Enjoy a FREE night in Perth thanks to Walk into Luxury

Walkers who take up this earlybird booking special for two people on the 2020 Margaret River Cape to Cape Walk will enjoy a FREE night in the fabulous and funky Alex Hotel in Perth. There’s a bonus!

Your complimentary night can be used pre or post walk and includes breakfast and bike hire so you can explore Perth. We recommend a bike ride down to Elizabeth Quay, the Swan River and beautiful Kings Park.

This special earlybird offer is available for new bookings made before 31 August 2019 for walks departing in any month fo the 2020 season (excluding April and October).

Find out more about the Margaret River Cape to Cape Walk now.

To view available 2020 departure dates and make your booking click here.

For full terms and conditions click here.

Get in now to enjoy this special earlybird offer. Email info@walkintoluxury for any further questions.

 

 

 

Save on next season’s walking holiday at this season’s price.

Celebrating 30 years of their publication, Country Style Magazine launched their first ever awards program, and we are proud to say one of our very own operators took out the Travel category.

The awards celebrate innovators that are making a positive change in regional Australia and the winners have been chosen for their dedication and hard work in their category.

The Award for Travel, sponsored by Crystal Cruises, declared that “Ian Johnston is a true tourism pioneer, founding the Maria Island Walk in 2003 and creating an innovative ecotourism operation. He is our deserved winner of the Country Style Top 30 Award for Travel. Through his operation, Ian has brought national and global focus to this pristine area which is home to unique wildlife and layered with Indigenous and European history.”

Great walkers will know that Maria Island is a delightful blend of rare wildlife, convict heritage, and elegant accommodation, where you’ll enjoy gentle walking by day and candlelit gourmet dining at night.

We congratulate Ian on this fabulous achievement and if this has inspired you to take a closer look at the Maria Island Walk – view the full itinerary and booking details here.

There are so many reasons to consider the Maria Island Walk this Winter, but here a just a few…

In convict times, Maria Island’s “guests” were trying their best to escape the Darlington penal colony. Now travellers are happy to pay to escape to this beautiful destination renowned for amazing landscapes, well-preserved history and a vast array of wildlife. Join the team on their special winter departures for a 3 day/2 night walk experience on this UNESCO world heritage listed island.

Looking for a reason to join The Maria Island Winter Escape? Here’s why…

Easy getaway – No need to burn up excessive annual leave days and frequent flyer miles, this short getaway will leave you feeling like you’ve been a million miles from nowhere. It’s as easy as walking during the day, followed by delicious meals and matching wines in the evening, concluding with a warm, comfortable bed in a restored homestead. Guests transfer wth their guides from Hobart in the morning by road to Triabunna, followed by a short ferry ride across Mercury Passage to the island to start your walk. Day packs are all we use as luggage is transferred for you.

Instagram worthy – The guided, pack-free winter walks leave and return to Bernacchi House daily. They vary in length and difficulty (guests can walk as much or as little as they like). Walkers are rewarded with close-ups of local wildlife including lumbering wombats, elegant Cape Barren Geese and a growing insurance population of Tasmanian Devils. The spectacular landscapes of the Painted Cliffs and Fossil Bay are part of the trip too. For the more adventurous who choose to climb to the top of Bishop and Clerk (highest point on the island), the result is extremely worthwhile, offering up panoramic views over eucalypt forests and the Pacific Ocean.

Historic lodgings – During winter, guests stay both nights at heritage-listed Bernacchi House in the world heritage convict settlement of Darlington (see below). The house, dating back to 1880 when it was home to Italian settler and pioneer Diego Bernacchi, has been beautifully restored providing comfort and warmth, including a beautiful open fire.

Tasmania’s oldest penal colony – With a history that pre-dates Port Arthur, Darlington is one of the country’s best-preserved World Heritage sites providing visitors with amazing stories of early Australia. Its 14 convict buildings and ruins are considered to be Australia’s most representative and intact example of a probation station. Bernacchi championed its early industrial period which saw the creation of the cement industry and even a wellness resort in the early 1900s.

Guides by day and chefs by night – guests are treated to a delicious array of local produce throughout their stay. From relaxed breakfasts and hearty on trail lunches, to Tasmanian wine and cheese served on the verandah of Bernacchi House, followed by a candlelit dinner recounting stories from the day – our guests never go hungry.

And the last, but definitely not least reason is…

A special winter price – The Winter Escapes walk have varying departure dates from 1 June until 31 August and cost $1,490 per person reflecting a special seasonal price.

Contact The Maria Island Walk team on 03 6234 2999 or email bookings@mariaislandwalk.com.au for bookings and further details.

The cost includes return transfers from Hobart to Triabunna, the scenic cruise across the pristine waters of the Mercury Passage to Maria Island, gourmet Tasmanian food and wine, two experienced guides, National Park entry fees, accommodation and use of waterproof jackets and day packs.

Looking for more winter walk options?

In Tasmania the Cradle Mountain Huts Walk by Tasmanian Walking Company operates in winter for an adventure in the mountains. Trips depart in July and August. This is a challenging walk. They also offer departures on Three Capes Lodge Walk on a year round basis.

Mainland walks operating in the winter months of July and August are: The Arkaba Walk and Murray River Walk in South Australia, Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort in the Northern Territory; and Spicers Scenic Rim Trail in Queensland.

 

In the fourth edition of our “Meet the Guide” series, we’re heading off the coast of Tasmania…

Introducing…
GUIDE: JO MCCORMACK
WALK: THE MARIA ISLAND WALK

Where are you from?
Originally from the North-West coast of Tassie, I grew up hiking with my family, mostly around the central highlands of Tasmania.

What is your background?
I’ve had a growing sense of wonder and love for Tassie’s wilderness from a very young age. I completed the guiding course at TasTAFE in 2014.

Have you been a guide anywhere else?
I’ve worked on the east coast of Tasmania, in the Tarkine Rainforest and on the Larapinta Trail in Central Australia.

Why did you choose to become a guide?
I love the variety of different experiences offered in all of these places, it’s a pleasure to share my passion for the outdoors with visitors. I’ve always loved the beach and am an avid surfer, so working on an island like Maria where I can swim each day is a dream come true.

What’s your favourite part of the Maria Island Walk?
Maria Island has such a diverse landscape and history. From tens of thousands of years of Aboriginal history through to the current conservation work happening on the island, such as the introduction of the Tasmanian Devils a few years ago.

What passion do you share with your guests while walking?
There is so much to share with guests that come on this walk! I always have plant books in my backpack. I love watching the different flowering plants changing throughout the season, as well as trying a variety of edible plants that fruit over the summer.

Any advice for someone coming on a guided walk for the first time?
If I had one piece of advice for someone coming on a guided walk for the first time it would be to make sure you walk in your boots (before you come) and that you never (ever!) regret a swim!

If Jo’s insight into The Maria Island Walk has you wanting to learn more, view the full walk itinerary and more here.

 

 

 

Our Murray River Walk has recently been awarded the highest level of ecotourism certification in Australia, a Certificate of Advanced Ecotourism.

The certificate is only awarded to Australia’s leading and most innovative ecotourism products that operate with minimal impact on the environment. Advanced Ecotourism operators must provide opportunities to learn about the environment, be committed to achieving best practice, use resources wisely, contribute to conserving the environment and help local communities. This recognition highlights the Murray River Walks commitment to the environment and its exceptional product offering.

“Our guests can feel confident that the experience we provide has a minimal impact on the environment and that they will learn about the environment in which they are exploring with their guides,” said Managing Director, and Guide, Tom Sharley.

Utilising houseboat accommodation and natural bush trails, Murray River Walk has a ‘leave no trace’ approach, ensuring that the bush returns to its natural state of peace after small groups of 10 guests and two guides have passed by.

Murray River Walk supports local conservation projects at Calperum Station (Australian Landscapes Trust), Murtho Forest Reserve and the Chowilla Floodplain Icon Site. Walk founder, Tony Sharley says, ‘We are passionate advocates for a healthy Murray River and our aim is to help our guests connect to this iconic part of Australia.’

Read More on the Murray River Walk and view departure dates here.