Leah is a 15 year old rock climber from NSW who has been climbing since age 10. She has always had an urge to climb, from a very early age she would scale tall trees which later led to rock climbing with her dad. She started competing in climbing competitions in 2015. We are proud to be apart of helping her achieve her olympic dreams.
I am privileged to see women keeping cultural practice alive, especially when we see young women following their grandmothers’ spirit and being positive examples to their communities, by awakening the spiritual strength in cultural practices, creating the inspiration for women to follow their dreaming. Being ‘on country’ with these ladies is truly amazing.
Choosing winners in the Adventures For Change Category was a real challenge, but to say that this project inspired us personally is an understatement. Meet Helen Smith and Lisa Edmonds, two totally epic women forging a path not just for women, but anyone who questions their ability to seek out adventure.
Competition in our Under 18's category was so fierce, that we just couldn't choose, so we gave it to two amazing young women. So, with out further ado, meet Eve Dowley 17yr old Australian snowboarder from NSW who is working hard to follow her dreams.
Meet Olivia Page and watch her winning submission for the TPL Women's Adventure Grant Film & Photography Category. Her project is to guide an intrepid all-female rock climbing team deep into the steep and remote north of Fiordland National Park in New Zealand.
Thinking about trying a Stand Up Paddle board? Check out our helpful tips for first timers!
“I wasn’t feeling lost or desperate when I decided to hike, instead I was curious, empowered, and adventure seeking. I wanted to know what it felt like to live in the wilderness. I wanted to meet who I’d be at the end”.
For years, Layne Beachley , has been making waves for women’s equality in sport.. Layne has also significantly contributed to the support of women and girls achieving their dreams across a variety of disciplines through her own charitable foundation.
Remote multi-day walking and camping adventures, indulgent food and wine trips, and options to explore exotic, hard to reach destinations- there is plenty on offer within Australia!ia.
Travel writer Bonita Grima asks: What is it that makes us want to roam to faraway places? Perhaps this call to explore parts of the world that are wild and unknown is a call to explore parts of ourselves that are also wild and unknown. Or perhaps it is an invitation to challenge and push ourselves, to help us learn and grow?
I dreamed of riding the legendary Gibb River Road, one of the main reasons I got the bike.
On reflection, I have realised that while I usually go for the nature, it’s always the people that create the most profound memories and greatest stories.
“When I’m in the outdoors I feel as though I’m exactly where I should be. In the outdoors I feel stronger, more capable and more focused. I no longer care about what I’ve achieved in life because I’ve just achieved something amazing. Right here. Right now. Right in this very moment.”
A swag of women designers across the world are now creating cool urban cycling fashion and accessories for women. To the naked eye, they look like everyday fashion accessories, but under lights and on a cyclist, they are glamorous, life-saving adornments. Pieces are subtle enough to integrate into the daily wardrobe, going seamlessly from the staff meeting to happy hour.
Albert Einstein once said “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bicycle.” and we couldn’t agree more. In an instant, cycling can transport you back to your childhood.
For some reason, many of us have terrible trouble in pursuing something that satisfies our individual interests outside our social roles as mothers, partners, daughters, wives (etc) without having some guilt about doing it
For many people, the thought of bike touring, even just an overnighter, seems both exciting, but super daunting. Richelle Olsen has cycled her way on many a journey including the bike touring in the Italian Alps and from Canada to Mexico. Richelle shares her top tips!
Brassieres! Over the shoulder boulder holders, double-barrelled slingshots. We have heard them all! It doesn't matter what it is called, all we know is that sometimes these things are painful - especially when you are hiking with a full backpack.
Ever since I can remember I’ve wanted to travel. It’s like it’s in my blood. When I was a kid I’d spend hours contemplating world globes and Atlases, I had created my own world-wide bucket list before I even knew what a bucket list was. Little did I know how long it’d take before I actually started travelling,
Every element of that adventure to Federation Peak should have been miserable and yet, when I reflect on it, all I can find is joy. I am so proud that we overcame the temptation of comfort to embrace the conditions, that we found delight in the discomforts, and that we didn’t turn around in the face of fear or vulnerability.
“People are the constant in all projects. The power of people, through connection, is quite remarkable when you take a moment to think about it. “ (Nat, Tribe Leader, TPL)
It only takes a tiny drop of imagination to turn the mundane into an adventure. Adventurer Kirrily Dear shares her latest adventure, hoping to spark you treading down the trail to your own adventurous life.
We can’t tell you how much it makes our hearts swell with pride to read about, tell the stories of and support the daughters out there blazing trails for the next generation.
There is nothing too elegant about true exertion. We know this yet many of us have terrible trouble with our expectations around our race photos…Of all of the things that have the potential to ‘undo’ us, it’s the sight of ourselves.
With a little shake of his head, he proceeded to challenge everything I thought I knew about ‘skiing’. He offered up a place where you could have a powder run every run, a place with no crowds, no lift lines, no hole in the back pocket, a place called the backcountry.
Our addiction to our devices, to social media, to the every shudder, vibration and ping of our phones is real and it’s an epidemic. Yet our world, as challenging as it is beautiful, has more colour than pixels could ever show, more connection than any social media and offers more adrenaline than any video game. So lets learn to log off and live!
“Vulnerability is our most accurate measure of courage. Tell me how vulnerable someone is willing to be, and I’ll tell you how brave they’re willing to be.” Brene Brown
Sitting in the snow and over the coming days these are the lessons I have learnt from my 'failure' on Elbrus.
The 80's were a particularly wild and fun time for me, and Boy George was, and still is, one of my all-time idols, so I’m not even going to pretend for one second, I’ve never worn a dress before. What I’ve never done, however, is wear one hiking.
Adventure reminds us that we are fierce, independent and self-sufficient. Adventure also takes us back to nature, and as women, our connection with nature is undeniable - we need it to ground ourselves, re-connect and re-set.
One minute I was out running trails lost in my familiar backyard with the edges of my comfort zone safely surrounding me, the next, at the door labeled adventure racing, it swung wide open in front of me, exciting and beckoning.
People often ask me if I ever get frightened photographing wild animals. The answer is “no”. I have stood next to black bears while they fished for salmon. I have remained absolutely still while wild horses galloped straight towards me. No, being out in the wild doesn’t scare me. What really terrifies me is surgery.
Dear Me,
Do you understand it now ? You empower others when you empower yourself. It requires you to build a bank of trust every day, not with other people, but with yourself. Each and every day… remember this!
Signed Self
When we build a strong team around us, we not only inspire and motivate but we also role model behaviours that show others an alternative path to exercising solo, one where the success and celebration are magnified due to having shared the journey.
Looking for your next fun activity? Get outdoors, challenge yourself & enter an event or challenge. However you like to play, you are bound to find something here to inspire you to new adventures. Events, Races, Charity Challenges, Group Training, Social Gatherings, Adventure Events, Fitness, Women's Events, Festivals, Mud Runs, Adventure Racing
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“I wasn’t feeling lost or desperate when I decided to hike, instead I was curious, empowered, and adventure seeking. I wanted to know what it felt like to live in the wilderness. I wanted to meet who I’d be at the end”.
I dreamed of riding the legendary Gibb River Road, one of the main reasons I got the bike.
On reflection, I have realised that while I usually go for the nature, it’s always the people that create the most profound memories and greatest stories.
“There will always be someone who wants to critique you for who you are.
Rather than listening, spend your time with people who support you. Have the courage to be who you want to be. In the end, that’s all you’ll have.” Lucy Barnard
It only takes a tiny drop of imagination to turn the mundane into an adventure. Adventurer Kirrily Dear shares her latest adventure, hoping to spark you treading down the trail to your own adventurous life.
We can’t tell you how much it makes our hearts swell with pride to read about, tell the stories of and support the daughters out there blazing trails for the next generation.
Here at Travel Play Live, we love it when brands get behind women in adventure and we are really proud to support this great #shemovesmountians campaign from The North Face . The North Face are honoured to support driven female athletes in Australia and New Zealand, and work with them to achieve their outdoor ambitions".
Some of the best moments in my life have stemmed from my love of bodyboarding; whether it was travelling to compete on the world tour or when I was living in my car travelling around Australia searching for waves. My love of the ocean opened up a whole lot of other unforgettable experiences.
Right from the beginning Travel Play Live has been supporting women in the sport of Body Boarding and we just had to introduce to you our home-grown talent. Millie Chalker has taken to the sport like well, a fish to water and she is now being mentored by another of our favourites, Australian champion Lilly Pollard.
There is a new narrative out there, when it comes to adventure. It's one of diversity, passion, triumph, and change and that is a reason to celebrate being an outdoor woman in Australia!
Polish-born Agata Bogusz was always destined for life in the water. But it wasn’t until a scuba trip in Egypt in 2008 that she discovered freediving. The Polish record holder is now based in Bali, with a mission to share the benefits of freediving with others.
It is easy to get caught up in life, put off what you really want to do and take things like your health for granted. When Melanie Chatfield, at the age of 20, was diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa that results in blindness, she decided that to see the world in a new way was her only option.
There was only one way, one answer, if I was to live free of the fear of regret of never having taken the shot I had to attempt my biggest challenge yet. To be the first Australian women to row the Atlantic or any ocean solo and unassisted.
Paddling the Nile, was never going to be an easy feat. Yet Sarah Davis has set her heart on becoming the first person to paddle the length of it. She tells us, 'Like all expeditions, getting funding is challenging. It seems to be a shrinking resource in a growth area, as more people undertake some incredible expeditions for many worthy causes'.
Only a few years ago she couldn't get out of bed, today 30-year-old Amy-Nicole Peters will get out of her tent and continue her 6000km+ self-supported odyssey across Australia by bike, to show us that anyone can take on a challenge and make a difference.
Ang Roan knows that the challenge of her solo cycle is nowhere near the challenge that people of the LGBTIQ community experience on a day-to-day basis, in terms of the struggle to be accepted by society and in some cases their peers and family.
When it comes to Mental Health, the outdoors can play a key role in healing. Despite setbacks Ebony Hoiberg still hopes to walk across Australia, but at the moment is taking her recovery step by step, just like she hikes trail.
In our continuing series for Mental Health Week, we caught up with Jenae, who was diagnosed with Postnatal Depression three weeks post birth of her second child. Like most who suffer, her journey to recovery has not been smooth.
The Mental Health road to wellness is much like a mountain path. A whole lot of ups and downs, sublime moments of walking delight or sweaty sweary heart-breaking climbs.
Gabrielle Lyons features reporter for ABC Mid Coast joined us for the 2017 Women's Adventure Summit. She caught up with Jane Grover to find out what adventure means to her.
Gabrielle Lyons features reporter for ABC Mid Coast joined us for the 2017 Women's Adventure Summit. She caught up with Hayley Talbot to find out what adventure means to her.
“I’ve often seen women be so competitive with each other in a negative way, a destructive way. People who support each other will always be more successful.”This support for others is what drives Sam to cover such unimaginable distances.
Hayley Talbot will hike to the source of the Clarence River, turn around, and kayak all 400km back to the sea. She will do this alone, unsupported, sourcing food from the land and water around her.
What do Africa, Russia, Australia and one day soon Antarctica have in common? Kate Leeming has ridden her bike across them. After speaking with her, I was inspired. Upon reading her book Njinga, I was excited to bring you her story.
She’s an Australian Champion climber, a bouldering champion, and an international athlete who cites Spain as her favourite place to climb. She’s the youngest person to ascend a grade 31, and a grade 32/33: She’s Angie Scarth-Johnson, and she’s twelve years old.
More people had walked on the moon than completed the entire 1700 kilometre Great Himalayan Trail…until an ordinary Sydney mum took it on. Heather Hawkins came “out of recovery” from her Coogee home to meet with Tracey Croke and share her amazing story.
Kyrgyzstan, a mountain bike, Soviet-era maps, and a few pack horses for support -- the ideal journey for Tracey Croke. With adventures in Afghanistan and Ethiopia behind her, a ten-day trip across Kyrgyzstan’s remote Talas mountain range was right up Tracey’s alley.
She conquered Kokoda at eight and was attempting Everest when it was struck by an avalanche in 2014 and the 2015 earthquake. But on her third attempt in 2016, Alyssa Azar successfully summitted Mt Everest, becoming the youngest Australian ever to summit the mother of all mountains
When an injury dashed her Olympic dreams, she spent the next 20 years in mourning - searching for the exhilaration and happiness she had enjoyed as an active kid. On the precipice of turning 40 she stumbled upon a marvel which transformed her life. Meet the woman behind Wild Women on Top and Coastrek
One of Australia’s leading female rock climbers, Monique Forestier, has successfully climbed an Australian Grade 34 (or 8c+) route at Oliana, Spain, becoming the first Australian female to do so.
We caught up with Mountain Designs CEO Caroline Machado Campos to talk all things adventure.
The Women's Adventure Grant will fan the flames of adventure in different ways, for different women...and for every girl and woman watching.
This grant concept opens up an incredible opportunity for women to embark on an adventure and exploration and to continue the storytelling that empowers the next generation of young women to confidently Travel, Play and ultimately Live.
We believe this grant isn’t just an awesome idea that will make adventure possible for the four grant winners, it's the adventures they have that will go on to inspire many more. This is how awesome adventures and meaningful change begins, so we literally couldn’t hold ourselves back from being involved in supporting this initiative.
The women’s adventure grant honours all women. In applying for grants in the past, women have been told that their project, their passion, there goal is not big enough, not epic enough. Enough is enough. This grant will change the face of women’s adventure in Australia
There is so much to organise when planning for an expedition or adventure, financial help could be the difference between whether someone gets their dream off the ground or not, so I truly wish you all the very best in your quest to make this happen!
The Women’s Adventure Grant creates opportunities for girls and women to cultivate their adventurous spirit, to embrace their capabilities and to fire up their courage, and bravery. I stand behind the Women’s Adventure Grant wholeheartedly and ask that you do to!
At the heart of The Women's Adventure Grant is the message that women are able to do amazing things, and that together we can fulfil our dreams when we are surrounded and supported.
The Women's Adventure Grant is a bold and courageous initiative we have all been waiting a long time for. Adventure is in all of us, we all dream of doing something big which will change our lives and shift us out of our comfort zone.
Being big supporters of the benefits of adventure for all, and particularly passionate about an honest representation of females in media, we are well aware of the number of women out there with a passion to create change using adventure to do so. Yet they receive little in the way of support - until now.
It is easy to get caught up in life, put off what you really want to do and take things like your health for granted. When Melanie Chatfield, at the age of 20, was diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa that results in blindness, she decided that to see the world in a new way was her only option.
There was only one way, one answer, if I was to live free of the fear of regret of never having taken the shot I had to attempt my biggest challenge yet. To be the first Australian women to row the Atlantic or any ocean solo and unassisted.
Paddling the Nile, was never going to be an easy feat. Yet Sarah Davis has set her heart on becoming the first person to paddle the length of it. She tells us, 'Like all expeditions, getting funding is challenging. It seems to be a shrinking resource in a growth area, as more people undertake some incredible expeditions for many worthy causes'.
