About

Hi, I’m Kati and I’m a “Soft Hiker”!

I’ve spent the last 25+ years exploring the wilder corners of Australia but I’m far from ‘hardcore’. In fact, I’d consider myself a ‘soft hiker’. 😆

We traded Melbourne city life for the dust of the Outback and the (annoying) humidity of the Sunshine Coast, our adopted home for the last decade (which is how I’ve learned how to survive hiking in the heat).

THE BLOG: BEYOND THE BACKYARD

What started in 2013 as a quest to explore South-East Queensland has grown into a decade-long adventure across the whole state and beyond. Most of these trips are shared with the husband—he usually drives the 4WD while I navigate and obsess over my next gluten-free treat. 😆

We’ve spent the last 15+ years figuring out how to travel simply, whether we’re in our own backyard or hiring a campervan in New Zealand, Canada or my birth home, Germany.

I’ve lived in Australia for over 25 years now—more than half my life! When I’m not exploring, I teach English as a Second Language. It’s hard work but my students bring the whole world into my classroom, and they constantly remind me of the importance of perspective.

THE “SOFT HIKER” PERSPECTIVE

I’m in my 40s now, and I’ve learned that hiking looks a little different than it did in my 20s. Managing health issues means I have to be smarter about how I move, what I carry and how I recover—it takes so much longer! 😆

You won’t find fancy hotel reviews or “curated luxury” here. Instead, you’ll find a low-key, sustainable approach to road trips, camping and hiking. I’m proof that you can still chase the wild views, even if you have to take a slightly slower path to get there.

WHAT YOU’LL FIND HERE

I don’t count countries, and I don’t follow the “insta-glow” travel trends. I focus on:

• National park obsession: National parks are my happy place. Whether it’s a quick scenic drive, a historical marker or an exhausting multi-day hike, I plan our entire travels around exploring them. If there’s a park in Australia (or NZ!) worth visiting, it’s probably on my list.
• Low-key camping: I highly value quiet camping spots over resort-style amenities. We have a fairly minimalist camping setup, and my guides are for people who prefer the sound of wind tucked away from the crowds.
• Practical gear: Because I have to be mindful of my body, I’m on a never-ending quest for gear that actually supports me—like my three-year search for a hat that fits a tiny head! I only recommend what truly works.
• The gluten-free hiker: Hiking with strict gluten intolerance means I’ve become creative about trail food. If you’re tired of snacks that taste like cardboard or dehydrated meals that are indigestible, I’ve got you covered.
• Honest Reviews: We spent eight months living out of a rooftop tent on our NT/WA lap of Australia last year and, honestly? It was a bit of a flop for us. I’m currently putting together a proper review of why it didn’t work because I’d rather be honest than just post pretty pictures of things that aren’t actually functional.
• History & culture: I love a bit of “beyond” with my travel—whether it’s the history of the Berlin Wall, Aboriginal rock art in Queensland or cultural sites in Canada.

GOING UNPLUGGED

I’ve rediscovered the beauty of being offline. I’ve realised that blogging and travel don’t go together all that well, so I’m a pretty sporadic contributor while we’re away. I prefer to live the adventure first and write about it once I’ve had time to process it back home.

If you value independence, local bakeries and getting a little bit rough and dusty at times, I think you’ll feel right at home here.

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WORK WITH ME

I partner with outdoor brands that value authenticity and field-tested gear, and align with my ‘leave no trace’ ethics and low-key travel style. If you’re looking for an honest, grown-up perspective on hiking, camping and 4WD travel in Australia and beyond, I’d love to chat.

Reach me at kati (at) queenslandandbeyond.com.

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

I’d love to hear from you (honestly, I would 🙂 )! If you have a question or just want to say ‘hi’, feel free to contact me here.Save