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Seven Peaks Walk – Celebrating People at Pinetrees Lodge

When you think about the highlights of an extraordinary walking holiday, you might picture the breathtaking landscapes, the gourmet dining, or the sense of achievement after a big day on the trail. Yet, for many travellers, what stays in their hearts long after the journey ends are the people — the warm welcome, the personal touches, and the friendly faces who make every moment special.

This season at Pinetrees Lodge, home of the award-winning Seven Peaks Walk on Lord Howe Island, was one to remember. Guests and guides alike enjoyed a season filled with laughter, adventure, incredible food, and plenty of heartfelt moments — right down to the hugs (and yes, a few tears) at the airport farewells.

A Season of Highlights

Across the season, Pinetrees hosted:

14 Seven Peaks Walks – showcasing the island’s spectacular peaks, pristine beaches, and unique wildlife.
Two Ocean Swim Weeks with Australian Ironman legend Trevor Hendy.
The indulgent Food & Wine Week with renowned chef Tom Kime to close the season.

Each event brought together guests from across Australia and around the world, united by a shared love of nature, active adventures, and exceptional hospitality.

Farewell to a Legendary Duo

This season also marked a significant chapter in the Pinetrees story, as the team bid a fond farewell to Denis and Lara, who, for the past 10 years, have been an integral part of creating the Pinetrees experience. Their unwavering dedication, enthusiasm, and attention to detail (including Denis’ much-loved “nerdy perfectionism”) have played a huge role in Pinetrees being voted Best Hotel in Australia on TripAdvisor for multiple years.

Tourism is about places, and it’s also about people. The genuine care and professionalism of staff can turn a great trip into an unforgettable one. Denis and Lara have done exactly that for countless guests, and their legacy will continue to shape the lodge for years to come. As they set off to travel the world with their family, the entire Seven Peaks Walk and Pinetrees community wishes them well on this exciting next chapter.

A Warm Welcome Back

While farewells are never easy, there’s excitement for the future too. The upcoming season will see the return of Deb Townsend, bringing her own unique blend of warmth, drive, and humour to the role. Guests can look forward to the same high standard of hospitality, with new energy and ideas to keep the Seven Peaks Walk and Pinetrees experience as exceptional as ever.

Plan Your Lord Howe Island Adventure

Whether you’re chasing winter sunshine, craving a springtime escape, or dreaming of a summer holiday with a difference, now’s the perfect time to plan your visit. Pinetrees Lodge has a special offer for September, October, and November stays, along with limited availability over the summer holiday season.

The Seven Peaks Walk is one of Australia’s most unique and breathtaking multi-day guided walks — and with the incredible team at Pinetrees Lodge looking after you, it’s an experience that combines world-class walking with warm, personal hospitality.

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.

Congratulations to Seven Peaks Walk’s Pinetrees Lodge on Lord Howe Island, which has just become Australia’s first-ever certified carbon neutral hotel through the Australian Government’s Climate Active Program .

The base accommodation for guests on the Seven Peaks Walk, Pinetrees Lodge wanted to demonstrate that with commitment and investment small businesses can be leaders in environmental and social change.

Following a rigourous certification period, the team spend over $5million in renovations to reduce the lodge’s carbon footprint. These measures included implementing solar passive design principles, converting 95% of lights to LED, water saving taps and toilet, and installing a part of the Fuji wastewater system.

Reducing waste, installing worm farms and compost bins and building a large organic market garden to reduce food miles were also part of the grand plan.

In total, they have managed to reuse their power consumption by 30% and water consumption for 35%.

Their carbon emissions from all sources was audited and offset with investments in habitat protection programs in Indonesia and Tasmania.

This only adds to the already amazing work Pinetrees Lodge is doing in conversation on Lord Howe Island, including regenerating the critically endangered Sallywood Swamp Forest – the only known patch in the world.

All Great Walks of Australia members are committed to conservation and preservation of the places we walk in and are very proud of Seven Peaks Walk and Pinetrees Lodge for everything they have committed to having achieved this certification.

Read Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Regions – Best In Travel 2020 list

This UNESCO World Heritage Listed natural wonderland is a special place for walkers, with Seven Peaks Walk giving you six nights and five days to traverse the ‘Seven Peaks’ and experience one of the Great Walks Of Australia, secluded on its own island paradise!