Strong Daughters & Strong Families

Strong Daughters and Strong Families is about courage and curiosity!

Imagine getting your besties together for an adventure. Even if you are not the outdoors type but wish to dip your toe into the water and try camping, hiking and bike riding? Couple that with your Year 9 daughter, and you might think – no way! 

Well, consider this. 

Girls look up to their closest adult role model (i.e. their Mums) for guidance as to what they could do and be. Often, outdoor activities are not role-modelled due to a lack of time, gear and/or knowledge to make it happen. Perhaps it’s because doing PE or even trying Outdoor Education at school was a horrible experience, or Scouts or Girl Guides was not for you, or perhaps there were just too many distractions, so it kept getting pushed further down the list. Or it simply wasn’t offered. 

Discovering the outdoors with your daughter is just one more way to connect with each other on a whole different level. We can share difficulties and overcome them, bond over what went wrong and what went right, and perhaps laugh in a way that hasn’t happened in a while. We can thank the outdoors for giving us this opportunity. We might even call it Adventure Therapy! 

Strong Families

In August 2024, Big Heart Adventures hosted a group of ten Mums and their ten Year 9 daughters. Privately booked, this trip was customised to suit fitness level and age group with a combination of camping, hiking, glamping and biking across five incredible days. 

It started with a musical bus ride – loud and high-vibes with a playlist that everyone seemed to know the words to. There was so much chatter and excitement that the only way forward was to sing along and soak it in—talk about starting with a bang! 

The bus was heading north into the stunning Flinders Ranges, where, over the following two days, the group would try setting up a tent, lighting their own campfire, and hiking on technical trails. The first challenge was sleeping on a thin air mattress, cooking on a gas stove, and making do with very little (with very little space).  

The itinerary was designed to begin with the most challenging aspects and end with a bit more comfort, which suited this group to a tea. With much excitement, the girls got the campfire going with no adult assistance and got their tents up – some feeling claustrophobic to begin with seeing their tiny abode for the night and others realising that they had grossly overpacked and where would the suitcase go? 

Everyone coped. So, it seemed. There were big smiles in the morning, and maybe some even got some sleep. 

The Big Hike

The following day was all about the big hike. It was an early start to get 18km walked in daylight hours, and this included some reasonable elevation plus a gorge scramble – definitely Adventure with a capital A. It was tough going for anyone not used to hills or rocks, but this group just faced it head-on with chatter and plenty of nervous energy that saw the group power up the hills.   

Initially, the girls and mums walked separately, and later, the girls asked to walk just with their Mums. Many Mums commented on this being a highlight of the day. Other than a few sore feet and the odd slip in animal poop, the group returned tired but so happy that they had achieved the distance and terrain. It didn’t matter how long it took. It was all about the journey. 

Campfire Reflections

Each night, the group was offered campfire reflection time and a chance to share their personal experiences from the day. We offered different prompts to get everyone comfortable. Sometimes, the mums encouraged the topic, and other times, our leaders took an element from the day that would allow the group to acknowledge and celebrate the good, the bad, and the difficult. And maybe even share what they learned from it. Powerful stuff! 

The second night of camping saw wild weather arrive in the middle of the night, and it was a sleepless night for the group who waited for gusts of wind to shake the tents while the giant trees whooshed and swayed with the force. It was warm, and a kind of spring weather madness had found us. Our morning coffee took a long time to brew while we struggled to find enough shelter from the wind to support the gas cooker’s efforts to heat the water. Even the bus grappled with the gusts as we left camp all packed up and ready for a few more creature comforts.   

Glamping

Due to the wild winds and bus performance, the program slightly changed, and our walk at Alligator Gorge was replaced with some nature therapy and forest bathing in beautiful Melrose. A gentle winddown of green time in silence and meditation allowed a few to snatch a few Zzz’s. 

Then, it was on to the rolling vineyards and stations of the Clare Valley.   

Bungaree Station was our host for the next couple of nights, and while a giant sleepover room with stretcher beds lined up was created for the girls in the Station’s shearers’ quarters, the mums were catered for with Glamping Tents from Tent Events. Stylish glamping inside the beautiful ambience of these teepee-style tents, complete with double beds and hot water bottles. The comforts that make a couple of nights here a stay to remember!  

The campfire was lit, dinner was inhaled, and then it was time to plan the following day – exploring the region on bikes! 

Bike Riding & Wineries

Many of our mums had not ridden a bike for decades, and staying together as one cohesive group was a challenge. Bikes have gears, and when not used, it can turn an easy ride into a hard one! Especially after a delicious long lunch at Skillogalee Winery. Credit to all, though, they took it in their stride and covered the distance.

On our final night, it was time for a groove with a Taylor Swift dance party – sooo good for the soul and, wow, did this group know how to keep the vibes high! It was such a wonderful way to end our stay, and from our final reflection around the campfire, it was clear that this trip had been way more than just a lot of fun. Sharing highs and lows, bonding with friends and mums and discovering new ways to connect with each other, nature, and self was a common theme. 

For the final morning, we facilitated a slightly different walk. Mums and daughters could walk in pairs independently along the Reisling Trail to finish off one last session of one-on-one time.  We prompted the group with optional questions to open conversations. It was a final opportunity to connect alone before the journey home commenced.   

With a huge lunch at the incredible Watervale Hotel, we rolled back to Adelaide in time for their airport drop-off and flights back to Melbourne. 

Courage, Growth & Inspiration

As leaders, we experienced the uplifting role of facilitating this adventure with ten inspiring mums and their courageous daughters. All of them participated 100% in the challenge, even when it was outside of their comfort zones at different times. Every family (and individual at times) experienced a mixture of comfort and discomfort that we hoped would provide an anchor for life beyond this experience.   

Seeing women lead these events, witnessing role models and what our younger generation is capable of, was such an important message that we hoped would go home with all of us. And to know that time with others in the outdoors with nature will always be a place where growth, learning, well-being and connection are possible. 

It was a privilege to share with this group, and it is truly heartwarming to receive their feedback afterwards and know they, too, gained so much!

So, let’s now hear from some of the mums:

Scarlett and I had the most beautiful trip away. It exceeded any expectation I had and I have been spreading the word to all my friends that they should plan a trip with you. Chloe and Leah were absolutely gorgeous and were such a joy to have a long on the trip with us. I came home feeling so inspired and have a re-energised desire to get back into nature and explore. The time Scarlett and I had together was so special, we both loved the whole experience so much.

~ Jess 

We were lucky enough to share a wonderful camping, hiking and bike riding experience with mums and daughters led by the incredible team at Big Heart Adventures. It is an adventure that I will cherish and remember and most of all laugh about always. Thank you for your knowledge, experience and kind hearts. Until next time.

~ Rachael M

The Strong Daughter 5 Day Adventure that my daughter and I joined in with nine other mums and their daughters through Big Heart Adventures, was one of the best shared experiences of our lives. It was a perfect time for my fifteen-year-old daughter and I to bond further and reconnect away from the challenges of today’s busy world. It was not only bonding for mum and daughter, but bonding also for all the girls, and bonding for all the mums. Being able to disconnect from the outside world for a short time and enjoy the guided walks in such a beautiful natural environment has created a desire and promise to myself to embed more of these experiences in my life. Big Heart Adventures exceeded my expectations in every way, and I would highly recommend the experience to reconnect to nature and the natural environment and deepen the bond with your daughter and with fellow mums. Memories and shared experiences that my daughter and I will carry with us through life. Don’t miss the chance, life moves quick. Thank you, Big Heart Adventures, and to the beautiful and special guides – Lisa, Leah & Cloe – the best ever!

~ Leanne W.

My daughter and I were extremely fortunate to be part of this amazing experience with these 10 mums and their 10 strong, resilient, fun and clever daughters.  The trip was beautifully created and curated by the fabulous Lisa Murphy at Big Heart Adventures.  The connectedness between mothers and daughters, mums and mums, daughters and daughters and the whole group, along with the memories made, is something we will all cherish forever.  Thank you Lisa! I can’t recommend this experience highly enough. 

~ Zara

An unforgettable experience that I will cherish forever. So incredibly grateful to Lisa, Leah & Cloe for their energy, planning, preparation and execution to make it all possible. Thank you for helping create these special memories.

~ Thali