Gone Walkabout with Jac: Starry Skies, Platypus Sightings & Redback Boots

There’s a rhythm to the Aussie bush that stays with you long after you leave—the crunch of boots on red dirt, the crackle of a fire after dusk, the chorus of birds waking you at first light. It’s not just the beauty of the landscape, but the way it makes you feel. Unplugged. Reconnected. Home.

We recently caught up with Jac, whose weekends are often spent just like this: camping under the stars, barefoot on the earth, camera in hand, surrounded by family, friends, and the kind of wildness you can’t bottle. Her most recent trip took her deep into familiar territory—her family farm and the river that runs through it. It’s private land, but more than that, it’s sacred space. The kind of place that holds generations of stories, laughter, and stillness.

This wasn’t a curated glamping trip or a fly-in-fly-out escape. It was real. Mud on the boots, smoke in the clothes, dogs in the back of the ute, and paddocks that stretch as far as the eye can see. And for a weekend, that’s all anyone needed.

Here’s what she had to say about the magic of being out on Country—with her crew, her camera, and a good pair of boots.

Left: Redback UBBK Boot Black & Ranger Ann Work Shirt Light - Clay. Right: Redback UBOK Boot Dark Brown & Ranger Ann Work Shirt Light - Blue

Who did you travel with, and what made this trip special?

Just the thought of them gets me excited! I travelled with my sister, Flossy, her Kelpie Wally, a couple of great girl pals and my dad popped over with his dog Kev for a cheeky cuppa. We’re all people who love being out in nature, so it was one of those weekends where everyone was exactly where they needed to be.

Left: Thomas Cook Hats. Right: Blundstone 600 Boot Brown

Where did you go, and what was the highlight of your destination?

Located between the Grampians and the Black Range State Park, Victoria. We packed up from our family farm and gave the girly pops a tour before setting up camp by the river on our private property. It’s this patch of untouched land covered in huge river gums and long native grasses. We even spotted a platypus swimming through the river! We know how lucky we are to have access to that kind of space—it really is our playground.

Left & RIght: Shirts: Ranger Outdoor

Where did you stay—were you camping under the stars, glamping in style, or unwinding in a cozy retreat?

A bit of both! We spent one night at the farmhouse—originally my great-grandma’s home—and one night camping by the river in swags and my pop-top campervan, Jean. Both gave us those starry nights you never forget. We’re about an hour from civilisation, so there’s almost no light pollution. Just still air, bright stars, and good company.

What were the most memorable activities or experiences you shared?

Paddle boarding on the river, setting up a big lazy picnic at camp, collecting eggs from our free-range chickens… but mostly just soaking up the energy of the bush. There’s something about being in nature that grounds you in a way nothing else can.

Left & Right: Ranger Steve Work Shirt Original - Black & G.A.B. Moleskin Jeans - Mens Bone

What’s a funny or unexpected moment that had everyone laughing?

Honestly? Anyone falling off a paddle board. Never gets old.

What were your top three must-haves for the trip?

Boots—absolutely! A warm jacket or coat. And a good sense of adventure. With those three, you're pretty much set.

Left: SUK Gunnee Short Black, Akubra Rough Rider Hat Loden & Redback UBBA Boot Banana Suede Right: Redback UBBK Boot Black 

What wildlife or natural wonders did you encounter along the way?

So much! We had our chickens (Cloudy Jane and co.), Wally and Kev the doggos, kangaroos, emus, blue-tongue lizards, and even a platypus. On the river, there were swans and ducks. We saw butterflies, moths, kookaburras, cockatoos, blue wrens, willy-wagtails… It was non-stop.

Which boots did you wear, and how did they hold up to the adventure?

Redbacks for most of us! They’re kind of our go-to. My dad actually showed up in his best dress shoes for the visit—which is hilarious if you know him. Bec wore her new Blundstones and is officially converted. I swapped between my Redbacks and Blunnies, depending on what we were doing. We climbed trees, went on hikes—they held up beautifully.

Left: Mongrel 816030 Riding Boot Oil Kip Brown

Left: Redback Work Boot UBOK Dark Brown Right: SUK Workwear

What advice would you give to others planning a similar weekend escape?

Get yourself a solid pair of boots. As gorgeous as nature is, there are always surprises—snakes, sharp sticks, ants… I love going barefoot when I can, but having boots you can trust is a must.

Left & Right: Blundstone boots

Where’s your next dream getaway with family or friends?

I’m heading off this weekend with my outrageously fun friend Amber—we’re staying in a remote log cabin in Gippsland and exploring caves! We’re both big believers in collecting memories over things, so anytime we can sneak away into the wild, we do.

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It’s easy to forget, in the rush of everyday life, how nourishing it can be to just be outside. To trade screens for scenery. To watch the dogs tear through long grass. To cook over a fire. To climb a tree like you’re ten again. These are the moments that stitch themselves into your memory. Not loud. Not planned. Just golden in their simplicity.

And while it’s true that any great walkabout starts with good company, it helps to have gear that can keep up—boots that are built to last, made for scrambles down riverbanks and late-night dashes to the camp loo. Whether you’re a Redback loyalist, a Blundstone convert, or somewhere in between, the right boots make all the difference when you're miles from anywhere and exactly where you want to be.

So, wherever you’re headed next—whether it’s your nan’s back paddock or a hidden pocket of the high country—take the time to go slow, go deep, and go walkabout.
We’ll see you out there!

Left: Thomas Cook Drover Hats Fawn Right: SUK Cropped Yard Suite Black