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Adventures with Emilie: Taking on Te Araroa trail in 138 life-changing days
“I’m here because I want to test the very limits of my own resilience and reassure myself that no matter what’s happened to me, I’m not ready to lie down and die.”
In 2021, Victoria Bruce quit her corporate job, packed up her life and embarked on Te Araroa trail with her seven-year-old daughter, Emilie. On the 3000-kilometre journey that traverses the length of Aotearoa, the duo faced Covid lockdowns, the harsh elements of New Zealand’s backcountry and even a near-death experience.
A keen tramper, Victoria’s drive to complete the walk was to take time out, create lasting memories with Emilie and reconnect with nature. But it was also a way for her to face her past, and the events that led to her post-traumatic stress disorder.
In this remarkable book, Victoria interweaves her experiences on the trail with reflections on her painful childhood, her time in state care, recovering from addiction and assault, becoming a mother, and escaping everyday life to finally confront her demons.
Powerful and evocative, this is a story about the healing power of nature, our wondrous unique environment, the deep bond between mother and daughter, and survival – both in the wilderness and in life itself.
In 2021, Victoria Bruce quit her corporate job, packed up her life and embarked on Te Araroa trail with her seven-year-old daughter, Emilie. On the 3000-kilometre journey that traverses the length of Aotearoa, the duo faced Covid lockdowns, the harsh elements of New Zealand’s backcountry and even a near-death experience.
A keen tramper, Victoria’s drive to complete the walk was to take time out, create lasting memories with Emilie and reconnect with nature. But it was also a way for her to face her past, and the events that led to her post-traumatic stress disorder.
In this remarkable book, Victoria interweaves her experiences on the trail with reflections on her painful childhood, her time in state care, recovering from addiction and assault, becoming a mother, and escaping everyday life to finally confront her demons.
Powerful and evocative, this is a story about the healing power of nature, our wondrous unique environment, the deep bond between mother and daughter, and survival – both in the wilderness and in life itself.
336 pages, Paperback
Published August 22, 2023
28 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Bruce
13 books4 followersThis author is different from the Victoria Bruce with two spaces
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 1, 2024
Oh heckyie-doos! Talk about emotional overload! Not only is this book to do with NZ nature but it deals with the authors past trauma experiences which something I wasn't really expecting, or considering. This had nothing to do with connecting trauma events of mine but an overall empathy for the author.
I skipped over quite alot of hardship and trauma stuff and went onto
underlining alot of quotes, ranging from different named bird life, to inspirational nature quotes.
The book had some beaut descriptions on NZ scenery though and I learnt alot from it especially Maori Legends, which I have no knowledge of, there are black and white photos at the end of each chapter, with a few coloured photos too.
.
I have to include this quote that said alot to me
"I truly believe that reconnecting with our natural world, on nature's own terms, is key for our happiness, wellbeing and sense of place. The more peace and affinity we find in our nature world, the more peace we find within ourselves."
5 stars rating/review ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I skipped over quite alot of hardship and trauma stuff and went onto
underlining alot of quotes, ranging from different named bird life, to inspirational nature quotes.
The book had some beaut descriptions on NZ scenery though and I learnt alot from it especially Maori Legends, which I have no knowledge of, there are black and white photos at the end of each chapter, with a few coloured photos too.
.
I have to include this quote that said alot to me
"I truly believe that reconnecting with our natural world, on nature's own terms, is key for our happiness, wellbeing and sense of place. The more peace and affinity we find in our nature world, the more peace we find within ourselves."
5 stars rating/review ⭐⭐⭐⭐
October 5, 2023
I'd met, and tramped with Victoria and Emilie, before their TA journey. I liked them immensely and avidly followed their journey as they trekked the length of the country.
Turns out I had no idea about the trials Victoria was living through.
This book shares beautiful and poetic visions of the wild places of New Zealand. And, it also journals Victoria's courageous survival of abuse, betrayal and addiction. This is very much not what I thought this story would be, but something heartbreakingly better. This is about an ongoing journey to mental health.
This is the story of a strong courageous woman, and another one in training.
Go well my friends.
Turns out I had no idea about the trials Victoria was living through.
This book shares beautiful and poetic visions of the wild places of New Zealand. And, it also journals Victoria's courageous survival of abuse, betrayal and addiction. This is very much not what I thought this story would be, but something heartbreakingly better. This is about an ongoing journey to mental health.
This is the story of a strong courageous woman, and another one in training.
Go well my friends.
February 12, 2024
Really interesting book, gave a good perspective on living with PTSD and the ongoing challenges this creates. I found the second half of the book a bit slow going however.
April 12, 2024
Well written and tells of mental health challenges and how walks and tramping help with that. A few moments on trail that were very challenging and dangerous especially with a 7 year old. Sometimes wondered if it was wise to walk this long and challenging trail with a young girl who was very resilient and brave but did have a couple of emotional moments. I had the pleasure of listening to Victoria in Wanaka at Aspiring conversations. Meeting her and getting her to sign my book. Emilie was there too now 20 years old and taller. Victoria has moved to the west coast with Bush and mountains at her back door.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2023
Victoria takes us on an incredible journey through the wild landscapes of Aotearoa/New Zealand, and bravely shares her deeply personal story of traumatic childhood experiences and ongoing mental health struggles in adult life. Victoria does not shy away from revealing the tough parts, and writes openly about her experience of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, explaining in intimate detail how her brain and body respond physically to these conditions. At times heart-breaking to read, but also inspiring and uplifting - ultimately this book encourages us all to spend more time in wild places, to appreciate the amazing diversity of our natural world, and experience the joy and spiritual healing this can offer.
October 31, 2023
This was a great book. What a strong amazing person, Victoria is. I’m so pleased that she has written her story. I hope those who work with young people in care will take note of Victoria’s experiences. I wish you well for your future, Victoria.
September 23, 2023
Amazing story of a mum walking the te araroa with her 7 year old daughter. Although Maggie loves tramping there's no way I'd get her walking so far everyday for so long 😅
September 29, 2023
I followed this journey as it was happening via Instagram, so it was great to read more about them & get some background information.
Emilie is amazing! 💕
Emilie is amazing! 💕
November 9, 2023
A really interesting read, working through her mental health struggles. Beautifully written.
December 18, 2023
Inspirational book and very uplifting. Reinforces the need to get out into nature, reconnect and be mindful. Highly recommend this book. Pleased I can share with friends and whanau.
January 5, 2024
3.75 stars! Themes of trauma, adventure, strength and the healing power of nature.
January 8, 2024
Beautifully written, I really enjoyed following their adventure
January 20, 2024
Loved reading about both the Ta adventure and Victorias personal demons. Inspiring story.
November 3, 2023
This is by far the best Te Araroa story I’ve read. In 2021 and 2022, Victoria Bruce took on Te Araroa with her young daughter. Along the way she blogged about the journey and raised money for Mental Health Foundation and the Federated Mountain Clubs. Victoria’s book, completed after they finished the trail, moves between descriptions of the journey - the environment, the progress they made, the people they met - to the mental journey that she was undertaking as she hopes to better deal with childhood PTSD. It’s a big journey in all senses - distance, wide open spaces, wilderness, a mother and daughter alone in the hills, along with a tough mental journey. As a tramper I loved the descriptions of the forests, mountains, rivers and lakes. And the descriptions of what nature threw at them - wind, mud, sandstorms - along with the delights it provided - idyllic camping spots, whio sightings, skinny dipping. The book is a wonderful testimony to nature as therapy. Victoria emerges at the end of the trail with hope for the future, knowing that walking the trail brought her one step closer towards sustained well being.
November 29, 2025
I’m a little obsessed with the idea of long distance walking right now, dreaming of doing a through hike like the Te Araroa, so reading about someone else’s triumph on the trail was very inspiring. Victoria Bruce managed to walk over 2000 kilometres over 6 months with her 7-year old daughter, a feat that seems superhuman to me. I know from doing just 3- or 4-day walks with my son that planning and packing food for 2 is quite tricky. Doing it for months, in all sorts of conditions, and organising drop boxes, AND managing her troubled mental health as she did - just wow. What a legend.
This book is about a woman coping with her difficult past as she walks the length of New Zealand. There are a lot of beautiful descriptions of the flora and fauna of Aotearoa, the people she meets along the way, and bonding with her wee daughter. She frequently dips into her past as well as she struggles with PTSD symptoms. There was a lot of repetition I thought. The book could have gone through another round of editing to make it a better read. But still, impressive and enjoyable.
This book is about a woman coping with her difficult past as she walks the length of New Zealand. There are a lot of beautiful descriptions of the flora and fauna of Aotearoa, the people she meets along the way, and bonding with her wee daughter. She frequently dips into her past as well as she struggles with PTSD symptoms. There was a lot of repetition I thought. The book could have gone through another round of editing to make it a better read. But still, impressive and enjoyable.
September 27, 2023
I followed Victoria and Emilie as they traipsed their way down the country - finding them on Instagram not too far into their journey, and randomly being the car that stopped for them to cross the road as they passed through Ngaio. I wish I'd invited them to dinner.
Not too much glossing over the hard stuff about the walk, and absolutely no glossing over the hard stuff about Victoria's life. She's done a LOT.
Be prepared for talk of a lot of things that can be triggering - not limited to drug addiction, rape, PTSD.
A very brave Wahine Toa - brave to have survived all that, brave to have taken this challenge on, brave to have told her story.
May your mind bring you peace one day Victoria. May Emilie continue to be a source of joy that helps you keep going. May you have many more adventures!
Not too much glossing over the hard stuff about the walk, and absolutely no glossing over the hard stuff about Victoria's life. She's done a LOT.
Be prepared for talk of a lot of things that can be triggering - not limited to drug addiction, rape, PTSD.
A very brave Wahine Toa - brave to have survived all that, brave to have taken this challenge on, brave to have told her story.
May your mind bring you peace one day Victoria. May Emilie continue to be a source of joy that helps you keep going. May you have many more adventures!
February 2, 2025
In 2021 the author left her corporate job and embarked on the Te Araroa trail in New Zealand, taking her 7-8yo daughter on a tough 3,000 km journey.
I will not (!) be tempted to try this very difficult walk but Victoria and Emilie are amazing, especially Victoria who has to carry an enormous load of gear and food.
She describes the walk but also her PTSD battles with mental health.
I enjoyed the parts about the walk particularly, but found some of it slow at times. Her details about the wildlife and nature are interesting but perhaps needed an edit.
3.5 stars from me.
I will not (!) be tempted to try this very difficult walk but Victoria and Emilie are amazing, especially Victoria who has to carry an enormous load of gear and food.
She describes the walk but also her PTSD battles with mental health.
I enjoyed the parts about the walk particularly, but found some of it slow at times. Her details about the wildlife and nature are interesting but perhaps needed an edit.
3.5 stars from me.
April 19, 2024
Despite the naff title, this turned out to be much more than 'a walk in the woods'. Victoria Bruce reveals her abusive childhood, drug addictions and recoveries, and rape as a teenager almost on a drip feed. By the end we have a portrait of a healthy, resilient woman who has managed to bring up a plucky little daughter without, it seems, passing on any of that pain. They walk the length of New Zealand, mostly through mud, it seems, and I cheered them on all the way.
July 21, 2024
Wahine toa indeed! An amazing journey of Victoria and her gorgeous, cheerful 7 year old daughter Emilie through Te Araroa, two seasons before I walked it myself. I met families on Te Araroa, but not single parents with 7 year olds! Victoria carrying a bag of up to 20kg for both of them, navigating scary parts like the Ahuriri River. I also learned a huge amount about PTSD as Victoria used the journey to confront her demons and then write about the experience.
March 1, 2025
I devoured this. What a privilege to get a glimpse of Victoria and Emilie’s story, and their healing TA journey. I was sucked into the imagery of New Zealand (plus a dash of Tasmania), and taken aback by Victoria’s vulnerability.
“Cutting myself off from other people isn’t the answer anymore, nor is the answer for modern society to distance and cut ourselves off from our wild places.”
I’m craving another walk to a wild place.
“Cutting myself off from other people isn’t the answer anymore, nor is the answer for modern society to distance and cut ourselves off from our wild places.”
I’m craving another walk to a wild place.
December 8, 2023
A mother and daughter's wild journey to rediscover the wonder and restorative power of nature.
Powerful and evocative, this is a story about the healing power of nature, our wondrous unique environment, the deep bond between mother and daughter, and survival – both in the wilderness and in life itself.
Powerful and evocative, this is a story about the healing power of nature, our wondrous unique environment, the deep bond between mother and daughter, and survival – both in the wilderness and in life itself.
April 25, 2024
Enjoyable chronicle of the author's Te Araroa adventure with her going daughter, including recounting of her history of trauma, her current mental health journey, and the processing that occurred on her journey. The stories weave together quite well.
September 28, 2025
Beautifully written and an ode to our beautiful country. My heart broke for the trauma the author had endured and I was in awe of the fortitude of both Victoria and her intrepid daughter. I know this story will stay with me for a long time to come.
June 18, 2024
Highly recommend. Awesome story of such an incredible adventure, mixed with a deeply emotional personal journey that weaves itself into a beautiful read.
I may have shed a tear or two while reading it, but I also put the book down inspired and encouraged to head out into nature.
I may have shed a tear or two while reading it, but I also put the book down inspired and encouraged to head out into nature.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews