Robyn Davidson

Book Robyn Davidson for speaking engagements & events.

Robyn Davidson – Writer : explorer : filmmaker : cultural commentator Public and Inspirational speaker

At the age of 27, Robyn Davidson walked three thousand kilometres alone across the Australian desert, with a dog and four camels. She became instantly famous, and to set the record straight, she wrote ‘Tracks’ – an international best seller, published in 20 languages, never out of print, and made into an international feature film.

That success launched an extraordinary career as a writer, explorer, filmmaker and cultural commentator. She has lived with and written about nomads worldwide, gaining unique insights into ways of thinking that have relevance to our Western life. A heroine and role model to her millions of readers, Robyn continues to inspire people to move outside their comfort zone

A critically acclaimed author and cultural commentator, Robyn’s voracious curiosity has led her to immerse herself in unfamiliar cultures in remote terrains. She is renowned for her solo odyssey across the Australian desert, with camels. In the desert Robyn developed strong and abiding personal relationships with Aboriginal people. Those connections spurred her interest in nomadic ways of thinking, and led her, some years later, to go on migration with pastoral nomads in North West India. Both the Australian and Indian journeys were cover stories for National Geographic Magazine. After concluding a research fellowship at Cambridge University, Robyn went to the furthest reaches of Tibet to investigate high altitude herding.

These unique experiences provide a wonderful platform for her acute observations and broad interests, making her an intensely engaging and uplifting communicator.

From nomadism to neurosciences, from desert ecology to animal cognition, Robyn shares her insights in an accessible, humorous, always warm and intimate way. The tone of her talks ranges from big picture grand themes (eg. the state of the planet; the fate of Aboriginal Australia), to more candid and personal anecdotes from her extraordinary life. Robyn demonstrates that all of us can enrich our lives, if we are prepared to test the boundaries of convention.

 

TOPICS

Inside ‘Tracks’. The story behind the book and the film. (National Geographic photographs and clips from the film accompanying.)

  • Nomadism and its surprising relevance to modern life. These ways of thinking are being applied by some large corporations to facilitate innovation and success.
  • Insights gained into Aboriginal Australia
  • Desert ecology and the changing Australian landscape.
  • The assets and liabilities of being a woman stepping outside tradition.
  • The importance of being able to unplug from our hyper-connected world, and simplify our lives.

‘Robyn was warm and engaging and delivered her story with humour and humility. She was very generous with her time after the presentation and stayed back to speak with staff. Her willingness to share her life story was sincerely appreciated by all in attendance. The world needs more people like Robyn.’

Janine Holland | CEO | Benalla Health

‘A naturally gifted engaging and entertaining communicator, Robyn shares her life story of hard work, persistence, patience and determination to triumph over adversity.’

Rick Smolan National Geographic magazine photographer

BOOK THIS SPEAKER