Festive Season Treats
The festive season is the perfect time to take advantage of some fabulous offers from our Great Walks. So go on, treat yourself or someone you love with these great offers for Christmas and the current walking season…
15% Discount on the Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk
Book a place on the Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk in Victoria by December 25 and receive a 15% discount. To make the most of this offer please email res@twelveapostleslodgewalk.com.au or phone 1300 767 416. Be sure to quote ‘GWOA Christmas’ when you make a booking.
20% extra for you with the Tasmanian Walking Company (Bay of Fires Lodge Walk & Cradle Mountain Huts Walk)
Why not treat your loved one to the perfect Christmas Gift and give them a voucher which gives a bit more. No matter the value of the voucher we will give an additional 20%. Pay $400 and receive a $500 voucher, pay $800 and receive a $1000 voucher. The choice is yours. Buy online right here or email bookings@taswalkingco.com.au You must quote GWOA20 and vouchers may be purchased up until 25 December 2017.
Spend the weekend with us in Freycinet
Make a long weekend even better when you join us on the Freycinet Experience Walk in Tasmania. Receive $250 off all new bookings on Friday departures, now isn’t that the best walking weekend you can ask for?! Book before Christmas (bookings close 5pm December 24) – call 1800 506 003 or email walk@freycinet.com.au Valid for 2017/18 season only (excludes 30 March and Easter departures)
Free night in Hobart, ahead of your Maria Island Walk
Get one free night at The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel for walks departing between December and April (excluding 25 Dec 2017 through 2 January 2018). Email office@mariaislandwalk.com.au Valid for new direct bookings made before 31 January 2018.
Walk in style in Queensland, with 15% off
Discover the magic of Queensland’s mountains and rainforest on the Scenic Rim Trail. Book before 28 February 2018 to get 15% off this three night experience. Season recommences in March 2018. Call 13 77 42 or email reservations@spicersretreats.com – quote Great Walks newsletter.
It’s hard to believe but up to 2.5 million years ago, the Murray River Walk’s walking route was beneath the sea. As we now trek over this ancient land, our great walkers have the opportunity to journey back in time by exploring remnants of this diverse and spectacular landscape.
Residue of the the sea that once engulfed the region is the deposit of white and yellow beach sand that can be seen at certain locations along the walking track. Further evidence of this ancient sea can also be seen in the layers of cliffs of Lake Bungunia.
As the Murray River started to form (about 600,000 years ago), water flowed west off the Great Dividing Range cutting down through red clay plains and into the marine sands. This ‘cutting’ started the beginnings of a river channel with floodplains and cliffs either side.
This water of The River Murray continued to carve its way through the landscape, snaking in different directions. The area in which the Murray River Walk journeys is within a broad floodplain. Walkers will experience the river at its widest, up to 14km across and down to 5 km, at Bunyip Reach. It is at this narrow point where the Chowilla Dam was proposed to be built in the 1960s.
With red ochre cliffs, floodplains, wetlands, creeks and sand dunes all part of the landscape in this picturesque part of South Australia, learning all about the path on which you tread is just one aspect of this incredible walking experience that will have you transported back in time in an iconic Australian landscape.
Click here to learn more about the Murray River Walk and its history or to make a booking enquiry.
It’s been one great year for Great Walks of Australia, with many prestigious awards won and more people than ever walking across this vast country. They’ve been fortunate to experience some of Australia’s most iconic natural landscapes, become one with nature and be rewarded with memories that will last a lifetime – one step at a time.
This year, the magical landscapes and stories of an ancient land in South Australia’s outback were shared with more people from more corners of the globe than ever before.
Guests of the Arkaba Walk by Wild Bush Luxury told us in as many words… “service was so thoughtful, friendly and detailed”; “Charlie has encyclopaedic knowledge and nothing was a problem. The pace was spot on”; “Passion for conservation and fabulous staff make Arkaba a special place to be”; and “Good balance between comfort and feeling part of the great outdoors”.
If you’re a lover of good food and wine (let’s be honest, who isn’t?) the Murray River Walk offers guided walks by day, and three course dinners on a modern houseboat by night; it’s the perfect way to experience the best of South Australia, on land and on water. Guests of this year’s walking season were lucky enough to come face to face with some of Australia’s most well-known wildlife: echidnas, kangaroos and emus all made appearances much to the delight of walkers, but it was the avid bird enthusiast who won out with over 108 different species sighted from May to September. The Whistling Kite was one of the most common birds to be spotted on the trail and the Freckled Duck provided a once in a lifetime birdwatching opportunity for some lucky walkers.
Margaret River’s wildflower season was booming this year with everything looking beautifully lush and green after winter, filled with lots of colourful orchids and coastal flowers lighting up the Cape to Cape Walk by Walk into Luxury. Every moment of this premium experience has enthralled guests – one in particular was delighted “to be treated in such personalised fashion. Nothing was too much trouble for the guides and transport staff.” She went on to say she “would not hesitate recommending it to anyone and everyone.”
There’s no doubt that Tasmania has a lot to offer – from jaw-dropping mountainous scenery, to breathtaking coastlines and diverse marine and wildlife. It’s therefore no surprise that guests of the Freycinet Experience Walk have experienced much excitement recently, with humpback whale sightings along the Freycinet Peninsula as these magnificent animals migrate down the coast. Meanwhile on The Maria Island Walk one guest summarised their experience with “The Maria Island Walk is our first guided walk, so our future expectations are now very high. I can’t see how your walk could be improved.”
The desert ranges of Australia’s red centre also offer a rare perspective unique to this part of the world. The Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort provides the perfect blend of adventure and comfort, where guests this year noted it as an opportunity to “… just be ourselves – a small escape from our everyday lives – to reconnect, recharge and relax. We knew we had something special that week and we soaked it all in. So, as we slip quickly back into the routine of our individual lives, we will hold on to the memories of this trip and hopefully “find that space” in our minds and mentally transport ourselves there for a brief moment in time when life gets a bit too much.”
As the newest member of Great Walks, Blue Mountains Grand Traverse by Auswalk kicked off with their first walk last month – enjoying a backdrop of incredible rock formations and gum forests that seem to extend forever. Our other new member walk for the year, Seven Peaks Walk by Pinetrees on Lord Howe Island was also a great hit with season 2018 now sold out and bookings for 2019 coming in already.
After such a wonderful year of discovery and with many special offers available, now is the perfect time to lace up your walking shoes and take the next step towards a great adventure… on a great walk of Australia of course.
It’s been a year to celebrate for Great Walks of Australia, with many of our walks being recognised at recent state tourism awards ceremonies around the country for the truly inspiring and exhilarating experiences they are.
Tasmanian Walking Company, operators of Bay of Fires Lodge Walk and Cradle Mountain Huts Walk, took home gold in the Ecotourism category at the recent Tourism Tasmania Awards. Freycinet Experience Walk continued to celebrate their Silver Jubilee in style as it was their first time entering after 25 years in operation and what a delightful surprise for everyone to be awarded a silver medal in Ecotourism! We’re sure this will be the first award of many for this remarkable experience. The long established Maria Island Walk not only won gold in the Tour and Transport Operator category but a silver too in the Adventure Tourism Category. Congratulations to all our Tasmanian Great Walks… you’ve made Tassie (and us) proud.
Representing South Australia, the Murray River Walk, who only joined Great Walks of Australia last year, celebrated their first full year in operation with a gold award in Ecotourism at the South Australian Tourism Committee Awards. Congratulations on your recognition for helping people discover the magical food, wine, and beauty of the Murray River.
The Tourism Western Australia Awards recognised Walk into Luxury, operator of the Margaret River Cape to Cape Walk, with a gold medal in the Tour and Transport Operator category. It was their first time entering and in accepting the award, Managing Director Nikki King, recognised her team for consistently going above and beyond to care for guests.
Great Walks’ newest member, Auswalk, who only joined in August this year and began operations of their Blue Mountains Grand Traverse Walk last month celebrated with the top prize in the Adventure Tourism category at the RACV Victorian Tourism Awards. Hats off to Auswalk who have taken this prize home for two consecutive years and are now totalling five state tourism awards wins.
The Northern Territory Brolgas Awards saw Australian Walking Holidays (World Expeditions) win gold in Ecotourism for the Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort. Well done for winning such a prestigious award, which recognises ecologically sustainable tourism two years in a row – and a special thanks to NT Parks and Wildlife and the indigenous traditional owners of the land who make this possible.
The Qantas Australian Tourism Awards will be held in Perth in February next year with all of the award-winning walking experiences representing their state and Great Walks of Australia at the National Awards Ceremony. Good luck to all and may the best walks win!
The ultimate in generosity, a gift that will continue for a lifetime and guaranteed to fit – is a gift voucher for one of the Great Walks of Australia
South Australia: The Arkaba Walk by Wild Bush Luxury
Gift vouchers available year-round with 12 month expiry date.
Includes special bottle of Vintage Joseph Sparkling Red from the McLaren Vale wine country, down the road from Arkaba, on Arkaba Walks given as Christmas gifts.
Buy online at WBL Christmas Campaign or email arkabawalk@wildbushluxury.com
Western Australia: Margaret River Cape to Cape Walk by Walk into Luxury
Gift vouchers available year-round with 12 month expiry date.
To purchase contact info@walkintoluxury.com.au / 1300 662 452.
New South Wales: Blue Mountains Grand Traverse by AusWalk
Available year round for purchase. 12 month expiry date (book within 12 months not necessarily travel within 12 months).
To purchase contact the Auswalk office on +61 3 95979767 or info@auswalk.com.au
Tasmania: Freycinet Experience Walk
Gift vouchers available year-round with 12 month expiry date.
Book via email walk@freycinet.com.au or phone 1800 506 003 or +61 3 6223 7565
Queensland: Scenic Rim Trail by Spicers
Gift vouchers available year-round. Call our Spicers Reservation Team on 13 77 42 to purchase. The voucher must be used within the season – so if bought during this Christmas period it would be valid until the end of the 2018 walking season.
Tasmania: Bay of Fires Lodge Walk and Cradle Mountain Huts Walk by Tasmanian Walking Company
Gift vouchers available year-round.
Buy online at https://www.taswalkingco.com.au/purchase-voucher/
Valid for five years from date of purchase.
Tasmania: The Maria Island Walk
Gift vouchers available year-round with 12 month expiry date from date of purchase (can be extended if necessary)
Email bookings@mariaislandwalk.com.au
Northern Territory: Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort by Australian Walking Holidays
Available online at http://bit.ly/AustralianWalkingHolidaysVoucher
Gift vouchers not currently available for Murray River Walk, Seven Peaks Walk or 12 Apostles Lodge Walk.
As the walking seasons change here are the hottest deals from some of our member walks around the country…
A free night in Perth – explore the Cape to Cape Walk, WA in Spring
New bookings of the 4 day Margaret River Cape to Cape group walk will receive a free night at Crown Towers in Perth pre or post walk for remaining spots on Spring 2017 departures. Email bookings@walkintoluxury.com.au and mention ‘Crown in Spring’.
Celebrate 15 years of Maria Island walking
To celebrate this 15-year achievement, the Maria Island Walk is offering a 15% discount on direct bookings for the newly launched summer program, for all walks departing between 1 October 2017 and 30 April 2018.
Walks must be booked before 30 October 2017. Prices start from $2450. To book email bookings@mariaislandwalk.com.au or call +61 3 6234 2999.
Scenic Rim – 20% off in season 2018
Book the Scenic Rim Trail by Spicers before the 20 October 2017 and receive 20% off for each walker for the 2018 season. Set deep within the foothills of the Great Dividing Range in Queensland, this guided four-day walk explores some of the beautifully unique, ancient and diverse Heritage Listed Gondwana Rainforest.
With all accommodation, meals, beverages, hiking equipment, knowledgeable guides and luggage portage included, it will be a walking adventure like you’ve never experienced before. Two nights glamping and one night in a Luxury Lodge of Australia complete this experience.
Quote: Call our Reservations Team on 13 77 42 and quote ‘Great Walks’ to redeem this offer.
A free night with Freycinet Experience Walk
Receive a free night at the Old Woolstore Hotel in Hobart on the night before you depart for the Freycinet Experience Walk, offer available on any new bookings made before 23 December 2017.
The offer is for one room per booking (ie. if two friends are travelling together, the offer is for a complimentary twin share room). Once the booking is made for the Freycinet Experience Walk, a booking will also be made with the Old Woolstore Hotel on the guests behalf.
Email walk@freycinet.com.au or call +61 3 6223 7565 and quote ‘News from the Trails’.
Be one of the first walkers! Upgrade bonus on our new Blue Mountains Grand Traverse
Get Festive in Margaret River this Christmas
Walk into Luxury is offering a special Christmas departure of their 4-day Cape to Cape Walk commencing on 27 December, concluding 30 December. Places are strictly limited for this one-off departure. Book quickly to secure your place. Email bookings@walkintoluxury.com.au and mention ‘Great Walks Christmas’.