EPISODE · Feb 2, 2026 · 52 MIN
Loving and losing my adventurer husband across the Tasman Sea
from Conversations · host Australian Broadcasting Corporation
In 2007, Vicki McAuley's husband Andrew set off from Tasmania in a kayak, aiming to become the first person to paddle to New Zealand, but a month later authorities received a distress call and then his kayak was found with no sign of Andrew.Vicki and their little son Finn, were waiting with friends and family for Andrew at Milford Sound when the devastating news came through.Further information Vicki McAuley's book Solo was published in 2010.The documentary about Andrew's attempt is also called Solo, directed by Jennifer Peedom and released in 2008.This episode of Conversations was produced by Jen Leake, the Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores love, mountaineering, sea kayaking, solo sea kayaking, extreme adventure, psychology, adventurer, the Tasman Sea, gale force storms, ocean currents, waves, swells, Fortescue Bay, rescue, kayak design, hypothermia, family, grief, yoga, writing.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.
What this episode covers
In 2007, Vicki McAuley's husband Andrew set off from Tasmania in a kayak, aiming to become the first person to paddle to New Zealand, but a month later authorities received a distress call and then his kayak was found with no sign of Andrew. Vicki and their little son Finn, were waiting with friends and family for Andrew at Milford Sound when the devastating news came through. Further information Vicki McAuley's book Solo was published in 2010. The documentary about Andrew's attempt is also called Solo, directed by Jennifer Peedom and released in 2008. This episode of Conversations was produced by Jen Leake, the Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison. It explores love, mountaineering, sea kayaking, solo sea kayaking, extreme adventure, psychology, adventurer, the Tasman Sea, gale force storms, ocean currents, waves, swells, Fortescue Bay, rescue, kayak design, hypothermia, family, grief, yoga, writing. To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.
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Loving and losing my adventurer husband across the Tasman Sea
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