As winter approaches and the days get cooler, we find ourselves with the perfect weather for exploring this beautiful nation of ours. Allow yourself some time to truly take in Australia’s rugged landscape on a luxury walking holiday. Here are a selection of some of the best our country offers, including Queensland’s first official Great Walk of Australia.
QUEENSLAND
Spicers Scenic Rim Trail
The Scenic Rim encompasses some of the most untouched, yet accessible, natural beauty in Australia. Located around 90 minutes from Brisbane, this 30,000-hectare World Heritage-listed national park and rainforest incorporates the Great Dividing Range, Border Range and Tamborine Mountain. The best way to explore the area is on foot, and the newly opened Spicers Scenic Rim Trail allows you to do so while staying in luxurious glamping-style accommodation at Spicers Canopy. Embark on a moderate to hard two-day, 28 kilometre walk complete with knowledgeable guides, and return each evening to gourmet meals with wine included. Encounter all that the area is known for as you hop across boulders in the dry eucalypt forest and traverse creeks in the lush subtropical rainforest.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Southern Ocean Walk
The rugged coastline of the Fleurieu Peninsula is yours to explore on the moderate effort, 49-kilometre Southern Ocean Walk. Covering a myriad of scenic masterpieces from rugged cliffs, to wave beaten beaches, through Stringybark forests and tranquil waterfalls, it is easy to see why the Fleurieu Peninsula is considered an area of outstanding beauty. Following the iconic Heysen Trail, the picturesque Deep Creek Conservation Park will have you in awe of the native flora and fauna of the Southern Ocean Coast, with your experienced walking tour guide ensuring you experience all the majesty of the area. With all meals sourced from local providores, take in the peaceful surrounds at the cosy Deep Creek Homestead before enjoying delicious chef-prepared meals and toasting the beauty of the Southern Ocean Walk with an award-winning South Australian wine.
Arkaba Walk
For lovers of a traditional bushwalk, the Arkaba Walk is putting a luxurious spin on your favourite pastime with their four-day private hike through the Flinders Ranges. Covering between 13 to 15 kilometres a day, this moderate to challenging walk will take you through Wilpena Pound and the Elder Range where you will traverse craggy sandstone bluffs, red gum-lined dry creek beds with plenty of native fauna to be seen along the way. At the end of a day of trekking you can treat yourself to a Creekside massage and enjoy a chef-prepared feast before sleeping under the stars in a deluxe swag. On your final night of the trek, you will enjoy an exclusive rustic experience with a stay in the 1850’s Arkaba Homestead, a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia.
The Arkaba walk is all about understanding the story of the ancient area and adding a chapter or two of your own to the tale.
TASMANIA
Tasmanian Walking Company has a wide range of guided walks for explorers of all levels that include all meals and drinks and offer a unique means of experiencing the untamed beauty of Tasmania.
Bay of Fires Lodge Walk
The Bay of Fires Lodge walk will take you on a journey along the east coast of Tasmania, immersing you in the remote landscape as you explore from both land and sea. Walking between one and seven hours a day, this easy walk is for adventurers who love a sea breeze and plenty of opportunities to stop and take in your surroundings. What sets the Bay of Fires Lodge walk apart from all other walks is the opportunity to spend a day leisurely kayaking the Ansons river, and a night at the unique Forester Beach Camp, a seasonal structure set in the swale of the dunes with uninterrupted beach views. More elevated luxury awaits, with two nights at the award-winning Bay of Fires Lodge, where you can unwind each evening with a trip to the day spa or outdoor bathing pavilion before feasting on a delicious three-course meal made from fresh Tasmanian produce.
Talk to a Travel Associates advisor about booking your bushwalk escape.
