Dougies manager sets sight on Appalachian Trail

Dougies Backpacker Resort manager Jef Guerin is preparing to embark on the hike of his life next April, where he will travel to the US and hike the Appalachian Trail.

This hike will span more than 3500km and take several months to complete. To accomplish the grand effort, he hopes to hike as much as he can in our region to help him prepare.

Guerin arrived in Port Douglas in 2021 when he was travelling in his van and fell in love with Far North Queensland. Prior to living and working in our region he lived in the US for 13 years before coming home to Australia right before the Covid-19 epidemic.

Guerin has a strong background in entertainment, working as a director choreographer aboard cruise ships for many years.

But since then he has become the friendly face of the Dougies front desk, his passion for his job fueling his love for the area.

“I am grateful I have a job here I love, I am in an area with so much to do, we have it in abundance.” Guerin said.

With less than a year until his departure, Guerin now has the task of "dialing in his gear", testing in various environments and weather to be best prepared for the big trip.

This means getting out and tackling every day and multi-day hikes North Queensland has to offer.

“It is important to dial in your gear, I have the big three (sleeping, cooking and backpack) but I need to use them in various conditions to make sure I am comfortable with it all,'' he said.