How ‘The Wild Path Project’ was born.
Hi, I’m Ash, founder of The Wild Path Project.
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt over the years, it’s that life rarely takes us where we expect to go.
Nearly thirty years ago, I started studying psychology with the dream of becoming a child psychologist. Life, however, had other ideas. Instead, it took me through photography, travel, hospitality, the corporate world, entrepreunership and more winding paths than I could ever have imagined.
Looking back now, I don’t think any of those paths were wasted. I think they were quietly leading me here.
Over the last couple of years, I’ve found my way back to studying again—head positively swirling—training to become a youth worker. (Studying in your mid-forties is an adventure all on its own!) Along the way, I’ve learnt just how many incredible people and organisations are working tirelessly to support vulnerable youth and families, often with very limited funding and resources.
I’ve also become increasingly aware of how quickly childhood is changing. So much of it now happens behind a screen.
I know every generation probably says that (cue the teenage eye roll!), but life really does seem to move faster than ever before. Sometimes it feels like we’re all on an out-of-control freight train with no brakes, and we still expect young people to keep up while they’re trying to figure out who they’re becoming.
Somewhere amongst all the notifications, schedules and rushing around, I think we’ve forgotten just how much wonder can be found by simply heading outside and paying attention.
Why I Created The Wild Path
About two years ago, I bought a van with one simple goal: to spend more time exploring. It was a delivery van used to transport new furniture to people’s homes. I had grand ideas of converting it into my home away from home – that’s a story for another day!
What I found was so much more than weekend camping trips.
I found quiet.
I found perspective.
I found stories.
Every trip reminded me of something I’d slowly forgotten as an adult—that wonderful sense of curiosity we all seemed to have as children. The excitement of climbing a hill just to see what was on the other side. The fascination of watching an ant carry a leaf twice its size. The way an ordinary creek could become an entire day’s adventure.
Somewhere between those muddy boots, winding bush tracks and countless cups of campfire coffee, an idea began to take shape.
That idea became The Wild Path.
More Than One Path. The Wild Path isn’t just one project. It’s a collection of connected paths, each with its own purpose.
The Wild Path Crew is where children meet Bodhi and his friends, exploring the world through stories inspired by real places.
The Wild Path Community is a space for adults to write, reflect, connect and rediscover their own creativity.
The Wild Path Project shares the real journeys, photographs and places that inspire everything you see throughout the Wild Path.
The Wild Path Market helps support the journey through thoughtfully created products and subscriptions.
And as the project grows, The Wild Path Foundation will work alongside organisations already making a difference, helping shine a light on their work and, over time, raising funds to support opportunities for vulnerable young people and families.
Although each path looks a little different, they all lead towards the same destination:
Helping people reconnect with nature, creativity, community and themselves.
The Stories Are Real
The adventures you read may be imagined…
…but the places are real.
Many of the stories begin with somewhere I’ve walked, photographed or camped. Others have been inspired by conversations with remarkable people I’ve met throughout my travels around Australia and overseas.
That’s what makes this project so special to me.
Every story has a footprint somewhere in the real world.
Let’s Walk This Path Together
Whether you’ve arrived here because you’re looking for children’s stories, creative inspiration, somewhere to belong, or simply because you love exploring the outdoors, I’m so glad you’re here. This project is still growing. I’m still learning. And, if I’m honest, I hope it never stops evolving. Because looking back, I’ve realised none of us really walk a straight line.
The Wild Path isn’t just about the bush tracks Bodhi follows. It’s about the unexpected paths our own lives take too. Sometimes they lead us exactly where we were meant to be. Even as adults, sometimes all we need is a pair of muddy boots, a creek to explore, and enough time to wonder.
Welcome to The Wild Path.
I’m so glad our paths crossed.
