The Camino Australia
The proposed Camino Australia would be a network of walking, cycling and horse trail riding routes culturally linked to the European pilgrim's Way of St James. The Way of St James / Les Chemins de Saint Jacques / Jakobsweg is more widely known these days for its popular Spanish section, the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. It is historically associated with St James the Apostle (St James the Great).
The ancient network of roads crossing Europe, eventually reaching the Galician city of Santiago de Compostela, has great religious importance. But the renewed interest of recent decades has arisen from a number of diverse sources. A Christian and Catholic base now supports a broader search for spiritual well being, together with a renewed cultural interest in the built heritage. Then leisure activities are arguably the most popular reason why people are making the pilgrimage to Santiago.
From its initial growth in the Middle Ages, the Road of St James as a pilgrims' route rivalled the other two key pilgrimages to, Rome and Jerusalem. Travel to these two significant Christian centres had become a risky venture. However with the expulsion of the Moors from the north of the Iberian Peninsula, along with the alleged discovery of the remains of the Apostle St James, a new pilgrims road was soon established. Subsidiary pilgrims' roads began branching out all across the European continent. Roads associated with St James reached as far afield as Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.
In recent decades there has been a renewal of the ancient pilgrims' roads. Some routes have been re-established, while new pathways have been created where the old roads had been obliterated due to modern development. There has evolved a rich diversification, adding to the traditional Christian pilgrimage. For not only religious reasons, churches and monasteries have been restored or opened up for heritage and cultural interest. A modern system of way markers and other facilities such as pedestrian overpasses, drinking fountains and community or municipally run hostels (albergue / refugio) have been established for the benefit of the pilgrim's comfort.
The renewed interest in making a pilgrimage in the modern world has advanced a diversified and "slow movement" style of travel and tourism, available to all ages and income levels. Indeed, statistically only about 10% of modern day pilgrims going to Santiago are "taking the camino" for religious reasons, but the activity has created a renewed interest in spirituality and well being. The pilgrimage to Santiago has often rekindled inner feelings once associated with the pious or lay believer.
Traditionally, it was expected that pilgrims, having reached the Apostolic city would from sheer necessity have to walk or ride their horse home. Today things have changed dramatically. All who have completed their pilgrimage can either fly or travel by train or bus on the return journey. In fact the modern day camino is actually laid out as a one way street. Very few of the tens of thousands who make the journey walk, cycle or travel by horse or mule back home.
From the official starting point of the French Road / Camino de Santiago at St Jean-Pied-de-Port in the SW of France, in the year 2008 the numbers of departing pilgrims who attempted the 800KM+ journey were as follows:
01 France: 7837
02 Germany: 6111
03 Spain: 3646
04 Italy: 3477
05 Canada: 1373
06 Basque Country: 1057
07 Great Britain: 884
08 Switzerland: 863
09 Belgium: 811
10 USA: 770
11 South Korea: 747
12 Ireland: 699
13 Australia 670*
14 Austria: 639
15 Brazil: 449
16 Sweden: 445
17 Hungary: 441
18 Poland: 393
19 Denmark: 338
20 Norway: 259
21 Japan: 214
22 Portugal: 190
23 Slovenia: 164
24 South Africa: 125
25 Czech Republic: 122
Australia* now rates thirteenth in the top 25 countries of origin, and is growing, as recorded by the Pilgrim Office at St Jean-Pied-de-Port. The interest is clear as proving. Given the fact that the pilgrims' way associated with St James was an ever -- expanding network of roads in the Middle Ages, the same applies concerning the renewed interest and associated pilgrimage routes today! It isn't unreasonable to consider a further expansion of these road networks to include a given number of countries well represented by increased or sustained pilgrim numbers. This has been the case in Europe, and it could be so with a Camino Australia. Similar moves are under way for a Camino South Africa.
In this country a pilgrimage road has already been established. In 2009 the preliminary 125KM Camino Salvado, which informally runs from Subiaco in Perth, WA to New Norcia, Australia's only monastic town, was demonstrated by St Josephs Catholic Parish as a religious and historically binding pilgrimage route which can point to Santiago.
In a secular society the existence of a pilgrims' way / road network in Australia would require added associations to the more traditional Camino de Santiago. However the basis for a Camino Australia should begin with the churches, as with the pilgrimage to Santiago. The routes made should connect places of historical importance, within the short but dense history of European settlement. A crucial aspect of the Camino Australia would also be the acknowledgement of the Aboriginal custodians of the land, as well as the built European heritage.
Already there exist a number of dedicated walking and cycling trails -- with way markers and camping facilities, such as the Heysen and Mawson Trails of South Australia. A proportion of their routes could be a part of the Camino Australia. Visiting historic sites associated with Mary MacKillop, such as Penola, and the Austrian Jesuit settlement of
Sevenhill, would be important. The numerous and reasonably close together heritage towns of the Tasmanian Midlands, including the proposed route for the Way of the Cross -- Tasmanian Pilgrimage, and Goldfields of Central Victoria would also make most desirable and convenient locations for a dedicated pilgrimage road to pass through. All these places have a rich history, boast many churches and other historical properties open to the public. Pilgrim tourists would be of economic benefit to remote communities. For much of the Camino Australia, the longer routes would be best suited to be taken by bicycle, or in stages over a longer period. This is commonly done in France and Spain.
The Camino Australia would offer a recreational activity which has a low consumption footprint. Tourism and its associated developments have been praised as a way of strengthening economies, but too often they have had a negative impact on the natural environment, as well as the country's cultural and built heritage. The Camino Australia should best demonstrate sustainable tourism and respect for cultural heritage.
The Camino de Santiago has continued to the present day, drawing on the cultural heritage of the Christian pilgrimage and a renewed interest in spiritual well being. Likewise the associated Camino Australia could also demonstrate a wholesome approach of treading lightly on the planet, as a means towards reaching personal well being and spiritual enlightenment.
Some examples of probable routes of the Camino Australia:
Way of the Cross (c2008): Tasmania
Walking / Cycling / Equestrian 500KM
Smithton -- Kingston (Hobart), via Somerset, Forth, Deloraine, Longford, Launceston and Tasmanian Midlands
Mary MacKillop Way: Victoria / Sth Australia
Walking / Cycling / Equestrian 1500KM
Melbourne -- Southern Flinders Ranges (via Bacchus Marsh, Daylesford, Creswick, Ballarat, Port Campbell, Portland, Penola, Robe, Coorong, Morphett Vale, Adelaide, Barossa Valley and Clare Valley, Jamestown, Gladstone -- Heysen and Mawson Trails)
Northern Road: Sth Australia / Northern Territory
Walking / Cycling / Equestrian 1800KM
Southern Flinders Ranges -- Alice Springs (via Wilpena Pound, Blinman, Beltana, Old Ghan Railway, Delhousie, Finke River Gorge, Hermannsburg, Western Macdonnell Ranges)
Camino Salvado (c2009): Western Australia
Walking / Cycling / Equestrian 125KM
Subiaco -- New Norcia (via Swan River Valley)
Eastern Road: NSW / ACT / Sth Australia
Walking / Cycling / Equestrian 1800KM
Sydney -- Southern Flinders Ranges (via Blue Mountains, Canberra, Murrumbidgee, Murray and Darling Rivers, Broken Hill)
Maps showing probable bicycling and or walking routes of the Camino Australia its full extent:
Click on the maps and see these routes in detail. (Although the images are large and may take a few moments to load.)
