1 June here we come!
Since March we have all been getting outside more then ever to enjoy some exercise time to deal with recent restrictions of staying at home and only venturing out for the necessities. Now with the regional travel restrictions lifting from 1st June, and whispers of possible travel bubble interstate and with our friends in New Zealand, we want to share the interest we have been receiving from our clients for a new type of holiday of…. Hiking escapes with a combination of self walking, guided or private walking adventures.
Let’s get Hiking!
SYDNEY & SURROUNDS
For our Sydney community, we know we have some pretty spectacular coastal walks, so let us take you al little out of Sydney to the Royal National Park.
The Coast Track
Located in Sydney’s Royal National Park 40 minutes from Sydney. The Coast Track can be done in sections, if you’re super fit, in a day but it is recommended that the best experience over a 2-day hike.
Enjoy the rugged beauty of Royal National Park’s sandstone escarpments, sandy beaches, coastal heath and forest, as you walk through the northern section of the track. Stop for a rest along the way at any of the several scenic stops, have a picnic, or cool off with a swim.
In the southern section of the walk, you’ll pass several heritage shacks and travel through coastal rainforest of burning palms and palm jungle. Why not stop at Burning Palms Beach, before climbing back atop the headlands. Take in the views from Werrong lookout then push on the last couple of kilometres to Otford lookout.
Plan your walk during whale watching season, May to October, for a chance to spot migrating humpback whales.
Distance: 26 km one way
STAY
Hilltop Cottage
Hilltop Cottage offers heritage accommodation with 3 bedrooms, accommodating up to 6 guests in Sydney’s majestic Royal National Park. It’s an ideal base to explore the surrounding walking tracks, beaches, and wildlife spotting opportunities in the park.
Bouddi Coastal Walk
Located just near Gosford, the Bouddi coastalk walk is known for its beaches, boardwalk and birdlife. Take in a little whale watching, picnic or swim at Maitland Bay. The walk runs from Putty Beach to MacMasters Beach and is relatively easy hike with sweeping views, shady rainforest and picnic spots.
On your walk you will see wildflowers to migrating whales from Gerrin Point lookout, the Bouddi National Park Marine Extension and the PS Maitland shipwerack at the eastern end of Maitland Bay. You can stay overnight at the Putty Beach Campground or head to Bells at Killcare.
Distance: 8 km (3 hours minutes)
STAY
Bells at Killcare
Finish your day of Coastal hiking with a little luxury and check into Bells at Killcare Hotel, Restaurant and Spa. Designed in a style that brings Hampton’s elegance to an Australian setting beside the beach, featuring 25 private suites and cottages.
BRISBANE
Toolona Creek Circuit
Lamington National Park is just 1.5 hour drive south of Brisbane, with the hike circuit staring at Green Mountains and recommended for an experienced hiker. Lamington National Park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, which includes the most extensive areas of subtropical rainforest in the world and is divided into two sections—Green Mountains and Binna Burra.
Embark on this well-known track and be rewarded with spectacular views of 13 waterfalls, wildlife and a ancient Antarctic Beech trees.
Distance: 21.4 km one way (allow 5 – 6 hours for this hike)
STAY
Nightfall Camp
A unique nature immersion combine with minimalist luxury glamping in a large and relatively untouched pocket of forest, sitting delicately next to the stunningly clear Christmas Creek.
MELBOURNE
Great Ocean Walk
There is something magical about Australia’s Great Ocean Walk located on the Great Ocean Road region between Apollo Bay and the iconic Twelve Apostles, hugging the coastline for more than 100km. Starting from the Great Otway National Park, a 3 hour drive from Melbourne.
Distance: 100 km one way and 8 days to complete
Experience the magnificent power of the ocean meeting the rugged coastline on The Great Ocean Walk. The walk includes a mixture of tracks, gradients and surfaces, including rock platforms, sandy beaches and steep stairways. Enjoy this walk as an independent walk or take the journey with an experienced guide and hear tales and insights on local history along the way.
Stay
Alkina Lodge
Located just 20 minutes drive from the Twelve Apostles, Alkina Lodage is private luxury accommodation secluded within the native forest, overlooking the Southern Ocean. This purpose built private accommodation featuring three lodges with four bedrooms each has been designed for travellers that want to reconnect and refresh; and what better way then with the majestic Southern Ocean, endless desolate beaches, abundant wildlife and enchanting landscapes.
ADELAIDE
Arkaba Walk
The Arkaba Walk is an experience that immerses you in the story of the land. Located in the Flinders Ranges, a 5 hour drive from Adelaide or enjoy a charter flight from Adelaide flying directly into Hawker with a 45 minute connecting road transfer to Wilpena Pound.
The Arkaba Walk is a unique experience in iconic outback Australia operating from March – October. It is an all inclusive four day walk through the most stunning scenery, from dry creek beds, isolated waterholes to ridge lines and rolling hills to the ancient ramparts of Wilpena Pound.
The walk is a ‘moderate to challenging’ walk. You will cover between 6 and 15 km per day over various terrains, along creek beds, flat plans and some steep, hilly ground with mountain scrambling over rocky surfaces.
Distance: 45 km one way – 4 days & 3 nights
STAY
Arkaba Campsite
Your Arkaba Walk is inclusive of two night’s accommodation camping in deluxe swags on signature star beds. Each camp has five permanent swag decks sleeping under a canopy of stars.
Arkaba Homestead
Your final night will be spent at Arkaba Homestead, a luxury historic Homestead an unforgettable outback experience surrounded by unique flora and fauna with spectacular views of the most breath-taking scenery.
PERTH – MARGARET RIVER
Hamelin Bay to Cosy Corner Trail
Located on the southwest coast, Hamelin Bay is 3.5 hours drive from Perth between Cape Leewin and Cape Naturaliste. Part of the stunning 135 km Cape to Cape Track, this trail begins and ends in a sheltered, aqua-blue cove and climbs up to the Foul Bay Lighthouse offering sweeping views. At the other end of the trail you will find a limestone rock platform showcasing stunning blowholes that can spurt water up to 6m high on a rough day.
Distance: 13km return
Hamelin Bay Cape to Cape Track
This 123 km track runs along the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge between the lighthouses of Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin in the far south west. It features spectacular coastal and forest scenery, geology of cliffs, caves, headlands and rock formations and an ever-changing display of vegetation and wildflowers.
Take a guided adventure that will include stunning and wild coastal landscapes, physical challenge, experience luxury bell tents, local produce and experience the magic of the Margaret River region.
Distance: 123 km
STAY
Cape Lodge
Cape Lodge is a private house hotel with 22 secluded rooms, 2 bedroom cottage and a magnificent 5 bedroom luxury Residence on its own vineyard in the heart of the Margaret River Wine Country. Located 50 minutes drive from Hamelin Bay, the Luxury Lodge offers a stylish, sophisticated and stylish retreat with an onsite restaurant voted in the ‘Top Ten in the World for Food’.
HOBART
Wine Glass & Hazard Beach Circuit
Located in Freycinet National Park located a little over 2 hours drive from Hobart and 2 hours from Launceston. The Circuit is the premier family trail that is fairly flat except for the steep climb on to Wineglass Bay lookout with the most amazing views of Wineglass Bay, Mt Graham and Mt Freycinet.
Distance: 12 km loop taking approximately 5 hours
STAY
Saffrire Freycinet
This Australian premium Luxury lodge has an immersive connection to the Freycinet National Park and Wine Bay Bay. Distinct in its design, exclusive features and set apart by its approach to individually tailored experiences with 20 private suites, a luxury day spa and unforgettable culinary experiences.
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND
A showcase of spectacular landscape…
Milford Track
New Zealand’ most famous walk is a 2.5 hour road transfer from Queenstown to Te Anau Downs and water taxi to start your 53 km Milford Track journey. The will showcase pristine lakes, sky-scraping mountain peaks and enormous valley views and will take you to Sutherland Falls, the tallest waterfall in New Zealand.
It can be argued which is the best experience, a sunny day with picture perfect postcard views or when it it rains, torrents of water cascading down the steep mountainsides. Keep in mind the itinerary is a 5 day, 4 night hike.
Your hike will conclude at New Zealand’s most spectacular natural wonder, Milford Sound. Return back to Queenstown by coach, luxury cruise or helicopter.
STAY
Fiordland Lodge – Te Anau
Fiordland Lodge offers travellers the perfect bases to from which to explore one of the most dramatically beautiful parts of New Zealand. Constructed in 202 is your exclusive retreat with 10 luxurious rooms in the lodge and two separate self contained loft-style log cabins.
Matakauri Queenstown
Spectacularly located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Matakauri Lodge offers luxury lodge accommodation of twelve suites and a four bedroom cottage, all with mesmerizing views of The Remarkables, Cecil and Walter Peak.
ROTORUA
Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk Trail
The Lake Waikaremoana track has the largest area of native forest in the North Island. Starting from with a scenic drive from Rotorua to the start of the Track to experience the beauty and mystery of the North Island’s mot remote wilderness region.
The Track can be walked in either direction, from Onepoto to Hopuruahine or from Hopuruahine to Onepoto over three to four day tramping track of moderate difficulty staying in hiking huts along the way.
Trace the shoreline of Lake Waikaremoana (‘sea of rippling waters’), through rainforest, remote beaches and rugged mountains with stunning views. Marvel at the spectacular Korokoro Falls drop off a sheer cliff, take in the ancient mountain range of lakes, valleys and peaks and the views for Panekire Bluff.
Distance: 46 km one way
STAY
Solitaire Lodge
Solitaire Lodge Rotorua is one of New Zealand’s premier luxury lodges with breathtaking views over Lake Tarawera, with lush natural bush and volcanic landscape. The lodge has nine luxurious suites, all featuring panoramic views over Lake Tarawera.
Whilst staying at the Lodge, you can enjoy an invigorating half day 3 hour hiking experience to Tarawera Falls. Walk through native bush of Pohutukawa and Rata trees with native bird sounds of Tuis, Fantails and Kereru. Rest and bathe in river swimming holes along the way and indulge in a picnic lunch to the rhythmic background of cascading waters.
TAUPO
Summit of Mt Tauhara
The trail to the top of Mt Tauhara is a medium walk that will take 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the top. On a clear day will have views of Lake Taupo, Mt Tongariro and Mt Ruapehu. Lake Taupo is centrally located in the middle of the North Island, approximately 3.5 hours drive from Auckland and 4.5 hours drive from Wellington.
Although the shortest trail on the list it can is challenging and steep in places, but the short hike is made up to you with the most awe inspiring views.
Distance: 2.5 km
STAY
Huka Lodge
Huka Lodge has long been considered one of the top Luxury retreats in the world. Situated on 17 acres of magnificent manicured grounds, Huka Lodge is nestled along the banks of remarkable deep turquoise green waters of the Waikato River. Offering elegance and refinement in 20 Junior Lodge suites, a four bedroom owners cottage and a two bedroom cottage; you immediately leave the real world behind and are transported into a realm of peace and tranquility.
From self walk, guided and private hike with camping, glamping, huts to luxury accommodation, our Lifestyle team can be there every step of the way to plan your ultimate hiking adventure.
Our Casual Solutions are designed for you to have your dedicated Lifestyle Manager take care of all your exploring needs from selecting your location, mapping out your ultimate hiking itinerary. Join our community today to kick start your next hiking adventure!
