how hard are our guided trips?
group guided trips offer choices
We operate these trips with two guides, giving you a huge advantage. This allows us to offer challenging hikes as well as walks at a more relaxed pace. You can mix and match your choice of walks from day to day.
Each trip offers something for fit, adventurous people looking for a challenge. And each trip also offers something for the relatively inexperienced, or those who prefer to walk at a slower pace or dislike feeling pressured to keep up with faster walkers.
No experience or special skills are required, just a love of the outdoors and a sense of adventure.
private guided trips
Your private guide will ensure that the walking distances and difficulty suits your needs.
see our fact sheets
More detailed information can be found on the Fact Sheet associated with each trip. They include information on walking distances, walking times and the walking terrain. The link to each Fact Sheet can be found at the top right of each trip page.
specific area information
See below for information about the grading of different guided trips.
australia’s south west
The walking around the Pemberton area includes long distances on easy to moderate terrain. The coastal sections of the Bibbulmun Track are moderate, including some short climbs and some short sections of sandy beach. There are options for shortening the walks .At the Porongorups we’ll offer a challenging walk for those with a good head for heights, as well as a moderate option at a slower pace. In the Stirling Ranges, the climb to Bluff Knoll is a long way up but the track is well graded. It’s an out-and-back walk so there’s no need to go the whole way. In the afternoon we’ll offer a choice of a challenging peak or a very easy wildflower walk.
blue mountains
The Blue Mountains feature a lot of steps and short sections of ladders. There are some sections of track that are along cliff edges but there are fences and handrails so unless you really suffer from vertigo you should be fine. Because of the nature of the spectacular but often steep terrain, walk distances are generally shorter than on other trips.
cape to cape track
This is a well known long distance walking track from Cape Leeuwin to Cape Naturaliste. There are no real hills as such but it can be quite a tiring walk due to some soft sandy sections and short climbs on and off sand dunes. The cliff top tracks are delightful, especially in spring when the wildflowers are blooming. You can usually opt out part of the way along each day.
carnarvon gorge
This trip also includes the Bunya Mountains and Cania Gorge, offering three totally different areas. The rainforest tracks in the Bunya Mountains are easy. At Cania Gorge the walking varies from easy to moderate; on one day there’s a choice of a full day walk or a half day with a free afternoon to go canoeing or fishing on the lake. At Carnarvon Gorge the terrain is quite varied. The walk up the main gorge is very easy. There are many optional side canyons and Aboriginal art sites along the way and these are all of a moderate grade. Our final walk is a choice of a challenging ascent or an easier ascent. This trip is a good choice for first timers as the easy options are easy.
flinders island
This is a great choice for people who like walking along wild coastlines with some rock scrambling and some sections of beach; mostly this would be of a moderate grade. There are also inland walks including a short but challenging climb to the highest peak – for those wanting an easier option, going part of the way still provides wonderful views. Another inland walk is moderately undulating with a final optional challenging ascent of Mt Pillinger, known locally as the “Eiger of Flinders Island”.
flinders ranges
The walking in the southern section of the park is generally of a moderate grade. On the full day hike we’ll offer a harder loop walk that includes a short section of rock scrambling in a canyon. The easier option is quite easy. Further north, the walking is mostly moderate again, with early pull out options available or choices of easier and harder walking. There are two challenging peaks that we’ll offer to good walkers and one of these requires a good head for heights. On those two days, easier options will be offered. In summary, quite a lot of choices.
gold coast hinterland walk
This is a long distance walking track linking the Lamington and Springbrook National Parks. The tracks on the Lamington side are all easy, even when they climb and descend, because they are beautifully graded. The long hike from O’Reillys to Binna Burra is a long way but it’s very easy walking. From there you need to descend into the Numinbah Valley and about 2 hours of this is quite steep. The following day it’s up the other side to Springbrook Plateau. The walking on the plateau is moderate. So in summary, starts out easy and gradually builds up to harder walking.
grampians
This area is very rocky. Some walks require you to walk across sections of rocky slabs or climb rocky steps. Many places have ladders and hand rails to assist. It’s a fabulous walk for those who like to reach high vantage points and enjoy a bit of rock scrambling on the way. The Grampians also has some delightfully easy valley walks. So all in all, we’d rate it moderate with options for those who do want to challenge themselves.
great alpine walk
This is in Victoria’s high country and includes everything from very easy to moderately challenging. The walking at the Falls Creek end is mostly easy, much of it following paths alongside aqueducts. The hike across to Mt Hotham is more challenging as there’s a steep descent into the Cobungra Valley and the consequent climb out. However, that’s only part of the day and the rest is easy, pleasant walking. There’s an optional moderate ascent of Mt Tabletop on the following day, en route between Hotham and Dinner Plain. Next is a challenging hike along the Razorback to Mt Feathertop, which is moderate, followed by a long but well graded descent into Harrietville.
great ocean walk
This is a long distance track between Apollo Bay and the 12 Apostles. We aim to complete the entire track but have pull out options along the way each day. There are not many hills on this trip but on some days the walking can be tiring as there are many short ups and downs. Even though it’s a coastal walk, there are only a few quite short sections of sandy beach. We’d grade this walk as mostly moderate.
great south west walk
Another long distance track, this one is a 250km circuit. On this trip we focus on the main highlights, so we don’t cover the whole track. Each day we offer early pull out options along the way. The distances are quite long but the walking is delightfully easy. In fact, you could say that over 90% of it is flat, so it’s great for those who like to tick off the miles on easy terrain. A great option for first timers too.
great southern touring route
This is a privately guided trip so the guide can adjust the walking difficulty to suit your needs, experience and fitness levels. The Great Ocean Road walks area generally easy and the terrain is a bit more challenging in the Grampians. This trip includes a fair bit of sightseeing as well as walking and is a great option for first time walkers.
kangaroo island
This island offers great walking as well as stunning sightseeing, wildlife viewing, limestone caves and historic lighthouses so we have combined them into this wonderful holiday. Some walks are on easy coastal tracks and others in bushland. Generally the walking is quite easy with one challenging off track coastal hike on offer, naturally with an easier option as well. This is a great trip for first timers as well as those who’d like to do a bit more than just walking.
lord howe island
Set your watch to island time, leave the mobile phone at home and you’ll love this place. Most of the tracks are fairly rough underfoot due to exposed tree roots and rocks so the distances covered are not very long. And you’ll need lots of time for all of the photos! There are a couple of challenging options offered as well, including the difficult ascent of Mt Gower (note that this will only be offered to fit, agile people). Easier options will be available too. So, if you’re in for a challenge this is the trip for you. And if you’re into a tropical paradise with time to relax and soak it up, this is also the trip for you!
red centre
The walk around Uluru is flat and easy. At the Olgas you can choose a moderate circuit walk or a shorter, easier out-and-back walk. The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is moderately challenging, with fitter walkers being offered an option of hiking into the Garden of Eden as well. The West Macdonnells is a more remote region where there are fewer people and the tracks are not as well maintained. Walking there varies from moderate to quite hard, with choices available. In general, most Central Australian tracks are rocky so you’ll need sturdy footwear. This trip is best suited to those who enjoy moderate walking with some challenging options along the way.
roof of australia
This region includes the highest mountains in Australia but most people are surprised to learn that the walking is not very hard. It’s definitely the easier of our two alpine walks. The walking starts quite high in the mountains and, whilst there are some ups and downs, they are fairly easy. There is an optional steep descent into Thredbo Alpine Village, or else you can ride down the chairlift. You’ll get to climb the highest mountain in Australia, Mt Koscuiszko, so that’s a big tick item! This is a good choice for your first alpine trip.
sydney’s tracks bays & beaches
On this trip you’ll have your own guide, who can customise the walking to suit your fitness and interests. Sydney is lucky to be surrounded by so many excellent national parks; the locals are spoiled by so many choices. Most of the tracks vary from easy to moderate so there’s something for everyone.
tasmanian coastal hiker
This is the easiest of our Tasmanian trips. The walking in the Bay of Fires area is easy, and the sandy beaches are usually firm underfoot. At Freycinet we’ll offer the choice of a challenging ascent of Mt Amos or an easier option of the classic Wineglass Bay circuit. Both walks take all day and get you to Wineglass Bay. On the Tasman Peninsula half the walks are easy and for the rest you’ll also have a choice of challenging hikes or easier ones. So pretty much something for everyone here.
tasmanian wilderness hiker
This trip includes alpine areas and, because of the rules laid down by the national park authorities, we cannot split the group up. This means that we must all walk together as a group and we cannot offer choices of walks. If you’re a good walker and are in reasonable shape you should be fine. Mt Field offers moderate walking with a couple of short steep uphill sections. The hike in the Lake Pedder area is moderately challenging. Cradle Mountain offers more choices ranging from moderate to quiute challenging.
top end
The walking in Kakadu National Park ranges from easy to moderate with one optional challenging walk. In Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) the walking becomes a bit more challenging with many of the tracks being rough and rocky. As always, easier options will be available. At Mataranka the walking is easy. At Litchfield there are a range of walking options from moderate to challenging. On this trip we have tried to schedule the hardest walking sections for the mornings and allow some time each afternoon for swimming, relaxing and just enjoying this special part of Australia.
tropical hiker
The rainforest walking in the Daintree and Mission Beach is easy and includes boardwalk, firm sandy beaches and foot tracks. The opportunity to stretch out comes on the Atherton Tablelands and Dunk Island – the harder options here will be more challenging, although we will offer easier options as well. The climb up the Bump Track is a highlight as well as some challenging river crossings in the Wooroonooran National Park. Overall, for those preferring easier walks, this is probably one of our easiest walking holidays.
