After nearly 5,000 kilometres on foot, Perth adventurer Mark Gresser has reached Bourke on his solo trek across Australia for youth mental health.
Speaking to Rod Corfe on 2WEB’s Outback Mornings, Mark said the journey has been an incredible way to experience the country.
“It’s absolutely magic — the best way to see it is on foot and just watch it slowly transition as I make my way across,” he said.
Mark set off from Steep Point in Western Australia — the furthest west point of the mainland — and is making his way to Cape Byron on the east coast. Travelling largely via remote tracks and avoiding bitumen wherever possible, he has crossed through the heart of the country, including Uluru.
This isn’t his first major adventure. Previously, Mark rode a bicycle nearly 30,000 kilometres from Perth to Paris, travelling through Asia and Europe — an experience he says reinforced the importance of human connection.
“All my stories… it’s about the people, the human connections along the way,” he said.
The current trek, however, carries a deeper purpose.
Mark is raising funds and awareness for youth mental health through Trek for Youth Mental Health, supporting the organisation ‘batyr‘ — a charity working to reduce stigma and encourage young people to speak openly about their mental health.
The cause is deeply personal.
Having faced his own mental health challenges, Mark says he wants young people to feel more comfortable opening up and seeking help.
“It’s only by talking about what we’re going through that we can understand and help each other,” he said.
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges.
Crossing the Strzelecki Desert proved one of the toughest stretches, with Mark spending 18 days between towns while pulling all his gear behind him — a section he admits nearly stopped him in his tracks.
The trek is entirely self-funded, with Mark relying on careful planning — including pre-packed food supplies sent ahead — along with the generosity of communities he meets along the way.
Now in Bourke, he estimates he has just over 1,000 kilometres remaining, with around two months of walking left before reaching Cape Byron.
For Mark, the journey has also become a form of reflection.
“Walking without the noise… you have time and space to think,” he said.
As he continues east, his message remains simple: if you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to talk — whether it’s to a friend, family member or a professional.
Those wanting to support Mark’s journey and the cause can find more information and donate via Trek for Youth Mental Health.
