- All start / finish points can be reached by public transport
- All accommodation is pre-booked for you
- Daily departures (within season)
- You need a minimum of 2 people booking together
- Luggage is moved each day while you walk
- Comfortable, characterful accommodation and good food (most
meals are included)
- Private cars can be parked at the first accommodation
- Detailed trip dossiers are supplied making it safe and easy to
navigate
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DETAILED NOTES MAKE IT EASY |
| The most scenic and
interesting walking paths in each area have been joined together to
create these walks, occasionally incorporating short sections of
local transport (eg river ferries, water taxis, local trains). The
accommodation used has been carefully chosen for accessibility to
the walking route, the quality of the property and the special care
that the hosts take of guests.
Extensive way marking and track signage are not common within
Australian National Parks, making route selection and navigation a
difficult task for most people. However those on a self guided
walking holiday are provided with very detailed
and easy-to-follow walking notes, supplemented with marked maps,
making it safe and simple to follow the routes.
On a self guided walking holiday you walk independently, without
a guide, following the comprehensive walking notes. These
notes will guide you from point to point along the way and provide
lots of interesting and valuable information to enhance your
walking. As well as describing the walking route, the notes include
information about the natural environment you are passing through,
average walking times, optional side trips and many interesting
things en route.
Self guided walking is a simple concept. No technical
expertise is required so anyone who is active and in good health can
do it. This is ideal for anyone who is hesitant about group
travel or wants to travel with their own friends and set their own
pace. The walking notes have been tried and tested over many
years. They are simple to follow. The hosts at your next
accommodation will be expecting you and will assist if needed.
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In addition to the walking notes you receive a comprehensive kit
of documents packed with information on the area. You are provided
with a marked map showing the walking route and location of each
accommodation. There are informative booklets on the flora, fauna,
geology or history of the area you walk through and information on
public transport, shops, restaurants and other places of interest.
Self guided walking offers great flexibility. You can discover an
area at your own pace, stopping and starting as you wish. You walk
with your own companions (a minimum of two people is required).
Most importantly, you choose your own starting date. Therefore you
can book in the sure knowledge that, once confirmed, your self
guided walking holiday will definitely operate
and will not be cancelled.
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GRADING - degree of difficulty of walks |
| Self guided
walking holidays are suitable for all healthy people who
enjoy walking. Walking times average 4-5 hours each day, plus time
for meals, rests or sightseeing. On many days you are offered
optional extra walks, such as a side-trip to a lookout or waterfall,
or the choice of a longer route for part of the day.
Each walking holiday has been graded to assist you in choosing
the most suitable trip. For example, the Southern Ocean walk involves an average of 60% easy, 35%
moderate and 5% more strenuous walking. In this way you can compare
the relative grading of the trips offered.
ˇ Easy means mostly flat terrain or gentle gradients
ˇ Moderate means more ups and downs
ˇ More strenuous means it might be steep, could include
steps/ladders and the track surface may be rough or uneven
You are also informed of how many hours of walking there are on
the longest day - however, these times can be reduced by skipping
some of the optional walks.
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COMFORTABLE ACCOMMODATION |
| After a day on the track
you will really appreciate the excellent pre-booked accommodation,
conveniently located near the end of the day's walk. Each property
has been personally selected by the local operator to ensure your
comfort. Only quality properties that are clean, have
comfortable beds and professional hosts who offer good, old
fashioned Australian hospitality are chosen. Arrive as
strangers, leave as friends!
Each accommodation is different and each will contribute something
special to your holiday experience. Enjoy the old fashioned
hospitality of a country bed and breakfast, relax in the spa at a grand manor
house or surround yourself in heritage décor at a gracious historic
homestead. Dine alfresco in a tropical eco retreat, watch the
sun set from your secluded alpine chalet or share the garden with
creatures of the bush in a charming rustic cottage. Whichever walk
itinerary you choose, your accommodation will add an authentic local
flavour to your holiday.
* Rooms are twin/double with en suite bathrooms wherever
possible (about 95% of the time).
* Queen size beds are available most of the time
* Rooms are quiet and clean with comfortable beds.
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EXCELLENT DINING |
Quality dining is an
important aspect of a walking holiday. The
included meals range from first class a la carte dining through to home
cooked country fare shared with your hosts. Meals are always
plentiful, nutritious and wholesome, with local flavours and
specialities. Your typical day starts with a hearty cooked
breakfast. Picnic lunches are packed in an insulated carrier bag,
ensuring they remain fresh and cool, and in the evening you will sit
down to an excellent dinner.
The meals included are listed in each itinerary: (B) =
breakfast (L) = lunch (D) =
dinner
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