The Backyard Adventurer

By: Beau Miles

Narrated by: Beau Miles

Length: 8 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

After years of adventuring around the globe – running, kayaking, hitchhiking, exploring – Beau Miles came back to his block in country Victoria. Staying put for the first time in years, Beau developed a new kind of lifestyle as the Backyard Adventurer. Whether it was walking 90km to work with no provisions, building a canoe paddle out of scavenged scrap, or running a disused railway line through properties, blackberry thickets, and past inquiring police officers, Beau has been finding ways to satisfy his adventurous spirit close to home.

This book is about conscious experimentation with adventure, making meaning and inspiration out of tins of beans, bits of rubbish, and elbow grease. Beau's backyard exploits are funny, authentic, insightful, and being copied all over the world.

YouTuber, new dad, and self-described oddball who needs to shower more, Beau is what happens when you cross Bear Grylls with Bush Tucker Man. With a PhD in outdoor education, a string of successful short films under his belt, and a boundless passion for discovery, Beau is the real deal.

©2020 Brio Books (P)2021 Brio Books

Only Beau could have read this.

As a huge Beau Miles fanboy, I first purchased the book form of this work only to find myself hearing Beau's voice in my head. As my own Australian accent is terrible, I had to pick up the audio version read by the man himself to let the words sink in to their fullest potential. And I was not disappointed. Beau's ability to present larger-than-life stories into relatable tales told in a pub over a pint is what makes his storytelling so enjoyable. I've never met the man (hopefully, I'll buy him a pint one day), but hearing him tell so many fascinating stories so candidly and humbly makes his salt-of-the-earth just the right ingredient for a break from a busy day. So, from Oklahoma to Beau -- Good on ya, mate! This is a crackin' good listen.

Good but not a necessary read

I love Beau's YouTube channel and this book was good and nicely narrated. However, if you've seen his videos, this book isn't all that different. It does go over how he went from seeking adventures in far off places like North America and Africa, to seeing the value in adventures close to home. You also get a bit more background on his home life.

A Easy Going Slice of Life

i love the honesty and mundane rawness this book offers! it really does a great job of portraying a realistic pov of modern adventures:)

Quite good.

A nice listen, even if you’ve watched the films and already know the stories. The reading by the author is pleasant. Helen’s right, he does talk a good bit about taking a leak. Not too often to be absurd, just noticeable. Felt like going for a run when I’d finished listening, so that’s something.

One of Beau Miles best friends has to be Mother Earth,

This Book means so much to as I go through life in my mid-twenties in the fast passes hustle culture of New York City, Beau’s writing made me feel as if was back home in the rural country home in which a grew up, while simultaneously showing me that my own backyard can be as vast and as adventure filled as any other place I could fly to. Loved this one,

Don’t think twice

Beau Miles is an excellent storyteller with plenty of stories to tell. Don’t think twice. Give this one a listen, then go and enjoy his video content on YouTube. You won’t regret it.

So happy it was voiced by the man himself.

Excellent tie together of adventures through storytelling. Loved this listen, casual yet insightful in the best ways.

Good on ya’

Quite good!

Added insight to the man himself and some of his best YouTube films. Overall extremely enjoyable.

5/7 with rice

The only thing this book left me wanting was more of beau's excellent stories and experiences.

A reminder on how to live and appreciate life

Beau is the type of person you wish you had regular access to in order to remind you to be active, take care of the planet and appreciate the little things.