Australian Alps Walking Track: Hotham to Walhalla

Tackle the challenging southern third of the Australian Alps Walking Track. Navigate the dramatic Razor-Viking Wilderness, traverse the Crosscut Saw, and walk amongst the granite tors of the Baw Baw Plateau.

Overview

Widely accepted as the most physically demanding section of the entire 680km track, the southern leg of the Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) takes you through a constantly shifting landscape.  

Beginning at Mt Hotham, the journey kicks off by tackling The Twins before traversing the Barry Mountains. From there, the route plunges into the remote Razor-Viking Wilderness, renowned for its steep ridges and expansive views.  Traverse the “Crosscut Saw,” a razorback ridge that offers one of the most famous silhouettes in the Australian mountains. Leaving the jagged mountains behind, the trail winds across the sub-alpine Baw Baw Plateau – a prehistoric landscape of granite boulders and snow gums. Conclude with a descent into the historic gold mining town of Walhalla, the southern terminus of the AAWT. 

We approach this journey as a collaborative expedition. Join as a teammate, not just a passenger, playing an active role in the daily success of the trip. Our guides are there to mentor you through the challenges of the High Country, sharing the hard-won skills that make long-distance hiking safe and enjoyable. It is the perfect training ground for anyone dreaming of tackling long distance trails on their own.

Activity Level

Challenging

Intimate Group Size

10 Person

Pricing from

$7,995

Distance

235km

Duration

16 days

Approx. pack weight

10kg

Wilderness Immersion

At the core of The Adventure Gene is the belief that outside is better than inside.

Our trips are designed to get you deep into nature, away from big cities and crowded walks filled with day hikers. That’s why we only provide tent-based adventures. We want you to see the sunrise (and the sunset). To hear the birds talking after the rain passes. To feel the cool breeze come in after a day of walking. To be outside, in our natural environment.

Indeed, a 2022 meta-analysis of scientific studies found that 98% of people improved their mental health after engaging with natural outdoor environments. This aligns with our experience based on over 35,000km of hiking. However, it’s not as simple as just being in nature. Recent research shows that the biggest benefits come from connecting and engaging with the natural environment (1, 2, 3).

Current research at Macquarie University shows that as little as 20 minutes of nature engagement per week is enough to feel:

  • 50% more relaxed
  • 36% happier
  • 20% less negative
  • 7.7% more productive
  • 31% more connected to the natural environment

Of course, on this trip we are lucky to have far more than 20 minutes to engage with the incredible nature available to us.

For those who are interested, we can run daily mindfulness exercise to help you notice, engage, and connect with the surrounding natural environment.

Key Features

On our Australian Alps Walking Track: Hotham to Walhalla trip, you can:

Traverse iconic, alpine ridgelines. 

Walk beneath towering mountain ash & ancient snow gums.

Take in epic mountain sunrises & sunsets. 

Spot native High Country flora.

Explore Baw Baw & Alpine National Park.

Highlights & Itinerary

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.

Departing Canberra at 6:00 am, we’ll take a scenic 5.5 hour drive to Mt Hotham. We’ll travel along the Great Alpine Road (Australia’s highest sealed road), taking in sweeping views across the High Country. Arriving at Mt Hotham, you’ll be immediately immersed in the alpine environment, entering one of the few remaining habitats of the Mountain Pygmy-possum.

We’ll start our walk from Mt St Bernard, following the spine of the Great Dividing Range with extensive views across the valleys below. Fire trail will give way to off-track walking as we make a short and steep ascent to summit The Twins, before descending and setting up camp in the saddle. This will be the perfect introduction to the vast scale and ruggedness of the southern third of the Australian Alps Walking Track.

Meals provided: Lunch, dinner & snacks

Packing up our tents, we’ll start the day by following faint footpads along the crest of the Barry Mountains. We’ll pass the turnoff to Mt Murray as we enter a network of winding 4WD tracks. Leaving the peaks of Mt Hotham behind, this will be a day of transition, moving through shifting forests of Snow Gum and majestic Alpine Ash.

Venturing further away from civilisation, you’ll finish the day with a high camp at South Selwyn. This spot will provide wonderful sunrises and sunsets, offering a sense of isolation and peace as we look towards the Viking Wilderness.

Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks

Today will connect the Barry Mountains with the Razor-Viking Wilderness. We’ll follow undulating ridgelines, dipping into saddles and cresting knolls that reveal glimpses of the jagged peaks awaiting us in the south. The walking will be rhythmic and meditative, as you’ll be surrounded by dry sclerophyll forest and the sounds of the bush.

Our evening camp will be at Barry Saddle. This sheltered campsite is a key milestone on the track and will mark the gateway to some of the most dramatic and challenging terrain on the entire AAWT.

Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks

Today we’ll tackle The Viking! Climbing over 500m in 2.7km, this is one of the steepest climbs of the AAWT. We’ll leave early in the morning to ensure a nice and cool climb. Reaching the summit of this stone fortress, the scenery will feel prehistoric and raw, dominated by sheer cliffs and twisted snow gums. Here, we’ll also get our first glimpse of the Crosscut Saw, tomorrow’s objective.

Leaving the summit, we’ll navigate “The Chimney” as we descend further into the Razor-Viking Wilderness Zone. Passing Viking Saddle, we’ll follow overgrown single-track to Mt Despair. From here, the trail quality will improve and we’ll finish with a descent to Catherine Saddle, a pleasant and sheltered campsite nestled between towering peaks.

Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks

Leaving camp, we’ll set out to traverse the Crosscut Saw, a spectacular serrated, knife-edge ridge. We’ll start the day by summiting Mt Speculation, which will provide the best views of our efforts from the day before.

Traversing the Crosscut Saw, the world will drop away on both sides into the Terrible Hollow and the Howqua Valley. We’ll finish the day at the picturesque Macalister Springs, camped near the iconic A-frame Vallejo Gantner Hut. This will be a great place to soak our legs after a challenging two days of rugged peaks.

Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks

Leaving dramatic rock formations behind, the landscape will soften into the high plains of the King Billy area. We’ll summit Mt Howitt and Mt Magdala, enjoying range-on-range views of the endless blue ridges that characterise the Victorian Alps. The route will move from footpads to off-track navigation, traversing the high-altitude meadows and Snow Gum forests of King Billy No. 1 and No. 2.

After tackling both summits, we’ll descend to our camp near Brocks Road.

Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks

Today will be a challenging day as we continue our high-level traverse, passing over prominent peaks like Mt Clear, Square Top, High Cone, and The Nobs. Often the vegetation will be hardy and low, allowing for widespread views across layers of blue mountains that stretch to the horizon. The route will transition frequently between single-track and off-track walking until we’ll reach our camp at Nobs Track.

Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks

We’ll start our day with an off-track and rocky ascent of Mt McDonald. At the summit we’ll have excellent views of Mt Buller and the surrounding rolling peaks of the next few days. The track will descend from the exposed peak into the shelter of tall forests, where a freshly cut track will aid our long descent to Low Saddle. The air will become richer with the scent of eucalyptus as the tall timber surrounds us, marking a shift from exposed summits to sheltered saddles.

Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks

Today will mark a significant change in terrain and track quality. After a steep single-track ascent of Mt Sunday, we’ll follow fire trails for the rest of the day. We’ll enjoy open walking along undulating ridgelines as we summit Mt McKinty.

This terrain will allow for easy conversation and observation of wildlife, including lyrebirds and wallabies, as we move through beautiful stands of mountain forest and ash-mallee. It will be a peaceful, green day that bridges the gap between the high rocky peaks and the deep river valleys ahead, finishing at the key junction of Rumpff Saddle.

Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks

Today we’ll drop from the dry ridges of the past week into the deep, verdant valley of Black River. We’ll descend steadily through the forest, which will grow taller, darker, and more lush, filled with tree ferns. Crossing at a fallen log, we’ll reach our campsite to find ourselves in a cool, intimate wilderness setting that contrasts sharply with the exposed plains we’ll have left behind. Afternoon swims at Black River will be a must!

Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks

Leaving camp, we’ll tackle a steep climb out of the river valley, rising through distinct ecological layers to reach the crest of the Great Dividing Range near Mt Victor. The ascent will highlight the dramatic shift from lush riverine ferns to dry ridge-top gums.

We’ll emerge onto the ridgeline near Mt Singleton, following fire trail to Fiddlers Green, the site of a restaurant that is thought to have operated between 1865–66. We’ll then arrive at Bobs Hut to camp for the night.

Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks

Today we’ll traverse the rugged country between the Jordan and Thomson valleys, walking through the heart of Victoria’s gold-rush history. We’ll descend from the ridge to Red Jacket, a quiet site that was once a bustling settlement during the 1860s boom.

We’ll cross the Jordan River, which was named after the biblical river due to the tree ferns lining its banks. We’ll then undertake a steep climb to the top of the divide. As we drop down into the Thomson River valley, the vegetation will shift from dry ridge-top forest to lush gullies of Myrtle Beech. We’ll camp near the river within the protected water catchment.

Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks

Leaving the Thomson River valley, we’ll ascend steadily toward Baw Baw National Park, following a mixture of fire trails and single-track. This climb will mark a distinct shift in the landscape as we enter towering stands of Mountain Ash, the tallest flowering plants in the world.

The track will wind through a dense understory of tree ferns, blackwood, and Myrtle Beech as we make our way to Stronachs Camp. This historic sawmill site, established after the 1939 Black Friday fires, will provide a quiet clearing surrounded by tall timber and lush ferns for our stay.

Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks

Leaving the towering Mountain Ash of Stronachs Camp, we’ll begin a gradual climb up to the Baw Baw Plateau. Here, the landscape will be distinct from the sharp ridges we’ll have crossed over the past two weeks. The track will wind through rolling sub-alpine heathland dotted with massive granite tors and twisted, colourful Snow Gums.

Along the way, we’ll pass the solitary chimney of Mt Whitelaw Hut, a relic of the 1939 bushfires, and traverse Mustering Flat, a critical habitat for the endangered Baw Baw Frog. The scenery will be softer here, resembling a natural alpine garden as we make our way to camp at Rock Shelter.

Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks

Our descent from the high country will begin as we’ll pass Mt St Phillack and the granite formations of Mushroom Rocks near Mt Erica. These massive, weather-sculpted boulders rise from the forest floor, dominating the landscape before the track drops into the heavily timbered valleys of the south. From here, we’ll be immersed in the wet sclerophyll forests that define this region.

We’ll spend our last night on trail camping at O’Sheas Mill Site on the banks of the East Tyers River, a place where the history of the timber industry is slowly being reclaimed by nature.

Meals provided: Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks

For our final leg of the trip, we’ll follow the alignment of an old timber tramway. The walking will be relatively flat, winding high above the Thomson River and crossing the iconic Poverty Point Bridge. We’ll finish our journey in the historic gold mining town of Walhalla, walking directly into the heart of the heritage village.

From here, you’ll board the bus for the 8 hour return journey to Canberra, breaking the drive with stops for hot food and to stretch our legs.

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.

Data source: bom.gov.au

Inclusions

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).

View the complete kit here.

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!

View our most popular meals here.

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.

ExcellentGoogle star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 54.9161 reviews
4.9Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Excellent161 reviews
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BELINDA PORCHERA profile picture
BELINDA PORCHERA
3 days ago
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+2
Great Aussie hiking company ,they are very experienced,friendly,encouraging,helpful from the very beginning ,their knowledge is endless .Whether you’re a first time hiker or experienced make the first move and call adventure gene for your next hike.
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Bianca Ellen profile picture
Bianca Ellen
7 days ago
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Intro to Snow Camping (July 2026) It has taken me a while to write this review simply because I struggled to find the words to describe just how incredible this tour was and how much the experience meant to me. I booked this tour to build my confidence in the snow, having never camped or hiked in winter conditions before. From the moment I booked, the team could not have been more helpful. The entire experience was seamlessly organized—from the convenient pickup in central Canberra to the initial gathering at their office, which gave us all a great chance to connect before heading out. Our guides, Gus and Lisa, were exceptionally welcoming and educational right from the start. It is clear just how much they love what they do and how passionate they are about sharing it with others. The quality of the gear provided was top-tier, and getting to raid their pantry for snacks was an awesome bonus! The location in the Munyang Valley was the absolute perfect choice, offering a great balance where everything felt doable. Lisa’s supportive approach and encouragement were standouts—on one of the days, a couple of people were unsure if they could complete the planned hike, but thanks to Lisa, they made it the whole way. Beyond the hiking itself, the knowledge sharing was truly the best part. We learned so much about the history, geography, and geology of the region, and even got to do some unforgettable stargazing. I came away with invaluable tips that I now use on my own hiking and camping trips, boosted confidence in new environments, and lifelong friends. That kind of experience is priceless. I can’t recommend them highly enough!
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Nicole Tang profile picture
Nicole Tang
8 days ago
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Paint and hike trip was well organised and the information provided beforehand made it much less intimidating to prepare for the trip, especially as it was my first big camping hike. Our guides, Annika and Tearloch, were incredible. They were really supportive with all aspects of the hike and were so friendly and sweet. Hike itself had some rough spots, but that's more down to the terrain itself, so can't fault the company there. Would totally recommend signing up for a trip with them.
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Darrel Robins profile picture
Darrel Robins
8 days ago
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WOW What a great adventure . For anyone who wanted to experience camping and hiking in the snow this is a must do . Thanks Maddie and T
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Poppy S profile picture
Poppy S
9 days ago
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I did the 4 day Light to Light Paint and Hike. It was very well organised, the gear provided was excellent and easy to use and the guides were sensational. Even the food was tasty and plentiful. Great hiking, great experience.
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Lewis profile picture
Lewis
9 days ago
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Recently did 4 days Intro to Snow Camping, was a fantastic experience! Highly recommend going with TAG, our guides Tom and Maddie were clearly passionate about hiking, and kept us safe and well fed the whole time. The gear provided is high quality and lightweight and this trip was such a great way to get camping experience without worrying about buying all your own equipment. If you've been thinking about getting in to hiking, this is the place to start!
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Andrew C profile picture
Andrew C
11 days ago
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We have just completed our " Introduction to Snow Camping" 4 day trip with Adventure Gene. We couldn't recommend the organisation more highly . From the introductory session the day before departure , to the 4 days of hiking and camping we felt very supported by this small organisation . The meals and equipment were extremely considered and of excellent quality. Our 2 leaders , Maddie and Tearloch were incredibly professional , competent , and generous with their time and energy that they put into the trip. We had some difficult weather conditions and the whole group felt safe under their leadership. The trip introduced us to a different type of outdoor activity which we thoroughly enjoyed. We would encourage anyone who is looking for a slightly different outdoor offering in the Alpine regions to have a look at their range of trips. We have already been encouraging our friends to look at their different experiences - and we are looking at a longer distance hiking trip with Adventure Gene for next years travels! Many thanks for a fantastic , very memorable trip! Andrew and Kelly
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KR profile picture
KR
13 days ago
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Highly recommend booking trips with TAG-- everything from packs to meals has been considered, and guides were friendly and highly experienced! Would book again
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Janice Leung profile picture
Janice Leung
14 days ago
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+1
My partner and I joined the 4D3N snow camping trip, and we had such an amazing time! 🏕️❄️ Shoutout to Tom and Maddie, they are so professional, experienced, and made the whole trip feel safe and enjoyable. We had so much fun and would absolutely recommend the experience!
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Jodie H profile picture
Jodie H
20 days ago
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+0
From the first email to the final hugs at the end, this was a professional and well-organised trip. The communication before the trip was superb — quick, clear and informative, which made the preparation really easy, especially for a beginner. Our guides, Maddie and Tearloch were a standout. Attentive, communicated extremely well, had a great sense of humour and were genuinely fun to be around. Most importantly, they brought extensive hiking experience, they were professionally prepared, flexible and astute at judging each individual’s abilities and needs. A great balance of encouragement, adaption and challenge. The gear provided was excellent and took a lot of the stress out of ‘OMG what do I pack’. The pre-trip information and briefing prior was top notch. Great for anyone having their first crack at a snowy Alpine adventure. Knowledge is a confidence boost, and Maddie and T were willing providers. Coming from a rescue background I understand Alpine conditions change fast. Par for the course we experienced 1 day of difficult weather. I felt both safe and confident in their decision making processes. And the gear stood up well. The snow shoe hike was the highlight. It was challenging at times but so worth the spectacular scenery up on the range. To top that off, the food was fantastic, great variety and tasty. Overall, an exceptional experience. The combination of professional organisation, experienced guides, great communication, challenging adventure, spectacular scenery and fantastic food made this a trip I would recommend to anyone whether you’re an experienced hiker or a beginner looking for an unforgettable snow adventure. Thanks Adventures Gene, ‘I’ll be back’.

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.

We offer a flexible range of payment plans, allowing you to split your payment into monthly instalments at no additional cost.

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.

Departs
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Departs
Sunday May 9, 2027
Returns
Monday May 24, 2027
Pricing
AUD $7,995
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Departs
Friday November 19, 2027
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Saturday December 4, 2027
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Health & Insurance Requirements

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.

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

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.

For a multi-day hike with camping, we rate this trip as challenging. You can see the distance and elevation details in the table below:

Trip statistics (without side trips)
Average Minimum Maximum
Distance (km) 14.7 5.0 22.6
Elevation gain (m) 840 373 1197

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.

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. 

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 days or less, with the exception of one 4.5 day food carry. For the shorter resupplies, this equates to roughly 2.5kg of food per person. For the longer food carry, each person will initially have to carry 4kg of food.

Water

At times, you may need to carry 2-3L of water.

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.

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.

The trip starts and finishes at 20 Genge St, Canberra, 2601.

Click here to view on a map.

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.

Click here to view on a map.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

theadventuregene.com/pickup-map

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.

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. 

We have both one person and two person tents available. 

No, we do not charge a single supplement fee.

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.

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.

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. 

There are no age restrictions for our trips, however, participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

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.

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.

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.

Yes, we are fully licensed and insured NSW EcoPass Operators.

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.

If you wish to change your trip start date or transfer to a different trip, you must notify us in writing as soon as possible. If possible, after receiving your notice, the change will occur subject to the following:

  • A transfer can be made to a new date that is within 12 months from when you notified us of the change.
  • One amendment can be made to your original booking, up to 90 days prior to the date of departure, at no cost.
  • A $200 per person fee will be charged for any further amendments made by a guest 90 days prior to the departure date.
  • For booking changes made between 60 and 90 days prior to departure, there is a $350 per person charge to change the departure date.
  • We do not accept changes to bookings within 60 days of departure.

If you wish to cancel your booking, you must notify us in writing as soon as possible. Once we receive your notice, cancellation will take effect subject to the following:

  • 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.

Cancellation by the guest will also take effect if:

  • You fail to arrive at the pre-arranged meeting place at the time stipulated by us.
  • Your payment of the balance of the booking is not received by us by the required time as stipulated in 4) Payment.

No refund will be paid if you:

  • Voluntarily leave your trip after it has commenced, including (without limitation) for reasons of bereavement, injury or illness.
  • Are directed by us to leave or not commence your walk in accordance with these terms and conditions.

We reserve the right to not provide a refund if you arrive on the day of departure for any walk with inappropriate gear (including footwear), as described in our preparation notes.

If you wish to change the person booked on the trip, the booking transfer must be complete 30 days before the trip start date. All waivers, medical forms and tasks on WeTravel must be complete before this date.

After your trip has commenced, no refunds will be given for any unused services. If there is a gear check, your trip commences at the start of the gear check. We do not provide refunds based on your experience during the trip.  

Please note the $99 deposit is non-refundable.

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.

Some images on this page were photographed by Stephen Davies.

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SEPTEMBER GIVEAWAY

WIN A PAINTING KIT + HELINOX CHAIR​

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Your trip can take place later. No extra steps to enter, just book your adventure.

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