Simon Mendelawitz from Inspiration Outdoors takes five with Great Walks.
“At Inspiration Outdoors, we believe some of the best moments in life happen when you’re far from phone reception, surrounded by red earth, a few good people, and the quiet hum of the bush. For us, it all started with that feeling.
My partner Emily and I fell in love with hiking on the Bibbulmun Track – 1,000km of trail from Perth to Albany – long before we ever imagined turning it into a job. But like many, we returned to our desks, always with that itch for something more.
It wasn’t until Emily, while researching eco-tourism, crossed paths with Pam Riordan – the original founder of Inspiration Outdoors – that things really shifted. Pam had started the business with just one trip on the Cape to Cape Track. And as it happened, she was ready to pass the baton.
"Fast forward to today, and Inspiration Outdoors is still grounded in that same idea: helping people experience Australia’s wild beauty in a way that’s both accessible and deeply rewarding. Our tours are for those who love a challenge - but also enjoy a good meal, a warm shower and a soft bed at the end of the day.
One of our most unforgettable journeys is through Karijini National Park and Ningaloo Reef - a tour that captures the heart of WA’s Pilbara and Coral Coast regions. In Karijini, you’ll walk through billion-year-old gorges, scramble across ancient rocks, and swim in deep pools where the red cliffs glow at sunset.
It’s a place that feels like it hasn’t changed in millennia - and it probably hasn’t. Then, we shift gears with a coastal wind-down at Ningaloo, where guests can choose to snorkel with whale sharks or explore the reef from a glass-bottom boat. The contrast - between dry desert gorges and teeming coral lagoons - is part of what makes this tour so special.
"Every trip is small-group and pack-free, guided by locals who love these places and love sharing them. We take care of the logistics so guests can focus on being present - whether that’s watching the sun rise over Mt Bruce or sharing stories around the campfire.
Because in the end, these tours are about more than just walking. They’re about choosing to live a little bigger, breathe a little deeper, and see a side of Australia many never do.”