Joel Badcock

A life spent in wild places shaped one person's dream to share Tasmania's beauty

Group of hikers standing on a forest trail during a guided nature walk, with backpacks and outdoor clothing.
Mastery

Global outlook, local expertise.

Joel Badcock has walked some of the world's most demanding trails — from the Kokoda Track to the 10 Peaks — but it's the land he grew up on that shaped him most. That breadth of experience informs every walk he leads at Bakers, bringing a standard of safety, knowledge and care that turns a day in the Tasmanian bush into something genuinely memorable.

Man wearing sunglasses and green T-shirt standing on a rock with arms outstretched in a mountainous landscape with snow-capped peaks under a clear blue sky.
Journey

From wilderness to legacy

The path to founding Bakers Walking Company was not a straight line. It was carved through experience, partnerships and trial and error. Below are the moments that shaped what exists today.

Person with red backpack walking on narrow boardwalk across grassy marshland toward distant mountain under cloudy sky.

2018

The Inspiration
Walking the iconic Overland Track and realizing that Tasmania’s true magic is found in its silence and scale.

Group of hikers on a trail outdoors, shaking hands in a line with trees and mountains in the background; one person in front wearing a green cap with #notdeadyet.

2020

Perspective in the Wild
Trekking the Kokoda Trail—a lesson in endurance, deep hospitality, and the profound impact of walking through history.

Group of seven hikers wearing backpacks walking on grassy field away from the camera under overcast sky.

2023

The Private Sanctuary
Acquiring the 1,137-acre estate at Bakers Beach to create a space where wilderness could be experienced without the public crowds.

Ten people sitting around a wooden dining table with desserts and drinks, smiling indoors with wood-paneled walls and large windows.

2024

Testing the Vision
‍Launching our off-grid basecamp and hosting the first guided tours to refine the balance of rugged adventure and refined comfort.

Group of eight hikers in colorful jackets posing on a coastal trail with the ocean and hills in the background under a cloudy sky.

2025

Bakers Walking Co.
‍Opening our doors as a dedicated retreat for private groups, focusing on custom itineraries, local hosting, and total immersion.

Born to Wander

Putting a world of trekking experience into every step of your private Tasmanian journey.

Smiling man with short dark hair and light beard wearing a red scarf and backpack, with a mountainous forest landscape and blue sky in the background.
Man standing on a moss-covered rock beside a mountain lake with snow-capped peaks and a partly cloudy sky reflected in the water.
Two young men walking on a forest trail surrounded by dense green foliage, one carrying a camera with a large lens.
Group of eight young hikers with backpacks posing beside a green sign that reads 'Higgs Track' at a forest trailhead.
Eight hikers standing on a gravel path flanked by trees, dressed in outdoor clothing and carrying backpacks.
Person standing with arms open inside a circular memorial area with black pillars labeled Courage, Endurance, Mateship, and Sacrifice.
Man wearing sunglasses and a black beret sitting on rocky terrain near a stone pillar with mountain ranges in the background under a clear blue sky.
Man in black jacket standing in a dense forest with arms outstretched among trees and moss-covered ground.
Man standing on a rock with arms spread in front of snow-capped mountains under a clear blue sky.
Person standing under a large archway marking the Kokoda Trail with mountains and lush greenery in the background.
Large diverse group of hikers posing under a Kokoda Trail entrance arch with mountains in the background and a flag held up in the center.
Man in black rain jacket and hiking gear smiling with arms outstretched on a forest trail wooden bridge.

Ready to walk the land

Get in touch and discover what waits beyond the ordinary.

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Aerial view of a single-story house with solar panels on roof, surrounded by green lawn and dry wooded land, with a coastal horizon in the background.