From Tasmania to Santiago: Leanne’s Life-Changing Camino

Inspired by Paulo Coelho’s The Pilgrimage and a friend’s story, Leanne used her three-month leave from work to walk the Camino. In 2018, she flew from Tasmania to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to begin her 800-kilometre trek.

The Camino Dream

For Leanne, the Camino de Santiago was a dream years in the making. She first learned about it through Paulo Coelho’s The Pilgrimage, but it wasn’t until a friend shared their own experience that the seed truly began to grow. In Australia, after ten years in the same job, workers are entitled to three months of long-service leave – and Leanne knew she would use hers to finally walk the Camino.

The Journey Begins

By the time 2018 arrived, Leanne was ready. She had her boots, her pack, and a heart open to the road ahead. Flying from Tasmania to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, she began her 800-kilometre walk across Spain. Each day brought new landscapes, conversations with fellow pilgrims, and a deepening sense of connection – to herself, to others, and to something greater.

Carrying the Spirit Forward

The Camino didn’t end in Santiago for Leanne. The lessons, friendships, and renewed sense of purpose continue to shape her life back home in Tasmania. Her story is a reminder that the Camino is more than a walk – it’s a journey that stays with you, long after the final step.