It’s not often that travellers can combine exhilarating scenery and invigorating exercise with gourmet dining and luxurious accommodation, while keeping sustainability a priority.
But a program of walks in one of Australia’s most pristine wilderness areas delivers on those goals.
Spicers Retreats has just released its Scenic Rim Trail – 2022 Summer Walks Program, with an opportunity to celebrate a very special New Year’s Eve.
Walkers will beat the summer heat in high altitudes and under the immense rainforest canopy on guided hiking as they also enjoy three nights’ accommodation.
Each night of the epic walk will be spent in a different eco camp placed in perfect sympathy with its natural surroundings.
From the hidden treehouse-style cabins of Spicers Amphitheatre to the architectural touches of Timber Getters and the luxurious haven of Spicers Canopy, the accommodation will be an unforgettable highlight of the adventure.
Walkers have time to savour the gourmet dining, cradle a hot drink at dawn watching the sun rise, or sip a cool drink on the deck after a satisfying day’s hiking.
In the evenings, participants can come together in the communal lodges for conversation reliving the hike highlights and hearty dining, or indulge in a quiet, peaceful moment of solitude in a private cabin.
The entire experience is elevated by the signature Spicers personal service that attends to even the smallest of details.
Spicers Retreats is famed for its unforgettable dining experiences, and it’s no different on the Scenic Rim Trail.
With a carefully crafted menu that’s designed to inspire, inspirit and energise, the food is as much of a journey as the trail walked.
From breakfasts offering a great start to the day, to on-the-go lunches, from afternoon platters to rewarding evening dinners that celebrate the day’s achievements, every meal is a showcase of the high quality, refinement and creativity expected of a five-star experience.
As Spicers Retreats founder Jude Turner once said, “Born out of desire to showcase the best of the Australian bush with sustainability at the forefront and relaxed luxury as a defining difference, it has been the Spicers vision to share this landscape with the world.”
In the late 1990s, Jude and husband and Flight Centre founder Graham ‘Skroo’ Turner purchased two large farming properties one hour’s drive apart, with the Main Range National Park residing in between.
It has long been Jude’s dream to join the two, and so the idea of the Scenic Rim Trail was born.
The trail first opened in 2009 with a three-day walk based out of Spicers Canopy Luxury Tents: a stunning eco glamping campsite that is now home to the two-day walk.
In 2011, the Queensland Government released a public request for ecotourism ventures.
Spicers submitted a proposal for an extended Scenic Rim Trail that would connect the two farms creating a seven-day walk with two state-of-the-art eco camps to be built within the Main Range National Park.
The submission was approved and after many years of planning, ecological studies and offsite construction, the extended trail opened in June 2020.
As one of the largest ecotourism ventures ever to open in Queensland, the extended Scenic Rim Trail is poised to become a global sensation.
The trail covers 60 kilometres of walking trails and is Queensland’s only inclusion in the Great Walks of Australia collection.
Travellers can choose their preferred length, with the five and seven-day walks both encompassing the new trail and accommodation, and the two and three-day walks continuing to depart from Spicers Canopy Luxury Tents.
Pack-free walking means luggage is transferred daily with guests only carrying a daypack.
As an all-inclusive experience guests can relax knowing that everything is taken care of.
Spicers Scenic Rim Trail Package
Small groups with a maximum of 12 undertake the walks.
Departure dates for the summer walks are December 12, 13, 19 and 29 (the December 29 walk includes New Year’s Eve), January 9, 16, 23 and 24, February 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27 and 28 and March 1.
Included are:
- three nights’ accommodation on the trail, staying at unique eco-camps.
- 2.5 days of guided hiking with experienced trail guides.
- all meals and select beverages (non-alcoholic and alcoholic).
- all safety equipment carried by the guides.
- luggage transferred daily from camp to camp.
Price is $3297pp twin share. Solo bookings are available.
For reservations, call 13 77 42. For more information, head to the website.
