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Queensland Hinterland Adventure

Queensland Hinterland Adventure

From $ 2,700 AUD

Description

Make your way to the hinterland of southern Queensland, where ancient, World Heritage rainforest, tens of thousands of years of Indigenous stories and culture, and small community hospitality make for an Australian getaway full of food, beaches, walks, culture and amazing nature experiences each day. Spend your days supporting local communities, learning from Indigenous guides on river cruises and bush tucker walks, or spotting wildlife in landscapes found nowhere else, and your nights in memorable, hand-picked accommodation. This trip is definitely beautiful one day, perfect the next.

Trip Name
Queensland Hinterland Adventure
Last Updated
2021-09-28
Days
5
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Learn the stories and traditions of the First Nations people of Mooloolaba with a tidal river cruise, spotting local wildlife and enjoying a bush tucker-inspired grazing platter along the way.
  • Immerse yourself in the ancient Gondwana rainforest as you explore tracks to hidden waterfalls and experience the show of a glow-worm tour at night.
  • Discover the world’s largest stand of ancient bunya pines and, on a walk with an Indigenous ranger, learn how the First Nations people of the area used to sustain life and heal themselves by living off the land.
  • Get active and surround yourself with nature with opportunities for walks and wild animal spotting.
  • Help support local businesses and regions – some still recovering from recent bushfires – in your own backyard, and experience local community spirit and family-run hospitality.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested in the Group Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Brisbane - Lamington NP
Begin your exploration of the Queensland hinterlands with an early morning meeting in the heart of Brisbane. Meet your fellow travellers and then head south to Lamington National Park, where subtropical and temperate climates converge to create a vast rainforest full of plants, animals and bird species found nowhere else. The park, a Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, boasts endless miles of walking tracks, and what feels like a waterfall around every corner. Check into your accommodation in the heart of the park, then head out to immerse yourself in the forest as you bushwalk with your own private park ranger. Take a 2-3 hour soft hike past 500-year-old trees, huge vines and hidden waterfalls, try to spot the birdlife – like the Albert’s lyrebird – that call the park home, and see the forest from canopy height on a treetop walk. Wrap up the day with a welcome drink and free time for dinner back at your accommodation – the perfect chance to get to know your group better – then look out for glow worms on a special tour as darkness falls.
Day 2 - Mooloolaba and the Glass Mountains
Get up early for an included guided bird watching session – a one hour flora and fauna guided walk – before breakfast, or choose to enjoy a sleep in if you’re not an early riser. Then make your way from the rainforest to the sea and take in the costal sights on the way to this afternoon's memorable experience. After you arrive in Mooloolaba you’ll have the opportunity to learn from and connect with the First Nations people of the area, the Gubbi Gubbi people, on a memorable two-hour cultural cruise. Make your way through the Mooloolaba canals and experience the life of the traditional owners who have called this place home for thousands of years. There will be storytelling and cultural demonstrations from your Indigenous guide as you make your way to sites of cultural significance, places for hunting and for gatherings, and places where the stories and songs of Dreamtime started. Look out for seabirds, dolphins and turtles as you snack on bush tucker inspired by the surrounding rainforest and ocean. Later, take a scenic drive though the Glass House Mountains, a colonial name for the peaks that jut out from the landscape and that are culturally significant for the land’s traditional owners – the Jinibara and Gubbi Gubbi people. Pass lakes, waterfalls and parklands full of kangaroo mobs. Arrive in Montville for the night and enjoy some time to explore this charming town.
Day 3 - Bunya Mountains & Kingaroy
This morning make your way inland to the most westerly park of rainforest in southern Queensland, where forest-covered peaks shelter the world’s largest stand of ancient bunya pines. These trees can produce huge pinecones of up to 10 kilograms, and the nutritious seed inside are a famous part of Australian bush tucker. Make your way up steep, narrow and winding roads with amazing views to start a walk with a First Nations ranger. You're sure to hear more about the nutritional benefits of the bunya seed, rich in oils and carbohydrates, and the ‘Bunya Gatherings’, where Aboriginal groups from all over southeast Queensland came together in the shadow of the trees to reap the bunya harvest and exchange information, songs and stories. Head to Kingaroy and your accommodation for the night. Soak up the small town atmosphere, pick up some dinner, and grab a few nuts for dessert from the so-called "Peanut Capital of Australia".
Day 4 - Bunya Mountains & Kingaroy
Explore more of the memorable mountains this morning on a guided scenic walk. Discover cool mountains, rainforests and waterfalls, unique range-top grasslands, panoramic views over the valley, colourful birdlife and the famous strangler fig. Then what better thing to accompany these kind of views than a glass of wine – enjoy a tasting at a local boutique winery afterwards. Later, enjoy a farewell dinner with the group and share your favourite stories from your last few days exploring the hinterland.
Day 5 - Toowoomba - Brisbane
After breakfast this morning and some time at your leisure, make your way back to Brisbane via Toowoomba, stopping along the way for lunch a one of the cool cafes and to take one final hike up a stunning lookout at Table Top Mountain. Your escape to the hinterland of Queensland comes to an end back in Brisbane this afternoon.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
18-11-202122-11-2021AUD $ 2,700-

Accommodation

Rainforest Retreat (1 night),Motel (3 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle,Boat

Map