Key Features
Take in epic mountain sunrises & sunsets.
Visit 10+ historic alpine huts.
Enjoy a quiet wilderness walking experience.
Discover famous Australian snow gums & alpine wildflowers.
Explore Namadgi & Kosciuszko National Park.
Highlights & Itinerary
- Summit the tallest mountains in Australia; Mt Kosciuszko (2228m), Mt Townsend (2209m), Mt Twynam (2196m) and Rams Head (2190m).
- Walk past Australia's highest alpine lakes including Lake Cootapatamba, Club Lake, Blue Lake, and Lake Albina.
- Summit Mt Jagungal (2061m), the northermost 2000m peak in Australia.
- Explore the karst landscape and gorges of Blue Waterholes.
- Summit Mt Bimberi (1913m), the highest peak in the ACT.
The Day Before: Preparation Session
We meet the afternoon before our hike to distribute gear and perform a final equipment check. This ‘shakedown’ ensures your safety and comfort, while giving you the chance to learn systems refined over 40,000km of hiking. We use this time to fine-tune your setup, ensuring a smooth start to Day 1 and the best possible outcome for your trip.
Note: If you prefer to use your own hiking gear, please bring it along. We are required to inspect all equipment to ensure it meets our safety standards.
Day 1: Namadgi Visitor Centre to Bushfold Flats Hut, 8.5km (+572m, -198m)
We’ll meet at 7am in Canberra before taking the short drive to Namadgi Visitor Centre, the northern terminus of the Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT). Beginning our trek through the heart of the park, we’ll climb toward Mt Tennent saddle along a rugged, rocky single-track.
For those looking to bag the first peak of the trip, you’ll have the option to take a short detour to the summit of Mt Tennent (1383m). As you climb, you’ll pass native cypress pines and sweet bursaria before enjoying panoramic views across the ACT from the top.
Descending into the serene Bushfold Flats, you’ll have a fantastic opportunity to spot native birdlife, vibrant wildflowers, and wallabies as we trek through sections of dry eucalypt forest. We’ll finish our day at Bushfold Flats Hut, also known as Dr Pearsons or Reads Hut. Originally built in 1965 and recently restored, it’s a perfect spot to set up camp for the first night and relax in the peaceful, grassy valley.
Popular side trips:
- Mt Tennent, 4.8km return (+284m, -282m)
Meals provided: Lunch, dinner & snacks
Day 2: Bushfold Flats Hut to Orroral Valley, 17.2km (+574m, -639m)
Leaving the quiet of Bushfold Flats, we’ll follow a winding single-track as we make our way toward Honeysuckle Campground. Along the route, you’ll have the option to detour to Booroomba Rocks, an iconic geological feature boasting Canberra’s largest granite cliffs. From the summit, you’ll take in sweeping views of the Brindabella Range, in an area frequently visited by rock climbers for its challenging slabs and cracks.
Later in the day, we’ll meet our resupply vehicle at Honeysuckle Campground. This historic site is famously known for the space tracking station that relayed the first moon walk in 1969.
Afterward, we’ll follow the fire trail as we descend into Orroral Valley. This wide sub-alpine frost hollow is home to one of the highest-density populations of Eastern Grey Kangaroos in Australia. We’ll spend the night camping under the stars in this expansive, open grassy valley.
Popular side trips:
- Booroomba Rocks, 2.5km return (+185m, -185m)
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
Day 3: Orroral Valley to Cotter Flat, 15.7km (+600m, -487m)
Following a blend of fire trails and single-track out of Orroral Valley, we’ll pass vibrant banksias and silver wattle as we ascend steadily toward Cotter Gap. Here, the landscape shifts dramatically, featuring scattered granite tors and snow grass plains.
You’ll then enter the pristine Cotter Catchment, an area fiercely protected for over a century as the primary source of Canberra’s drinking water. We’ll finish the day with a descent to Cotter Flat to set up camp for the night.
Note: In adherence to camping regulations, we’ll ensure our campsite is at least 500 meters from Cotter Hut and 100 meters from Cotter River.
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
Day 4: Cotter Flat to Oldfields Hut, 11.2km (+651m, -325m)
Leaving Cotter Flat, we’ll pass Cotter Hut, a 1960s structure built by Don Greenwood that still serves as a remote base for rangers patrolling the sensitive catchment. Following fire roads, we’ll steadily climb toward Murrays Gap, crossing both Bimberi and Little Bimberi Creeks. As we near the pass, the landscape transitions into fragile high-country sphagnum bogs, a crucial habitat for the endangered northern corroboree frog and the broad-toothed rat.
At the gap, you’ll have the chance to leave your pack behind to summit Mt Bimberi (1913m), the highest peak in the ACT. Following a faint footpad to the top, we’ll straddle the ACT-NSW border, navigating twisted snow gums and ancient granite boulders. From the summit, you’ll enjoy sweeping views across both states and the satisfaction of standing atop the nation’s capital. On clear days, Telstra Tower is visible over 50km away.
After descending, we’ll cross into New South Wales and make our way down to the historic Oldfields Hut. Built in 1925 for the Oldfield grazing family, this iconic site is where we’ll spend the night.
Popular side trips:
- Mt Bimberi, 6km return (+396m, -396m)
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
Day 5: Oldfields Hut to Bill Jones Hut, 16.7km (+389m, -472m)
Leaving Oldfields Hut, we’ll make our way across expansive, open terrain to reach Blue Waterholes, where we’ll meet our resupply vehicle. This stunning karst landscape is defined by dramatic limestone gorges, intricate caves, and subterranean spring-fed waters, famous for their vibrant blue mineral hues. Here, you’ll have the option to explore the Clarke Gorge Walking Track. The track ends at Cooleman Falls, where a brief scramble rewards you with a wonderfully refreshing swim hole!
After lunch, we’ll walk along the Nichols Gorge Walking Track, following the dry riverbed past natural caves, where the river runs hidden underground.
Leaving the gorge, we’ll head off-track and traverse the sub-alpine terrain to Bill Jones Hut, a historic grazing shelter built in 1952. This is where we’ll finish our day and set up camp.
Popular side trips:
- Cooleman Falls, 4.2km return (+130m, -130m)
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
Day 6: Bill Jones Hut to Millers Hut, 18.0km (+427m, -331m)
Leaving Bill Jones Hut, we’ll continue along fire roads through expansive open plains. Along the way, you’ll have the option to detour to Old Currango Homestead. Originally constructed in 1873 by Tom O’Rourke, this is the oldest remaining building in Kosciuszko National Park, offering a fascinating window into the pioneering lives of 19th-century graziers.
The open, undulating terrain allows for steady progress as we make our way toward Millers Hut, where we’ll camp for the night. Tucked away and built from salvaged materials by Theo and Bill Miller in the 1940s, this shelter is a favorite for its peaceful, secluded setting.
Popular side trips:
- Old Currango Homestead, 3.6km return (+31m, -31m)
- Hainsworth Hut, 550m return (+8m, -8m)
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
Day 7: Millers Hut to Witzes Hut, 16.5km (+401m, -383m)
Transitioning off the trail, our day begins with a 7km off-track section through rolling, grassy tussock fields. For those who are interested, this is a great opportunity to practice your navigational skills as we traverse the remote high plains. The off-track walking concludes as we ford the upper reaches of the Murrumbidgee River, the third-longest river in Australia and a major tributary of the Murray-Darling Basin.
Continuing along open fire roads, we’ll cross Tantangara Creek before following Bullock Hill Trail across the vast Tantangara Plain. We’ll finish our day at Witzes Hut, built in 1952. Crafted by Clarrie Butler using timber from an 1880s homestead, it offers a beautifully rustic and historic backdrop for our evening camp.
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
Day 8: Witzes Hut to Four Mile Hut, 20.4km (+584m, -492m)
Leaving Witzes Hut, we’ll continue along Nungar Creek Trail across gently rolling terrain. After crossing the Eucumbene River, we’ll make our way toward Kiandra. This historic town was the site of a massive 1859 gold rush and is famously recognised as the birthplace of Australian skiing. Here, we’ll meet our support vehicle for a resupply.
Leaving Kiandra, we’ll cross our second and final sealed road of the trip before following Tabletop Mountain Trail. Here, we’ll pass remnants of the 1860s gold rush that hint at the area’s rich industrial past. As we climb past Selwyn Snow Resort, you’ll enter the heart of Australia’s high country, taking in sweeping views of rolling mountains scattered with twisted snow gums.
Detouring off the AAWT, we’ll finish our day and set up camp at Four Mile Hut. Originally built in 1937 by a gold panner, it was destroyed in the 2020 bushfires but meticulously rebuilt in 2024 to replicate every unique historical detail.
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
Day 9: Four Mile Hut to Happys Hut, 14.8km (+441m, -401m)
Leaving the recently rebuilt Four Mile Hut, we’ll continue along grassy, open fire roads, taking in extensive views of the surrounding Snowy Mountains. You’ll have the opportunity to detour off-track and summit Tabletop Mountain, a prominent volcanic plug capped that sits 150m above the surrounding landscape. Scattered with iconic snow gums, this elevated vantage point provides distant views of our final destination: the Main Range.
Continuing past Tabletop Mountain, we’ll follow fire roads for a few kilometres before venturing off-track toward Happys Hut. Similar to Four Mile Hut, Happys was destroyed in the 2019/2020 bushfires and was meticulously rebuilt in 2024. We’ll set up camp here for the night in this resilient corner of the high country.
Popular side trips:
- Tabletop Mountain, 1.3km return (+124m, -91m)
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
Day 10: Happys Hut to Mackays Hut, 16.8km (+424m, -381m)
Leaving Happys Hut, we’ll make our way off-track toward another recently rebuilt shelter: Brooks Hut. Originally constructed in 1943 for grazing, it was rebuilt in 2024 after being destroyed by the bushfires. From here, we’ll follow the Brooks Hut Trail until we rejoin the Australian Alps Walking Track at Grey Mare Trail.
Following Grey Mare Trail through open grasslands, you’ll enter the remote Jagungal Wilderness. This vast area is largely free of modern infrastructure like roads or repeater stations, offering a true sense of isolation. Characterissed by rolling, grassy terrain, the wilderness provides far-reaching views of the Snowy Mountains. In spring, you’ll see the landscape littered with vibrant alpine wildflowers, providing a brilliant pop of colour against the green tussock grasses.
We’ll spend the rest of the day traveling along open tracks as we head toward Mackays Hut. Built in 1944 by Norm and Sam Mackey for grazing, this historic site is where we’ll camp for the night.
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
Day 11: Mackays Hut to Derschkos Hut, 16.7km (+567m, -517m)
Leaving Mackays Hut, today we’ll continue along Grey Mare Trail. Passing Doubtful Creek and Bogong Creek, we’ll make our way toward O’Keefes Hut, built in 1934 to support local grazing and famous for its historic, newspaper-lined walls.
After O’Keefes Hut, you’ll have the opportunity to drop your pack and summit Mt Jagungal (2061m). This ancient basalt peak stands as the northernmost 2000m mountain in Australia and serves as the source for the Tumut, Tooma, and Geehi rivers. As a prominent landmark in the region, Mt Jagungal provides you with sweeping 360-degree views across Jagungal Wilderness and toward the Main Range.
Descending from the mountain, we’ll follow the open fire road toward Derschkos Hut, where we’ll spend the night. This hut was constructed in the 1960’s by the Snowy Mountains Authority as an emergency shelter for hydrologists.
Popular side trips:
- Mt Jagungal, 5.2km return (+409m, -409m)
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
Day 12: Derschkos Hut to Valentine Hut, 16.6km (+539m, -473m)
We’ll begin our day with some easy walking along Grey Mare Trail through undulating alpine grassland. You’ll have the option to take a short detour to visit Grey Mare Hut, originally built in 1934 for mining. Next to the hut, you can see the remnants of abandoned mining machinery and discover the famous interior murals drawn in the 1950s.
Leaving the hut, we’ll return to the Australian Alps Walking Track and continue along the Valentine Trail. The well-formed track allows for quick progress as we make our way toward Valentine Hut. Built in 1955 as a base for Snowy Mountains Authority hydrologists, this hut is painted bright red and is one of the most picturesque in the region.
For those interested, you can take a short side trip to the head of Valentine Falls. As the tallest waterfall in Kosciuszko National Park, it features an impressive total drop of 120m and offers a spectacular vantage point across the valley.
Popular side trips:
- Grey Mare Hut, 900m return (+52m, -52m)
- Valentine Falls, 2km return (+85m, -85m)
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
Day 13: Valentine Hut to Whites River Hut, 9.8km (+297m, -269m)
Today we’ll make our way from Valentine Hut toward Schlink Hut, a large shelter built in 1960 for powerline maintenance workers and famously nicknamed the “Schlink Hilton.” We’ll then continue along the fire road to Whites River Hut.
Built in 1934 as a stockmen’s shelter before becoming a popular winter base for early ski tourers, this hut is nestled at the base of the spectacular Rolling Grounds. Whites River Hut provides the perfect place for you to have a rest day before our final two days traversing the Main Range. After lunch, your guides will walk to the support vehicle to collect our resupply for the final leg of the trip.
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
Day 14: Whites River Hut to Pounds Creek Flat, 13.5km (+694m, -450m)
Setting out from Whites River Hut, we’ll begin with a gradual climb up to the Rolling Grounds. Today is the perfect opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the pristine alpine environment of Australia’s highest peaks.
Characterised by wide, expansive terrain, the area is scattered with ancient granite boulders and seasonal meadows of alpine wildflowers like billy buttons and silver snow daisies. We’ll follow a faint footpad through open, grassy terrain, navigating alpine tussock and weaving around moss-covered boulders. As we walk, you’ll take in extensive views across the Snowy Mountains.
We’ll conclude our day at Pounds Creek Flat. This is a sheltered, isolated camping spot at the base of Mt Twynam, Australia’s third tallest peak. This spot is one of our favourites for its vibrant sunrises.
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
Day 15: Pounds Creek Flat to Wilkinsons Creek, 10.6km (+405m, -442m)
After taking in the sunrise, we’ll leave Pounds Creek Flat and climb onto the Main Range. Our first peak of the day is Mt Twynam (2196m), the third-tallest mountain in Australia. Further along the trail, you’ll have the opportunity to leave your pack behind for a side trip to Blue Lake Lookout. As the most famous glacial lake on the Main Range, this spectacular 28-metre-deep body of water is one of only four true glacial lakes on mainland Australia, carved out by ice tens of thousands of years ago.
Continuing along the Main Range Track, we’ll pass two more glacial lakes, Club Lake and Albina Lake, as we follow the well-formed track toward Muellers Pass. At this point, you’ll have the option to take one final detour to summit Mt Townsend (2209m), the second-tallest mountain in Australia. This peak offers you fantastic views of the Main Range and Mt Kosciuszko without the crowds.
We’ll finish our day by descending to Wilkinsons Creek, a sheltered campsite that offers spectacular sunsets across the Victorian mountains on clear nights.
Popular side trips:
- Blue Lake lookout, 2.5km return (+96m, -96m)
- Mt Townsend, 5km return (+243m, -243m)
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
Day 16: Wilkinsons Creek to Dead Horse Gap, 14.6km (+638m, -970m)
Our final day begins with sunrise from Australia’s highest mountain range. After packing up, we’ll take a short 3km walk to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko (2228m), named in 1840 by Polish explorer Paul Edmund de Strzelecki. Arriving early, we’ll avoid the crowds and savor the views from the rooftop of Australia.
Descending from the summit, we’ll pass Lake Cootapatamba, the highest altitude lake on the mainland, before leaving the marked trail to explore the Rams Head Range. This off-track route is one of our favourite sections, weaving through granite tors that serve as shelters for millions of migrating Bogong moths.
This final immersive high-country experience offers you the chance to climb three additional prominent peaks. From Rams Head South, we’ll descend a narrow trail lined with twisted snow gums to Dead Horse Gap.
Here, we’ll hop on the bus to grab some hot food in Jindabyne before the final drive back to Canberra.
Popular side trips:
- Mt Kosciuszko, 2.0km return (+64m, -64m)
Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch & snacks
Note: The listed itinerary is a guide. Due to many circumstances including those beyond our control (e.g. weather, park closures etc.), the route may need to be altered and/or side trips not offered.
Weather
Below is the average temperature for this region, where the shaded area highlights the range expected 80% of the time.
Inclusions
- World-class ultralight hiking gear & clothing (total pack weight ~10kg).
- All meals, snacks, and hot drinks (excludes breakfast on day 1 and dinner on the final day).
- Two world-class guides.
- Return transport from/to Canberra.
- Support vehicle access every 3-5 days for food resupply and personal drop bag.
- Extensive preparation package, including a detailed packing list document and video.
- Small group size of max 10 people with 2 guides (5:1 guest-to-guide ratio).
Gear & Clothing
Every trip includes access to our signature Ultralight Comfort System™. We equip you with premium, state-of-the-art gear and clothing – just bring your shoes and the clothes on your back!
This kit is what we personally use on our own trips. Valued at $4,500, this setup is expertly curated to be exceptionally lightweight without compromising on comfort, warmth or safety.
The weight breakdown:
- Gear: 4kg
- Clothing: 1.2kg
This brings your pack weight to 5.2kg (without food, water or consumables).
Food
We provide all meals, snacks and hot drinks, excluding breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last day. Breakfast and dinners are hot meals, cooked and enjoyed whilst relaxing at camp. Lunches and snacks will be eaten during breaks throughout the day.
We work with a local freeze-drying company in Canberra to bring you delicious and nutritious meals in the backcountry. Freeze-drying is preferable to dehydrating food because of the improved taste, texture and nutrient preservation.
All of the meals we prepare are designed as part of our nutrition program to ensure you are well nourished and maintain high energy levels for the duration of the trip.
We cater for nearly all dietary requirements. This includes vegetarian, vegan, lactose free, gluten free (including coeliac) and general allergies. If you are unsure whether we will be able to cater for your needs, please contact us and we will chat about your options!
What Makes Us Different
We provide the most supportive and all-inclusive multi-day hiking trips in Australia. We are industry leaders by providing the best gear, world-class guides, top quality food, intimate group sizes, detailed preparation support and extensive opportunities for skill development.
The table below compares our trips to similar tent-based guided hikes.
| Our Trips | Similar Trips | |
|---|---|---|
| Provided Gear | All gear & outer layer clothing included. No additional hire fees. | Either not provided, only some items provided, or has an extra hire fee. |
| Gear Quality | Modern and lightweight. We aim to keep your pack under 10kg for nearly the entire trip. | Usually outdated, heavy gear with pack weight sometimes over 20kg. |
| Guides | 2 full-time, world-class guides, always walking with the group. | Sometimes one guide. If there are two guides, one is often driving the bus or not walking with the group. |
| Provided Food | All food provided, including snacks and hot drinks. | Not always provided or comes at an additional expense. |
| Food Quality | We always make our own meals. We use freeze-dried ingredients for increased taste, texture, and nutrition. | Often dehydrated meals from a packet. |
| Group Size | Maximum group size of 10, with an industry-leading guide-to-guest ratio of 1:5. | Frequently 10+ group size with only one walking guide (ratio of 1:10). |
| Wilderness Immersion | Optional daily mindfulness exercises to engage with the natural environment. | Guided mindfulness sessions are rarely included. |
| Preparation Support | Detailed preparation package with clothing, training, footwear, and blister prevention suggestions. | Usually only a simple packing list. |
| Skill Development | Strong focus on education and skill development for those who are interested. | Typically less focused on skill development. |
Reviews
Browse our verified Google reviews to see what others are saying about our trips.
Trip Dates
Reserve your spot and lock in the current trip price with a $99 deposit. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like a personalised payment plan.
Note: Trip prices vary to account for our awesome guides working on weekends and public holidays!
$99 deposit and payment plans
We offer a flexible range of payment plans, allowing you to split your payment into monthly instalments at no additional cost.
Price-lock guarantee
Secure today’s price by locking in your $99 deposit. This protects your booking from future price changes, so you know exactly what you’ll pay.
$99 deposit and payment plans
We offer a flexible range of payment plans, allowing you to split your payment into monthly instalments at no additional cost.
Price-lock guarantee
Secure today’s price by locking in your $99 deposit. This protects your booking from future price changes, so you know exactly what you’ll pay.
Check out our trip calendar for a visual overview of all upcoming hikes!
Health & Insurance Requirements
Medical Clearances
Your safety is our top priority. We reserve the right to request a medical clearance from any participant if there are concerns about specific health conditions or fitness levels.
Insurance Requirements
All participants are required to have adequate insurance that covers medical evacuation by air, land, or sea. Please note that Medicare does not cover ambulance services. This cover is typically in the form of ambulance cover, which is normally included in a general private health policy and can cost as little as $50 per year separately. Any evacuation deemed necessary by the guides will be the financial responsibility of the guest.
It is also recommended that you have travel insurance that covers potential losses, damages, or injuries, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.
Note that The Adventure Gene’s cancellation fees apply and cannot be waived.
FAQs
What level of fitness and experience is required for this trip?
Previous hiking and camping experience is not required. Our guides are experts and can teach you everything you need to know. Additionally, we provide you with all the information you need to prepare for the trip. However, it is essential that you have the required level of fitness and a willingness to learn.
You need the fitness required to carry a ~10kg pack for extended periods of time and for multiple days in a row. This includes walking off-trail and up and down steep terrain.
We recommend that all participants engage in regular weekly aerobic activity 3+ times per week. This could include activities such as hiking, cycling, swimming, running, or a team sport with lots of activity (e.g. soccer, AFL, rugby, basketball). Walking on flat concrete paths is not adequate preparation for this trip.
How difficult is this trip and how fast do we walk?
For a multi-day hike with camping, we rate this trip as moderate to challenging. You can see the distance and elevation details in the table below:
Trip statistics (without side trips)
| Average | Minimum | Maximum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 14.9 | 8.5 | 20.4 |
| Elevation gain (m) | 513 | 297 | 694 |
Daily walking times are generally between 4-8 hours. Due to the small group size and having two guides, we are able to cater to a wide range of walking speeds and encourage everyone to walk at their own pace. Additionally, we can tailor the difficulty of the trek by adjusting which side trips each person does.
If you are unsure whether this trip is appropriate for you, please contact us. We are more than happy to have a chat and answer any questions you have. We support all our guests in preparing for their trip.
What if I am too slow?
It’s very common to be concerned about being too slow, or the slowest in the group.
Our trips are designed to be achievable and enjoyable – not a race. There is time for plenty of photos and breaks! Additionally, with small groups and 2 guides, we are able to cater to a wide range of paces, ensuring everyone feels supported.
How much weight will I need to carry?
We estimate your pack weight will be ~10kg. The gear and clothing we provide weighs approximately 5.2kg. This leaves personal items, food and water making up the rest of the weight.
Food
All food carries are 3.5 days or less, with the exception of one 5.5 day food carry in the second half of the trip. For the shorter resupplies, this equates to ~3kg of food per person. For the longer food carry, each person will initially have to carry ~5kg of food.
Water
Whilst water is generally readily available in this region, it is highly dependent on recent rainfall. It is uncommon to carry more than 2L of water, and the longest water carry for this trip could be up to 22km.
Do you cater for dietary requirements?
We are experienced in catering for a wide range of dietary requirements, provided you let us know in advance. If we are unable to cater for your dietary needs, we will contact you and find an alternative solution.
When does the trip start and finish?
The trip starts at 7am on Day 1, the date listed on the website and in your booking confirmation email.
Expect to be dropped back here at around 6-7pm on the final day, although delays can occur and we do not recommend booking a flight for that evening.
Note: The compulsory preparation session occurs at 12PM the day before the trip starts, at Unit 3, 1 Tooth Street Mitchell. We offer a complementary shuttle service from the trip pickup location (see below) to the gear check at 11:45AM.
What is the trip pickup and drop-off location?
The trip starts and finishes at 20 Genge St, Canberra, 2601.
When and where is the preparation session?
The preparation session occurs at 12PM on Day 0, the day before the trip starts, at 3/1 Tooth St, Mitchell, ACT, 2611.
We provide a complimentary shuttle service between the trip start location (see above) and the preparation session on Day 0. The shuttle leaves for the preparation session at 11:45AM. It will return after the preparation session is complete, which normally takes around 5 hours.
Do I need accommodation before and after the trip?
You will need accommodation for the night before the trip starts as we have our gear check at 12PM the afternoon of Day 0.
Additionally, we highly recommend booking accommodation for the final night of the trip, as we cannot guarantee the time we will return to Canberra for flights.
Where should I stay in Canberra?
The trip starts and finishes at 20 Genge St, Canberra, 2601. There are many options for accommodation near here to suit a wide variety of budgets.
What should I do with my luggage?
You are welcome to leave a small carry on size bag of luggage with the support vehicle for the duration of the trip. If you have more luggage than this, we recommend that you arrange to leave it at the accommodation you are staying at the night before the trip.
Where can I leave my car if I drive to Canberra?
Depending on your accommodation plans you have two options.
1) Leave your car at your accommodation.
If you are booking accommodation, you can contact your hotel to discuss whether they would be happy for you to leave your car with them during the trip.
We have an agreement with the Canberra Rex Hotel to store your car for free for the duration of your hike, provided you stay with them before and after the trip. They will be able to keep your car across the road in their overflow carpark (outside, not undercover) whilst you are away. However, you should call them to confirm they can do this for the dates you are looking at.
2) Park near the pick up location.
If you aren’t booking accommodation or don’t want to leave your car there, you can drive to the pick up location and leave your cark in a nearby carpark.
Please see the map below for parking options and the pickup point.
What do I need to bring?
We provide all the gear and outer-layer clothing. This includes (but is not limited to) tents, sleeping bags, hiking packs, hiking poles, down jackets, down pants and fleece layers.
The only things you need to bring are your base layers and personal items:
- Long-sleeve shirt and hiking pants
- Shoes (either trail runners or hiking boots)
- Socks and underwear
- A hat and sunglasses
You can read more about our Ultralight Comfort System™ here.
Will I be cold?
All trips include access to our Ultralight Comfort System™. Designed by experts and curated from manufacturers around the world, this premium gear and clothing package is designed to keep you safe, warm, dry and happy in the mountains!
Our setup features double-walled tents, -8°C sleeping bags, and -20°C sleeping mats. We also supply fleece layers, down jackets and down pants. This keeps the vast majority of hikers warm, but we have extra layers ready if you tend to get cold easily.
Do I need to share a tent?
We have both one person and two person tents available.
Do you charge a single supplement fee?
No, we do not charge a single supplement fee.
How often will I get to talk to my family?
Telstra provides the best mobile phone coverage. Whilst not always guaranteed, we typically have service at some point every few days on the trip. Please note that the reception may not always be good enough to hold a phone conversation, however text messages will generally send with time.
Additionally, both guides will be carrying devices with inReach satellite technology to always have an open line of communication.
What kind of terrain will we be hiking on?
The AAWT offers a diverse range of terrains and track qualities. We will spend time walking along well-formed tracks, as well as navigating off trail. Hikers will experience steep ascents and descents, river crossings and trekking through uneven terrain.
Am I too old?
We don’t believe age is a good measure of ability. We have guided many people in their 60s and 70s (and 80s!) and sometimes they are the fittest in the group.
Our hikers are typically aged between 16 and 75 years old.
Are there age restrictions for this trip?
There are no age restrictions for our trips, however, participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Do I need a medical clearance to participate?
To ensure every participant can safely enjoy the trip, we may require medical clearance from a qualified health professional (e.g., GP, Exercise Physiologist, or Physiotherapist) based on factors such as pre-existing health conditions, current fitness levels, or the physical demands of the specific trip.
Do I need to carry a first aid kit?
No, our guides carry a comprehensive first aid kit that has everything we will need. However, if you have certain items that you would like to carry, feel free to bring them.
Why do I need to attend a preparation session and get my gear checked the day before the trip starts?
The entire group will meet in Canberra the afternoon before the trip starts. This ‘shakedown’ ensures your safety and comfort, while giving you the chance to learn systems refined over 40,000km of hiking. We use this time to fine-tune your setup, ensuring a smooth start to Day 1 and the best possible outcome for your trip.
Note: If you prefer to use your own hiking gear, please bring it along. We are required to inspect all equipment to ensure it meets our safety standards.
Are you licensed to run guided trips?
Yes, we are fully licensed and insured NSW EcoPass Operators.
Do I need travel insurance?
No, travel insurance is not mandatory. However, we strongly recommend having travel insurance that covers potential losses, damages, injuries, cancellation costs, and loss of luggage. Please note that The Adventure Gene’s cancellation fees apply and cannot be waived.
Cover for medical evacuation by land, air, or sea is required. Medicare does not cover ambulance services. Full details are outlined above under Health & Insurance Requirements.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you wish to cancel your booking, please note that the following cancellation fees apply:
- More than 90 days from the scheduled departure date, a fee of $350 per person will be charged with the balance payment refunded to you.
- Between 90 and 60 days prior to departure, you will be charged 50% of the full trip cost with the balance refunded to you.
- Within 60 days of departure, no refund is available.
You can read our full terms and conditions here.
I still have questions?
We know preparing for a trip brings up plenty of questions! Email or call us, and one of our senior guides will be more than happy to answer them.
We encourage you to reach out and ask questions at any time. You can contact us via email ([email protected]), social media or through our website.
