Microadventures: live adventurously every day

Posted on 29 March, 2019

The rise of social media in recent years has changed the face of the world we live in.

From the perspective of an avid travel media consumer, it has meant we are inundated with stories of everyday people who leave their jobs to pursue full-time travel.

Digital nomads moving between Air BNBs and shared workspaces. Bloggers and YouTubers ranging from those barely eeking out a living on the road to those rolling in sponsored deals as well as mothers using their maternity leave to don a Babybjorn and see the world.

I won’t lie, I have been caught up in that daydream. Sitting bumper to bumper on Northbourne avenue there is nothing more appealing than leaving it all behind for an Insta-inspired dream. There is nothing wrong in indulging in the fantasy and for some, it may even be a possible reality.

For others, however, it is a dream far beyond reach. Careers, families, everyday life, that is the reality for most of us and always will be. But that’s ok, we are meant to toil, put down roots, live the Australian dream of home-ownership and climbing the corporate ladder. Finding beauty in everyday routine can be a gift in itself and it doesn’t need to be mundane. There are ways to fill the gaps between the 9-5 with adventure and wonder without having to uproot life and it has a name, it’s a Microadventure.

Coined by adventurer Alastair Humphreys who spent four years cycling around the world, the concept of a Microadventure was a way to bring adventure to his everyday life back in inner city London once his round world journey was over. He now spends his days writing books and promoting Microadventures to city dwellers in need of a shakeup.

Now the thing you need to know about Microadventures is that they are Micro, just as the label says. This means it may take place over a very short period of time like a weeknight- after the 5 and before the 9 or possibly a weekend of your time permits.

This got me thinking about Canberra, we are truly spoilt here with bushland butting up against the city. Once you start looking for microadventure opportunities you will see boundless ideas around you.

Weeknight campout

No matter where you work in Canberra you are never far from some bushland. Alastair Humphreys is a big advocate of sleeping wild in which you curl up in a bivvy bag pretty much anywhere regardless of legalities. If you are that way inclined then the whole of Canberra is your bedroom.

If you want something more official then knock off work a little early, head out to Mount Clear campground in Namadgi National Park (where on a weekday you are likely to have the place to yourself) stake your claim on a fire pit and some flat ground and be one with nature for the night. If you time it right you can be back at work by the next morning.

This may sound like a summer-only endeavour but if you are properly clothed in thermals with a minus zero sleeping bag you can have adventures like this all year round.

Weeknight hike

When the days are long in summer you have at least three hours after a 5 pm knock off to get out there and hike in nature and the Molonglo Gorge Trail is the perfect place for this.

Located on the Canberra side of Queanbeyan this trail winds along the river in a stunning setting that most Canberrans wouldn’t know was there.

Pack a picnic dinner and stop at the picnic ground at the far end or perch on nature’s seats, a rock, along the way and enjoy your meal to the sounds of the water babbling along in the base of the ravine.

Sunsets and bubbles

Don’t go home at the end of the workday to sit in front of the TV. Grab a backpack, a cold bottle of bubbles, some cheese and crackers, park at the base of Mount Majura or Mount Ainsle, hike to the top in time for sunset and enjoy the views over Canberra as the sun goes down.

If you can’t do the hike then take the road up Mount Ainslie – we all need to start somewhere. If you are lucky you may be treated to one of our spectacular flaming red sunsets. Now that’s living.

Meteor Shower

Line up your next wild night out when earth’s path crosses that of Asteroid 3200 Phaethon and you will be in for a spectacular show.

This event happens yearly with the peak this year being 14-15 December when you can see 140 meteors per hour. The best place to watch a meteor shower is the furthest from light pollution so if you can head out of the city for the night to camp in one of our National parks you will be in for your best chances, weather permitting.

If a night away is not on the cards head somewhere local, I have watched a meteor shower laying at the base of a water tower on a hill in a suburb. Your locale can’t dim the immensity of space. 

Wild swimming

We may not have an abundance of deep, flowing rivers around Canberra but that can be an advantage if you just want a paddle in some fresh flowing water without the dangers of a strong current.

I recommend Flea Creek in the Brindabellas or Tuross Cascades in Countegany for beautiful locales, be sure to bring along a picnic lunch or set up camp for the night to make the most of the daylight hours.

Beach BBQ

I love to cook outdoors, especially over a fire and whilst you can’t legally light a fire on most Australian beaches you can take your own device to do so. I have an Ozpig which is essentially a portable potbellied stove and not only is it fantastic to cook on it gets around many issues with not being able to light a fire in non-designated zones.

An alternate option is a butane burner which you can pick up cheaply at an Asian supermarket. Once you have your cooking device sorted, head for the south coast and camp out under the stars, the sound of the waves to sleep to and the embers of your fire to keep you warm. You will feel like Robinson Crusoe if only for a day.

Learn something new

One of the greatest experiences you can have is to learn something new – a skill that broadens your horizons and opens new doors.

Mastering the high seas may seem like a feat for those who live in coastal locations but it is a skill you can master right here in Canberra at the Canberra Yacht Club. They offer classes for beginners and children and is a great way to get out of our magnificent lake.

Who knows, maybe one day it will lead to your own round the world adventure…