CYCLING OMAN 2024
Itching to get back out on a new adventure Sarah headed to Oman for her first visit to the Middle East. She cycled 1,570km with the trip split into two sections. The first took her from Sohar in Oman’s north, to Duqm, with a side-trip to Masira Island. The second section was from Muscat to Nizwa, then to Wahiba Sands for a couple of nights in the desert before finishing in Sur.
The scenery varied from coastal roads, to rocky arid mountains and a vast desert. Sarah deliberately took her time and got to see the sights in the capital Muscat and many other sights on the way, like Wadi Ash Shab, Nizwa fort, Bimmah Sinkhole and more.
Unlike the cycle across Australia Sarah was happy to have no flat tyres! While she was on her own, she was rarely alone. People were constantly stopping to see if she needed water or any help. The endless kindness of strangers on this trip was truly heartwarming and one of the highlights of the trip.
Cycling Oz 2021
On 12th March 2021 Sarah and her great friend, Tara Lal, began their cycling expedition from Steep Point, Australia’s most westerly point. Their goal was to cycle across Australia and raise money for mental health and suicide prevention.
The trip held many challenges including getting the bikes over sand dunes, cycling in 45C heat, getting enough water, dealing with road trains and busy highways, endless flat tyres and physically adjusting to spending up to 9 hours a day in the saddle. The bikes weighed up to 65kg when fully loaded with maximum capacity food and water.
On 12th May 2021 they reached Byron Bay and the most easterly point of Australia after cycling over 4,700km.
MURRAY RIVER 2020
Sarah decided to tackle the Murray River in her home country of Australia, less than eight months after completing the Nile expedition.
While there weren’t hippos and crocs to deal with, it wasn’t without risks. There were snakes (and of course being Australian they were deadly), extreme weather conditions, sections with little water thanks to the drought and plenty more challenges.
In 60 days Sarah covered 2,500km. The first four days were trekking to the source with a small team and then following the river until she could start paddling in her kayak. For the next 56 days Sarah was solo.
On 13th February 2020 Sarah reached the Southern Ocean and the end of the Murray River. You can read more about it in the blog posts here.
As far as we know, no one has ever completed expeditions down both the Nile and the Murray rivers, so that’s kinda cool!
PADDLING THE NILE (THE BIG ONE!!) 2019
In 2019 Sarah became the first woman to lead an expedition down the Nile, the world’s longest river. The expedition began at the Nile’s source in Rwanda and followed the path of the White Nile to its end where it meets the Mediterranean Sea.
The trip involved over 1,100km of rafting, 3,000km of kayaking and other forms of transport to make it down this mighty river.
On the way she was attacked by a hippo, arrested and detained in Burundi, ran some lethal rapids and travelled through Sudan as the people attempted to overthrow the government.
This drama was complimented by experiencing the diverse cultures of the countries she travelled through, seeing the incredible landscapes and being challenged physically and mentally.
Sarah was awarded the Olegas Truchanas award, by Paddle Australia, in recognition of her expedition
For more information see: https://www.paddlethenile.com.
Sarah’s book about this expedition has been published: ‘Paddle the Nile: One Woman’s Search For a Life Less ordinary’. You can find out more here.
RIDING ACROSS THE NAMIBIAN DESERT
Sarah’s first love when it comes to sport is horse riding, something she’s done pretty much since she could walk. This trip explored the beautifully stark Namibian Desert, almost inaccessible, with vast open spaces, ancient craters and remnants from prehistoric times. It was a true horseback adventure. There were long days in the saddle and plenty of fast riding. Sarah was asked what type of horse she’d like for the trip, “A fast one if possible please!” And Juluka definitely met the criteria!
From close to Twyfelfontein they set off, travelling west through a landscape of flat-topped mountains and glacial valleys. Leaving the valleys behind, they crossed open plains with Brandberg Mountain. The final riding day took her to the Skeleton Coast, named for the shipwrecks which dot the coastline.
As well as the unique scenery, Sarah got to see elephant, springbok, oryx, a few scorpions and they had a midnight visitor to the camp in the shape of a big male lion.
ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP
After an overland trip from Kathmandu in Nepal to Lhasa in Tibet Sarah trekked to Annapurna base camp. Starting in Pokhara Sarah hired a guide and made it up to the camp at 4,130km.
It was Sarah’s first long trek and first time in the Himalayas. Staying in tea houses all the way and meeting the locals. The scenery was breathtaking, particularly at basecamp.
“At base camp you are in this bowl of huge mountains. They are stunning during the day, but truly specular at night, lit up by the light of the moon. I stood in awe staring out at this extraordinary view.”
Below are more of Sarah’s memorable adventures, experiences, travels and sports that she’s either competed in.
Adventures and experiences
Horse riding and trekking in Kyrgyzstan
Scuba diving in Mozambique
Horseback safari in South Africa
Bungee jumping at Victoria Falls
Backpacking solo around the world
Solo hiking and camping in Yosemite and a visit to the Grand Canyon
Swimming with whale sharks
Cage diving with Great Whites in South Africa
Tubing in Vang Vieng, Laos (before the fun police banned it)
Trekking in Patagonia
Playing polo in Argentina
A month volunteering in Zambia
Paddling with dolphins
Sport - Competition
Below are a few results from competitions Sarah’s entered.
World Surf Ski Championships - Hong Kong, Gold (in category)
Molokai Ocean Ski Championship - Hawaii, Third (open female)
Coolangatta Gold Surf Lifesaving Ironwoman Long Distance, Gold 2014 and Silver 2023 (in category)
NSW Surf Lifesaving Ironwoman, Gold (in category)
Singapore Marathon, Fourth (in category)
Livingston (Zambia) 10km Run, First (open female)
US Surf Ski Championships, Fourth (in category)
The Doctor, 28km Ocean Ski Race from Rottnest to Sorrento
Shepparton Half Ironman (stoked to just finish!)
And many gymkhana wins as a kid on my pony Lucy Locket!
Travel
Africa: Mozambique, South Africa, Kenya, Eswatini, Namibia, Egypt, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, Tunisia, Tanzania
Europe: France, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Ireland, Türkiye, Croatia, Switzerland
Asia: Thailand, Hong Kong, Laos, Tibet, Vietnam, Nepal, Singapore, Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, United Arab Emirates
Oceania : Australia, New Zealand
North America: USA, Canada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados
South America: Peru, Chile, Argentina