The Aussie Camino is a pilgrimage route running from Portland in Victoria to Penola in South Australia, inspired by the life and journeys of Australia’s first Saint, Mary of the Cross MacKillop, and her mentor Fr Julian Tenison Woods. This year being declared the Year of St Joseph by Pope Francis, it was a great opportunity to visit and reflect on the “Josephites” or “Brown Joeys”; the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, founded by Saint Mary McKillop in Penola in 1866.
This Camino included amazing walks along cliff tops, beaches, sand dunes, goat trails and farm tracks. Based on the traditions of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain, pilgrims received a guidebook, passport, scallop shell and stayed in the local towns along the way. On average, the walk was between 20-25 kms per day (6-8 hours) for the eight days of walking.
| Day 1 Portland | |
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All Saints Church, Portland Beginning the Aussie Camino from Portland to Penola with Mary MacKillop in this Year of St Joseph-30th April 2021 “Apply to St Joseph with confidence in every difficulty and you will not be disappointed.” |
| Day 2 Cape Bridgewater | |
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Aussie Camino day two from Cape Bridgewater in this Year of St Joseph – today Joseph – Tender and Loving
“In Joseph, Jesus saw the tender love of God.” |
| Day 3 Lake Mombeong | |
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Today’s Camino from Lake Mombeong towards the beach along the section of the Great South West Walk to Nelson on the Glenelg River “Enter into the hum of humanity” |
| Day 4 Nelson | |
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With an early start from Nelson on the Glenelg river, crossing into S.A. with the pilgrimage ending for the day in Port Macdonnell.
“Whatever troubles may be before you, accept them bravely, remembering whom you are trying to follow” |
| Day 5 Port MacDonnell | |
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Today Port MacDonnell to The focus is on St Joseph- “May God grant you |
| Day 6 Mt Gambier | |
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Mt Gambier to the Bush Haven Cottages towards Dismal Swamp!
“Work is a means of participating in the work of salvation … to develop our talents and abilities and to put them at the service of society” |
| Day 7 Kalangadoo | |
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Today’s walk to Kalangadoo (Home of Brian Dawes’ character Roley Parkes – Letter from Kalangadoo)
In this Year of St Joseph this 7th day focused on St Joseph, in the Shadows and we prayed “for all those who during this pandemic are serving in the shadows like Joseph to protect, care, heal and support the vulnerable.” |
| Day 8 Penola | |
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Last day – Aussie Camino to Penola in the Year of St Joseph concluded with Mass at St Joseph’s in Penola and a visit to the interpretive centre |
