Footsteps for Good: Chimu’s Global Relationship Manager, James McAlloon, completes his epic coast-to-coast walk across Australia
Sydney
Today, Chimu Adventures’ Global Relationship Manager James McAlloon completed what he started when the global pandemic hit in 2020: a walk from coast to coast across the entire Australian continent. McAlloon’s original quest to walk coast to coast, raising funds for those in the South American travel industry who’d lost work due to the pandemic, was thwarted when Western Australia closed its border to non-residents amidst COVID-19 outbreaks. To accomplish his original task, James made the decision to change course, walking the remaining 1,300km north to finish at the iconic Uluru.
Returning to his coast to coast mission, on June 2, 2022, James, this time accompanied by his partner Emma Williams, set off from Alice Springs on a new pathway to Broome, bush camping as they trekked, where reaching the Indian Ocean would mean the monumental coast to coast trek was now complete.
To add purpose to their journey, James and Emma have been raising funds and awareness for Purple House, an Indigenous-owned and operated health service. They’ve been featured on ABC Kimberley to talk about their fantastic efforts and have done a fantastic job in bringing attention to an important cause. As they walked, they also met plenty of amazing locals who supported them with kind words and even gratefully appreciated lollies and fresh food.
Purple House provides tele dialysis, social support, aged care, and NDIS services and runs a bush medicine social enterprise called Bush Balm. Purple House opened its first dialysis clinic in Kintore in 2004, they now operate 18 remote clinics and in recognition of this, James’ adventure was named Footsteps for Good.
To date, they’ve raised close to $2,000 and have traversed through hot days, dirt roads, remote landscapes like the Tanami Track, and freezing cold camping at night as they travelled, but smiling every step of the way. Averaging 40km per day and pushing carts, 100kg fully loaded, over challenging sand and rock tracks on uneven ground meant the days weren’t easy.
Showers were sparse and flies were plentiful, but this adventure of a lifetime isn’t over yet, as there’s still time to donate to James’ fundraising efforts.
At Chimu Adventures, passionate and caring staff like James are at the heart of who the company is. Travel experiences, whether through the remote Outback or in the cosmopolitan heart of Buenos Aires, play a fundamental role in fostering understanding, respect, and making the world a little bit smaller.
To follow James’s journey or to donate to the cause, click here
For images click here
For media enquiries, please contact:
Meg Hall
PH: 02 94581211
E: meghall@chimuadventures.com
CHIMU ADVENTURES
Founded in 2004, Chimu Adventures are The Latin America and Polar Travel Specialists. Australian owned, we are the go-to for all Latin America, Antarctica and Arctic travel requirements, from small ship expedition cruises to tailor-made itineraries and small group tours, plus all international and domestic flight and transfer arrangements. Our specialist knowledge means we can offer the best options for everything. We use our own operations on the ground to access an immense range of accommodation and activities and work personally with our traveller’s style and budget, tailoring to their individual needs.
Our team is committed to the destinations which we operate in and are proud members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) Adventure Travel Trade Association and Latin America Travel Association. For more information visit www.chimuadventures.com.
