About Us
At Home Comforts Hiking, we believe that hiking should be an experience that nourishes both the spirit and the senses, without the stress of heavy backpacks, logistics, or roughing it in a tent. Our guided, self-guided and private hiking tours are designed to let you walk freely, explore deeply, and return each day to a hot shower, nourishing meals, and a comfortable bed.
Based in Australia, we specialise in curated hiking adventures across New South Wales, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam, with itineraries that blend natural beauty, cultural immersion, and everyday comforts.
We proudly hold an NPWS Eco Pass and are a licensed National Parks NSW Accredited Tour Agency, allowing us to operate responsibly within protected natural areas. We partner with eco-accommodation providers and work closely with trusted local guides who are fully trained in first aid and committed to safety and environmental stewardship.
Every journey is thoughtfully crafted to tread lightly while creating meaningful connections to place.
In Japan, we’ve been trusted experts since 2018. As an Australian-owned company with a registered travel agent account on the official Kumano Travel site, we offer our guests direct access to exclusive, limited local accommodation along the historic Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. Our tours have been featured in Great Walks Australia Bushwalking Magazine and The Australian Hiker Podcast, and we've proudly supported hundreds of travellers in discovering the power of walking journeys with comfort and care.
Whether you’re hiking solo, with a partner, or with friends, Home Comforts Hiking gives you the freedom to explore — with the peace of mind that everything is taken care of.
The People Behind Your Journey
When you walk with us, you’re not just joining a hike. You’re travelling with people who genuinely care about your journey, your comfort, and your experience. Our guides are storytellers, safety champions, and passionate explorers who know the trails like old friends. They’re here to make sure every step feels supported, every view comes with a story, and every day ends with a smile.
Meet Your Guides
Marcus Ludriks
Founder & Lead Guide
In 2017, Marcus Ludriks was made redundant from his job as a Management Accountant. Being too young to retire he was looking for something new to do that didn’t involve sitting in an office all day. When he asked his wife, Mariet, she said “Go take a hike!”. What a great idea, he thought, and so the train was set in motion!
Marcus had long loved hiking, and had already organised many hiking tours for friends and family. This is how “Home Comforts Hiking” was born. After some training courses and setting up the business Marcus started scheduling tours. Since 2018 Marcus has been taking groups of people on Hiking Tours in NSW, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
The business has grown quickly and new hiking destinations are being researched. Marcus is also bringing his daughter Monika, into the business with the plan to fully transition to her in 2027. Monika will take the business to a new exciting level, catering for many new customers and adventures.
Monika Lockwood
Adventurer & Outdoor Specialist
Monika brings skill, warmth, and a deep love for the outdoors to every hike she leads. With a Diploma of Outdoor Recreation and qualifications in Basic and Wilderness First Aid, she’s ready for any adventure. Monika has taken on some of the world’s great walking challenges, from the Pacific Crest Trail to the Camino de Santiago and Everest Base Camp, and she’s eager to share her knowledge, encouragement, and a few good hiking stories along the way.
Rosy Black
Explorer & Environmental Storyteller
Rosy’s guided treks span the globe, from Nepal, India, and China to the icy wilderness of Antarctica and the tropical beauty of Fiji. With a PhD in Ecotourism, she combines her academic insight with a genuine love for nature, weaving the landscapes around you into rich stories and meaningful connections. Her experience in Remote First Aid and her many personal multi-day hikes in Iceland, New Zealand, Australia, and the UK ensure you’re in safe, capable hands.
Yoko Murakami
Local Expert of the Kumano Kodo
Based in Nachikatsuura, at the heart of the Kumano Kodo region, Japan, Yoko is our English-speaking accredited local guide and a walking encyclopaedia of the area’s trails, culture, and traditions. Guiding here since 2014, she knows every twist of the path, every shrine, and every hidden viewpoint. Yoko brings an authenticity to your journey that only a local can provide, whether she’s leading a fully guided tour or assisting self-guided hikers with bespoke support.
Sunny
Korean Guide
Kim Soon-seon (Sunny) lives in Jeju City on Jeju Island, close to the Jeju Olle trails. Sunny is our local English speaking accredited Jeju Olle guide. She has a wealth of knowledge of the area, the culture, customs and religion, and co-ordinates meetings between our groups and a local Haenyeo Diver. Sunny leads or accompanies us on all our fully guided tours and can also be booked by self guided hikers for support or bespoke tours.