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Life’s An Adventure presents a 7-day Pack Free guided walking tour that explores the best National Parks of Southern Queensland. This unique journey combines the natural beauty of Bunya Mountains National Park with the stunning landscapes of Carnarvon Gorge, offering an unforgettable experience through some of Australia’s most diverse and captivating environments. Tailor-made for the adventurer, this tour allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty and history of Queensland’s wilderness while enjoying the comfort and convenience of a Pack Free experience.
The adventure begins in the Bunya Mountains, home to the world’s largest stand of ancient bunya pines. Walk through rainforest-clad peaks, discovering the lush greenery, towering bunya trees, and unique range-top grasslands. The park’s cool mountain climate and panoramic views provide a perfect introduction to the diverse landscapes of Southern Queensland. Encounter colourful birdlife, explore winding trails, and enjoy the serenity of this tranquil natural haven.
TRANSFERS: Morning 3 hour transfer from Brisbane to Bunya Mountains. Afternoon: walk is near our accommodation
TRAIL NOTES: Barker Creek Circuit 10km of walking, 3-4 hours. Medium grade.
SHORTER WALK: Shorter walk option of 4kms available if group prefers. 1 hour. Medium grade.
TERRAIN: A combination of formal paved path and natural trail that can be rocky underfoot. Short, steep ascent and descent at the waterfalls.
WALK ITINERARY: Your Life’s an Adventure Chief Experience Officer (CEO) will meet you in the foyer of the Mercure Brisbane King George Square in the morning, after which you will climb aboard your carriage and be transported in comfort to Bunya Mountains. Upon arrival, we will embark on the beautiful Barker Creek Circuit, winding through the stunning rainforests of the Bunya Mountains, surrounded by magnificent 45-meter-tall bunya pines. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to witness the captivating sights of Paradise Falls, Little Falls, and Tim Shea Falls. The afternoon is yours to relax at your accommodation at the Bunyas, maybe visit the local Whisky Bar, stroll the nearby forests, kick back looking out from your accommodation, or grab a tray of bird seed from the local store and try your hand at feeding the raucous and vibrant bird-life. The evening will see us sitting down to a delectable two-course meal in the Lyric bar and restaurant.
TRANSFERS: Morning walk is near our accommodation. Afternoon: 4 hour transfer from Bunya Mountains to Roma, with stop en route.
TRAIL NOTES: 12km of walking, 3-4 hours. Moderate level.
TERRAIN:A well-maintained trail with a steady incline.
WALKING ITINERARY: Following a hearty Queensland breakfast, we make our way to the beginning of the Cherry Plain to Burtons Well trail, commencing our hike. As we steadily ascend, we’ll traverse the mountain ridge, treating ourselves to stunning panoramic vistas of the valleys and plains from scenic lookouts like Bottle Tree Bluff, Ghinghion, and Cherry Plain. You can also extend this walk up to Mount Kiangarow, where the summit offers spectacular views, before circling back to our initial starting point. Following our trek, we’ll journey to the outback town of Roma, where we’ll unwind in our lovely overnight accommodations and enjoy a well-deserved meal.
TRANSFERS: Morning: 3 hour transfer from Roma to Carnarvon Gorge.
TRAIL NOTES: 4km of walking, 1.5 hours.
TERRAIN: Flat walking. Excellent dirt track but some sections of uneven, rocky or unmodified terrain.
WALK ITINERARY: After a good outback brekkie, we drive through the rugged backcountry to Carnarvon Gorge. Our walking experience today takes us to the Nature Trail, a quiet and beautiful walk where you can notice the small things and let the sounds of nature trickle over you. We’ll keep an open mind and an open eye out too for any wildlife, especially any sleek platypus returning to their water’s-edge burrows after a night of feeding. After this, we’ll stroll to the Rock Pools, the only area where swimming is permissible in the gorge and we will take to the water, paddling around pondering turtles and darting fish. Once we’ve finished our hike, we make our way to our accommodation for the next three nights. Here, we can unpack, unwind, and enjoy the facilities at Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge. Tonight, we enjoy a dinner paired with Australian wines.
TRAIL NOTES: Approximately 11km of walking.
TERRAIN: Overall this is a clear and well defined trail, with only a few sections of uneven, rocky or unmodified terrain. There is a steep climb but with well-formed stone steps and short ladders and its only about 300m long with about 200m in elevation gain from the gorge floor. Otherwise, the terrain is just lightly undulating.
WALKING ITINERARY: With a healthy and hearty breakfast finished and fuelling us for the day, we will set off up the gorge’s main trail, before veering right up the sandstone walls to Boolimba Bluff. A 200 metre climb will bring us to the top of the escarpment and from here we get amazing views out over the landscape. As the sun rises and the heat with it, we will descend back down into Carnarvon Gorge and continue on our trek to the amazingly cool and secluded Moss Garden. This green treasure, refreshed by waters that have taken thousands of years to percolate through the sandstone strata, is one of the most peaceful and serene grottos you are likely to see across all of outback Australia. Heading back to your creek-side accommodation, you will be able to relax in the late afternoon warmth before we regroup for dinner served with wine and a visual guided tour of the stars which shine ever so brightly in the Aussie Outback.
TRAIL NOTES: Approximately 20km of walking I 7 hours I Elevations gain 395m. Flexible Shorter option available: 10kms to Ward’s Canyon and return I 4 hours I Elevation gain 286m
TERRAIN: Flat walking with some small inclines. Excellent dirt track, but some sections of uneven, rocky or unmodified terrain and many creek crossings using stepping stones and boulders.
WALK ITINERARY: Today, enjoy breakfast before setting out and getting a taste of what is known as the Carnarvon Great Walk, a 90-kilometre circuit of the rugged area completed by only the hardiest of hikers. While we are not doing the full loop, we will still be seeing the best that huge walk has to offer on our way to Big Bend, a large elbow carved out by millions of years of flowing water. Heading directly up the gorge, we are flanked on either side by its towering walls and will get many chances to rock hop, skip, jump, or wade over the many semi-permanent waterways that are home to and creator of the gorge. On our way up the gorge we will veer off on many gorgeous side trips, from refuges for ancient king fern gardens to daunting acoustic amphitheatres but, most importantly, a singular Aboriginal art gallery dating back almost 4000 years, a visual testament to the (at least) 20 000 years of human occupation in this area. Something not to be missed and treasured in memory. While it is a long walk, the main gorge has it all and is the highlight of any visit to Carnarvon Gorge. Something to reflect on this night, over a delicious dinner served with Australian wines.
TRANSFERS: Afternoon: 3 hour transfer to Roma
TRAIL NOTES: 5km of walking, 3 hours.
TERRAIN: Lightly undulating with sections of uneven, rocky, or unmodified terrain.
WALK ITINERARY: After the exertions of yesterday, this morning you’ve earned a little sleep-in. Once you are rested, our walking experience today will lead us to Mickeys Creek and Warrumbah Gorge, two amazing walks right near the main gorge mouth. Mickeys Creek is a cool, pristine pocket of serenity, providing refuge for ferns and mosses that evolved long before the scorching heat of the outback descended on Australia. Warrumbah Gorge, whilst likewise a refuge, is awe-inspiring to boot. It is a narrow cleft, dominated on either side by soaring walls, making it the quintessential slot canyon. Alacritous hikers can continue to explore up into the gorge, where the path ends and true off-trail clambering begins. Afterwards, we head south, making our way back to the town of Roma for another beautiful night’s accommodation and a fitting meal.
TRANSFERS: 5.5 hour drive from Roma to Brisbane with sightseeing stops along the way.
ITINERARY: This morning enjoy breakfast in Roma before transferring back to Brisbane, heading down the long and historic Warrego Highway. Sit back in comfort as the outback blows by, slowly becoming greener and more verdure as we again begin nearing the coast. A stop in Toowoomba at Cobb and Co. will give you a chance to stretch your legs and see some of the past as well as enjoying nourishing food at the café. We will arrive back in Brisbane around 4:00 pm, greeted again by the azure sea and the massing crowds, but wearing dusty boots and sweat-stained shirts – lingering reminders of our time in Outback Queensland.
OPTIONAL: You have the option to fly out of Roma (own expense) if you prefer to reduce traveling times on this day.
Click 'Go to Bookings Site' for more information on itinerary & inclusions.
Bunya Mountains QLD 4405
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Narrabeen, NSW
Walking is only part of the adventure on our award winning tours which include Wowmazing experiences.
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The Operator’s own terms
Bookings for this one are taken on the Operator’s own site, not on epyic. Check their site for the terms that apply.
Narrabeen, NSW
