside.’
And the adventurous couple certainly made the most of their maternity leave after strapping their daughter on their backs as they explored the natural surroundings.
Mrs Jones, originally from Seattle, Washington, said she wanted to fulfil her dream of raising her daughter up with a love of the outdoors and learning from the school of life.
Bath time! Little Morgan taking a shower in a tiny tub as she embraces the Australian Outback with her doting parents
The 34-year-old father playing with his loving daughter as they take a break from their gruelling 1,600km trek
The pair walked across the rugged and remote locations – all while pulling along their girl in her own custom-built cart
Heavy travellers: The family getting ready to embark on their epic three-month adventure in the Australian Outback in July
‘One of the biggest reasons we decided to do this expedition as a family is because we wanted to help build curiosity, resilience, strength and kindness in our daughter,’ she said.
‘And if we are honest, we wanted to boost these traits in ourselves as parents too.’
From learning how to walk in the bush to sleeping for a fifth of her life in the Outback, the littlest traveller – who used 700 nappies on her journey – have encountered parts of Australia.
Happy travellers: The family have completed their journey after they arrived in South Australia’s Port Augusta on Wednesday
Happy campers! The adventurous family embarked on a trip on the road after swapping the city life for the Outback
The family walked through the picturesque and historic landmarks – and it wasn’t an easy feat after stumbling across snakes, lizards, emu, camels, brumbies, dingoes and countless flies
The family walked through the picturesque and historic landmarks – and it wasn’t an easy feat after stumbling across snakes, lizards, emu, camels, brumbies, dingoes and countless flies.
Her husband was the first person to kayak from Australia to New Zealand and traverse Antarctica from the coast to the pole and back aged in his 20s – both unsupported.
The professional adventurer said he wanted to do a trip closer to home – but he didn’t want to miss out on seeing his daughter grow.
The couple have walked across some of the country’s most rugged and remote locations – all while pulling along their bub
The littlest traveller – who used 700 nappies on her journey – have encountered parts of Australia
Learning to cook: Little Morgan watching her doting father roll up dough to prepare for their meals
And so the family of three decided to take swap the city life for an adventurous Outback.
‘The purpose of this expedition is to merge a family life and an adventurous life,’ Ms Jones said.
‘We are attempting to settle down differently and break free of the traditional confines, safety and security that often go hand-in-hand with having children, at least for a period of time.
‘We want to take ourselves out of some of the trappings and the hustle and bustle of our normal city life to create space and time for what really matters – and learn to let go of what doesn’t.’
Adorable traveller: The one-year-old girl learnt how to walk in the bush and slept for a fifth of her life in the Outback
The Jonesys’ from Sydney have also drawn attention to sustainable living and humans’ impact on the world around them
Living in the Outback! Little Morgan protecting herself from countless flies by wearing a net over her head (right)
Trekking through dirt, the family taking a break to enjoy their meal before they set off again on their incredible journey
The young father managed to haul his family’s supplies through sizzling temperatures soaring above 41 degrees in the heat of the day, and sinking to -2 overnight.
He even shed 25 kilos along the way, with the heaviest cartload he’s pulled weighing in at 270kg.
‘I’ve eaten over 100 flies, accidentally, so far,’ Justin said.
Following months of preparation, working out how to carry enough supplies to survive and thrive in the Aussie Outback, and how to cut back on food – and nappy – waste, the Jonesys’ have also drawn attention to sustainable living and humans’ impact on the world around them.
The pair, otherwise known as ‘ The Jonesys ‘, have walked across some of the country’s most rugged and remote locations – all while pulling along their little girl in her own custom-built cart
‘We can’t think of a better early life experience than being surrounded by nature 24/7 and learning from the school of life’
The couple said they believed parents shouldn’t have to choose between the family life and an adventurous lifestyle
The couple said they believed parents shouldn’t have to choose between the family life and an adventurous lifestyle. They want to challenge traditional conventions and prove that becoming a grown-up can still be fun.
And the pair said it has been rewarding to watch their daughter learn from the natural environment as they build fond memories together.
‘Morgan just started walking one week before we left Sydney and headed out to the bush on our expedition,’ Mr Jones said.
‘To see her not only learn to walk but run in the Outback, and adapt and thrive in one of the most unique, beautiful but also harshest and most remote areas in the world, is amazing.
It has been rewarding to watch their daughter learn from the natural environment as they build fond memories together
Trekking over rocks: The couple walked across some of the country’s most rugged and remote locations with daughter in tow
The adventurous couple certainly made the most of their maternity leave after taking their daughter along on their trip
‘We can’t think of a better early life experience than being surrounded by nature 24/7 and learning from the school of life.
‘She waves good morning to trees, says “night night” to the sun, has learned fire safety and helps us collect wood for the campfire.
‘She knows what stars, the moon, trees, birds, sky, sun, sand, dirt and rocks are. She knows what sound an Emu makes. She’s petted baby cows, ridden a pony and slept under a million stars.
‘The most dangerous things we have to look out for, for us and probably more keenly for our daughter, are snakes. It’s a fine balance between letting her walk around and explore and making sure you have a keen eye out for snakes hiding in the brush, grass or bushes.’
The couple said they believed parents shouldn’t have to choose between the family life and an adventurous lifestyle
The family hand washed all their clothing before hanging up their garments to dry in the sizzling Outback weather
They prepared for their big adventure on the road by packing meals into plastic containers and bags – as well as baby clothes
The family began their trek in the remote Indigenous community in the Northern Territory before ending in South Australia
Their trek has seen them walk the soaring rock domes of Kata Tjuta, the sandstone monolith Uluru, and salt lakes Lake Eyre and Lake Torrens.
The family began their trek in the remote Indigenous community of Kaltukatjara in the Northern Territory, before walking to Docker River, Yulara, Kulgera and Aputula, then onto Oodnadatta, William Creek, Marree, Beltana and Parachilna in South Australia.
The expedition was supported in part by outdoor apparel and equipment company The North Face, who have had a long-standing partnership with Mr Jones.
‘We value Justin and his family’s commitment to exploration, sustainability and to “settling down differently”,’ The North Face communications manager Lil Mercanti said.
‘We’re proud to support him in his expeditions that embody the spirit of exploration and inspire others – and their children – to get outdoors.’
To follow the Jonesys’ adventures, please visit their Instagram and website.