Meet the Man Trekking 5,300km Across Australia for Youth Mental Health
September 14, 2025
Mark Gresser is a zoologist, adventurer, and passionate advocate for youth mental health. In July, Mark set off on an extraordinary journey – walking more than 5,300 kilometres solo and self-supported across Australia. Starting at Steep Point in Western Australia (the mainland’s most westerly point), he is making his way through the country’s red centre, via Uluru and Australia’s geographical centre, before finishing at Cape Byron in New South Wales – our most easterly point.
Mark’s Trek 4 Youth Mental Health, is about much more than covering distance. It’s about raising awareness and vital funds to support young people facing mental health challenges. Having navigated his own journey with mental ill-health, Mark wanted to combine his love for adventure with a mission to make a difference.
Mark’s journey could take eight to nine months, and he’s carrying everything he needs along the way. With no vehicle support, he’s pulling a 1.9-metre cart that weighs up to 200 kilograms when fully loaded with food, water, safety equipment, and first aid supplies. To prepare, he carefully dehydrated and posted hundreds of meals to collect at resupply points throughout the trek.
This isn’t Mark’s first major adventure. Between 2015 and 2018, he cycled 29,600 kilometres across 28 countries. But this time, he swapped the bike for his boots – combining endurance with a cause close to his heart.
Mark has chosen to support batyr through his epic journey, and we’re so proud to have him in our corner.
At batyr, our mission is to work with young people to reduce the stigma around mental ill-health and equip them with the skills and confidence to look after their wellbeing. Through programs in schools, universities and online, we create safe spaces for young people to share their stories, connect with others, and seek support when they need it.
Since 2011, we’ve reached more than 463,000 young people across Australia – but we know there’s so much more to do. With rates of psychological distress among young people on the rise, every dollar raised through Mark’s fundraiser helps us continue delivering programs that make a real difference.
We’re incredibly grateful to Mark for dedicating this enormous trek to youth mental health, and for shining a light on the importance of prevention and early intervention. His journey is not only raising vital funds, but also sparking conversations about mental health in communities right across the country.
Mark’s trek is more than just an adventure. It’s a reminder of the strength it takes to keep going, the power of community support, and the importance of giving young people a voice when it comes to their mental health.