Tasmanian Wilderness Transforms Former Consultant

Alone Australia Contestant Finds Spiritual Awakening in Isolation

A harsh Tasmanian landscape became a crucible for self-discovery for Corinne Ooms, a former food safety consultant who traded her career for the ultimate test of solitude on *Alone Australia*. Her 70-day ordeal yielded profound personal growth and a surprising spiritual connection.

A Stark Beauty, A Profound Silence

Landing in Tasmania’s West Coast Range, Ooms immediately recognized the formidable environment. “I could tell it was going to be tough,” she recounted to ABC Radio National. The landscape was windswept and rugged, yet imbued with a profound quietude, broken only by the rhythm of waves and the calls of birds.

Ooms, then 39, was a contestant on the reality show where ten individuals are isolated in remote locations with minimal gear. The objective: to endure the wilderness alone for as long as possible, with the last person standing winning $250,000. The Tasmanian season plunged participants into a challenging, mountainous terrain.

Despite not being a seasoned survivalist, Ooms outlasted most, finishing as the second runner-up and the final woman eliminated. The experience fundamentally altered her perspective.

“Even now, I still have trouble articulating the connection I felt with myself and with the land. The cameras do not and will not capture it. It was a beautiful place. I never considered myself a spiritual person, but … I can now relate to how people interpret spirituality.”

—Corinne Ooms

Childhood Roots in the Highlands

Born in Glasgow, Ooms spent her formative years in the Scottish Highlands. An independent child, she developed a deep connection with the outdoors, learning foraging skills from her father and exploring the rugged countryside with an adventurous spirit.

This innate adventurousness continued into adulthood as she traveled the globe before settling in Tasmania twelve years ago. Her decision to join *Alone Australia* stemmed from a desire for self-exploration.

“How much do you know about yourself if you keep going through the same routines and don’t push yourself out of your comfort zone? I knew I was going to suffer; I wanted to reach that point and push past it.”

—Corinne Ooms

Unlike many *Alone* contestants with extensive survival backgrounds, Ooms had limited experience with prolonged wilderness living. She had never been alone for more than five days or spent more than ten days without technology, making her participation a significant leap into the unknown.

Adapting to the Wild: Senses Heightened, Clumsiness Conquered

Initially, the demands of the Tasmanian wilderness and the show’s filming requirements proved overwhelming. Building shelter, securing equipment, finding food sources, and constant self-documentation presented a steep learning curve.

Ooms described her first month as “an excited, chaotic mess,” frequently encountering minor injuries due to a lack of attunement with her surroundings. This changed as she consciously slowed down and became more present, her senses sharpening to the subtle nuances of her environment.

“You get to know very intimately the different trees and plants and streams and the landscape and the smells,” she explained. “Because you’re not bombarded with stimulation, your senses become heightened. You start to notice things you never noticed before, like the dew drops that form on a spider web with the light reflecting off it.”

The most significant struggle was the lack of human connection. “I struggled with lack of people far more than I expected to,” she admitted. Cravings for physical and emotional contact were as intense as hunger.

Encountering Wildlife and Facing Inner Turmoil

Throughout her time on the show, Ooms interacted with the local fauna, notably a persistent quoll she nicknamed Quentin. Initially an annoyance, Quentin became a curious companion, and his absence during storms left Ooms feeling particularly isolated.

A significant ethical challenge arose when Ooms trapped a wallaby. Despite her vegetarian leanings, she understood the necessity of procuring meat for survival. The act was deeply unsettling.

“Killing that wallaby was traumatising. It was so hard, but it was a valuable experience.”

—Corinne Ooms

This experience led to a shift in her perspective on food, enabling her to ethically process chickens at home, fostering a deeper respect for her sustenance.

The Power of Less, The Joy of Nature

Ooms attributes her resilience to her mindset, focusing on the experience rather than the competition. This approach allowed her to remain calm even during intense storms, feeling more at home in the wild than fearful.

The reintegration into society proved more challenging than the isolation itself, with sensory overload from everyday life. However, Ooms has since embraced a simpler lifestyle, significantly reducing her reliance on phones and social media.

Now starting a family, Ooms aims to instill in her child a deep appreciation for nature and self-sufficiency. Her experience on *Alone Australia* reinforced a core belief: true happiness can be found in appreciating life’s essentials.