about auswalk

auswalk's directors 
monica & phil coleman

Auswalk started business in 1994. It's a small family business, owned and operated by Monica and Phil Coleman (pictured below). It's based in the spectacular Grampians Ranges. As Australians, we know that we live in a lucky country. Where else could you find excellent walking in such a wide variety of environments including tropical rainforests, the remote outback, alpine regions, isolated coastlines, idyllic islands and rugged mountain ranges?

We specialise in small groups, personal service and high quality itineraries that showcase Australia's best natural and cultural assets.

Presented with a Tourism Award

our philosophy

why walk with auswalk?

accommodation & dining

different types of walking holidays

for your peace of mind

personal profiles of directors

The view from the Auswalk office in the Grampians

our philosophy

We are both passionate about walking and delight in offering walking holidays to destinations we personally love. We believe that the best way to really experience an area is to pass through it on foot. Unlike the view obtained through the windows of a bus, a traveller on foot moves at a leisurely pace. There is time to smell the flowers, watch a native bird as it darts amongst the colourful wildflowers, stop and chat with local characters and marvel at nature's majestic landscapes. We have carefully chosen locations for our journeys on foot to feature the best National Parks and reserves in the country.

Our walking routes are not simply the shortest distance between two points. They take you to secluded, unspoiled places not bustling with tourists; always beautiful, sometimes remote, usually peaceful, often wild. Walking returns you to nature. There's nothing quite like a day's walking in the clean, fresh air to relax the body and mind and to get fine conversations going. We believe it is the best, and often the only way to experience some of these wonderful environments.

At Auswalk we are committed to providing quality holidays that are excellent value for money, whether the price is high or low. Each trip has been thoroughly researched to ensure that high standards are met and maintained. Our program of regular review and our response to client feedback ensures that you will have a unique, enjoyable and highly memorable walking holiday.

Leave the logistics of your holiday to us. We'll organise all the accommodation, meals, transport etc. in advance, saving you time and ensuring that you'll experience the best an area has to offer. We know the best places to stay and which ones to avoid. We know the best walking routes and how to help you discover more of an area than you could on your own. Most importantly, we triple-check your travel arrangements so you can relax in the knowledge that your holiday will be hassle-free.

Walking - the best way to experience an area

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why walk with auswalk

We are both passionate about walking - walking has been a part of our professional lives for several decades. We offer walking holidays to destinations that we personally love.

Each meticulously planned itinerary has been thoroughly researched to ensure that our high standards are met.

We know the best places to stay and which ones to avoid.

We know the best walking routes and how to help you discover more of an area than you could on your own.

We organise all the logistics of your holiday, saving you time and ensuring that you experience the best each area has to offer.

Auswalk guides are highly experienced professionals - and they are fun people to spend your holiday with.

We pay attention to even the smallest of details to make sure your trip runs smoothly.

We have a program of regular review so you can be assured that walking notes and other details are as accurate as possible.

We respond to feedback and immediately investigate any complaints.

We never compromise on quality in order to sell on price.

We are committed to ecologically responsible, low impact tourism that benefits the local communities we are travelling through..

Auswalk is an “Accredited Tourism Business” with a T-QUAL tick - we have established
standards of excellence in ethical conduct and business practices including safety procedures, business and risk management, environmental practices and consumer protection.

Auswalk has achieved Advanced Ecotourism Certification.

If you'd like to read what our customers say about us, please see our Testimonials section.

Quality accommodation is a feature on all Auswalk trips

accommodation & dining

On Auswalk trips you'll enjoy comfortable accommodations at the end of a day's hiking. Some of our properties are in towns, some in villages and some in the bush. With such a wide range of walking holidays and locations, our accommodation and facilities will vary, adding interest to your trip. Ensuite bathrooms are the norm.

Quality meals are another important component of our tours. Our meals range from gourmet 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.

Visit our "Stay in Comfort" page for more information and images.

Superb coastal hiking on the Tasman Peninsula in Tasmania

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different types of walking holidays

INN-to-INN walking holidays

INN-to-INN walking holidays are similar to European "hotel treks" or "pub to pub" trips. You walk from place to place along a linear or circular route staying in comfortable accommodation along the way. You only need to carry a light day pack each day as the rest of your luggage will be moved for you by vehicle whilst you are out walking. These holidays can all be done self-guided, using our easy-to-follow walk notes and marked maps. Some can also be done with a guide.

group guided walking holidays

Group guided walks combine Australia's major icons with a walking focus. On these guided holidays we will explore each new area on foot. There will be no large groups and no large coaches! And with two guides to look after each group, we can offer easier and harder walk options along the way.

private groups & customised trips

We can customise something to suit your particular needs. Private group sizes of one to 100 can be catered for.

Standing on the highest point in Australia

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for your peace of mind

Auswalk Pty Ltd:

• Is owned and operated by Phil & Monica Coleman
• Is a registered company
• Has achieved Advanced Ecotourism Certification
• Has $10 million public liability insurance
• Has been operating since 1994
• Has won several awards for excellence in tourism

Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake - picture postcard perfect!
 

personal profiles of directors

Monica Coleman has had over 30 years involvement in the outdoors industry. This includes establishing, managing and guiding for Auswalk, teaching Physical Education and Outdoor Education, organising the largest trade show for the snow and outdoors industry in the southern hemisphere, guiding and instructing in the fields of bushwalking, cross country skiing, rock climbing and abseiling and teaching Tour Guiding at a teritary level. She has a Diploma of Teaching, post graduate qualifications in Outdoor Education and Environmental Science, Bushwalking and Mountaincraft Leadership Certificate, Ski Touring Leadership Certificate, Senior First Aid Certificate and bus licence. She has travelled extensively throughout Europe, Britain, Asia, North America, the Pacific and Australia. Her hobbies include cross country skiing, walking, cooking and travelling. Recently she's been working hard establishing a large permaculture garden.

Phil Coleman has also had over 30 years involvement in the outdoors and travel industry. He studied engineering before establishing two outdoors equipment shops. His next venture was establishing a specialist adventure retail travel agency in Melbourne, through which he became a representative for many adventure products around the world. He also operated weekend adventure holidays in the areas of skiing, rock climbing, mountain biking, hang gliding and abseiling. He was also involved in establishing Auswalk and has been guiding Auswalk clients for the past ten years. He has a Ski Touring Leadership Certificate, Rock Climbing Instructor Certificate, Senior First Aid Certificate and bus licence. He has travelled extensively in most areas of the world. His hobbies include cross country skiing, walking, travelling and gardening.

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Auswalk Pty Ltd | 4 Red Gum Lease Track | Halls Gap Victoria 3381 | Australia
Phone +61 (0)3 5356 4971 | Fax +61 (0)3 5356 4970 | Local time - |