Meet the New Executive Officer Championing Great Walks of Australia
Having walked miles with my dad as a young kid, it’s in my DNA. Throughout my twenties and thirties, friends and I were always out on trails, walking, exploring, and talking. Always talking — a lot!
One of my favourite things about multi-day hikes is the incredibly deep and long-lasting connections we make walking together across days.
The other very special factor? You never return home the same. Inside a little (or sometimes a lot) of you transforms. It shifts as you reconnect with the land, life, and love. With every footstep, we disconnect from the rush, hustle, and noise of everyday life.
That’s why I’m so excited to have stepped into this role — to advocate, educate, and invite both seasoned walkers and those new to the trail to experience the magic of multi-day walking. It’s time to discover the incredible offerings from our diverse and passionate group of walking operators.
About Great Walks of Australia
Great Walks of Australia is a collection of 13 of the country’s most exceptional multi-day guided walks. Each one is located in a spectacular and remote corner of the continent. From Tasmania’s windswept headlands and the ochre ridges of the outback, to tropical islands and rainforests brimming with life — these walks showcase Australia’s awe-inspiring natural beauty.
Why Walk? Why Now?
Walking is one of the most enriching ways to experience the best of what Australia has to offer.
Instead of rushing through destinations, we get to slow down.
With every step:
- We reconnect with the beauty that surrounds us
- We absorb stories of country, culture, and connection
- We build clarity, creativity, and calm
- We foster meaningful conversations and moments
There are many ways to see Australia by plane, train, caravan, coach or car however experiencing Australia on foot creates a deeper, more lasting connection with the places you visit, one self and those you walk with. It is a truly enriching and unforgettable life experience.
What Makes These Walks So Special?
Each walk is operated by trusted local businesses and led by expert guides, storytellers with deep knowledge of ecosystems, Indigenous culture, and the unique character of each location.
Because the experiences are fully supported and small-group, travellers feel safe and connected — while still getting close to nature and the heart of the landscape.
Spanning Australia, with departures scheduled across all seasons, year-round we’ve got something for every kind of explorer whether first-time walkers, seasoned hikers, solo travellers, couples or groups.
Our walks are ideally suited for those seeking comfort with their adventure — think eco-lux stays, incredible regional food and wine, and warm, seamless hospitality from start to finish.
Our Commitment to Walking Tourism
As part of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences, Great Walks of Australia is committed to growing walking tourism. Together with our member operators, we’re working to ensure Australia is recognised globally as a top-tier walking destination.
Now more than ever, travellers are seeking experiences that offer wellness, nature, and purpose. Multi-day walks deliver all three — with unforgettable scenery and life-changing perspective along the way.
Whether it’s coastal cliffs, ancient ranges, lush rainforest, or island trails – there’s a walk waiting for you.
If you’re ready to stretch your legs, breathe deeply, and discover a side of Australia that stays with you long after the boots come off, explore the full collection of walks at greatwalksofaustralia.com.au/our-walks and start planning your next extraordinary journey on foot.
Look forward to seeing you out on the trails or email me here: eo@greatwalksofaustralia.com.au
Happy Walking!
Genevieve
Here’s a great reason to book your next hiking adventure: get $300pp off new Great Walks Of Australia! bookings* for one week only!
Whether you’re hiking for the first time with us or working your way through your bucket list, take advantage of this special offer and put your next walk on the calendar today!
T&Cs apply.
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Great Walk of Australia is thrilled to celebrate 10 years of operations in 2023 and is marking the occasion with an offer of 10% off all Great Walks for travel in 2024 for a limited time. Get in quick!
Showcasing Australia’s best multi-day hiking experiences, Great Walks of Australia officially launched in 2013 with six founding walks and has grown to become one of Australia’s most trusted and loved walking experience brands for domestic and international hikers over the past decade.
Great Walks now has 12 member walks across the country, and has actively championed the walking industry in Australia, encouraging people to boot up, see our spectacular and iconic places of nature, and experience the many benefits of a multi-day guided walk.
To celebrate our decade-long milestone, we’re offering a massive 10% off all new bookings for any of the Great Walks of Australia booked before September 30, 2023 for travel until the end of 2024.
Use or quote the promo code GWOA10YEARS on direct booking walks made through our Great Walks of Australia members, simply by clicking any book now buttons on our website or calling the walk directly.
View Our 10% Off All Great Walks Offer & Book Now
From the outback to Tasmania, our members include some of the country’s best-known multi-day guided walking experiences, run by some of Australia’s most reputable and leading operators. Great Walks also counts industry pioneers and trailblazers such as Joan Masterman and Sue Badyari among the company’s co-founders, each having helped develop the walking industry in Australia and standards for excellence in guided walking experiences and eco-tourism.
The group was also one of the first collectives in Tourism Australia’s highly renowned Signature Experiences of Australia program, founded to showcase Australia’s best tourism experiences to the world.
Tourism Australia Managing Director, Phillipa Harrison, has congratulated Great Walks of Australia on its important milestone.
“Australia’s natural beauty attracts a lot of interest from international travellers and is one of our great strengths on the global stage. We have amazing landscapes and landmarks and Great Walks of Australia offers visitors a unique way to experience many of them,” Ms Harrison said.
“We are proud to have Great Walks of Australia as part of the Signature Experiences Program and hope it continues to offer ultimate walking holidays to international travellers well into the future.”
All Great Walks of Australia walks are led by expert guides with a deep understanding of the environment, who help to bring to life the stories, culture, flora, fauna and history of each trail along the way.
Small groups, exclusive, comfortable accommodation and delicious gourmet food and wine, combine with remote locations for the ultimate in multi-day walking adventures.
All Great Walks members hold advanced eco-tourism credentials and are actively involved in the conversation of the lands they walk through.
Great Walks of Australia Executive Officer, Liz O’Rourke, said: “Great Walks members continue to set the bar and deliver exceptional, industry-leading hiking experiences. But more than that, our operators and their teams are all highly passionate about the places they walk, helping to conserve them for the future, and sharing that passion to generate awareness with walkers.”
“It’s such a privilege to take hikers to see places of high conservation value and significance, including Maria Island National Park on The Maria Island Walk, the Riverland Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance on the Murray River Walk, Saltwater Lagoon on Freycinet Experience Walk, Arkaba Station (currently being rewilded) on The Arkaba Walk, as well as UNESCO World Heritage Listed areas like Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park on Cradle Mountain Signature Walk, the ancient Gondwana rainforests on Spicers Scenic Rim Trail and Lord Howe Island on Seven Peaks Walk.”
“These are places and journeys you never forget. That in turn helps the walks to foster a new wave of supporters that want to help protect and conserve them for the future also.”
“Walking has continued to soar in popularity around the world over the past decade, but hit new heights around Covid. People started valuing the simplicity and importance of the basic need of going for a walk and being outside more than ever. They are looking at walking through a different lens now.”
“Ultimately, most of us live busy lives and are often disconnected from nature. Walking is really just a great mode of transport for a nature experience with a whole host of wellbeing benefits, which more and more people are realising. Fundamentally, walks allow people to slow down and spend quality time enjoying the incredibly beautiful and iconic wild places we are lucky to have in Australia, and connect to the land and themselves.
“When you take time to walk the land, you’ll always be deeply rewarded.”
“We look forward to what the next decade brings, while continuing to champion experiencing the country’s landscapes on foot, and showcasing our greatest walks.”
Don’t miss out on this fantastic chance to experience a Great Walk of Australia at a special price. The hardest decision? Which one to pick!
Get 10% Off Your Next Great Walk Of Australia Now
Yes, you read that correctly! We’ve got a super hot and exclusive Great Walks offer for you: book Seven Peaks Walk for any departure in Spring 2023 and you’ll score a bonus free night at Pinetrees Lodge, WITH free meals, to make the magic of Lord Howe Island and your Great Walk last a longer.
This offer is exclusive to Great Walks of Australia and for bookings made through Pinetrees Lodge.
Use the promo code GWOA0923 to secure an extra night on the house and free meals on your Seven Peaks Walk booking for this Spring.
The five day/six night Seven Peaks Walk has been a wildly hot ticket for hikers over the past few years for good reason; the island’s pristine natural beauty, diverse hiking terrain, gorgeous beaches, crystal clear waters, and unique flora and fauna make for a slice of paradise that’s enchanting, fascinating and a dream to explore on foot!
Plus, if you want to experience truly awesome and sustainable hospitality, Pinetrees Lodge – your hosts and accommodation on the Seven Peaks Walk – has just won TripAdvisor’s hotel of the year for the fourth time and is the first hotel in Australia to become certified as carbon neutral through the Climate Active program.
Book Seven Peaks Walk Now
T&Cs: Available on new bookings only for Seven Peaks Walk made through Pinetrees Lodge. For travel from September to December 2023, until availability is sold out. Not transferable.
If you’ve been thinking of walking the four day Scenic Rim Trail in Queensland with your mates, here’s a brilliant reason to do so now: book for four or more people staying twin share and you’ll save $250 per person with this hot deal.
This offer is for walks from June to November 2023, and bookings must be on the same departure (subject to availability).
The four day Scenic Rim Trail covers 60km through Main Range National Park and Spicers’ own private nature reserves, taking you from soaring mountain tops down into the lush ancient world heritage listed Gondwana rainforests – some truly epic scenery.
Located just 1.5 hours from Brisbane, it’s the area is much loved by walkers in the know as Queesland’s best kept secrets and places to hike.
The Scenic Rim Trail 2023 walking season has just kicked off, it’s such a sensational time to hike in Queensland, so make the most of this great cost saving and book today.
Book the Scenic Rim Trail Bring Some Friends offer
Love Australia’s precious wildlife? Make sure you join us for WWF Australia and Tasmanian Walking Company’s annual Walk For Wildlife fundraiser this October and put the cost of your walk straight to an incredible cause.
Book to depart on any of four following Great Walks of Australia departing on October 10, 2023 and 100% of your walk sale will be donated by Tasmanian Walking Company to WWF Australia and their Regenerate Australia program.
WWF Australia and Tasmanian Walking Company
Walk For Wild Walks
Departing October 10, 2023
Cradle Mountain Huts Walk, Tasmania
Three Capes Lodge Walk, Tasmania
Bay Of Fires Lodge Walk, Tasmania
12 Apostles Lodge Walk, Victoria
The Regenerate Australia program is the largest wildlife and landscape regeneration program in our country’s history. It focuses on protecting native species, especially those threatened by extinction, restores and protects habitat and innovates impactful solutions around climate impact.
Last year’s inaugural Walk For Wild series and donations raised a massive $115,0000 for WWF Australia, critical funds for wildlife and their ecosystems in Australia.
To be a part of this fundraiser and send the cost of your walk to a great cause with WWF Australia on October 10, 2023, visit the links above and hit BOOK NOW
