Walkabout served as a rite of passage for young Australian Aboriginal boys who would leave their tribes to live in the wilderness for a period of up to six months. They would take with them an oral history of their people in the form of song, and they would follow these “songlines” to culturally significant locations in the Outback to connect with their ancestors. You can adapt the concept to go on walkabout yourself.

Determine the Duration

Australian Aboriginals believe that the monotony and stresses of every day life can force you to lose yourself. The walkabout serves as a way to reconnect. Fergus Blakiston of the LA Times writes about his walkabout experience: "I found [the wilderness] particularly conducive to introspection. In new surroundings, freed from the routines of home, every emotion and response becomes intense. I no longer felt constraints on my thinking. I could change a little about myself." Decide how much solitary time you need away from modern life to reset. It can last an afternoon, a day, a week or months; it's up to you. You need enough time to quiet the mind, slowing it down from its worries to a series of focused reflections.

Pick a Spot and Activity

Songlines crisscross the Australian Outback, taking voyagers to breathtakingly beautiful wilderness. Awe-inspiring natural sites demand all of your attention, helping to soothe your mind. It's difficult to worry about anything when you are gazing upon something as beautiful as the Grand Canyon. Plan a walkabout in whatever wilderness to which you have access. Backpack into the wilds of a national park, hike to the summit of an impressive peak or spend the afternoon lounging at a lake. Choosing the location is a deeply personal choice -- some prefer desert sunsets over snow-capped peaks -- but pick a place that takes your breath away and makes you feel small. Hopefully, by the end of your experience, your everyday problems will feel even smaller.

Safety Net

Your walkabout can be active or passive. You can hike into the wilderness lugging a massive backpack or you can sunbathe near a cliffside view. But it is essential to do your homework and set up a safety net. If you plan to backpack, research the flora and fauna of your area to familiarize yourself with any dangers. Understand the terrain and weather so that you can pack accordingly. Always bring more food and water than you need, and notify friends and family of the location and duration of your walkabout. Consider bringing flares, a radio or cellphone for use in emergencies. Always check in with a park ranger, if applicable, and heed all local warning signs. If you are worried about your physical wellbeing, then you will be too preoccupied to receive the benefits of walkabout.

Australian Tourism

According to the Tourism Australia website, walkabout no longer focuses on the rite of passage as a solitary experience. Australian Aboriginal people now consider taking trucks, boats and planes to spiritually significant places as walkabout, and they are eager to give you a tour. Enjoy guided bush walks in the Blue Mountains, Kakadu National Park or the Larapinta Trail; camp beneath an impressive canopy of stars deep in the Outback; or experience the cuisine of Aboriginal culture. Allow others to worry about logistics and safety for you. You can find daily Aboriginal tours at all of the popular wilderness attractions in Australia, such as Uluru, Wave Rock, Sydney Harbor, Shark Bay and Ningaloo Reef.

About the Author

Christopher Michael began writing in 2010 for Break.com. He received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Writing sports and travel articles helps support his professional baseball career, which has taken him to 49 states, five continents and four oceans.

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