If you’ve heard of Kaelan Lockhart it is probably from the TV show Australian Survivor.
But there’s much more to Kaelan than that.
He recently completed a four-and-a-half-month trek across the entire length of Norway to raise $10,000 for Queenscliff’s Cottage by the Sea (Cottage).
Kaelan skied from the south of Norway to the top in the Arctic Circle, swapping his skis and sled (pulk) for a bike when the snow melted due to early spring conditions.
“Roughly 2300 kilometres of skiing and 700 kilometres of cycling – including detours around treacherous lakes and rapid rivers – took me from the bottom of Norway to the top, on what was the greatest adventure of my life,” he said.
No stranger to a physical challenge, Kaelan was a finalist on the 2025 season of Australian Survivor: Brains vs Brawn II, which aired while he was in Norway completing the trek. Kaelan initially learned about Cottage while on Australian Survivor from fellow contestant dual-Olympian Morgan Mitchell, who attended Cottage as a child.
The motivation for Kaelan’s fundraiser was to celebrate adventures in nature and offer this opportunity to more children and young people.
“To see Cottage by the Sea giving this opportunity – nature-based adventures – to underprivileged children has inspired me, and I hope that the adventurous nature of my undertaking will help inspire them,” he said.
‘Adventure’ is one of Cottage by the Sea’s values, which is explored extensively within its programs.
“Participants engage in experiences like hiking, water sports such as surfing, snorkelling, canoeing, stand-up paddle-boarding and a snow camp, which foster personal growth in a supportive environment,” Cottage by the Sea program manager Belinda Saya said.
“We use outdoor and adventurous activities as tools to build resilience, self-confidence and social skills.”
Kaelan’s trek was full of adventurous moments, many of which became his highlights.
“Sleeping under the stars at -25°C and having to shovel all night to stay warm, fighting through a whiteout on Europe’s largest mountain plateau to be surrounded by hundreds of wild reindeer, countless terrifying descents, great camaraderie, the friendliest locals imaginable, heart-wrenchingly beautiful sunrises and sunsets and then the never-ending sun as I cycled along ethereal empty roads,” he said.
Posting regular updates on Instagram to his supporters, Kaelan expressed immense gratitude to everyone who donated to the fundraiser that reached its $10,000 target at completion of the trek.
“The generosity of you all is so incredible and it’s really made my journey so much more meaningful,” he said.
“I can’t wait to see how the kids and young adults benefit from your generosity.”
Cottage by the Sea said it looked forward to welcoming Kaelan to Queenscliff to meet program participants and see first-hand the impact of his fundraiser.
“I can’t wait to visit the Cottage, meet the kids and show my supporters the great things they’re doing,” he said.
“It was really a dream to raise $10,000 and it’s going to change so many lives. I’m very grateful – thanks so much everyone.”
