A couple of daredevil parents have taken their baby daughter on a 102-day trek through Australia’s outback on foot.
Justin and Lauren Jones, originally from Sydney, set off from 200km west of Uluru in the Northern Territory on July 20 and travelled 1800km to Port Augusta in South Australia – arriving 102 days later on November 2.
Their daughter Morgan was 15 months old when they began their journey and had just taken her first steps.
A couple of daredevil Sydney parents have taken their baby daughter on a 102-day trek through Australia’s outback on foo
Justin and Lauren Jones, originally from Sydney, set off from 200km west of Uluru in the Northern Territory on July 20 and travelled 1800km to Port Augusta in South Australia
Their daughter Morgan was 15 months old when they began their journey and had just taken her few steps
The trip took a year to plan, and they completed it without a support vehicle
The trip took a year to plan, and they completed it without a support vehicle.
Mrs Jones told Seven News organising the journey was a ‘logistical challenge’, but their daughter’s ‘connection with nature grew tremendously’.
‘We love our city lives and we really wanted to raise a curious, nature-loving child,’ she said.
By the end of the trip their young daughter was even collecting sticks and assisting with putting the tent up.
‘It really helped her open up. She loved exploring,’ Mrs Jones said.
Their plan was to walk 20km every day, pulling 270kg of gear with them on a cart.
Mrs Jones told Seven News organising the journey was a ‘logistical challenge’, but their daughter’s ‘connection with nature grew tremendously
‘We love our city lives and we really wanted to raise a curious, nature-loving child,’ she said
Their plan was to walk 20km every day, pulling 270kg of gear with them on a cart
They received six drops of food throughout the trip, and stayed within communication range of the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service in case of an emergency.
The couple also carried an EPIRB and had completed first aid training.
They would sweep an area before letting Morgan walk around in case of snakes or other dangers, and would communicate with their daughter about the risks of coals which stay hot after being used in fires.
They received six drops of food throughout the trip, and stayed within communication range of the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service in case of emergency.
The couple also carried an EPIRB and had completed first aid training
Before stepping out on their grand excursion Mr Jones had travelled around Antarctica and also kayaked across the Tasman Sea from Australia to New Zealand
Before stepping out on their grand excursion Mr Jones had travelled around Antarctica and also kayaked across the Tasman Sea from Australia to New Zealand.
Mrs Jones said the experience made her a more resilient parent.
‘I’m not saying everybody should do a big walk through the outback – I think it’s about doing whatever is authentic to you.’
Mrs Jones said the experience made her a more resilient parent
‘I’m not saying everybody should do a big walk through the outback – I think it’s about doing whatever is authentic to you.’
Mrs Jones pictured with Morgan in their cart during their epic journey across the outback