Survival Training Australia
Real-World Skills & Experience
For your survival training Australia course – you will be instructed by our Chief Instructor, Alex Mileham.
Alex has trained in many dynamic and innovative areas of wilderness survival & bushcraft techniques as well as undertaken training courses, and has been hiking for over 45 years – solo hiking for 35 years – in remote mountainous regions around the world. He has climbed over 1,000 mountain peaks (including those that he’s climbed more than once)!
Hiking up to 6,000m in altitude twice and having a High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) at least once…he has completed numerous extended treks during his lifetime, while spending a number of months on each trip practising survival and bushcraft techniques. Some of those regions include: the Nepalese Himalayas, North & Northwest India, Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, as well as a number of remote regions in the UK, Indonesian volcanoes, the Australian mainland, New Zealand, and Tasmania.
Alex has completed survival and bushcraft courses with Ray Mears (Woodlore Bushcraft, UK), Bob Cooper (Outback Survival) and has trained with former members of the 2nd Commando Regiment. He is also trained in Wilderness First Aid (TasTAFE: HLTAID003, SISOFLD004 & SISXEMR002).
In addition to instructing in bushcraft and survival training Australia, Alex also practises these techniques frequently in wild, remote locations in Tasmania…and goes to the mainland or overseas each year specifically to keep his skills updated.
SCT was very honoured to become a Finalist in the 2024 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS.
“I recently completed the Essential Basic Survival Course 1, and I couldn’t be more impressed. This course is packed with value from start to finish. Alex’s delivery is both informative and engaging, making even complex topics easy to grasp.
What stood out the most was Alex’s genuine passion for survival & bushcraft, and ensuring every participant feels confident and prepared for the bush. He was open to all questions and even went above and beyond to share knowledge beyond the course material.
Just an hour into the course, I was already certain—I’ll be coming back for the follow-up courses!”
“Fantastic Day! Alex is a great instructor – he has a rare combination of incredible knowledge, clear explanations, and patience with his students. Thank you so much for the training, and I’ll see you on the next course shortly.”
“I found Alex to be very knowledgeable and helpful…and, despite being an experienced bushwalker of more than 30 years myself, I was able to learn some very useful skills and tips for surviving an emergency in the wilderness. Thanks heaps and look forward to getting out there again.”
“I had the best time! It was really great to get outside and challenge myself. Alex is a fantastic instructor who explains survival and bushcraft techniques clearly, and has a lot of patience with his students. Thanks again for the training…I’ll see you soon for the next course.”
“I had an absolutely brilliant time! I enjoyed every minute of it…Alex is an excellent trainer! I’d love to do the next stage of the course soon. I would highly recommend this course to anyone keen on learning some great bushcraft & survival techniques and skills.”
“Alex is a fantastic instructor who is extremely empathetic and considerate. He does a brilliant job of ensuring everybody is included, and is confident yet humble with the concepts being taught. He uses engaging examples throughout pointing to his decades of experience. I highly recommend his courses!”
“We both had fun…the survival course was very good and covered many essential topics. The instructor was extremely knowledgeable and adapted to our pre-existing knowledge well.”
“The course was fantastic…I really enjoyed it. I’m keen to learn more, so I’ll definitely be coming back. The instructor’s knowledge base and manner of instructing are both magnificent.”
“The course was really informative…and we certainly learnt a lot! We both really enjoyed it. The instruction was detailed, grounded and provided in a clear, coherent, and engaging manner. It was an excellent introduction to bushcraft and survival, especially for my son who is wanting to go hiking more often. We would thoroughly recommend anyone interested in bushcraft and survivalism to attend this course.”
“I went on SCT’s courses to become more independent when hiking and camping. Through Alex’s courses I have learnt the skills I was hoping to and so much more. I’m now more confident and I’m doing things that I never thought I would. Alex is extremely generous with his knowledge and time, and is very encouraging no matter what level of skill you start with.”
“It was a great day…we had fun on the course and learnt loads! Can’t wait to practise some of the skills we learnt when we’re out in the bush. Some of the places we go are pretty hard to get to.”
“The Intermediate Survival Course 1 I did was great! I learnt how to make a multi-pronged fishing spear, a disc knife, and many other things. I’m really enjoying the courses and gaining lots of knowledge. It just goes to show…the more you learn, the less equipment you need in a survival situation or just on a camping trip even. I consider these skills priceless. Alex is a brilliant instructor and explains everything well and clearly – I appreciate how he’s tailored some things to my personal request.”
“I learnt a great deal from the Intermediate Survival Course 2. Having done all of SCT’s courses, the second intermediate course was a really good progression from the Intermediate Survival Course 1. I’d definitely recommend doing all of the courses.”
“Alex is a true professional of his craft and a great instructor overall. It has been a pleasure to get to learn from him across all of his courses…he has a true wealth of knowledge with immense experience!”
“Alex is very knowledgeable, down-to-earth, and approachable with survival and bushcraft life-skills where you can feel comfortable asking questions while learning out in the field. Hands-on activities including building shelters, finding water, and navigating unfamiliar terrain (and much more!), with real teamwork and without a smartphone, gave me more confidence in handling adversity in the Australian bush. I’d recommend the SCT courses to anyone looking to learn and expand their survival and bushcraft skills with active learning and having an awesome time doing so. I’ve done all of SCT’s courses, and I got a lot out of them!”
“I’ve done all of SCT’s bushcraft and survival courses now, and they’re fantastic! I really learnt a lot, and they have given me so much self-confidence to go out for hikes on my own…even in places I wouldn’t have dreamt to venture into before.”
“The Essential Basic Survival Course 1 was a perfect introduction to overall survival training. As a hiker, having these skills not only makes me more aware of my safety, surroundings, and which essentials to pack — it gives me increased confidence in handling challenging situations that could arise.
Alex is very passionate and informative in this field. I left the class with a great appreciation and respect for survival training and will be taking another class through his company in the future.”
For the last three years, Alex has been asked to train a number of Australian Defence Cadets in survival scenarios on survival training Australia camps in Tassie, as part of their annual camp.
The first photo below shows half of the group from 2025 as they apply camo face paint (some of them for the first time) and learn how to conceal certain features, especially on the face. Obviously, the neck, throat, arms, and hands etc were covered later on.
For the survival scenario in late 2023, we were transported by boat down to a location approximately 100 metres off Snake Island (off Bruny Island’s Apollo Bay) where the scenario was that the boat was sinking.
The group had to inflate three rafts before the boat sank…transfer all of the gear from the boat into the rafts and paddle ashore to Snake Island.
There, they had to carry all of the equipment above the high-tide mark, including the rafts, before we did a quick scout of the island to establish the best location to set up camp.
Once a suitable site had been chosen – the cadets formed into pairs to start constructing their makeshift natural shelters for 3 days and 2 nights.
Over the duration they were on the island, they were shown a number of different survival techniques, including how to build a basic shelter, the best way to lay and light a fire, how to convert seawater into drinkable fresh water, how to make multi-pronged fishing spears, animal snares, and survival knots etc.
They also tested various methods of creating a spark or ember to light a fire, and had to maintain the fire so that it could be re-ignited whenever needed.
SCT was also asked back in early May 2024 to run a similar type of survival training Australia scenario over a couple of days for the new 2024 cadets, with some preliminary survival training immediately prior to the event.
This time, however, the survival scenario was that Bruny Island had been overcome with bushfires – and we had to raft across to Snake Island to survive for two days while the fires subsided on Bruny.
Once there, the cadets carried out the following exercises: building natural shelters, lighting fires in cold and wet conditions, making multi-pronged fishing spears, catching fish and cooking it using seaweed, doing various navigation challenges using the sun, the stars, and compasses etc, as well as a number of other survival techniques.
Four clients came down from VIC to do a customised survival training Australia course before they went off to Walls of Jerusalem National Park for 5 days.
They wanted to learn some essential basic survival techniques, as well as a few slightly more advanced techniques…some with a fishing focus to them.
We had good weather on the course, however, when they were on their second day at Walls of Jerusalem, they had a couple of feet of snow – making it even more essential for them to get a good survival shelter in place to protect themselves from the elements.
Despite it being the second half of September at the time, we can get decent snowfalls down here in Tassie at any time of the year. Knowing how to deal with it and how to protect yourself from the harsh conditions can seriously make all the difference!
Here’s the hybrid shelter below that they built after having done the course with SCT.
For the last three years, Alex has been commissioned to run demonstrations and exhibit at the annual Bushfest event in Bothwell in the Central Highlands of Tasmania.
This year (2025) was Bushfest’s biggest event since it’s conception…with over 7,500 visitors to the bushland event – despite being right in the centre of Tassie geographically.
SCT had visitors to our tent learn how to light tinder with a fire steel / ferro rod, make a survival paracord bracelet, as well as numerous other survival and bushcraft skills. We also demonstrated how to make and set a spring snare for medium-sized animals, and how to convert saltwater into drinkable freshwater.
Pictures courtesy of Bushfest 2025.
Alone Australia Filmed In Tasmania & Aired Initially In 2023 – The Massive Ratings TV Series Has Previously Been Shot In Patagonia, Alaska, British Columbia etc…And Now Here In Tassie!
We Are Explorers contacted me in late February 2023 to do a podcast all about the new series of Alone Australia being filmed in Tassie, and asked me what’s it like to explore Tasmania’s amazingly rugged wilderness with all of the solo hiking that I do, as well as running wilderness survival training classes here.
We covered many topics in the podcast and I had a good chat with the founder of the online adventure company, while answering a few questions about Alone Australia and Survival Courses Tasmania running survival training Australia classes in the great outdoors of Tassie.
One of the podcasts that Henry (We Are Explorers Founder) interviewed me about is well worth a listen here https://weareexplorers.co/podcast-s2e3-alex-mileham/
Additionally, another member of the online adventure business also contacted me separately for an article to go live before the premier of the new Alone Australia TV show which launched in March 2023.
They gave me seven questions specifically all about the hugely popular show, which you can read more about here https://weareexplorers.co/questions-tassie-survivalist-about-alone-australia/
It seems that everyone is excitedly awaiting for our own local Aussie version of the hit TV series to start. Maybe even more so for us down here in the stunning wilderness that makes up Tasmania.
Interview With A Journalist re. Alone Australia: A Comment From SCT’s Chief Instructor
Alone Australia filmed their first season in Tasmania in July 2022 (which aired in late March 2023)…and a Sydney journalist contacted me as a local survival expert to find out why I thought the Alone producers had picked Tassie as their first location down under.
He asked me a number of questions about what contestants faced and which 3 survival items I would take into the wild (Alone contestants are allowed to take 10 items with them). You can read the interview here https://www.canberratimes.com.au/alone-contestants-face-huge-psychological-battle-survival-expert/
Interview with ABC Journalist On Survival-Inspired Camping
The ABC interviewed Alex on his experience in the wilderness of Tasmania, as well as around the globe. The journalist linked the article to a new Tassie resident who enjoys going into the bush and doing some survival-inspired camping. You can read the ABC article here https://www.abc.net.au/news/survival-expert-on-survival-inspired-camping
3AW Drive Time Radio Melbourne Interviewed Alex On The Manhunt For Dezi Freeman In VIC’s Alpine Region
Jacqui Felgate interviewed me for a bushcraft and survival expert’s view on what it would take to live potentially indefinitely in thick Aussie wilderness…and what the suspect was up against both psychologically in this type of situation, as well as physically with the harsh winter conditions in such demanding and remote terrain.
Four of the five ‘Top 5 Survival Priorities’ would still be very much in play – even in this situation – and there are numerous other factors required just being able to evade detection, especially when it comes to VIC Police helicopters using FLIR / thermal imaging cameras etc.
The ADF have additionally been called in to assist, and I know the topography and the bush environment in that area is mountainous and closer to dense ‘secondary jungle,’ making it incredibly hard to navigate and take down any kind of distance. Add to that extreme weather conditions including hypothermic temperatures, and they’re incredibly harsh elements and factors to contend with.
ABC Radio Tasmania Afternoons & Drive Time…and ABC Radio Alice Springs
I’ve been interviewed a few times now by ABC Radio Tasmania and also on one occasion for ABC Radio Alice Springs in the NT. Sadly, sometimes it’s because a hiker has died or has gone missing while venturing out in the bush.
Just recently, I was interviewed about the amazing survival story of the German backpacker – Carolina Wilga – who was missing for twelve days in the WA wilderness – after her vehicle became stranded. As is usually the case, determination was the key to her survival.
I was also approached by ABC Radio Hobart separately for their Afternoon show and Drive program to do a couple of interviews about SCT’s wilderness survival training courses.
While both hosts asked me about Alone Australia, it was a much more widespread and in-depth discussion about my journey to becoming a survival instructor, how long I’ve been doing it, and what we teach on our various courses.
Joel Rheinberger – host of ABC Radio Tasmania Afternoons – is a great interviewer and I find it just like when I talk to a customer of mine who’s done a number of our courses…so it feels very natural.
Joel dug much deeper into what people should prioritise in different survival scenarios and which natural shelter was the best for certain conditions, as well as a range of survival techniques that we teach here at SCT.
The host of their Drive program – Lucy Breaden – interviewed me on a range of survival topics and what we cover on our four 1-day courses both in Hobart and Launceston and why a wilderness survival training course is more important than you might think.
We only touched on some of the numerous, varied survival and bushcraft aspects that Survival Courses Tasmania cover in each of our four classes, but it was good to be asked on to the ABC Radio Hobart Drive Show to discuss why many locals and visitors alike need proper in-person training to build that essential mix of survival and bushcraft knowledge paired with practical, hands-on tuition.
When it comes to survival in Tasmania, the weather can turn on you in a matter of minutes and it really does catch a lot of people out. The correct knowledge, application and preparation are essential!
The Examiner & Great Walks Magazine Interviewed Alex
You can read more about what was discussed here https://www.examiner.com.au/push-for-free-beacon-locators-in-tasmanian-national-parks/
…and the Great Walks Magazine article here https://www.greatwalks.com.au/news/survival-expert-says-yes-to-free-plbs
If you’re looking for survival gear, check out these guys and don’t forget to mention my name Survival Supplies Australia. Also, if you want outdoor and tactical clothing – check out these guys at Tactical Gear…and if you’re after any outdoor gear or bushcraft clothing and equipment, check out our mates here in Tassie at All Goods.
Pictured here with Bob Brown from The Bob Brown Foundation. At SCT, while we work in bushcraft and survival out in the Tasmanian wilderness…we strive to ensure we are as environmentally friendly as possible.