Meet Dr Kate: Ultralight Gear Ambassador

What is your favourite hike?

My favourite hike would have to be in the Budawangs, in Morton National Park. The route, often called the Scenic Rim Track, is a rugged multi-day traverse that takes in some of the best parts of the Budawangs.

You spend your nights camping beneath enormous rock overhangs, winding through dramatic sandstone cliffs, and walking into pockets of lush rainforest that feel completely untouched. It’s remote, challenging, and incredibly beautiful — the kind of hike that stays with you long after you leave.

Any exciting adventures planned for 2026?

I always have way too many hikes planned, but a few highlights for 2026 are already shaping up to be pretty special.

One trip I’m really excited about is an overnight hike on Yakushima, Japan, an ancient rainforest island covered in granite peaks and giant cedar trees. The trail visits the famous Jōmon Sugi, believed to be around 6,000 years old, and it honestly looks like something out of a fantasy film.

I’m also hoping to get out into the Kimberley for some rugged and remote hiking. It’s one of those places that feels wild on a completely different scale.

On the other end of the spectrum, I’m planning a “fancy hike” in Queensland with my partner for her birthday. We’ll still be hiking through epic scenery, but instead of rough campsites, the trail includes beautiful accommodation pods and fully catered meals each night. I’ve never done hiking like that before, so I’m really looking forward to the experience.

And finally, a couple of my slightly crazy friends are planning to hike the Overland Track in winter. If I can make that happen, I’ll be absolutely stoked.

What piece of gear could you not live without?

A really good sleeping bag or quilt. Sleep is probably my number one priority on the trail. If you sleep well, everything feels better — your energy, your mood, your recovery, and your ability to enjoy the experience.

How did you get into hiking?

I did my first overnight hike on a school camp and absolutely fell in love with it. The nature immersion, the challenge, the planning and navigation, and the friendships you build on trail — it all just clicked for me straight away. I was completely hooked.

What’s your best advice for new hikers?

Start small and build confidence gradually. Practice camping in your backyard, learn how your gear works, and get comfortable using it before heading into the wilderness.

When you trust your gear and know your systems, hiking becomes so much more enjoyable — and a lot safer too.