Dusting off the backpack, bike and passport. Look out 2026!

I have been fascinated to read everyone’s Review of 2025 and Travel Plans for 2026 posts. We certainly are a mobile bunch, as well as being incredibly lucky and privileged to travel as we do.

Yes, there are no doubt many sacrifices and readjustment-of-priorities we make so we can travel and, for me, that is all so worthwhile. Travel fills my cup, gets the blood pumping (literally, in many cases) and makes my brain go “what the…?” I love that combination.

So, here are my travel plans for 2026. Like last year, I suspect they may not all happen, but they have a much better chance of coming to fruition if they are penned into my calendar.

How cool would it be if they all came off?

So, here’s what is going to float my boat throughout 2026…

1. Lachlan Valley Cycle Trail, NSW (carried over from 2025 and may move to later in 2026)

• What: Another back-roads cycling trail taking in the best of rural NSW. It is a rough figure-8 and, while not as well set-up infrastructure-wise as the Central West Cycle Trail, it will pop into and out of a wonderful variety of small towns and villages. We will stay in a mix of country pubs and motels.
• Where: It covers approximately 345km and includes the towns and villages of Cowra, Gooloogong, Eugowra, Forbes, Parkes, Eugowra again, Canowindra and back to Cowra.
• When: We will head off for approximately 7days/6nights in latish March. Hopefully the weather will have cooled down a whole lot by then. This adventure may be pushed back until Spring. We’ll see how the next couple of months go.
• How: Pedal power averaging 50km per day.

Find out more HERE.

2. Great North Walk, NSW (carried over from 2025)

• What: The Great North Walk is a hiking trail that connects Sydney and Newcastle, and Yes, it has become a bit of a nemesis for me. I have been trying to complete this trail since 2022 and I have been either beaten by the weather, lack of fitness or just plain chickening out! 2026 is the year to finally knock it over. I will be doing this independently, carrying a tent, all my food etc.
• Where: I have already completed the Sydney to Patonga stages and have about 191km to go.
• When: early April for about 11 days/stages.
• How: On foot.

Find out more HERE.

3. Hume & Hovell Track, NSW (carried over from 2025)

• What: This trail looks fascinating as it roughly follows the trail blazed by early colonial explorers Hamilton Hume and William Hovell in 1824-25. They were commissioned to find a way to connect Sydney (NSW) to the Victorian coastline. I will be doing this independently, carrying a tent, all my food etc.
• Where: It sets out from Yass in southern NSW, specifically Hamilton Hume’s cottage on the outskirts of Yass, and finishes on the Murray River at Albury on the NSW/Victorian border. It covers approximately 426km.
• When: Early May for around 19 days, plus rest days in Tumut and Tumbarumba.
• How: On foot.

Find out more HERE.

4. Coast to Coast Walk, UK

• What: The Coast to Coast Walk was developed by Alfred Wainwright in the early 1970s. It passes through three national parks – Lake District National Park, Yorkshire Dales National Park, North York Moors National Park – as the trail crosses the breadth of England. I will reunite with my Partner in Crime (PiC) from previous Larapinta and Everest Base Camp adventures to undertake this scenic adventure. Please wish us blue skies and fair winds. We will be doing this hike supported by RAW Travel.
• Where: The path covers approximately 305km, starting from St Bees on the West Coast of England and ending at Robin Hood’s Bay on the East Coast.
• When: We will take 17 days to stroll across ol’ Blighty, plus one rest day.
• How: bus, foot, plane, foot, foot, foot, foot, bus, foot.

Find out more HERE.

5. Hadrian’s Wall Path, UK

• What: Hadrian’s Wall was a wall built by Roman Emperor Hadrian Aelius to separate the border between England and Scotland in AD122. He had a distinct dislike of the warring Pictish tribes who called Scotland home, and did his best to keep them at bay. These days, only very small sections of the Wall remain and there are many fascinating forts, museums, and excavations to communicate the immenseness and impressiveness of the original Wall. By this stage, I will have said adieu to my PiC and will be walking this one on my own although I suspect it will be a very busy and popular trail.
• Where: The path covers approximately 135km, starting from Wallsend (a suburb of Newcastle on Tyne) on the East Coast of England and ending at Bownes-on-Solway (near Carlisle) on the West Coast.
• When: I will take eight leisurely days to stroll back across ol’ Blighty.
• How: foot, foot, foot, foot, train, train, plane, foot, bus, foot.

Find out more HERE.

6. 25^th Wedding Anniversary Adventure

• What: Destination unknown at this stage and most likely to be somewhere warm to avoid the dregs of the Aussie Winter.
• Where: A mystery to us all.
• When: Just a short break – maybe seven days.
• How: Car, foot, plane, foot, car.

7. Yuragir Coastal Walk, NSW

• What: A coastal trail through the Yuragir National Park. This one requires more research to see if it can be done tentless and yet, still independently.
• Where: The trail covers 65km, from Angourie just South of Yamba on the NSW Far North Coast to Red Rock, just above Coffs Harbour.
• When: I expect to take 4 days/3 nights. There is yet more planning to be done.
• How: On foot.

Find out more HERE.

8. Solitary Islands Coastal Walk

• What: Following on and connecting to the Yuragir Walk, the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk hugs the coast heading further South and visiting numerous villages and suburbs along this popular holiday coast. The aim will be to stay in caravan parks, cabins etc as I will lead this walk for my Bushwalking Club.
• Where: The trail covers 60km, from Red Rock (just North of Coffs Harbour) to Sawtell, South of Coffs Harbour.
• When: I expect to take 4 days and 3 nights.
• How: On foot.

Find out more HERE.

Other Walks/Mini-Adventures?

• There is a good chance that some of the above may not happen and/or will be replaced with other short walks or alternate adventures.
• Last year was my Year of Flexibility, ensuring I could chop and change my plans as required.
• This year is my Year of Fitness and I will need every skerrick of that as I plan to cover around 1,500km on foot and by bike.

Now, that sounds like fun!

What is your idea of fun in 2026?

#travelinspo #globetrotter #bucketlist #adventurebeforedementia #walkingadventures #cyclingadventures #England #EpicAdventures #CoasttoCoast #longdistancewalks #TheGreatOutdoors #humeandhovelltrack #hadrianswall #greatnorthwalk #lachlanvalleycycletrail #goodfriends #goodtimes #AdelaideWritersWeek #authors #allthingsbooks #minibreaks #literature #shortbreaks #YuragirNationalPark #SolitaryIslandsWalk #NorthCoastNSW #NationalParks #winterescape #ruralNSW #exploreyourbackyard #travelplanning #exploreonfoot #bushwalks #travelplans #fortheloveoftravel #luckyducks #lifeisgood