https://www.desertspiritjourneys.org/contact-us-1 daily 0.75 2018-04-16 https://www.desertspiritjourneys.org/questions daily 0.75 2023-11-13 https://www.desertspiritjourneys.org/our-leadership-team daily 0.75 2024-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1519312753665-VG1DICTVQ2R0QZWY583T/Ian+Robinson--committee+member.jpg Our Leadership Team Ian Robinson I first went to the desert in 2002 looking for God-knows-what. I found it. Since then I have helped hundreds of people to make their own desert journey of discovery. Ian has written a doctorate and two books on the experience and was the first to cross all the seven major deserts in Australia in one journey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1523876551863-WT6JIZGHUGK42951KS9T/IMG_2878.jpg Our Leadership Team Michael Hertz I have spent much of my adult life hiking and exploring the forests, mountains and rugged coasts of America’s West Coast. In 2014 I came to Perth to continue my life’s work as a healthcare educator. In my role I am privileged to help others become more fully reflective and compassionate caregivers. As wilderness has always been for me, the deserts and bush of Australia have become my best teachers. From them I gain perspective, peace and deeper appreciation of the interdependence of people, the earth and the Sacred. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512258427532-ZV1TKTOW20AD23Z09EHI/Screen+Shot+2017-12-03+at+7.45.27+am.png Our Leadership Team Rich Read Every year I look forward to being lost in the desert – figuratively speaking of course! I am a naturally busy and active person, where relaxation tends to inevitably end up busy on a new project. So in 2004 when I was first invited to join a desert spirit journey I looked forward to getting fully involved in the process. After more than 20 years the desert continues to draw me in as I learn to immerse myself in its stark beauty and its abrupt silence. In the desert I endeavour to wind down, stop and hear what this stunning wilderness is saying to my spirit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1519620258072-8AGNUU5RX2WKLATIUFVA/rsz_amy_springer--committee_member-min.jpg Our Leadership Team Amy Springer Amy went on her first desert journey in the middle of her first year at uni. That journey changed the direction of her studies and she was soon enrolled in a Botany degree and completed an honours in WA ecology. Amy worked in the Pilbara region of WA for 3 years and loves the red dirt and unique vegetation of the desert. She now works in health technology and management consulting, but loved getting back out to the desert in 2017, 10 years after that first journey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1523876598742-5X1PC9HMXUCE1UPPUS6Y/Liz+Norman--Committee+member-min.jpg Our Leadership Team Liz Norman Before I began the Spirit Journey, I only had a vague impression of what might come out of it and how I might feel afterwards. I guess I tentatively thought I’d become more spiritually aware of myself and my Creator, within the vast open space of a desert. Instead I found a real sense of peace, and presence, and I loved the like-mindedness of my fellow travellers. It was pure JOY to engage with kindred souls and share, without fear of judgement or awkwardness, my inner wonder and it just blew me away! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1519312727906-6Q9AK95VEO6ZPDOBZQ3S/Marg+Robinson--committee+member-min.jpg Our Leadership Team Marg Robinson As a capital "N" novice I first travelled in the Australian desert in 2002 with Ian. I was deeply impacted by the ancient beauty and stillness of this land, amazed at the integrity and variety of ecosystems and plant microsystems, and found great joy in travelling with new and familiar companions. After the journey I felt the spaces around my heart had become larger and my spirit more open. It is still an enormous privilege and spirit reviver to be out there, whatever the weather. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1519312753665-VG1DICTVQ2R0QZWY583T/Ian+Robinson--committee+member.jpg Our Leadership Team Ian Robinson I first went to the desert in 2002 looking for God-knows-what. I found it. Since then I have helped hundreds of people to make their own desert journey of discovery. Ian has written a doctorate and two books on the experience and was the first to cross all the seven major deserts in Australia in one journey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1523876551863-WT6JIZGHUGK42951KS9T/IMG_2878.jpg Our Leadership Team Michael Hertz I have spent much of my adult life hiking and exploring the forests, mountains and rugged coasts of America’s West Coast. In 2014 I came to Perth to continue my life’s work as a healthcare educator. In my role I am privileged to help others become more fully reflective and compassionate caregivers. As wilderness has always been for me, the deserts and bush of Australia have become my best teachers. From them I gain perspective, peace and deeper appreciation of the interdependence of people, the earth and the Sacred. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512258427532-ZV1TKTOW20AD23Z09EHI/Screen+Shot+2017-12-03+at+7.45.27+am.png Our Leadership Team Rich Read Every year I look forward to being lost in the desert – figuratively speaking of course! I am a naturally busy and active person, where relaxation tends to inevitably end up busy on a new project. So in 2004 when I was first invited to join a desert spirit journey I looked forward to getting fully involved in the process. After more than 20 years the desert continues to draw me in as I learn to immerse myself in its stark beauty and its abrupt silence. In the desert I endeavour to wind down, stop and hear what this stunning wilderness is saying to my spirit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1519620258072-8AGNUU5RX2WKLATIUFVA/rsz_amy_springer--committee_member-min.jpg Our Leadership Team Amy Springer Amy went on her first desert journey in the middle of her first year at uni. That journey changed the direction of her studies and she was soon enrolled in a Botany degree and completed an honours in WA ecology. Amy worked in the Pilbara region of WA for 3 years and loves the red dirt and unique vegetation of the desert. She now works in health technology and management consulting, but loved getting back out to the desert in 2017, 10 years after that first journey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1523876598742-5X1PC9HMXUCE1UPPUS6Y/Liz+Norman--Committee+member-min.jpg Our Leadership Team Liz Norman Before I began the Spirit Journey, I only had a vague impression of what might come out of it and how I might feel afterwards. I guess I tentatively thought I’d become more spiritually aware of myself and my Creator, within the vast open space of a desert. Instead I found a real sense of peace, and presence, and I loved the like-mindedness of my fellow travellers. It was pure JOY to engage with kindred souls and share, without fear of judgement or awkwardness, my inner wonder and it just blew me away! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1519312727906-6Q9AK95VEO6ZPDOBZQ3S/Marg+Robinson--committee+member-min.jpg Our Leadership Team Marg Robinson As a capital "N" novice I first travelled in the Australian desert in 2002 with Ian. I was deeply impacted by the ancient beauty and stillness of this land, amazed at the integrity and variety of ecosystems and plant microsystems, and found great joy in travelling with new and familiar companions. After the journey I felt the spaces around my heart had become larger and my spirit more open. It is still an enormous privilege and spirit reviver to be out there, whatever the weather. https://www.desertspiritjourneys.org/join-our-community daily 0.75 2018-02-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1519531936406-7BU3OG2JPIC0TYJCJDUE/Join+our+community-min.jpg Join Our Community - Join our community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1519531936406-7BU3OG2JPIC0TYJCJDUE/Join+our+community-min.jpg Join Our Community - Join our community https://www.desertspiritjourneys.org/safe-journey daily 0.75 2018-02-27 https://www.desertspiritjourneys.org/gallery daily 0.75 2024-08-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512187304723-BOWFJ4B4KR6ZRNSQFOMV/IMG_3581.JPG Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512188407068-XZY3ICEJE24UMXCE3E61/1.png Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512187314883-R0ZMYDKDWJMLIK25G4OY/IMG_3597.JPG Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512188417207-78FAY304KUONOJXLOZ1A/2.png Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512187534272-SOALNV8AETNNDBIDZUUV/IMG_3613.JPG Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512188499292-ZJB2CTIRPHOYI1IALGS1/3.png Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512187507816-W6NB39RQACLK7DOCIHQG/IMG_3708.JPG Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512188538297-AQPZOLKLVO840UMRDQGF/4.png Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512187604576-1CYGTTU9NY7LL7SYMEOJ/IMG_3728.JPG Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512188573938-5BCFHA3B3C6BEGNWR2S6/5.png Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512187606621-C8U0ILVZWADLDB7TQOUW/IMG_3760.JPG Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512188049704-DNQS00OBY2CG6T3RV8C0/IMG_3775.JPG Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512188069015-CDELRQ6G6VN4E6GIB9U2/IMG_3832.JPG Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512188470494-UJ87D9CZ6SM4KSTKZ1NZ/IMG_3854.JPG Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512188446948-5EQR2HEWNHO8FVVGRVE3/IMG_3867.JPG Gallery https://www.desertspiritjourneys.org/women-on-the-journey daily 0.75 2018-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1519727359152-AW86JBUPPIZ5TT1UCU8D/SPIRIT+JOURNEY+17157.jpg Women on the Journey https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1519727359152-AW86JBUPPIZ5TT1UCU8D/SPIRIT+JOURNEY+17157.jpg Women on the Journey https://www.desertspiritjourneys.org/what-to-bring daily 0.75 2018-02-27 https://www.desertspiritjourneys.org/what-exactly-is-a-desert-spirit-journey daily 0.75 2022-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/8fed7d2f-ade9-4000-ae41-2d40611c8380/ian+robinson.png What is a Desert Spirit Journey? - DOWNLOAD Read the story of where spirit journeys came from. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/8fed7d2f-ade9-4000-ae41-2d40611c8380/ian+robinson.png What is a Desert Spirit Journey? - DOWNLOAD Read the story of where spirit journeys came from. https://www.desertspiritjourneys.org/read-me daily 0.75 2025-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5310cef7e4b08602cbfa36bf/1412689652885-P9TPK298WCTZU748L0SG/Lifestyle03.jpg Read Me https://www.desertspiritjourneys.org/team-hayden daily 0.75 2025-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5310cef7e4b08602cbfa36bf/1396022200094-BHNZLTY2F80I074Y1FM6/image-asset.jpeg Team - Transient https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5310cef7e4b08602cbfa36bf/1412382359097-ID3SFF3357NY8R4RGDWU/image-asset.jpeg Team - Jared Gordon Partner, Architecture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5310cef7e4b08602cbfa36bf/1412382331082-G9LIX1YE7FC69CB42GPM/image-asset.jpeg Team - Tessa Cortes Partner, Operations https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5310cef7e4b08602cbfa36bf/1412382348403-WFE6SPPELX52N93S8VBS/image-asset.jpeg Team - Mikael Lindberg Partner, Design https://www.desertspiritjourneys.org/gallery2 daily 0.75 2026-01-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512187304723-BOWFJ4B4KR6ZRNSQFOMV/IMG_3581.JPG Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512188407068-XZY3ICEJE24UMXCE3E61/1.png Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512187314883-R0ZMYDKDWJMLIK25G4OY/IMG_3597.JPG Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512188417207-78FAY304KUONOJXLOZ1A/2.png Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512187534272-SOALNV8AETNNDBIDZUUV/IMG_3613.JPG Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512188499292-ZJB2CTIRPHOYI1IALGS1/3.png Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512187507816-W6NB39RQACLK7DOCIHQG/IMG_3708.JPG Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512188538297-AQPZOLKLVO840UMRDQGF/4.png Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512187604576-1CYGTTU9NY7LL7SYMEOJ/IMG_3728.JPG Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512188573938-5BCFHA3B3C6BEGNWR2S6/5.png Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512187606621-C8U0ILVZWADLDB7TQOUW/IMG_3760.JPG Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512188049704-DNQS00OBY2CG6T3RV8C0/IMG_3775.JPG Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512188069015-CDELRQ6G6VN4E6GIB9U2/IMG_3832.JPG Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512188470494-UJ87D9CZ6SM4KSTKZ1NZ/IMG_3854.JPG Gallery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/1512188446948-5EQR2HEWNHO8FVVGRVE3/IMG_3867.JPG Gallery https://www.desertspiritjourneys.org/home daily 1.0 2026-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/b31bbd1b-3b10-4ffa-bf9c-7b598c7d88ef/Elachbutting+Rock+-+rock+slip.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/84124154-d50c-49d2-a99c-7b03a980d2fc/Lake+Barlee+3.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/2cc3f168-fa4b-46fc-a164-900b07884175/IMG_2182+2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/971780ee-fca1-4015-a3cd-3c5bb7594095/De.jpg Home - De, 2025, Perth From a practicalities perspective I went into the desert somewhat blind (I knew what to expect but chose to not think about it), I was quickly reminded that I didn’t really like being out in the elements – cold, wind, rain, sun! But once there, with no other options I had to embrace it and get on with it. Despite coming back to wind and rain, I am now drawn to be outside more often. Swags. Campfires. Stars – so many stars. 10 days. 12 strangers; now friends. Mishaps. Teamwork. Reflection. Connection. Belly laughs. Cask wine. On country. Caves. Landscapes. Beauty. Stories. Learning. Growth. Full heart. Silence. Isolation but not alone. Amazing meals. Billy always bubbling. From a personal perspective, I was looking for answers. Answers to questions that I hadn’t yet been able to form. Just something unsettled within. I didn’t have any major revelations until our journey was nearly over and even more so afterwards. I’d found what I was missing – connection. 11 strangers now feel like family – not just the sharing of stories, feelings and emotions; but the rolling up a swag together or learning that cutting kale with a bread knife was far more efficient. It was such a safe space to share as much as you felt comfortable to share. Although we were together, it still felt like an individual journey. Oh, and we laughed – depth of experience interspersed with light-heartedness. It has left me feeling a little topsy-turvy but that is also exciting. I may be back in my physical reality but my journey is just beginning. I absolutely recommend joining an ADSJ desert spirit journey – speak with the leaders with any reservations and they will put you at ease. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/e348dc3e-2abd-4d02-98f2-8b7ded923662/James+Read.jpg Home - James, 2025, Sydney Spending nearly two weeks in the desert was a truly transformative experience. From start to finish, everything was thoughtfully organised—especially the food, which was superb. Each meal was pre-planned with quality ingredients, and preparing it in rotating cooking teams added a sense of community and fun to the process. What made the journey even more meaningful was the group itself. There was a beautiful sense of openness among participants, with everyone contributing to deep, honest conversations. The connection we formed felt rare and genuine. The leadership team deserves special mention. Their depth of experience and calm handling of all the behind-the-scenes logistics gave me the space to focus on my own personal journey. Knowing everything practical was taken care of made it much easier to be present. Being in the desert—far from the noise of everyday life—helped me reflect deeply. It gave me clarity around what I truly need versus what I merely want. The vastness and stillness of the landscape offered a kind of introspection that’s hard to find elsewhere. I walked away from the experience feeling lighter, more grounded, and more connected—to myself, to others, and to nature. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/046551f7-bf7f-459d-8bbb-c190b221ce9b/Warwick+Read+2.jpg Home - warwick - 2025 - Sydney My son James talked me into going on this journey – more like told me. I had been aware of this trip for some time through brother Rich and was always too “busy” to go. James settled that. So, as I suspect often happens, I signed up with a level of trepidation. Having only been once before anywhere near the Australian desert (flying in to Uluru and staying in a hotel) I didn’t know what to expect – especially going with a bunch of strangers. The journey was fantastic in so many ways. The vastness and raw beauty of the country, the feeling of space and remoteness, the interaction with indigenous locals which gave me a confronting reality check. But the real value for me was having the time to reflect on what is important in my life and to think about what I should do more of - and less of! The journey was structured enough to promote interactions but there was time to be truly alone, time to have one-on-one chats, and time for group discussions. The group of twelve became very close over the 10 days and developed many friendships that I know will last. I thoroughly enjoyed the 10 days and would recommend it to others wanting to spend some time in introspective reflection. The journey has not ended – it has just begun! https://www.desertspiritjourneys.org/about daily 0.75 2026-01-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/37ab7304-f327-49f8-b96f-7dc20151ccda/D85_5682.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a2213eecf81e018f01dba98/5dba84d5-34ba-43c6-a08c-7a14d7954729/IMG_0650+2.jpg