An update on Mark Gresser’s solo trek across Australia for batyr
February 08, 2026
Since July last year, Mark Gresser has been walking solo and self-supported across Australia to support batyr and help reduce mental health stigma for young people. What began as a single step has become a months-long journey across some of the country’s most remote landscapes - powered by purpose, persistence, and a belief that young people deserve better access to mental health education and support.
Months into the journey, Mark’s trek has tested him in ways few of us will ever experience. He’s travelled through vast stretches of the Northern Territory, where the heat has been relentless - averaging over 40 degrees, day after day. Walking up to 30 kilometres a day in the outback at the hottest time of the year has pushed Mark to his limits. Shade is scarce. Water is precious. Sleep has been hard to come by - often it’s simply too hot to rest, even at night.
Every kilometre has demanded resilience, planning and grit. And yet, Mark keeps going.
Along the way, moments of connection have offered brief but powerful reminders of why this journey matters.
In the remote Aboriginal community of Aputula, Mark was welcomed with open arms. He was able to rest, receive his next food drop, top up his water supplies and spend time with local First Nations young people - sharing stories, learning about local history and even trying kangaroo tail for the first time. He cooled off where he could, swimming in dams and taking every opportunity to shelter from the sun.
Along the way, Mark has been openly sharing parts of his own mental health experience, sparking conversations wherever he goes and helping to break down stigma in real time. By speaking honestly about the challenges he’s faced, Mark is creating space for others to reflect, relate and open up too.
“Change or self development, or self improvement - however you want to define it - looks different for everyone, but it all starts with understanding what you can do and how. This is where finding help can be critical." said Mark. "For me, seeing a psychologist was an important step in understanding how to challenge and reshape my thinking.”
These moments of vulnerability, often shared with complete strangers in some of the most remote parts of the country, show just how powerful lived experience can be - turning everyday encounters into opportunities for connection, understanding and help-seeking conversations.
At Kulgera Roadhouse, Mark met a local named Billy, who also shared his own experiences navigating mental ill-health and the the loss of his loved ones to suicide. In the middle of the outback, far from major cities and support services, Billy’s story was a stark reminder that mental ill-health and the impact of suicide can touch anyone, anywhere - no matter how remote.
Mark also passed through Lambert’s Centre, one of the geographical centre points of Australia - a quiet, symbolic moment in the heart of the country, reflecting the scale of the journey already behind him, and the long road still ahead.
Despite the hardship, isolation and physical toll, Mark’s purpose has never wavered. Since setting out, he has now raised over $35,000 to support our preventative mental health programs and workshops - helping ensure more young people can access education that builds emotional literacy, encourages help-seeking, and shares stories of hope through lived experience.
Mark’s walk isn’t just about endurance. It’s about showing up - day after day - even when it’s uncomfortable, exhausting and uncertain. It’s about choosing to keep moving forward, knowing the impact reaches far beyond the road beneath your feet.
Mark is expected to arrive in Byron Bay in the coming months, where we’ll be celebrating at the finish line of this extraordinary journey. Keep an eye out for ways you can be part of the final moments of his trek!
Until then, Mark keeps walking. And every step continues to carry a powerful message: no one has to face tough moments alone.
If you would like to cheer on Mark as he continues his solo trek across the country, leave a message of support by making a tax-deductible donation in support of his walk!