Overseas Walks: New luxury walking holiday in Blue Mountains

Great Walks of Australia, the collective brand that markets Australia as a key guided walking destination, is proud to announce the addition of a new walk for NSW, the Blue Mountains Grand Traverse by Auswalk.

This brings the number of walks in the program to 12, with 10 of those showcased in the new Signature Collection. Located in one of Australia’s many unique and spectacular walking destinations, this walk is the 2nd in the collection for NSW, having recently adding the Seven Peaks Walk by Pinetrees on Lord Howe Island in April 2017.

The Blue Mountains walk offers a fully supported opportunity to explore this important natural environment, only 90 minutes from Sydney, which features stunning cliffs, canyons rainforests and waterfalls. It is located in a UNESCO World Heritage listed area, as are the Great Walks products on Lord Howe and on Maria Island, Tasmania.

“This walk is an exciting addition to the collective given its proximity to Sydney, the important history of the area including walking tracks that are in some cases more than 100 years old, plus the demand we have from various international markets for a luxury guided walk in this area. It should be a popular addition,” said Gina Woodward, Executive Officer of the collection.

The Blue Mountains Grand Traverse is a new 3 day/2 night walking experience including transport to and from Sydney. It’s a luxury version of Auswalk’s already popular Blue Mountains Traverse walking holiday. Walkers are ‘lodge

Opposite page above: The impressive Blue Mountains with the “Three Sisters” to the left. Below left: An inviting waterfall. Below right top; What a view at dinner time. Below right bottom: A night view of the Echoes property. Above right: Walking on a well formed track. based’ at the elegant Echoes property and each day walk in areas that take in the key highlights of this spectacular region.

This five star boutique hotel, with private rooms and ensuites, offers a pampered end to each hiking day with walkers enjoying fine dining and uninterrupted views of the majestic Jamison Valley.

Walk days take in the Grand Canyon, Ruined Castle and Valley of the Waters, as well as famous viewpoints such as those of Govetts Leap, the Three Sisters, Wentworth and Katoomba Falls.

Auswalk owner, Brett Neagle, said “We’re extremely excited about this walk as it’s a natural evolution for Auswalk to work with Great Walks. We have been offering this walking holiday, and other superb walking itineraries across Australia for the past 20 years. Our expertise is now going to be shared across Great Walks of Australia and we look forward to welcoming guests on this personalised experience with our fully accredited expert guides.”

www.auswalk.com.au

Fact file

Blue Mountains Grand Traverse by Auswalk

Accessed from: Sydney (pickups from airport or city hotels)

Accommodation: lodge based walk staying at Echoes,

Operating season: year round except Christmas, Easter and NSW School Holidays

Departures: departs on Mondays at 8am from Sydney each week Duration: 3 days/2nights Distance: approx.38 – 48kmGrade: moderate

Group size: 16 guests maximum Price: from $1595pp (twin share) – single supplement additional $335 per person Optional extras: spa treatments, including massage, at Lilianfels Inclusions: local guides, two nights accommodation, two dinners/breakfasts, three lunches, return transport ex Sydney, walker notes and map/books, luggage tags, insulated lunch bag plus container. Does not include alcoholic beverages. Guests may utilise the swimming pools, tennis courts and gym at Lilianfels (included)

Day 1 - Transfer from Sydney. Grand Canyon Walk. Distance: 12 – 16km, approx. 4- 6hrs walking time including some steep, uneven terrain and some river crossings on boulders

Day 2 - Ruined Castle walk. Distance: 16 – 17.5km approx. 5 – 6.5hrs walking time, mostly easy walking except for crossing an old landslide (moderate)

Day 3 - Valley of the Waters/ National Pass Walk. Transfer to Sydney. Distance: 10-15km

Walking time approx. 3- 4 hrs (reasonably easy and well graded for 50% of walk, the rest involves steep ups and downs including stairs and ladders)