Clubmates Travel
Passenger Story: Building Capacity on the Canning Stock Route
Posted on October 10, 2025 by Matilda Negri
Reading time about 7 minutes
The desert air is still. A soft rustle of canvas breaks the silence as Howie folds his swag with steady hands. It’s a small task, but one that marks a turning point. On the Canning Stock Route, where the days are long and the red horizon stretches endlessly, small victories mean everything.
Howie once lived in a world of equations. As a PhD student in String Theory, he navigated abstract dimensions most people couldn’t imagine. Then, a brain injury turned his life inside out. The man who once unravelled the mysteries of the universe now struggled to remember what day it was.
When he joined an accessible adventure tour through Australia’s most remote track, he didn’t expect it to change him. But it did.
The Challenge of Remembering
Each morning, Howie woke with the sun and faced the same simple yet daunting challenge: organisation. Swag, sleeping bag, toothbrush, torch. What went where? What was missing? Every misplaced item was a reminder of what his brain had lost.
The outback, however, offered its own form of therapy. The routine of travel became a classroom for relearning life skills. The repetition, the shared responsibility, the rhythm of setup and pack-down — it all helped reconnect broken pathways in his mind.
He didn’t just remember tasks. He began to anticipate them.
The Mentor on the Road
When Howie faltered, Peter didn’t rush to help. He waited. He asked questions. He encouraged problem-solving.
“You could see him growing more confident each day,” Peter later said. “He just needed the time and space to rediscover himself.”
Healing in Motion
Without screens, deadlines, or noise, his mind found calm. The group’s laughter around the fire, the shared meals, and the long, reflective silences under endless stars all worked together to rebuild what had been lost.
This wasn’t clinical therapy — it was outdoor therapy in its purest form.
The Return of Independence
For those watching, it was a quiet miracle. For Howie, it was freedom.
Rediscovery in the Red Centre
His journey on the Canning Stock Route wasn’t about ticking off a bucket-list destination. It was about rebuilding life itself.
Out here, surrounded by the vastness of the desert, Howie didn’t just find the road again —
See more about Howie's story on Youtube
Click on the link below for the interview with Peter and Howie.
Howie’s Road to Independence: A Legendary Journey on the Canning Stock Route | ClubMates Travel
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China is one of those countries that keeps surprising people—especially when you see the landscapes that don’t even look real. Towering rainbow mountains, glass walkways over steep cliffs, mist-covered peaks that inspired movies like Avatar—China’s natural wonders feel like stepping into another world.
And guess what? With the right support and planning, these mind-blowing places can be explored by people of all abilities. At ClubMates Travel, we believe that accessible travel should be more than just getting from A to B—it should be about awe, wonder, and saying “I can’t believe I’m actually here.”
Here are a few incredible spots in China that look out of this world—and why they might just end up on your travel wishlist.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park – The Real-Life Pandora
Ever seen floating mountains? Well, you’re about to. Zhangjiajie is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the inspiration behind the flying mountains in Avatar. Giant stone pillars rise up through misty clouds—it’s so surreal it feels like CGI.
There are cable cars and glass elevators that take you up into the peaks, and accessible walkways in many areas, making this a great option for travel for people with disabilities when paired with the right support crew.
The Rainbow Mountains – Zhangye Danxia Geopark
Imagine layers of red, orange, gold, and green rock stretched across rolling hills. These colourful formations look like someone took a paintbrush to the land. They’re even more breathtaking in person.
The Rainbow Mountains are best explored in daylight hours when the colours shine brightest. Some viewing platforms and paths are paved and can be navigated with mobility assistance. Like all our accessible holidays, having specialist travel support makes a huge difference in comfort and safety.
Yuanyang Rice Terraces – A Living Mirror
At sunrise or sunset, the rice terraces of Yuanyang reflect the sky like an enormous mirror. It’s peaceful, dreamlike, and incredibly calming—perfect for travellers who want to slow down, connect with nature, and just take it all in.
This spot is especially powerful for people who are working toward NDIS goals like mindfulness, emotional regulation, or confidence in new environments. With supported travel, it’s more than sightseeing—it becomes a sensory and emotional experience.
The Glass Bridge – Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
If you’re feeling brave, there’s a 430-metre-long glass bridge suspended over the canyon. Yes—it’s see-through. But it’s also safe, sturdy, and absolutely unforgettable. For those not afraid of heights, this is an epic moment that will stick with you for life.
We understand that thrill-seeking looks different for everyone. At ClubMates, our support crew are trained to encourage, not push—so passengers can take part in activities at their own comfort level.
Jiuzhaigou Valley – China’s Fairytale Water World
Think turquoise lakes, sparkling waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks. Jiuzhaigou is a dreamscape—peaceful, scenic, and full of charm. It’s also one of the more accessible nature parks in China, with eco buses and walkways that help make the journey smoother.
This kind of environment is great for building confidence, promoting social participation, and feeling part of something beautiful.
Why China? Why ClubMates?
Travelling to a country as big and bold as China might feel impossible—but that’s where we come in. As one of Australia’s most experienced NDIS holiday providers, we specialise in international supported travel that opens up the world for people with disabilities. We design every itinerary to work toward common NDIS goals—things like independence, community access, resilience, and joy.
Our team handles everything: accessible hotels, ground transport, daily activities, and of course, personal support workers who are trained specifically for disability travel.
If you’ve ever dreamt of seeing the Great Wall, watching lanterns float across the sky, or standing in a place that feels like another planet—then maybe it’s time to get curious.
ClubMates makes accessible travel across the globe achievable, enjoyable, and unforgettable.
Talk to our team about our upcoming tours to China or ask about designing your own supported adventure. We’ll help you figure out how your supports work with your NDIS funding and what out-of-pocket costs you can expect.
Because no one should miss out on the wonders of the world—especially you.
