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26th May, 2024
Slowing Down Outdoors
Getting out of the city rut and into the wild. Join Jono Tan on his mid-week escape from the daily grind to find joy in slowing down outside.
It’s 6:30 am. On any other day, it’s right about now that my alarm would sound, shaking me awake to start my morning. But today, the call of the Currawong fills the air around my tent as the sun begins to peek above the horizon.
In the fast-paced world we live in today, it’s all too easy to get sucked into the routine of a 9-5 grind, working hard to tick goals and make ends meet. But finding time to step back and prioritize your mental health when you need it is just as important. When my mind feels cluttered and needs a break, there’s no better remedy than swapping the city for the bush. This time, I’ve packed the car and grabbed a crew to camp along the banks of the Murray River in Lane Poole Reserve.
Located on Nyoongar Country in Dwellingup, meaning ‘place of nearby water’, the Reserve stretches across 55,000 hectares in the Murray River Valley, providing seemingly endless options for how you want to adventure the day away. We’ve decided that hiking, swimming, and hopping on the stand-up paddle board are all on the agenda.
With Perth enduring the driest six-month spell in over 150 years, you can imagine our looks of disbelief as a thunderstorm rolled in overhead just 15 minutes into our first hike. With the roar of thunder and lightning striking in the distance, we quickly found ourselves seeking shelter from the heavy rain beneath the canopy under a single umbrella laughing at the situation we’d found ourselves in; debating if we should make the slippery sprint back to the car or wait it out.
We sprinted across the saturated forest floor and over the suspension bridge from which we came, equipped with the Hydratrek Sandals. It was evident that they performed just as advertised when it came to water-ready traction. Their outsole design draws inspiration from the tree frog, an animal that is top tier when it comes to sticking to all types of surfaces. The frog’s toe pad structure is key to their grip, made up of hexagonal cells with deep fluid channels that allow moisture to disperse underneath, and are reflected in the sole of the sandals.
Waiting out the storm in the car, we lucked out on a brief interlude from the rainfall and were able to head to the campsite to set up our tents where we could seek shelter from the consistent drizzle falling from the sky. Time passed as we played card games and warmed our bones with some cuppa noodles, and it was clear that we’d have to scrap our adventure plans for the day. Though I was bummed out about the weather, I’ll admit it was extremely cosy under the USB-powered fairy lights hanging from the tent. Truthfully, this change from the pace of everyday life was exactly what I needed from this trip.
After a good night’s sleep, with the gentle pitter-patter of raindrops on our tent’s fly through the night, we were stoked to rise to a new day with the faint colour of blue sky between the last of the lingering clouds. It wasn’t too long before the coffee was brewed and a plate of toast, scrambled eggs, and baked beans devoured. We were ready to start the day, and first up was a morning hike along the river, and a chance to test out our Hyrdatrek Sandals on a full day’s worth of adventure.
With the river access just a short distance from our campground, we headed in that direction, seeking the sun beaming through the break in the towering Jarrah and Marri trees at the water’s edge. After the short hike, we found a calm section of the river, with a collection of very skippable stones scattered on the ground. We took turns slinging them across the glassy surface, and though no world records were set, I can assure you there’s nothing more satisfying than watching a stone skip and hop across the water.
Heading back to pack up our campsite, it was time to head back to where we got caught in yesterday’s storm for some redemption. With the sun shining, we confidently made our way down to the water for a dip. Taking aim at a perfectly placed group of rocks jutting out from the middle of the river, we swam out and sunbathed under the mid-morning sun.
Exploring further down the river on foot, we found the perfect spot to take the inflatable SUP out for a whirl. As the crew relaxed on the riverbank, I paddled downriver appreciating the night and day difference in the weather compared to yesterday. The newly added padding behind the webbing on my sandals was a real treat for the feet, keeping my stompers incredibly comfortable through the varying adventure conditions the whole day. With our bellies rumbling and feeling content with the day, we decided it was time to grab a pie and head back up to the big smoke.
Every year that passes, making time to leave the hustle and bustle behind and reconnect with myself in nature has become more important for my mental health. I’m lucky to live in Australia, where we have world-class pockets of nature scattered around the country, each offering a new opportunity to disconnect in search of clarity. They say health is wealth, and I never feel richer than when I am out in nature.
Where do you go to clear your head? Isn’t it time you penciled it in?
Keep up to date with Jono @thetantrap
It’s 6:30 am. On any other day, it’s right about now that my alarm would sound, shaking me awake to start my morning. But today, the call of the Currawong fills the air around my tent as the sun begins to peek above the horizon.
In the fast-paced world we live in today, it’s all too easy to get sucked into the routine of a 9-5 grind, working hard to tick goals and make ends meet. But finding time to step back and prioritize your mental health when you need it is just as important. When my mind feels cluttered and needs a break, there’s no better remedy than swapping the city for the bush. This time, I’ve packed the car and grabbed a crew to camp along the banks of the Murray River in Lane Poole Reserve.
Located on Nyoongar Country in Dwellingup, meaning ‘place of nearby water’, the Reserve stretches across 55,000 hectares in the Murray River Valley, providing seemingly endless options for how you want to adventure the day away. We’ve decided that hiking, swimming, and hopping on the stand-up paddle board are all on the agenda.
With Perth enduring the driest six-month spell in over 150 years, you can imagine our looks of disbelief as a thunderstorm rolled in overhead just 15 minutes into our first hike. With the roar of thunder and lightning striking in the distance, we quickly found ourselves seeking shelter from the heavy rain beneath the canopy under a single umbrella laughing at the situation we’d found ourselves in; debating if we should make the slippery sprint back to the car or wait it out.
We sprinted across the saturated forest floor and over the suspension bridge from which we came, equipped with the Hydratrek Sandals. It was evident that they performed just as advertised when it came to water-ready traction. Their outsole design draws inspiration from the tree frog, an animal that is top tier when it comes to sticking to all types of surfaces. The frog’s toe pad structure is key to their grip, made up of hexagonal cells with deep fluid channels that allow moisture to disperse underneath, and are reflected in the sole of the sandals.
Waiting out the storm in the car, we lucked out on a brief interlude from the rainfall and were able to head to the campsite to set up our tents where we could seek shelter from the consistent drizzle falling from the sky. Time passed as we played card games and warmed our bones with some cuppa noodles, and it was clear that we’d have to scrap our adventure plans for the day. Though I was bummed out about the weather, I’ll admit it was extremely cosy under the USB-powered fairy lights hanging from the tent. Truthfully, this change from the pace of everyday life was exactly what I needed from this trip.
After a good night’s sleep, with the gentle pitter-patter of raindrops on our tent’s fly through the night, we were stoked to rise to a new day with the faint colour of blue sky between the last of the lingering clouds. It wasn’t too long before the coffee was brewed and a plate of toast, scrambled eggs, and baked beans devoured. We were ready to start the day, and first up was a morning hike along the river, and a chance to test out our Hyrdatrek Sandals on a full day’s worth of adventure.
With the river access just a short distance from our campground, we headed in that direction, seeking the sun beaming through the break in the towering Jarrah and Marri trees at the water’s edge. After the short hike, we found a calm section of the river, with a collection of very skippable stones scattered on the ground. We took turns slinging them across the glassy surface, and though no world records were set, I can assure you there’s nothing more satisfying than watching a stone skip and hop across the water.
Heading back to pack up our campsite, it was time to head back to where we got caught in yesterday’s storm for some redemption. With the sun shining, we confidently made our way down to the water for a dip. Taking aim at a perfectly placed group of rocks jutting out from the middle of the river, we swam out and sunbathed under the mid-morning sun.
Exploring further down the river on foot, we found the perfect spot to take the inflatable SUP out for a whirl. As the crew relaxed on the riverbank, I paddled downriver appreciating the night and day difference in the weather compared to yesterday. The newly added padding behind the webbing on my sandals was a real treat for the feet, keeping my stompers incredibly comfortable through the varying adventure conditions the whole day. With our bellies rumbling and feeling content with the day, we decided it was time to grab a pie and head back up to the big smoke.
Every year that passes, making time to leave the hustle and bustle behind and reconnect with myself in nature has become more important for my mental health. I’m lucky to live in Australia, where we have world-class pockets of nature scattered around the country, each offering a new opportunity to disconnect in search of clarity. They say health is wealth, and I never feel richer than when I am out in nature.
Where do you go to clear your head? Isn’t it time you penciled it in?
Keep up to date with Jono @thetantrap
