Day 1: Hidden Vale Station
The Hidden Vale Retreat is 1hr 15min from Brisbane and is the meeting point for your Scenic Rim Trail experience and the destination for your first night of the 5-day walk. Meet your fellow travellers and guide at 2pm for the welcome and introduction.
Old Hidden Vale Station is a 12,000 acre property rich in history and conservation. Following lunch your first afternoon will be spent immersing yourself in the conservation activity as you join researchers on their daily koala monitoring. Following a tour of the wildlife centre you will be transferred to your accommodation. Dinner with matched wines will be enjoyed as your guide provides you with a briefing for the journey ahead. Today is an arrival day with no walking.
Day 2: Mistake Mountain Range
Following breakfast you will be transferred to the start of the walk with your backpacks, lunch & water pre-packed. You will feel energised as you walk up the Mistake Mountain Range, learning about the geology and volcanic history as you go. Open sclerophyll forest, sweeping views & wildlife spotting are on the agenda today. The endangered Brush-Tailed Rock-Wallaby is found in this region as are birds of prey that sweep the valleys below. An add on waterfall walk is available this afternoon for those who wish to add a little extra. Afternoon tea will be enjoyed at the Farmhouse with share style dinner & fireside drinks to be enjoyed afterwards.
7km approx. 4-5 hours with 550m elevation gain, rock ladder & steep sections.
Day 3: Scenic Rim
We’ll encourage you to wake up early and watch the sunrise, the Scenic Rim has one of the best vantage points in Queensland. After breakfast we’ll be stepping across the border and into the Main Range National Park. Evidence of European history can be found along the trail as old logging equipment once discarded can be seen. You’ll see and learn how logging changed this ecosystem and spot some remaining Red Cedar and Hoop Pine. As we venture further you will have your first encounter with Gondwana Rainforest as the canopy closes in around you.
18km easy to moderate with approx. 8 hours on trail.
Day 4: Scenic Rim
Shorter in kilometres with vastly different terrain from the previous day. An exciting day spent mostly under rainforest canopy with two descents taking you down into Dalrymple Creek before a final climb into camp. The Scenic Rim is custodian to the largest area of rainforest in south east Queensland and you will get to experience it in all its glory. Many find the rainforest soothing and feel a sense of being restored. You’ll learn about the subtropical environment that surrounds you & further appreciate its significance.
8.7km moderate to difficult with some steps approx. 8hrs on trail.
Day 5: Mt Cordeaux
A variety of diverse ecosystems will be explored today as we emerge from the rainforest, through montane heath and out to the ridge line where the most incredible views await us. The volcanic history of the region is easily spotted from this vantage point as you look back along the ridge line tracing where you’ve come. The walk to Mt Cordeaux and down through the final section of rainforest slowly awakens you as you learn how Cunningham Gap and the highway that runs through it was vital for connecting inland & coastal Queensland.
13km moderate approx. 8hrs on trail.
