The Great North Walk Companion

The Great North Walk Companion
by A. Henderson-Sellers, K. McGuffie and B. Henderson-Sellers
View a sample of this book.

The Great North Walk Companion tells a family story spanning the social history of a beautiful part of coastal Australia from the time before white people laid claim to Terra Australis up to the 21st birthday of the Great North Walk: the truly wonderful trail of 250 km between Sydney and Newcastle.

There are treasure hunt elements, including beautiful engravings; historic and peculiar obelisks; and mysteries that have occurred along the Great North Walk: murders, disappearances and inexplicable deaths.

Each chapter covers a time period and a trail important for indigenous and immigrant Australians: the relatives, friends and passing strangers around whom the narrative evolves.

There are maps and descriptions of the walks together with suggestions for over 50 places to visit that enliven the exploration of this part of coastal New South Wales. The biggest mystery of all, the identity of the Companion, unfolds as this fascinating family tree grows and branches.

Anyone who enjoys great recreational walking as well as global puzzle-solvers will find elements that capture their interest and fire the imagination.

376 pages softcover

Customer Reviews:

I found this to be a *great* book because it combines two fervent interests of mine: bush-walking and puzzle solving. There are bits that I'd write
differently but the story of a young person who 'grows' into this walk ‘down under’ and their life is gripping! This kept me turning the pages
when I thought I'd bought it to dip into only when I was planning next weekend’s walking. There are plenty of new places for me to visit (along the
Walk and near it) and the authors have captured my interest in both obelisks (readers learn all about these) and Aboriginal rock art (much of this was
new to me too). The chapters are about each part of the Walk with pencil sketches to illustrate natural history and social happening along the route.
The story is of a family taking one person (the puzzle) on the full length of ‘The Great North Walk’. As a review reader you will want me to
answers a few questions: Did it get me out of doors? It will --I had previously only walked a few bits of The Great North Walk, but now am
motivated to complete all the rest- except maybe the bits with ticks and leeches! Can I solve the mystery? I'm seriously 'hooked' on figuring out
the real identity of Billie's Companion -- I have a family history half constructed and hope to 'patch' in more ancestors as I go through the text for
the second time. Do I recommend it? Oh yes! I’m sending this link to as many of my friends as I can. I want their help on unraveling the identity
of ‘The Companion’ and I also hope some of them will join me in walking this trail. Overall -- this book is a fascinating combination of
traditional trail notes and potted social history. But the *way* they're interwoven makes this a unique read and one that will travel much further
than the 250 kms of Australia's most accessible bush trail. I predict it will become a global success. Thanks to all three authors and
illustrators.