S2 E19: Modern Day Castaway: A Gruelling 50 Days Alone on the Reef

Word on the Reef

Meet Mike Atkinson — former military pilot turned solo adventurer, survival expert, and filmmaker. In one of the boldest voyages ever attempted, Mike hand-carved a dugout canoe and sailed it 1,500 kilometres up the Great Barrier Reef — from Townsville to the Torres Strait — using only traditional, handmade fishing and hunting tools. No engine. No GPS. No esky.
Surviving on stingray, dried kangaroo, and sheer determination, Mike faced crocodiles, storms, and solitude — all in a quest to reconnect with nature and spotlight the urgent need to protect the Reef and honour Indigenous knowledge.
This is more than a survival story — it’s a challenge to all of us to rethink how modern life is pulling us away from what truly matters. What Mike discovered out there will both shock and inspire you.

FOLLOW MIKE

• Mike's Website: outbackmike.com
• Mike's Insta: instagram.com/outback_mike

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PROTECT THE REEF - Sign these Petitions Now!

• Australian Marine Conservation Society: Australia, it's time to lead on Climate Action!
• Divers for Climate: Sign the 'I'm a Diver for Climate' National Statement
• Australian Conservation Foundation: No New Coal and Gas!
• Queensland Conservation Council: Take Strong Climate Action and Build a Positive Renewable Future!
• Our Islands Our Home: Protect the Torres Strait Islands from Climate Change
• Greenpeace: Save the Great Barrier Reef!
• WWF Australia: Protect Nature
• Rising Tide: ...

פרקים

1. S2 E19: Modern Day Castaway: A Gruelling 50 Days Alone on the Reef (00:00:00)

2. Breaking News on the Reef (00:00:42)

3. Introducing Mike's Epic Journey (00:03:42)

4. Top Gun and Bushtucker: Mike's Adventurous Life (00:05:13)

5. James Morrill: The Real Castaway (00:07:45)

6. Aboriginal Sailing Techniques (00:10:27)

7. How to Build a Dugout Canoe (00:12:56)

8. Off to a Shaky Start: Setting Sail (00:14:42)

9. Not-So-Smooth Sailing (00:16:18)

10. Scary Moments with Crocodiles and Stormy Seas (00:20:50)

11. Mike's learnings about Indigenous Knowledge (00:23:52)

12. Mike's environmental observations on the Reef (00:26:17)

13. How Mike sourced food on the journey (00:27:28)

14. How Mike sourced water on the journey - it's NOT what Bear Grylls told you (00:29:50)

15. How Mike navigated (the old fashioned way!) (00:31:38)

16. How Mike slept during the journey (00:34:10)

17. Mental impacts and benefits of the journey (00:35:43)

18. The true purpose behind Mike's journey (00:37:19)

19. What will Mike do next? (00:39:55)

20. Advice for aspiring adventurers (00:41:05)

21. Mike's coming to a town near you! (00:41:50)