At a Glance
Explore Queensland's Scenic Rim Trail on this 5 day 4 night eco-walking adventure to discover diverse natural landscapes from stunning forests to ancient volcanic plateaus in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. Discover the Scenic Rim's most breathtaking natural treasures by day, and enjoy five nights in luxurious eco cabins to take in the tranquillity and ambient sounds of the Queensland bush.
This walk showcases a relatively untouched and undiscovered part of Queensland that most people are yet to truly discover, the Scenic Rim South East Queensland. Set at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range and surrounded by World Heritage Listed Gondwana Rainforest, the Scenic Rim is a regional Australian paradise waiting to be explored.
This incredible 5-day bush experience starts in the foothills of South East Queensland's Main Range ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 4 nights accommodation at New Camps (Mount Mistake, Amphitheatre Eco Cabins, Timber Getters Eco Cabins, and Hidden Peaks Cabins) based on twin share
- 4 days guided walking with experienced trail guides
- All meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks
- Optonal Extra: luggage porterage Plus $400pp
Itinerary
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Total walking distance: approx. 12 km on Grade 4 trails - Suitable for experienced hikers as navigation and technical skills will be required (guides provide this expertise). Self drive to arrive and meet your guides & fellow walkers at 7:00am 7791 Cunningham Highway Clumber. You will park your vehicle here for the duration of the trip. You'll be transferred through the private nature reserve to the Spicers Scenic Rim Trailhead. All your luggage will be transported for you. Over the next five hours, you will slowly ascend through our private nature refuge and learn about the history and ecology of the region. An adventurous day that sees you climb up onto the Mistake Mountain Range with a 600m ascent. The ecosystem is dry sclerophyll forest with incredible views afforded throughout the day. Mount Mistake is part of the ‘Main Range’ a collection of over 40 mountain peaks that are the remnants of a volcano that was active some 24 million years ago. A highlight of the day is the 16m rock ladder, which you'll be safely harnessed to. You will cheer each other on as each group member makes it to the top. |
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Your first day of walking is rewarded with incredible views along the range. Lunch is enjoyed with views over the Little Liverpool Ranges and fresh breezes that rise from the valley below. As you emerge from the forest and into the clearing the ground rolls gently towards the farmhouse. You'll be greeted with a well-earned beverage and canapés and arrive with a sense of achievement having completed your first day. Tonight, you stay in this beautiful cottage of Spicers Mt Mistake. Enjoy your chef-prepared share style meals in the large dining room & take a nightcap by the fire in the lounge room. |
Spicers Mt Mistake
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Total walking distance: approx. 18 km, 8 hours. Mostly a Grade 3 trail - Formed track, some obstacles. May have short steep hills and steps, with the final hour of the day spent on a Grade 5 trail Unformed track. Likely to be very rough, steep and unmarked. You will see you pass over from Spicers land into the Main Range National Park with the forest folding in around you. The area you are exploring is of national significance, following the 1994 declaration by the World Heritage Committee, with Gondwana rainforests, including most of the Main Range National Park, decreed a World Heritage Area. You will learn about the fascinating ecology of the rainforest and surrounding ecosystems along your journey. |
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The final stretch of the day will see you emerge from the forest and onto the "Winder Trail" The open cut trail turns through the final stretch of forest before arriving at Spicers Amphitheatre Eco Cabins. As you walk into camp the scorched, purpose built charcoal cabins set above the forest floor, surrounded by iconic grass trees, emerge like tree houses. After dinner you’ll retire to your cabin. As you wind down and drift off you’ll hear birds calling and possibly the throaty call of the endangered Fleay's barred frog. Your accommodation is the sign of beautifully light coloured cabin Spicers Amphitheatre. Enjoy an afternoon drink at sunset overlooking the mountain ranges of the Scenic Rim at our observation deck, then come together for a chef-prepared dinner in the beautiful main lodge. |
Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerSpicers Amphitheatre Eco Cabin |
Total walking distance: approx. 16 km, Grade 3, Grade 4 and Grade 5 track Setting out after breakfast, today explores a number of eco systems, venturing deep into the national park. As we descend, we become enveloped by the canopy and this natural cover will provide cool temperatures throughout the day. Approx. half of today is on Grade 5 trail with the guides leading the way on the unmarked trails. You ascend down some rocky boulder sections that will require us to crouch down and go slowly. The pace is slower as we take care with our footing navigating the tree roots and rocky sections. The ecosystems of today's journey are particularly distinct, starting in a wooded forest with beautiful walkways fringed by boulders & contrasting bright green foliage. Step back in time and take in the surrounding forest - large stands of red cedar, white beech and hoop pine once stood proudly in these forests. Lunch is taken at ‘the Cathedral’ a zone of giant crow’s ash trees (Australian teak) hundreds of years old. The circumference of some of these beauties is astounding. As you rest quietly it feels as though you are sitting among a village of elders. |
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The last section of the day offers a climb up to camp where your hosts will be waiting to welcome you to Spicers Timber Getters Eco Camp. Tonight you will stay in Spicers Timber Getter Eco Cabins. The exterior of the cabins have been charred on the outside, creating a contrasting effect of the burnt timber against the surrounding dark green Xanthorrhoea trees. Enjoy your chef-prepared dinner in the beautiful dining room, before returning to your room to enjoy another night's sleep with nothing but the soft sounds of nature to put you to sleep. |
Spicers Timber Getter Eco CabinsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Total walking distance: approx. 16 km, Grade 3, Grade 4 and Grade 5 track The birdlife is beautiful here particularly at dawn for the early risers. After a restful sleep in your private cabin, you'll enjoy breakfast before crossing a rocky saddle and come across some huge rainforest trees with buttresses 6 feet tall before ending with a brief scramble to Bare Rock. From here there are spectacular 360 degree views over the northern section of the park - a just reward. Much of the day will be on an open ridgeline where you’ll appreciate the full extent and vastness of the Scenic Rim. Towards the end of the day you will walk the same land where, in 1828, Allan Cunningham was the first European to find and explore this region. Cunningham’s discovery greatly reduced the distance between Moreton Bay Colony and the newly-discovered Darling Downs. As you complete the descent of Mt Cordeaux, vehicles* will be waiting for you at the end of the trail ready to transfer you to Spicers Hidden Peaks Cabins which sits in the shadows of Mt Greville. Dinner at Hidden Peaks is one to celebrate the achievements and fellowship of the past 5 days. After dinner, your rustic cabin with ensuite, crisp linen, fluffy pillows and fireplace awaits for a well earned slumber. Your final night stay in Spicers Hidden Peak Cabins located on the private land with incredible views of the Great Dividing Range. After dinner, take a seat around the sandstone fire pit, share memories on the last few days and look up to the starry Scenic Rim night sky before retreating back to your cabin. |
Spicers Hidden Peak CabinsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Enjoy your last breakfast. The team will collect your bags and transfer you back to the starting point to pick up your vehicle. Then you can self drive to your next destination. We can arrange Brisbane return transfers at an additional cost. PLAN B: SCENIC HELI: Finish the walk in style and enjoy a bird's-eye view of the ranges. You will trace the trail from the sky back to Spicers Hidden Vale. The heli special departure is $4,299 pp, twin share. Another amazing way to finish your Scenic Rim Trail experience is to enjoy a luxury retreat at Spicers Peak Lodge. Please contact us to arrange. Additional charge applies. Here we say a fond farewell as you depart with life long memories and a renewed love of nature. |
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Dates & Prices
Price is per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement $1,500pp. Please contact us for private group departures.
More Info
- The meeting point is Spicer Hidden Vale
- The fishing point is Spicer Hidden Vale
- Spicer Hidden Vale is one hour from Brisbane by car. You can self drive to the meeting point. We can arrange Brisbane return transfers at an additional cost. Please contact us for the quote
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Brisbane.
Day 1: Arrived in Spicer Hidden Vale
Day 2: Approx. 10 km, 4 - 5 hours
Day 3: Approx. 18 km, 8 hours
Day 4: Approx. 16 km, 8 hours
Day 5: Approx. 16 km, 7 hours
Day 6: Return to Brisbane
The climate of Queensland is subtropical humid climate with two seasons, a rainy and humid season in summer (October to May) and a relatively dry season between June and October.
The Average maximum temperature in Brisbane is between 29°C in January and 20°C in July.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment (and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel if this is required).
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Amendment & Cancellation Policies
- Cancel outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less deposit
- Cancel within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- Any date changes made to a Scenic Rim Trail booking prior to 61 days before a departure date will not incur any amendment fees. Should you wish to make changes to your reservation between 60 and 31 days prior to your scheduled departure, there’s a $500 per person fee, along with any rate difference for your new Scenic Rim Trail adventure.
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: All cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 8 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
