Echidna Walkabout’s Roger Smith will step out of his hiking boots for the last time on Friday, but the 75-year-old says he will continue working in conservation, climate action and sustainability.
“After 34 years it’s time for me to hang up my guiding hat and say goodbye to the travel industry,” the general manager said.
Established in 1992, Smith sold Echidna Walkabout to Australian Geographic Travel (AGT) two years ago but it was always understood that Smith would step away on his 75th birthday, which is 6 February.
“But it’s not the end to my time working in conservation, climate action and sustainability,” he said. “You’ll hear more from me on these vitally important matters during 2026 as I move into a different role at Australian Geographic.”
Echidna Walkabout will continue operating with the same team working directly with AGT’s general manager, Bryan Arnicar, “a man I have tremendous regard for”, Smith said.
In the spring of 1992 Smith and co-founder Janine Duffy investigated options for a ‘Wildlife in the Wild’ nature tour business.
“That was our signature phrase,” Smith said in his last newsletter post.
“Our research focussed on the You Yangs Range and the Brisbane Ranges, both about an hour west of Melbourne. As we honed down our touring ideas we also searched for a business name that reflected our philosophy. Echidnas gave us the answer.
“Everywhere we went we saw echidnas until one day we came across an old vehicle trail called Echidna Track. In full exploration mode we walked along it and suddenly popped out of the bush to a magical sweeping view of the Western Plains from the top of the Brisbane Ranges escarpment.
“So the name was decided: Echidna Walkabout.”
The unique creatures are found right across Australia with Echidna Walkabout ending up running tours all over Australia. Walkabout also has deep connotations, Smith said, but is often incorrectly interpreted by white people as shirking work.
“‘Going walkabout’ has enormous significance to First Nation’s people: the phrase is an English simplification of a sacred duty to Country few non-Indigenous people fully comprehend,” Smith explained.
All future news about Echidna Walkabout will come directly from Australian Geographic Travel.
Travel Weekly wishes Roger Smith all the best in the next phase of his adventures.
