Please make your own way to Spicers Hidden Vale this afternoon. Check in is from 2:00pm. You will need to meet your guide and group at reception at 2:30pm. To gain a full understanding behind the Scenic Rim Trail and founder Jude Turner’s passion for land, conservation and nature a visit to the Scenic Rim would not be complete without a visit to the Hidden Vale Wildlife Research Centre. Your guide will walk the group to the centre, sharing history about Old Hidden Vale Station and the Retreat along the way. The walk is about 15-20 minutes. At the Wildlife Centre you’ll get to see the interpretation room and you will learn about the past, present and future of the conservation work being undertaken by the Turner Family Foundation. Once back at the retreat you have some leisure time before a group dinner in Homage restaurant at 6pm. Your breakfast and coffee order will be taken at dinner ready for the next morning.

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THe day starts with breakfast at 7:00am. After the group has assembled at 7:45am we’ll board our purpose built 4WD to be transferred through our private nature reserve to the Scenic Rim Trailhead. The drive takes around 40 minutes. Over the next five hours, we’ll slowly ascend through our private Nature Refuge. Magnificent views and wildlife spotting are on the agenda today with sightings of the endangered brush tailed rock wallaby a possibility. The rock ladder is a highlight of the day, with a harness and helmet your guides will lead you through this exciting experience. If you have a grave fear of heights a walk around track is available. As we climb higher through the western part of the Scenic Rim you will learn about the history and ecology of the region. Mount Mistake is part of the ‘Main Range,’ a collection of over 40 mountain peaks, which are the remnants of a volcano that was active some 24 million years ago. The panoramic views open up as we head towards the ridgeline. The trail weaves through open eucalypt forests. Your mind will start to clear as you breathe in the fresh mountain air and the bird calls will become louder as your ears tune into the sounds of the bush. As we make our way along the ridgeline we enter a unique ecosystem, which protects an endangered species of rock wallaby. We’ll stop for morning tea on top of a rocky outcrop with views as far as the eye can see. Your guide will prepare you a cup of tea while you rest and take in your surroundings before we continue on. Throughout the trail, you’ll notice the beautiful xanthorrhoea grass trees with their green spiky bloom and charcoal trunk that feels like dragon scales. Grass trees are long-lived and slow growing with a lifespan of up to 250 years. You’ll come across trees that are up to 4m tall and hundreds of years old. As you stand below and peer up you’ll feel a sense of wonder. The trail today is suitable for experienced hikers. The trails will be long, rough and very steep. Some rock scrambling is required. Your first day of walking is rewarded with the most incredible views along the range. You’ll walk along the ridgeline with plenty of time to pause and take it in. We’ll take the opportunity to have lunch while enjoying the views over the Little Liverpool Ranges and the fresh breezes that rise from the valley below. As we come out of the forest and into the farmland the ground rolls gently towards the Spicers Mount Mistake Farmhouse. With some free time in the afternoon, you might want to relax and enjoy the amazing views, while others might want to take a self-guided stroll to the local waterfall. Each of the six bedrooms has its own private ensuite and after a hot shower we’ll settle in for the evening around the stone fireplace. A hearty dinner will be served on our communal table as we share stories of the day that’s been. Walking distance: 12km Walking time: 7-8 hours

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Today we pass over from Spicers land into the Main Range National Park. As you venture forward, starting with a meandering climb, you will feel the forest folding in around you. The area we are exploring is of national significance following the 1994 declaration by the World Heritage Committee. Some 14 years ago Gondwana rainforests including most of the Main Range National Park was decreed a World Heritage Area. You will learn about the fascinating ecology of the rainforest and surrounding ecosystems along your journey. There is also a curious history to the region having been extensively logged in the 1900’s. Walking through living history makes you truly appreciate those who fought for national park protection in the region. The path we take is, in fact, an old logging trail and you will see remnants of the past & learn of its history as you traverse the landscape. On today's walk there will be some short steep hills and steps, with the final hour of the day spent on a unformed track, likely to be very rough, steep and unmarked. The last section may have short steep hills and many steps. Today will likely be a day of reflection as you enjoy the chatter with your fellow walkers, learn from your guide and take solace in the quiet stretches. Your mind will clear as it focuses on what’s in front of you rather than the future or the past. In the final stretch of your day we emerge from the forest and onto the ‘winder trail’ you can see the old iron winder that was once used by timber getters to winch the logs along. We turn off the open cut trail and through our final stretch of forest before arriving at Amphitheatre Eco Cabins. As you walk into camp you’ll see a sense of awe with the light coloured wooden treehouse like cabins set above the forest floor. The eco-cabins have been built to the highest sustainability standards and you’ll enjoy a tour of the camp after you’ve had a hot shower, rested and before congregating in the common pavilion for a hearty dinner & well-earned beverage. You are assured of a good night’s rest in your private cabin with signature Spicers beds, separate room for sorting your gear and a daybed that can be used as a single bed should you prefer. Each cabin has a private balcony with an incredible louvre window that opens up to the views of the valley below and the mountain behind. The camp got its name from its amphitheatre setting, an open circular space with a central space for the cabins. After dinner, you’ll retire to your cabin. As you wind down and drift off you’ll hear birds calling and possibly the throaty ‘ok-ok-ok-ok’ call of the endangered Fleay’s barred frog. Walking distance: 18km Walking time: 8 hours

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Setting out after breakfast, today explores a number of ecosystems venturing deep into the national park. We start the day with a relatively flat warm up as we make our way up the access road enjoying the sounds of the rainforest birds as we go. This initial track can sometimes get muddy so we may have to skirt our way around some puddles as we make our way past. The lookout vantage points early in the day offer a spectacular view of Mount Castle. As we descend into the valley we become enveloped by rainforest and this natural cover will provide cool temperatures throughout the day. We descend down some rocky boulder sections that will require us to crouch down and go slowly. The pace is slower as we take care with our footing navigating the tree roots and rocky sections. We will take plenty of stops so you can look up and marvel at the rainforest around you. All creek crossings are dry as we use rocks to navigate our way across and keep our boots dry! The ecosystems of today’s journey are particularly noticeable starting in a wooded forest with beautiful walkways fringed by boulders & contrasting bright green foliage. Enjoy stepping back in time and absorb the forest around you. Large stands of red cedar, white beech and hoop pine once stood proudly in these forests. Search the forest for the subtle reminders of the harvesting that took place here between 1840 and 1985. As we journey deeper we enter an unharvested section of the park and the trees get thicker and taller, don’t forget to look up. In the towering trees above you’ll see giant staghorn air plants, these beautiful plants grow without soil and will grow just about anywhere so long as they receive filtered light & are protected from winds. Keep an eye out for Albert’s lyrebird, the endangered eastern bristlebird and the vulnerable black-breasted button-quail. We’ll take lunch at ‘the cathedral’ a zone of giant Crow’s Ash trees (Australian Teak) hundreds of years old. The circumference of some of these beauties is astounding. As you rest quietly it feels as though you are sitting among a village of elders. As we take our final descent the path crisscrosses the ridge and we take leave of the rainforest and traverse through an ancient eucalypt forest. As the canopy opens you may encounter kookaburras, pale-headed rosellas or if you are lucky a wedge-tailed eagle. Reaching the valley floor we arrive at the source of Dalrymple creek with mountain spring water flowing & a cool green pool to swim in during the warmer months. We’ll rest a while and you can refill your water bottle from the waterfall. From here it is a gentle ascent into Timber Getters Eco Cabins. Morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea are enjoyed on the trail, arriving into camp in the afternoon. Walking distance: 16km Walking time: 8 hours

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After a restful sleep in your private cabin, we’ll enjoy breakfast before starting the day with a heartwarming climb up the fire trail past an old pine plantation, then crossing a rocky saddle and re-entering the rainforest with magnificent tree ferns and the sounds of Albert’s lyrebirds before ending with a brief scramble to a rocky outcrop. From here the spectacular views over the northern section of the park are a just reward. Much of the day will be on an open ridgeline where you’ll appreciate the full extent and vastness of the Scenic Rim. We come across some huge rainforest trees with buttresses six feet tall. Once again the pace is slower as we all take care with our footing navigating the tree roots and rocky sections. As we emerge from deep in the rainforest we climb up and over Bare Rock offering 360 degree views on a clear day. The climb is not an easy one, but the views from the top are definitely worth it. From here we join the public trails and will often pass fellow walkers not many of whom will ever venture where you have just been. In the final section of the trail the modern world comes into earshot as we hear trucks carrying goods from the coast to the west. With your final steps taking you to Cunningham’s Gap the bus will be waiting to greet you and transport you to our final destination, Spicers Hidden Peaks Cabins, which sits in the shadows of Mt Greville. Join us for a very special dinner, where we celebrate our achievements and fellowship of the past 5 days. After dinner your rustic cabin, with ensuite, crisp linen, fluffy pillows and fireplace awaits. Walking distance: 16km Walking time: 7-8 hours

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This morning starts with a vehicle transfer to resume the trail. Today is a 12km walk that takes you over the range and into Spicers Canopy. Enjoy beautiful views of the mountains as you traverse the range. The first half of the day includes a 480m ascent offering great views of the escarpment to the north. The trails walked today have some rough and steep sections. Depending on weather and trail conditions we have a selection of alternative routes that may be walked on this day. The distance and difficulty is the roughly the same for all options. We arrive at Spicers Canopy for afternoon tea. After 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. Walking distance: 12km Walking time: 5-6 hours

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If the weather is clear we highly recommend getting up early and watching the sun rise over the mountains. Following the morning program we will walk out of camp at 8am for our final morning of hike, exploring private land, beautiful creeks and possibly spotting a koala if you are lucky. You will return to camp in the late morning, with time to change (and shower if you would like) before driving to Spicers Peak Lodge for lunch at approximately 1pm. Spend the afternoon exploring Spicers Peak Lodge at your leisure or opt for one of our guided experiences. If relaxation after six days of hiking is what you’re after, book your moment of serenity at Spa Anise and indulge in one of our luxurious treatments. In the evening, enjoy a drink or two beside the fire pit followed by an indulgent dinner at The Peak restaurant. Your group will be booked to dine together however if you prefer to have some time to yourself, please don’t hesitate to advise the team at Spicers Peak Lodge on arrival to arrange a different sitting time. Walking distance: 8km Walking time: 3-4 hours

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Enjoy a another delightful breakfast and a morning at leisure before the helicopter arrives at 10:30am. There is one helicopter that will take you in groups so if you are on a second or third rotation you can enjoy a little more time at Spicers Peak Lodge. Your luggage will travel with you. The pilot will trace the hiking trail from the sky allowing you to see the vast beauty of the entire Main Range giving you a further sense of what you have achieved on your journey. For safety reasons, the size of the group and overall weight needs to be accounted for in determining the number of heli trips required. If you have arranged private vehicle transfers, you will be collected from Spicers Hidden Vale. If you are flying out from Brisbane, please book an afternoon flight of 2pm or later.

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