The Silly Swagman

03/07/2025

The TNB long sleeve T. 😂

“That’s not bushcraft…”

Well, a fair few of you asked for it and here it is 😅
Now available from the Silly Swagman Merch store.💪
(See link in bio)

Tag a mate who fancies himself a bit of a bushcraft guru on camping trips!

Not sure how long it’ll stay up for 🤷‍♂️

22/06/2025

A new one 😄

We go camping in the rain and set up a cosy tarp shelter in a freezing cold forest!Thanks for watching!How can you help support THE SILLY SWAGMAN adventures?...

22/06/2025

New Vid Alert 🚨 Up now!

We were bogged down in some really consistent rain for several days about a week ago, so I decided we’d make the most of it and do a classic YouTube “camping in the rain” vid. 😂
We were up against it getting a fire going with everything absolutely soaked in the forest around us, so I had to implement everything I knew with what we had. We ended up with a really cosy camp and we enjoyed kicking back with some yummy, hot food and listening to the sound of the rain hitting the tarp above us.

I hope you can all escape the madness of the world for even a short time and enjoy the adventure! 🙏

Mattsy 🤙

16/06/2025

In this video I share my experience with starting a successful camp fire by following basic steps. If you implement these into your usual routine you will al...

15/06/2025

G’day boys & girls,

I generally steer clear of ‘How to’ or instructional videos but Grace has mentioned a few times now that I should do a short video sharing how I get my fires going because a lot of people would find it really helpful.
She thought it might be a bit lost on me my ability to get a fire going in a lot of unfavourable conditions and without anything more than a lighter and what’s around us in the bush. She made a good point and I think I have been taking it a little for granted and that it would be nice to share what I’ve learned with others so that they can enjoy a nice warm fire wherever they find themselves camping. ⛺️

So this one is for everyone, not just bushcraft enthusiasts who might want to use a bow drill 😆
Just good, simple, basic steps.

The video goes up on YouTube at 5:30pm (AEST) today, Sunday 15th.

And yes, it’s already uploaded, waiting to go public. No false starts today 😂

Cheers guys! Hope you’re all having a good weekend.

03/06/2025

Behind the scenes with The Silly Swagman by .wherrett 📸

Latest adventure is now available on the YouTube.

I had the pleasure of taking Grace out on her very first multi day hike.

Although she’s no stranger to hiking and exploring in the outdoors where she captures her lovely photographs, she had yet to venture into the wonderful world of overnighters.
From knowing her I knew she’d love the experience and I was excited to be there to share it with her.

It sounds silly but it really does feel like a whole other world when you sleep out there.
It’s the thought in the back of your mind as you wind through the forest that tonight you’ll still be out here, having a hot meal among the trees, there’s no walking back to the car and wondering what happens out there when the sun goes down and the stars come out.
It’s the big breaths of fresh mountain air, the chirps of the Wrens as they dart across the trail around you.
The wildlife coming out into the openings at dusk.
That chill that settles in around camp as you start to get your fire going.
It’s watching the sunset over the horizon with no distractions and seeing the sun rise again through the breaks in the leaves.
It’s the smell of your morning coffee while you imagine what you’ll see today.
It’s so many things that you take for granted when you’re at home.

It’s “the little things” as we call it, and I love it.

I hope you enjoy the video!
Mattsy 🤙

02/06/2025

New vid going up tonight 😄

I took Grace on her very first overnight/multiday hike!
She took some pics, I showed off a bit with some bushcraft, it was a great few days. 😆
Tune in tonight to see how we went!
wherrett

20/05/2025

G'day Boys & Girls, I'm proud to show you what I've been working on! This is a full rundown of our Troopy Setup that's pretty close to completion but good to...

19/05/2025

New vid 🎥

For anyone who missed the drop last night, I’ve popped up a rundown of what I’ve been working on in the background. It’s time to hit the road! 😄
Check it out in the Silly Swagman YouTube channel (link in bio).

07/05/2025

There are certainly times when my own everyday life seems to retreat so the life of the story can take me over. That is why a writer often needs space and time, so that he or she can abandon ordinary life and ‘live’ with the characters.

- Margaret Mahy

I’ve never written a book but this resonates with me a lot. I think a lot of the decisions I’ve made in my life have been aimed at propelling me into a world or story that I would enjoy reading or watching, not in an egotistical sense, but in the spirit of adventure!

24/04/2025

Some of the best years of my life that will stay with me forever. Got to know a bunch of absolute bloody characters and some of the most RESILIENT (😂) men that I was proud to call my brothers.

We gave some time and grit but many before us gave it all. Lest we forget.

22/04/2025

Buckle up, we’re going nowhere fast.

I used to imagine this kind of life a lot as a young man.
Inspired by outdoorsmen and women exploring Australia in an old, clapped out 4wd.
It doesn’t go fast, it’s noisy and bumpy, a good camp isn’t always guaranteed at the end of the day and we don’t have a lot of money, but god damn could we care less right now. You only get one run at this good thing called life and I’m sure as hell not about to have that time dictated by a retirement plan.
Who’s ready to see Australia? And not just the roads and the tourist spots but the hidden stuff that takes a bit of footwork to get to? 💪