Meet Sienna: An Adventure Guide Redefining Travel from the Ground Up
There’s no one better to bring a place to life than the people who’ve walked it hundreds of times—through storm and sunshine, with wide-eyed travellers at their heels. This week, I sat down with Sienna, a seasoned adventure guide, to hear what it’s really like leading people into the wild.
First off—what led you to become an adventure guide?
"Honestly? Curiosity. I was always drawn to places that felt untouched, unpredictable, and full of stories. I started guiding hikes casually in the Blue Mountains, and before long, it turned into a full-time life path. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else."
What’s the most unforgettable moment you’ve had on a tour?
"There are a lot to choose from. But I’d say crossing a flooded river in the Kimberley with a group who’d never even camped before—it was wild. Everyone pulled together, got muddy, got soaked, and laughed their way through it. You see people transform out there. That’s the magic."
What’s one thing travellers underestimate before joining a remote tour?
"How much they’ll change. People expect a cool trip and some good photos. What they don’t expect is how being unplugged and challenged by nature shifts their perspective. The quiet, the discomfort, the rawness—it stays with you."
What makes a great guest on a trip like this?
"Openness. You don’t need to be the fittest or the most experienced—you just need to show up with a willingness to learn, to be flexible, and to respect the place and the people you’re sharing it with. That mindset changes everything."
How do you see travel changing over the next few years?
"I think travellers are waking up. They want more meaning, less fluff. They’re more aware of impact, and they’re seeking out experiences that give something back. That’s where platforms like Zero Trace will come in—you’re not just booking a trip, you’re becoming part of a story."
Guides like Sienna are the heartbeat of Zero Trace Tours. They bring the landscapes to life, hold the space for transformation, and make the road less travelled not just possible—but unforgettable.
Travel. Restore. Repeat.