Enjoy a Winter Wonderland on The Overland Track
Ever thought of experiencing one of Australia’s most iconic walks in winter?
If so why not join the Cradle Mountain Huts Walk team on an 8 day guided walking journey within Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Each day will be spent exploring the tracks and trails and come evening snuggle down in one of our 5 private huts and enjoy a three course meal with some Tasmanian wines. The crowds are gone, the air is crisp and the Overland Track beckons with winter adventure.
Mention Great Walks of Australia and book before Monday 30 March 2015 on 03 6392 2211 or via email at bookings@taswalkingco.com.au and you will receive a free smitten merino beanie upon arrival.
The walk allows guests to enjoy a privileged and exclusive way to engage with Australia’s natural heritage – including stunning mountains, ridges, escarpments, forests and ancient volcanic plateaus set in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range and surrounded by World Heritage listed national parks. What makes this walk unique is that a large portion of the trail is on private Nature Refuge or National Park only accessible through private land; making this trail one of the least frequented, previously only touched by the early pioneers. Throughout your journey you’ll hear the tales, rituals and traditions of the region’s indigenous inhabitants – people forever woven into the natural environment of this land.
The accommodation for guests embarking on this unique walk includes Spicers Canopy and Spicers Peak Lodge. Spicers Canopy consists of 10 Luxury Safari Tents, a main lodge with open fire place, outdoor stone hot tub, a well-stocked library, central dining area, first class food and wine and dedicated hosts to take care of their every need. The final night of the trail includes a night at Spicers Peak Lodge, Australia’s highest non-alpine lodge which includes a dedicated day spa, generous lodge suites, heated infinity pool and spa, and the hatted Peak Restaurant that serves a locally sourced degustation menu, guaranteed to deliver guests a culinary taste sensation.
The Scenic Rim Trail is a two hour drive from Brisbane or 90 minutes from Toowoomba, with transfers available upon request.
The Scenic Rim Trail is a two hour drive from Brisbane or 90 minutes from Toowoomba, with transfers available upon request. To book or to find out more about the Scenic Rim Trail visit www.scenicrimtrail.com or telephone 13 77 42.
In 2015 World Expeditions is preparing to launch its 3rd Semi Permanent Campsite on the Larapinta Trail near the base of Mount Sonder.
The new campsite ensures that World Expeditions trekkers enjoy the best spread of locations, each with amazing outlooks characteristic of the Eastern, Central and Western sections of the Larapinta Trail. It also ensures that driving is minimised and while trekking and relaxing in the stunning campsites is maximised.
The stunning design by Neeson Murcutt Architects was adopted in the first two semi permanent campsites launched in 2013 and created an experience beyond expectations. However it is more than the facilities that is inspiring walkers, the relationship with Aboriginal Traditional Owners developed through the campsite partnership has resulted in amazing new cultural experiences, such as a visit to Larapinta Town Camp Community to enjoy a relaxed discussion about the culture of the country they are trekking on.
The addition of an extra campsite has also increased availability of departures, especially for private groups. Although many dates are already booked there is still availability to secure exclusive private treks for groups of 8-16 departing Alice Springs on select Wednesdays and Fridays from April to September 2015.
To find out more, visit our website.
The cooler months of May to August offer a wonderfully temperate walking regime in outback Australia. With daytime temperatures in the mid-20’s, this is the most pleasant time of year to be on foot in the Flinders Ranges.
In addition to spending three immersive days crossing Wilpena Pound and Arkaba’s 60,000 acres of private conservancy on The Arkaba Walk, guests will also have the chance to enjoy a complimentary 30 minute scenic helicopter flight to view the ranges from on high, valued at $700. The flight includes the chance to drop into one of Arkaba’s spectacular ridgetops and to sit back and enjoy the views with a glass of sparkling wine.
The offer is valid for the period May to August for any bookings made before 31st March 2015 via email on arkabawalk@wildbushluxury.com or toll free number 1300 790 561. Be to sure to mention Great Walks of Australia to secure this offer.
The Maria Island Walk is delighted to offer its guests the opportunity to linger a little longer in Hobart with a free night’s accommodation at the award winning Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel.
“Tasmania has been rated the 4th best place to visit in 2015 by Lonely Plant and we say why not stay a little longer to explore picturesque Hobart from this harbour based hotel” says Sales and Marketing Executive, Amira El kheir.
Set on a beautiful island national park of Tasmania’s east coast, the four day Maria Island Walk is a delightful blend of rare wildlife, fascinating history, island tranquillity and gourmet delights.
In small groups of just ten guests and two friendly guides you will explore the pristine beaches, tall ancient forests and world heritage sites by day and then each night relax with candlelit dining and elegant accommodation. The tour starts and finishes in Hobart and includes two nights in secluded wilderness camps and the final night in heritage listed Bernacchi House.
“Tasmania, Hobart and Maria Island have layers of history and a lifetime’s worth of adventures so we are offering a free night accommodation for our walkers to explore the beautiful cobbled streets of Hobart”.
The one free night The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel offer is for the first 30 bookings who mention the Great Walks of Australia newsletter at the time of booking via telephone on 03 6234 2999 or email bookings@mariaislandwalk.com.au. The offer is valid for all bookings made before the 30th April 2015.
The Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk is celebrating ten very successful years in operation this year. The 10th birthday is officially recognised as Monday 20th April 2015, but the entire year and walk season promise to be full of fantastic celebrations.
“Over our ten years, we’ve noticed some trends. More and more, Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk is something people like to do to celebrate a major life milestone or birthday, and we’d really love to share this experience with walkers during our tenth year in operation in 2015,” said Dana Ronan, Director of Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk.
“It’s because of the support we get from our keen walkers each year, that we can continue to operate our iconic tourism experience as part of the Great Ocean Walk.
“To celebrate our birthday we’ve come up with some great ways to make 2015 a memorable year for our team and all of our walkers…2015 promises to be packed with some exciting promotions, competitions, offers, and even some special guest walkers,” Dana continued.
Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk, formerly known as The Twelve Apostles Walk by Bothfeet, is located at Johanna, 250km south west of Melbourne on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. The walk covers the last 52km section at the west end of the trail known as The Great Ocean Walk.
The 2015/16 Twelve Apostles Lodge Walks are all 4 days/3 nights and include accommodation in eco-luxe ensuite villas in a natural rainforest amphitheatre. The lodge is sustainably designed and built, and is Advanced Eco-certified with Ecotourism Australia. Walks are priced from $1995 per person, and include accommodation, all gourmet meals (including morning and afternoon teas), return Melbourne transfers to the lodge, walking gear and a scenic helicopter ride over the Twelve Apostles.
“We constantly pinch ourselves that we have created an iconic business from scratch. To be recognised as one of the Great Walks of Australia and have people from all over the world choose to travel to Australia to join our walk, to trust us with their holiday memories, is humbling.”
Dana says that over the last ten years they’ve seen some real change at Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk.
“It’s been a challenging time for tourism. Australians are fiercely protective of our beautiful country and yet, mostly we choose to explore overseas before our own backyard. This was instrumental in us supporting the Great Walks of Australia collection.
“Also, we’ve seen a real shift in the reasons why people take a holiday. More and more we seem to need an excuse such as a major birthday or a wedding anniversary, or perhaps suffer a health scare that makes them take time out for a relaxing, rejuvenating short break,” Dana continued.
Since starting up in 2005, Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk has had nearly 5000 walkers join them. The youngest walker was six years old, and the oldest 85. Dana says she and partner Gavin look forward to this year being a great year for the iconic tourist attraction and they invite people of all ages and fitness levels to join a walk.
“We’ve worked hard to schedule more walks than ever before, so we can offer 900 people the opportunity to explore our part of the world, experience the walk and make beautiful memories with us this season,” Dana concluded.