The long journey from Darwin to Adelaide has just been completed on foot by Chris Woods. Her astonishing story and commitment to putting others first is a remarkable achievement, but one done with a big smile on her face.

I don’t know many people who would do what 72-year-old Chris Woods has done.

I also don’t know many who could.

Chris had been planning this trip for some time. But when COVID hit and borders closed, her walk ended up being delayed for four years.

Trekking some 3,100 km from Darwin to Adelaide, Chris began putting one foot in front of the other on 1 May 2024. She completed her course in Glenelg, a beachside suburb of Adelaide, on 24 August. The Lions Club of West Adelaide set up a welcome banner along with a community barbeque.

The 125-day journey, with a few days break to do the washing, is monumental. No matter which way you look at it, the achievement is mind-boggling.

Each day, Chris walked 30 km. A marathon is just over 42 km. That amounts to 74 marathons within a four-month period.

Trekking for a Cause

She labels her adventure “Chris Treks for a Cause”. Her goal is to raise $50,000 to put towards four different charities: The Black Dog Institute, Dads4Kids, Beyond Blue and The Lions Club of Tenterfield.

When asked to explain why she trekked for a cause, she states, “I’ve done this… for the mental health of men.”

“I’ve sat around campfires at night, talking to men. There’s not much help out there for them. There is for women. But for men, there isn’t.”

“So, we need to step up and get more help for men.”

Arriving safely at her Adelaide destination, she was greeted with a Dad4Kids Courage Award. The award was presented “With gratitude and appreciation for your fundraising walk, Darwin to Adelaide, to raise support for men’s health and wellbeing.”

 

Senator for South Australia the Hon David Fawcett presented Chris Woods with the award, along with Dads4Kids South Australian representative Rod Hall.

In addition to taking a few days off to do her washing, her trekking breaks were devoted to working for men’s mental health and “to do free barbeques”.

Obstacles and Perseverance

Chris explained that she began each day with a brisk 17km walk. Then she’d have a break to refuel herself, and then complete the remaining 13 km. “Then it’s all finished!”, she remarks, as if it was a mere walk in the park.

But her journey was not all smooth sailing.

Only two and a half hours into her trek, Chris had an accident and ended up in hospital. But it was “just for a few hours”, she reassures.

The accident resulted in “seven stitches in my hand and six on top of my eye.”

“But I was back on the road in two hours.”

“So, I did another 15 kays!”

 

When asked how she did it, and how she motivated herself to persevere, Chris offered these words: “It’s just one little step in front of the other. That’s all it is.”

“There were days that I would lay in bed and think, “I can’t do this”. “But you know, if you’re doing it for yourself, stay in bed. But if you’re doing it for Australia, get up, put a smile on your face, and get out there.”

Another obstacle in her goal to fundraise for men’s charities was the difficulty in engaging media outlets.

“I’m a female standing up for men. If I were a female standing up for females, I would have got more publicity.”

“And you know, men need help.”

“There are so many dads out there that are struggling to see their children. And you know, dads are so important too.”

A Special Thanks to John White

Chris could not have done her trek alone. She owns a converted bus that acts as her accommodation.

But the bus can’t drive itself. So, she asked a friend, John White, to drive her vehicle whilst she was on the road.

He agreed – a decision Chris is profoundly grateful for.

“With John, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. So, thank you so, so much.”

In response, John explains, “She is a remarkable woman.”

“I’ve never met another woman like her”.

“The Stuart Highway is like a racetrack”, as cars go at 130km/hr.

The major highway linking the top end to Port Augusta, South Australia, is also an incredibly hot surface – even during some of the cooler months. Chris revealed how she would feel the intense heat through her shoes – which resulted in more than one pair melting.

Whilst the trek is an incredible feat, John shared some disappointments.

One frustration was that no fuel company would sponsor Chris to help cover her petrol costs. Chris refused to use donated money towards her own expenses. Every cent she raises goes straight to the causes she trekked for.

Consequently, she paid all her vehicle, food and accommodation costs for the entire trip out of her own pension.

Another of John’s disappointments was the extreme difficulty they had in local media promoting and giving exposure to Chris’ fundraising effort.

John explains, “We went to see all [the media outlets] in Darwin. We told them what time we were leaving, and where at. We told three TV stations. We told the radio station, ABC Radio.”

“No one turned up.”

“And that was heartbreaking.”

Raising Awareness for Men’s Mental Health

Nevertheless, Chris continues with her cause to raise awareness and fundraising for men’s mental health.

She isn’t looking for large sums. But she is looking for a considerable number of people to get behind her.

“If everybody in Australia donated just one dollar, look how much money we could make.”

Anyone who wishes to donate to Chris’ trek for a cause can do so by following this link.