What would move you to ditch your life and take off into the wild for five months? For Laura Waters, it took the implosion of a toxic relationship and a crippling bout of anxiety. Armed with maps, a compass and her life in a bag on her back, she set out to walk the untamed landscapes of the Te Araroa trail in New Zealand, 3000 kilometres of raw, wild, mountainous trail winding from the top of the North Island to the frosty tip of the South Island.

But when her walking partner dropped out on the second day, she was faced with a choice: abandon the journey, or face her fears and continue on alone? She chose to walk on. She emerged ‘rewilded’, and it transformed her life.

Laura Waters is an author and freelance travel writer with stories published in Herald Sun, Australian Traveller, Geographical UK, Jetstar mag, Outdoor, Wild, Great Walks and many more. A life-changing 3000km hike down the length of New Zealand inspired her to quit a corporate job for a life of adventure and writing. She now has a passion for inspiring others to connect with nature, and to discover the joys of living simply and authentically.

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