Glenn Smart recently stopped off in Glen Innes on his way south as he takes on the last stages of the Bicentennial National Trail.
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Originally from the Sydney area, Mr Smart is heading south after a stint in the northern parts of the country.
The Bicentennial National Trail is Australia’s premier long distance, multi-use recreational trekking route.
It stretches an extraordinary 5,330 kilometres from Cooktown in tropical far north Queensland to Healesville in Victoria.
Mr Smart left his base in Berry Springs in the Northern Territory to take on the journey a few months ago, wanting to raise awareness of the trail and the environment.
In his own words Mr Smart says he’s not great when it comes to talking to people or asking for help or funds so he didn’t set out with intentions of fundraising for any particular organisation.
But his encounters with people on the land and horse people along the trail have helped him understand just how important the route still is, and how much history it holds.
“I was doing study and working when my brain just hit the wall," Mr Smart said.
“I knew I had to go out and do something physical so I decided on going for a walk.”
And walk he has, right into Glen Innes and Shoes@Kwong Sings where Patti assisted him in the purchase of a new pair of sandals.
“I’ve always had an interest in swaggies and the Aboriginal people, how they just walked wherever they needed to go,” he said.
“That’s the real Australia I was chasing, the real Australian experience, the bush.”
If there’s a message Mr Smart wanted to impart onto each community it’s that the environment needs looking after.
“There should be more environmental study in schools,” he said.
“The rail goes through real bush, and it’s hard to see where you need to go. It goes through stations and properties where the people take pride in its history.
“They look out for travellers and help out if needed.”
Mr Smart has gained a new appreciation for the National Trail and urges others to understand it’s history and links to the past, and how the trail can still be used today.
“There are people behind the trail, farmers and bush people, who take responsibility for it. You’re not alone out there,” he said.
“The National Trail is historical and needs protecting, the horse culture needs protecting.”
