Lucy Barnard, Australian Geographic's 2024 Adventurer of the Year had the crowd on the edge of their seats as she recounted details of her incredible walk from the southern tip of South America to the northernmost reaches of Alaska.

Lucy's a natural storyteller and imbued her talk with equal parts humour, edge of the seat action and adventure, and pure emotion as she recounted the ups and downs of her many years on the road.

The evening began with an introduction from the Society's chair Chrissie Goldrick who presented Lucy with her Adventurer of the Year medallion. Chrissie also presented Lucy with a smaller medal destined for Lucy's canine companion Wombat's collar. Wombat is the Society's first canine adventurer of the year and has become the focus of much attention by Lucy's followers and fans. He was unable to join Lucy on this short trip home to Australia due to biosecurity restrictions.

Also joining Lucy on the stage of the elegant art deco theatre in the Hayden Orpheum in Cremorne for a Q & A with the audience were good friends Bailey Seamer and Mike Atkinson.

Bailey and Mike have spent time with Lucy on the road when support has been needed due to challenging local conditions and threats.

The trio held a lively and informative session fielding questions from the audience via an online platform called Sli-do.

Lucy returns to her expedition in February and hopes to complete the walk in mid-2026.

We will keep you posted about Lucy's progress here on the Australian Geographic Society website and via our socials. Follows us on @australiangeographicsociety

Follow Lucy and Wombat on instagram at @tanglesandtail

The Society thanks presenting partner Coral Expeditions for their support of the Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year Awards and the roadshow series.

Lucy Barnard receives her Adventurer of the Year award from Society chair Chrissie Goldrick. Photo by Krystle Wright.

Mike Atkinson hosts the Q & A session with Lucy and long-distance walker Bailey Seamer.