CARRYING nothing more than a backpack, an umbrella, a sleeping bag and a tent that has seen better days, French citizen Nicolas Queune is stepping out into the world.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Literally.
The 34-year-old has embarked on an epic adventure to walk around the world and passed through Katherine on September 4 as part of his final Australian leg.
Mr Queune’s ambitious journey began in 2013 and, after walking across Japan and New Zealand, he set off from Sydney in November.
After walking almost 7000 kilometres through some of the harshest parts of the country, he said he planned to fly back to France later this month.
“I walk between 30 and 40 kilometres a day,” he explained.
“Sometimes, I walk in the night.
“I do boat and airplane for the sea; all else is on foot.”
While a solo walking adventure might provide enough excitement for most people, Mr Queune said he wanted to come face to face with the Northern Territory’s most feared resident when he arrived in Darwin.
“I’m going to do the death cage [at Crocosaurus Cove] in Darwin and fight the crocodile,” he laughed.
Despite the vast distances between towns and testing climate in the Northern Territory, the French adventurer said he had found walking along the Stuart Highway easier than other parts of his journey.
“Since I started, I go most quickly now, because Australia is so flat,” he said.
“Australians are very kind and they always stop and ask if I need a lift or need water.”
He admitted it had not all been smooth sailing and explained how he had been forced to pick up and drink the contents of an abandoned bottle on the roadside after running out of water.
When asked what the highlight of seeing Australia on foot had been, Mr Queune said he had been able to experience the country’s wildlife up close.
“Seeing the animals in nature, it is very wonderful,” he said.