Gulf to Gulf ,The Long Walk

by Jeff Johnson

A self confessed " bushie" treks across Australia from south to north with only what he can carry on his back and without backup. He walked 2500 kilometers in 151 days

260 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2009

Reviews

[Marina Harmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gulf to Gulf: The Long Walk is a remarkable account of Jeff Johnson’s trek from the Spencer Gulf to the Gulf of Carpentaria - an immense physical and mental undertaking made even more extraordinary by the fact that he walks entirely alone, without a support vehicle or accompanying team. His purpose is compelling: to raise both funds and awareness for the DeafBlind Association, a cause to which he brings not only stamina and determination but genuine heart.

The sheer logistics of Johnson’s walk underscore the magnitude of his commitment. Everything he needs - food (mainly instant noodles), water, clothing, a small tent, a sleeping bag, a satellite phone, radio equipment, an antenna, and a heavy-duty battery for reliable communications - must be carried on his back. His pack weighs around 28 kilograms, with water alone accounting for eight kilos. To conserve weight, every item is pared down to its barest utility; even his toothbrush is cut in half. He walks under a harsh sun with a solar charging panel hanging around his neck, keeping his battery alive in the remote parts of the outback where communication can mean safety.

These practical challenges are paired with environmental ones. Daytime temperatures scorch, yet at night the mercury can plunge to around zero degrees Celsius. The terrain is often barren, empty, and desert-like, offering little shade or comforting distraction. Johnson’s loneliness is palpable, but so too is his quiet strength.

What lifts the narrative beyond a survival story is the humanity that unfolds along the way. Jeff encounters people - from remote station workers to passing travellers - whose instinctive generosity becomes the beating heart of the book. They offer him water, food, encouragement, and, during a stretch of rough weather, several days of shelter when heavy rain threatens to halt his progress entirely. Their kindness is touching not only for its immediacy but for the way it affirms the spirit of community in Australia’s most isolated regions.

Johnson’s technical expertise adds another layer to the story. Handy with electronics, he often helps locals by fixing all kinds of devices, from generators to washing machines - gestures that build connections and allow him to give back to the communities that support him. These interactions, both humble and heartfelt, shape the walk into something larger than a personal challenge.

Written with warmth, sincerity, and an appreciation for the stark beauty and toughness of the landscape, Gulf to Gulf is ultimately a testament to human resilience and solidarity. It celebrates a man who pushes himself to the limit for a cause greater than himself - and the countless ordinary Australians who, in small ways, help him get there.

[OliviaF · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more given the author did his walk for charity but all we got was endless long winded descriptions of what he ate and freebies he got in food and accomodation like he was recounting some boring Insta account. There was nothing romantic or evocative about his descriptions which made the walk sound either memorable or inspiring. And - by the way - every time he stands up or sits down we don't need endless visual cues that he also slipped off / slipped on his backpack. We get it, he was carrying a heavy backpack the whole time.
The overuse of Aussie ockerisms were really annoying too. I'm sure some of the lingo is still used but it was trying way too hard to make him sound like an interesting, eccentric bushman with a 'yarn' to tell.