The adventures so far…

 
 

CYCLING OMAN 2024

Itching to get back out on a new adventure, I headed to Oman for my first visit to the Middle East where I cycled 1,600km.

The scenery varied from coastal roads, to rocky arid mountains and a vast desert. I deliberately took my 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, I was happy to have no flat tyres! While I was on my own, I was rarely alone. People were amazing, constantly stopping to see if I needed water or any help. The endless kindness of strangers on this trip was truly heartwarming and one of the highlights of the trip.

 
 
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CYCLING OZ 2021

With my great friend, Tara Lal, we began our cycling expedition from Steep Point, Australia’s most westerly point. The 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 while physically adjusting to spending up to 10 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 we reached Byron Bay and the most easterly point of Australia after cycling over 4,700km.

 
 

MURRAY RIVER 2020

I decided to tackle the Murray River, less than nine months after completing the Nile expedition.

While there weren’t hippos and crocs to deal with, it wasn’t without its challenges. 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 I covered 2,500km. The first four days were trekking to the source with a small team and then following the river until I could start paddling in her kayak. For the next 56 days I was solo. You can read more about it in the blog posts here.

As far as I know, no one has ever completed expeditions down both the Nile and the Murray rivers, so that’s kinda cool!

 
 
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PADDLING THE NILE (THE BIG ONE!!) 2019

In 2019 I 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, we were 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 I 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.

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

My first love when it comes to sport is horse riding, something I’ve done pretty much since I 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.

From close to Twyfelfontein we 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 us to the Skeleton Coast, named for the shipwrecks that dot the coastline.

 
 
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ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP

After an overland trip from Kathmandu in Nepal to Lhasa in Tibet I trekked to Annapurna Base Camp. Starting in Pokhara I hired a wonderful local guide and made it up to the camp at 4,130km.

It was my 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 base camp.

 

Below are more of my memorable adventures, experiences, travels and a few sporting results

 

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

  • Swimming with whale sharks

  • Cage diving with Great Whites in South Africa

  • Tubing in Vang Vieng, Laos

  • Trekking in Patagonia

  • Playing polo in Argentina

  • A month volunteering in Zambia

Sport and competition

Below are a few results from various competitions.

  • 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)

  • Shepparton Half Ironman (stoked to just finish!)

  • And many gymkhana wins as a kid on my pony, Lucy Locket!