Maria Island is smelling oh so sweet
During spring and summer, the Australian native plant Kunzea Ambigua, bears small white flowers which fill the Tasmanian air with a sweet honey scent.
Also known as ‘White Kunzea’, ‘Tick Bush’ or ‘Sweet-Scented Kunzea’ can be found in coastal areas of Tasmania and eastern Australia. Growing to a height of five metres, this native shrub not only smells sweet it also has a multitude of uses:
- It can be made into an antiseptic oil for cuts and abrasions;
- The leaves and flowers can be used in cooking. The unique plant can be used as a flavouring herb on meats/roasts, fried in butter, add to bread or our favourite, a native cocktail.
- Native animals are often found sleeping under Kunzea plants, where they seek relief from ticks and other parasites – hence its popular name of ‘Tick Bush’.
This image is of the White Kunzea at a magical spot called Haunted Bay on The Maria Island Walk.
Explore the island and enjoy this beautiful native plant on The Maria Island Walk.
Find out more about this Great Walk of Australia here.
For the last trip of their walking season, Freycinet Experience Walk is hosting a special 5 day experience.
From April 29 – May 2, 2019, walkers will explore the Freycinet National Park with all our Freycinet Experience Walk highlights, plus enjoy extra special dinners, trips to the two wineries that produce Tasmania’s two Langton’s Classified Wines, Domaine A and Freycinet Vineyard, plus a visit to MONA!
For $3,100 per person, this special Freycinet Experience Walk & Feast itinerary includes:
– Mon 29 April – Pre-walk – visit Langtons classified Domaine A and taste the famed Cabernet Sauvignon with winemaker Conor van der Reest, then spend the afternoon at MONA and return to Hobart by ferry
– Tues 30 April – Walk departs – Standard day one walk itinerary (Schouten Island) with a seafood and sparkling dinner party including oysters, mussels, fresh local fish and a selection of the best sparklings of Tasmania.
– Wed 31 April – after an epic hike including iconic Wineglass Bay, we’ll decant and match magnums of Domaine A Cabernet and pair it with succulent slow-cooked lamb and ratatouille.
– Thursday 1 May – after hiking along cliffs and through towering forests we’ll dine with Freycinet Vineyard Pinot Noir and Winemaker Claudio Radenti
– Friday 2 May – On the way back to Hobart stop by Freycinet Vineyard with Claudio for a tasting of the complete range of these heralded East Coast wines. This special experience will then finish in Hobart at 6:30pm.
Terms and Conditions Apply.
All the standard inclusions of the Freycinet Experience Walk apply, including wines and food plus a day trip to Domaine A, MONA and Moorilla with a ferry trip back to Hobart.
Subject to availability. Minimum of six people. View the cancellation policy and full terms and conditions here.
Freecall 1800 506 003 to book this special Freycinet Experience Walk offer today.
A melt in your mouth moment on the Murray River Walk can now be savoured at home with this Haloumi & Vegetable Fritter recipe. This is the first official recipe for our Recipes from the Trails series, this time from ‘the river’.
HALOUMI & VEGETABLE FRITTERS
(Gluten Free & Vegetarian)
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tbs butter
- 1 bag of kale roughly chopped
- 2 eggs – beaten
- 1 cup besan (chickpea) flour
- 1 heaped tsp baking powder
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 – 2 zucchinis (courgettes), grated
- 1 red capsicum, diced
- 4 spring onions, finely sliced
- 1 block of haloumi, grated
METHOD
- Melt the butter in a fry pan
- Add the kate and gently sweat for 2-3 minute stirring often, until wilted. Allow to cool.
- Into a large bowl, grate the haloumi and zucchini
- Add the diced capsicum, sliced spring onion and cooled kale
- Mix in the eggs, flour, baking powder and seasonings until just combined.
- Cover and refrigerate until needed – rest for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- Heat BBQ or fry pan with oil, and pour dollops of batter onto pan. Cook over medium heat until they’re golden brown – approx 3-4 minutes on both sides.
- Serve warm with your choice of relish – Murray River Walk serves them with Tuckeroo Bush Tomato Relish
If this recipe has your mouth watering for more – stay tuned for our next edition with our second series of Recipes from the Trail or find out more about The Murray River Walk here.
2019 is the year to feel inspired on the Spicers Scenic Rim Trail, and with 15% off for earlybird bookings, who can resist!
Departing weekly on a Friday from March to November, the walk includes two nights luxury glamping accommodation, all meals & beverages included and two days of guided walks through World Heritage Listed National Park, Gondwana Rainforest and a 2,000-hectare nature refuge.
If you’re looking for an active holiday in a place of incredible beauty, along with unique & exclusive accommodation, great food & wine & world class guides, the Spicers Scenic Rim Trail is a perfect choice.
The 2019 Time to Inspire earlybird offer ends 28 Feb 2019.
View the full Spicers Scenic Rim Trail itinerary here or call 13 77 42 to book this special offer.
There’s never been a better reason to book the Margaret River Cape to Cape Walk with a group of friends or family.
If you can get together 12 or more friends, family members or colleagues, you can now hike for your chosen cause.
Walk into Luxury are offering group departures on the Cape to Cape Track, that will raise up to $1,000 donation per participant for your selected charity.
Discover an inspiring landscape, enjoy local Margaret River food and wine, and retired each day to your luxury villa, at the same time knowing you are making a difference.
So get your group together and make your walking holiday something beyond exceptional. Find out more about this great way to hike today!
Take some valuable time out with your family on a walking holiday that will reward you all for years to come.
We all know it is hard to get quiet, quality time with our children. Moments when there they are not distracted by Minecraft, Instagram or Netflix, and we’re not on a laptop or running to another meeting. However, a walking holiday offers the perfect way to reconnect with your family, and we promise plenty of quiet, quality moments!
Depending on the age of your children and the walk, our Great Walks are suitable for families with children 12 years and above. However, if you’re keen to walk with kids from age 7-8, here are a couple of walks suitable for younger hikers. All walks are available to book on a private basis also.
The Maria Island Walk, Tasmania
If your child loves animals and exploring, they’re going to love the Maria Island Walk. Close encounters with wombats, Tasmanian Devils and other incredible wildlife will have them reminiscing about this holiday time and time again. The ‘Pack Free’ porter service is highly recommended, as walkers will only have to carry a water bottle, rain jacket and lunch box. A family friendly portered walk departs on the 2 December 2019, however, The Maria Island Walk will add new departures dates based on a minimum of 4 people for a family-friendly walk, and the best time for these departures is in January – yes, school holidays sorted! Call +61 3 6234 2999 or email bookings@mariaislandwalk.com.au to arrange a walk to suit your family or even a group of families.
Image: The Bennett family from QLD enjoying time together on The Maria Island Walk this season
The Arkaba Walk, South Australia
Ever wanted to camp with your child but can’t comprehend getting all the gear? This is the perfect way to sleep under the stars in comfort! The Arkaba Walk is hosting three trips designed exclusively for families to coincide with school holidays in April and July 2019. Share stories fireside and learn all about Australian wildlife. An Adnamatna cultural session will also give your family an understanding of the first people of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges who have connected with this place for thousands of years before us. As a family friendly BONUS, one child between 8-16 years joins free of charge when travelling with two adults – that’s a saving of $2,900 per family! Find out more about departure dates and these family-friendly Arakaba walks here.
Freycinet Experience Walk, Tasmania
This four-day lodge based walk is popular with families as you return to the Friendly Beaches lodge each night. With the potential of seeing lots of wildlife, exploring beautiful beaches, and some great hiking options, it’s fun for all ages at Freycinet. Lodge hosts prepare beautiful meals each night and there is definitely no service/wifi at this secret lodge in the national park. It’s a beautiful experience to share and kids over 8 years who love hiking are welcome. Check it out here.
If you’re keen on a great walking holiday with your older children take a look at the Walk Departure Dates here or check out more information about our range of walks offered throughout the year.