John Blay ‘Engaging with wilderness of the coastal ranges; strange plants, yowies and the old ways’

John, author of ‘On Track’ and ‘Back Country’ reflects on how walking changes your relationship to the countryside.

In 1981 John was awarded the Parks Writers Award to spend 12 months by himself in the wild country between Araluen and Bemboka. It confirmed ongoing researches into south-eastern Australia's forests, settlers and Aboriginal people that have resulted in projects such as the Bundian Way, an ancient pathway between Kosciuszko and Twofold Bay.

John Blay is a writer, naturalist and walker. He has written extensively about the bush and its people in poetry, drama and prose. Since 2001 the south east forests of NSW have been the main focus of his work, often in association with the local Aboriginal communities