Adventure Meets Luxury: APT’s Walking Tours in Australia and New Zealand

APT have expanded their Australia and New Zealand tour collections to include a new travel style for guests seeking a blend of active adventure and luxury. APT’s walking tours take travellers into the heart of incredible natural landscapes and stay in boutique lodges and eco cabins along the way on iconic tracks.

These explorations are led by an APT Walking Leader and accompanied by local walking guides. Guests will travel to trailheads in a comfortable vehicle and will only have to carry day packs on the treks, with luggage transferred to your accommodation each day to await your arrival.

With a maximum of just 10 to 20 guests (depending on your chosen itinerary) you can enjoy an intimate journey and truly connect with your fellow travellers and your surrounds. These small group walking tours also adhere to APT’s Safe Travel Protocols so you can travel with peace of mind.

If a walking holiday is on your list, why not explore some of Australia and New Zealand's pristine landscapes on one of these new luxury small group walking trips.

Queensland’s Scenic Rim & Sunshine Coast

This nine day walking holiday has it all, from the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest of Main Range National Park to Noosa’s coastal tracks. Set off along the Scenic Rim Trail and marvel at the spectacular panoramas, the local flora, and the resident wildlife. Stop for a gourmet picnic lunch during your ascent of Mount Mistake, meander through ancient eucalyptus forests, and take in sweeping views from Mount Cordeaux.

At the end of each day you’ll be met by elegant accommodation that blends seamlessly into your surrounds. Stays include a beautifully restored farmhouse and a series of Spicers Retreats including exclusive eco cabins and a luxury lodge. Enjoy locally inspired gourmet dining with dinner cooked on the outdoor coal-fired kitchen at Spicers Hidden Vale and dinner and drinks in the pavilion at Spicers Amphitheatre and Spicers Hidden Peaks. At Spicers Peak Lodge you’ll be treated to a delicious dining experience at The Peak restaurant, boasting a Chef's Hat for using the best Australian produce to create exceptional modern cuisine.

Travel north to Noosa where picture perfect beaches, the coastal national park, and alluring waterways beckon. Nestled in the heart of Hastings Street, The Sebel is the perfect base from which to explore the surrounds at your own pace. Alternatively, opt to join a 4WD tour of Rainbow Beach or step aboard a 1950s mahogany speedboat to cruise Noosa’s waterways. The perfect way to enjoy paradise!

NZ’s Queen Charlotte Track & Marlborough Sounds

Spend 10 days enveloped by the scenery and flavours of New Zealand. Start your journey with a scenic ride on the Coastal Pacific railway from Christchurch to Picton, before continuing under your own steam along the Queen Charlotte Track.

Enjoy a four day trek through the Marlborough Sounds region winding your way through beech and fern forests, past native bushland, and along pristine coastlines. Take in 360° views from the Motuara Island lookout and marvel at Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds from the ridgeline above. Boasting a thriving viticulture and tantalising local produce, you can refuel along the way with memorable dining experiences. Stop for picnic lunches accompanied by spellbinding views, and delight in gourmet dinners accompanied by local wines.

Upon the conclusion of your walk, you’ll be transferred to Blenheim where you’ll enjoy a lunch of local produce and wine tasting before cruising across the Cook Strait to the windy city of Wellington. Here you can explore on foot or by bike, working up an appetite for your farewell dinner to celebrate your New Zealand walking holiday with your newfound friends.

Tasmania’s Bay of Fires, Lake St Clair & Hobart

The Bay of Fires is known for its white sand beaches, bright lichen-covered boulders, and clear blue water. This beautiful spot on Tasmania’s East Coast is the perfect place for a stroll and a picnic while you soak up the stunning scenery. Travellers can also explore Ansons River by kayak with their eyes peeled for the local birdlife and wander the dunes of Abbotsbury Peninsula.

More natural wonders await inland in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park where you’ll enjoy a walk through the forest surrounding Lake St Clair and take a scenic cruise atop its waters. Swap natural scenery for the city where you can learn about Hobart’s convict past and admire the renowned exhibitions of MONA (Museum of Old and New Art).

Special accommodation selections complement the activities on this itinerary. Stays include two nights at the Bay of Fires Lodge complete with a spa and outdoor hot tubs and a long table dinner showcasing local produce and wine. Guests will also be treated to a chef-prepared dinner in the grand dining room of the Quamby Estate luxury country house, a two night stay at the eco-friendly Lake St Clair Lodge enveloped by the sounds of nature, and two nights at the acclaimed Henry Jones Art Hotel in Hobart.

Hungry for more? This nine day itinerary can be extended by three days to add Bruny Island to the journey where guests can indulge their palate further. Highlights include an oyster farm visit and a mouth-watering dinner serving up locally caught seafood. Take to the trails to enjoy views of the rugged coastlines and hike through bushland on the lookout for native wildlife. In the evening, find relaxation and rejuvenation in your off-the-grid glamping accommodation. A worthy addition to your Tasmania walking holiday!