Spicers Hidden Vale
Space to relax. Space to listen, to laugh, to embark on an adventure amongst the abundant wildlife. Experience the uniquely revitalising ... Read more
Immerse yourself in a gastronomic discovery of Brisbane’s most revered restaurants and wineries, before embarking on an unforgettable Scenic Rim hiking adventure with expert guides. You’ll venture off the beaten track, hearing fascinating stories of the landscape and its unique evolution, as you explore the Great Dividing Range and World Heritage-listed Gondwana National Park. Be inspired as you traverse vast uninhabited terrain, sub-tropical wilderness, volcanic plateaus, spectacular vistas and ancient rainforests. Spend each evening in sustainably built and luxury Spicers Retreats, enjoying delicious group feasts around open fires with new friends.
Journey Highlights
Note: The walking component of this journey is a scheduled, shared group activity.
On arrival into Brisbane, make your way to trendy New Farm where you’ll stay at the award-winning boutique Spicers Balfour Hotel. Relax and indulge in art deco inspired spaces at this beautifully converted Queenslander retreat, expertly designed with warm architecture, sweeping spaces and true charm.
Tonight’s options abound. Perhaps dine in the multi-award-winning Balfour Kitchen, and taste their masterful Vietnamese cuisine, before finishing with a night cap at the rooftop bar surrounded by stunning views of the city.
Spicers Balfour Hotel
Today you’ll savour a full-day private tour of local and boutique Scenic Rim Wineries, where you’ll meet some of the most congenial and warm vintners in Australia. From Paradine Estate, to Normanby Wines and on to Kooroomba Vineyards and Lavender Farm, dissect and savour a huge range of varieties – with ample cheese, fruit and nuts to soften the palate. With stunning views over the Scenic Rim, take in the vast and beautiful terrain you’ll soon be hiking. Then settle in for a night of “Balfour” luxury, creating leisure as you please.
Spicers Balfour Hotel | L
This morning, enjoy a transfer to meet your fellow guides and walkers for your first full day of hiking.
Your guides use the natural rock escarpments to safely lead the way, through an ecosystem of dry sclerophyll forest with stunning views across the valleys. Take a magnificent 600 m ascent up Mount Mistake and hold your breath as you are harnessed up to the 16 m rock ‘ladder’ near the mountain top.
Arrive at Spicers Mt Mistake to your transferred luggage, a cool drink, and a great sense of achievement. Your cosy cabins this evening combine the style and comfort of a luxury retreat with the warmest of country welcomes.
Enjoy a delicious dinner with your hiking family, before retiring to your mountain-top retreat, or relaxing by the fire for some lively conversation.
Total walking distance: 12 km.
Spicers Mt Mistake | LD
If you’ve retired early, a dawn awakening to catch the magnificent sun rise over the mountain range is well recommended.
Today’s terrain is rough, unmarked and stunning, as you enter the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest. Learn about the earth’s evolutionary history from your guides who impart expert knowledge of the ancient supercontinent that broke up 180 million years ago. Be dwarfed by the temporary nature of the wilderness as you get lost in stories of the earth’s constant state of flux, while learning about the forests many threatened species of plants and animals.
The final stretch of the day will see you emerge from the forest into the luxury Spicers Amphitheatre Eco Cabins. Enjoy a drink at sunset, and a delicious feast, before slumber in your very own treehouse cabin.
Total walking distance: 18 km.
Spicers Amphitheatre Eco Cabins | BLD
This morning, you may like to prepare the body with some light yoga on your private balcony – each cabin comes with a mat – before breakfast.
Today’s hike begins with a relatively flat trail back into the national park swathed by fabulous wildlife and bird song. Much of today’s walk is on unmarked trails. Traverse wooded forests fringed by boulders, admiring ancient red cedar, white beech and hoop pine.
This afternoon features lots of bouldering, as you crouch down and enjoy a slower more deliberate pace, navigating ancient tree roots and rocky bluffs, before a climb up to Spicers Timber Getters Eco Cabins.
Tonight, enjoy a chef-prepared dinner in the beautiful dining room, before returning to your cabin among the Xanthorrhoea trees.
Total walking distance: 16 km.
Spicers Timber Getters Eco Cabins | BLD
Today’s hike begins with a heart-warming climb up the fire trail past the old pine plantation, before returning deep into the rainforest over rarely ventured and often precarious forest floors.
Much of the day’s onward journey will explore an open ridgeline where you’ll be spellbound by the vast beauty of the Scenic Rim. You’ll emerge to a scramble over Bare Rock, which offers staggering 360-degree views over the Main Range National Park.
Finish with a descent down Mt Cordeaux, before arriving into Spicers Hidden Peaks Cabins, at the base of Mt Greville.
Here, you’ll indulge in a private mountain oasis for the night, with incredible views of the Great Dividing Range.
Total walking distance: 16 km.
Spicers Hidden Peaks Cabins | BLD
Today you’ll journey over the mountain range and into Spicers Canopy, with a 480 m ascent offering great views of the escarpment to the north.
Be prepared for some rough and steep sections, with a selection of alternative routes depending on weather and trail conditions. You’ll arrive at Spicers Canopy for afternoon tea and a well-earned shower.
Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing in your glamping-style tent or enjoy a soak in the outdoor hot tub, a beautiful spot for sunset.
A delicious dinner tonight is followed by some fireside chit chat or a marvel at the stars if the night is clear.
Total walking distance: 12 km.
Spicers Canopy Eco Camp | BLD
This morning offers a stunning sunrise over the mountains if you’re willing to wake at dawn. You may opt to relax at camp and be transferred to Spicers Peak Lodge or set out on your final day of hiking.
Today’s trail is a lively descent into Oakey Creek, an undulating valley with fascinating indigenous history and a rocky creek that flows into the Logan River.
The final hike is incredibly rewarding as you ascend Spicers Peak and onto Cedar Mountain, a rigorous climb, before traversing the plateau and arriving at Spicers Peak Lodge.
This evening affords an incredible sense of achievement. Now it’s time to relax and rejuvenate as tomorrow is spent entirely at your leisure.
Total walking distance: 15km.
Spicers Peak Lodge | BLD
Today is at your leisure for a much-earned day of rejuvenation.
Perhaps book a treatment at the Anise Day Spa, or if you’re after more adventure book an exhilarating 4WD tour of the surrounding region.
The poolside spa is also a great place to enjoy a bottle of bubbles and watch the sunset.
Lunch and dinner will be held in the lodge – you can choose to dine as a group or on your own.
Spicers Peak Lodge | BLD
After a delightful breakfast and morning at leisure, enjoy a spectacular helicopter flight over the immense terrain you’ve traversed on foot, to Spicers Hidden Vale, before your transfer back to Brisbane.
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Contact one of our Journey Designers to start planning your itinerary.
Space to relax. Space to listen, to laugh, to embark on an adventure amongst the abundant wildlife. Experience the uniquely revitalising ... Read more
Relax in the heights of luxury at this beautiful mountain lodge located just a two hour drive away from Brisbane. A member of Luxury Lodg... Read more
As this suggested itinerary can be personalised to your specific requirements, it is not available for online booking.
Depending on your preferred dates and arrangements, final pricing will vary from low season to peak season travel.
Please call A&K on 1300 851 800, send us a booking enquiry to book this journey or contact your travel agent.
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