Walk Queensland’s Scenic Rim

• Orientation Meeting: 9:30am
• Travel: Drive to Tamborine National Park
• Activities Included: Palm Grove Circuit, Curtis Falls Track
• Hiking Distance: 2MI / 3.8KM (Total)

Say hello to Australia’s Scenic Rim right near the famous Gold Coast. You journey with Intrepid begins with an orientation meeting at 9:30am with your guide and the your fellow travelers. Then load up and drive to Tamborine National Park, the oldest national park in Queensland which is the habitat for various species of flora and fauna. You’ll go on two short hikes today; the first being Curtis Falls track beginning in a grove of eucalyptus that gradually thins and turns into lush rainforest dotted with huge ferns. Then move on to Palm Grove circuit and travel through a subtropical rainforest with strangler figs and piccabeen palm trees just above your head and unique and colorful fungi just beneath your feet. Later on in the evening, maybe head out with your group for dinner to get to know one another better; your leader will have plenty of recommendations for good restaurants.

Please be sure to attend and be on time to the orientation meeting this morning at the Vibe Hotel Gold Coast as you will need to provide insurance and emergency contact information at this time. The two trails today are rated as moderate, but the general trend from groups in the past is that they are easier than they are rated. Your group leader will use today’s hike to gage the group’s fitness level and experience for more strenuous hikes later in the trip. 

• Travel: Drive to Mount Cordeaux
• Activities Included: Mount Cordeaux Track, Rainforest Circuit
• Meals Included: Lunch
• Hiking Distance: 5.2MI / 8.4KM

Begin today by driving toward Mount Cordeaux with a stop along the way for you to purchase breakfast and grab a picnic lunch for later in the day. Overlooking the Scenic Rim, Mount Cordeaux makes up the northern edge of Cunninghams Gap. Your group will trek up the mountain, passing an old gold mine shaft where gold was never found. Just before the summit where the trek ends, you’ll be rewarded for your efforts with spectacular views of Main Range National Park, the Darling Downs, and on a clear day, the skyline of downtown Brisbane. On your way down the mountain, veer off into the Rainforest Circuit where you’ll journey through dense vegetation as your guide gives your group information about the various plants and animals that live here. One last climb today to an overlook with views of Lake Moogerah and the Fassifern Valley before taking the drive to Bunjurgen Estate Vineyard located in the center of the Scenic Rim. You can either chose to go wine tasting here and get a taste of the famous Shiraz or just sit back and enjoy the scenery. 

• Travel: Drive to Mt. Mitchell 
• Activities Included: Mount Mitchell Track
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch 
• Hiking Distance: 6.3MI / 10.2KM

Today gives you a chance to summit Mount Mitchell and see remarkable views from the peak of this volcano that lies in the Main Range National Park, south of Cunninghams Gap. Eat hardy at your included breakfast this morning before taking the drive to the trailhead. Some of today’s climb is rather steep and rugged, but every step will be worth it once you reach the summit. You’ll journey through dense rainforest, mountain heathland, and light woodland on this trek and don’t forget to keep your eye out for wildlife, especially the peregrine falcons that often soar through the skies above the slopes. From the top, enjoy sweeping vistas of Mount Barney, the Main Range, and Moogerah Peak before descending back down the mountain toward the car. You’ll also pay a visit today to Lake Moogerah which translates to “Place of Thunder” and is still home first Australians, the indigenous Ugarapul people. The lake gives a much different perspective on the mountains surrounding it such as Mount Greville/Moogerah, but the views are no less spectacular. 

After our hike, we’ll check into tonight’s very special lodging. We’ll be staying at a wonderful homestead converted from a classic early 20th century farmhouse. Here we’ll take advantage of a veranda with breathtaking mountain views. Later in the day, you might decide to walk up to a viewpoint, where the sun setting over Mount Barney (possibly accentuated by a glass of wine, olives and cheese) offers a perfect cap to the day!

• Travel: Drive to Mount Barney 
• Activities Included: Yellow Pinch Lookout Walk, Yarriba Explore Ancient Beginnings Tour, Lower Portals Hike
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Hiking Distance: 4.5MI / 7.4KM

Begin today with a traditional smoking ceremony led by a First Nations guide and a cultural walk to Yellow Pinch Lookout. This local guide will tell of aboriginal traditions and culture in this special place. Then visit Mount Barney and set out on the Lower Portals track on an undulating and occasionally rugged trail. The group will travel through open bushland, still rock pools, and brightly running creeks. You may have to wade in water up to thigh deep in some places, so be prepared to get wet. There are many animals that call this area home so keep your eyes peeled for wallabies or black cockatoos. This evening, your accommodation is a eco-friendly homestead that is a converted 1900s ‘Queenslander’ farmhouse. The verandas have stunning mountain views and you’ll get the option to hike on the property as you watch the sunset over Mt. Barney at a high overlook. Enjoy a glass of local wine here, or perhaps snack on the local staples of olives and cheese. Head down to a pub this evening for dinner if you’d like to enjoy cuisine traditional to this region on your last night here. 

If the weather is nice, your group will have time for swimming during the Mt. Barney trek. This trek is rather rugged and has some steep sections. You may need to wade through thigh-high water at two creek crossings. The group will not summit Mt. Barney as this requires rock climbing skills and this activity is not permitted for tour groups. Additionally, no individual group members are allowed to summit as an optional activity. 

• Travel: Drive to Lamington National Park 
• Included Activities: Binna Burra Walk
• Meals Included: Breakfast
• Hiking Distance: 0.7MI / 1.2KM

Enjoy your final breakfast in Australia this morning before heading out to Lamington National Park. Yes, this is named after the same guy as your favorite coconut cake and it’s every bit as appealing. This is a World Heritage Site and is home to ancient forests, cascading waterfalls, and diverse wildlife. The best way to see this park is on foot, and that is what you’ll do this morning. Take a short walk in the park to discover its unique wonders, and then talk to your guide about what other options there are for trails here. In the afternoon, load up and head back to the Gold Coast where your tour ends upon arrival, usually around 5pm.