For bookings call 07 5533 3583 | visit www.parktours.com.au | or email info@parktours.com.au | 1

29 AUGUST – 3 SEPTEMBER 2021 (5 NIGHTS)Arthur’s Trek

• Journey through natural and human history as we explore the Gondwana Rainforests over 6 days

• Hear stories and visions of local pioneers to the modern-day farmers, artists and wilderness protectors

• Be guided on diverse national park walks from ancient beech forests to mountain caves & swimming holes

• Taste the regional cuisine of the Scenic Rim food producers• Travel from east to west via both walking trails and private transfers through

rolling countryside • Stay in historic lodges and family-owned accommodation across the

southern Scenic Rim

Arthur’s Trek, led by Lisa Groom of ParkTours, will take visitors on an exclusive 6-day journey from Binna Burra to O’Reilly’s, on to the Lost World Valley and Mt Barney National Park. One of Binna Burra’s founders and Australian conservationist, journalist and author, Arthur Groom advocated for the preservation of much of the Scenic Rim mountain ranges. We follow some of Arthur’s footsteps on half & full day walks in the Queensland Gondwana Rainforests and see his aspirations and visions realised in World Heritage listed national parks and local community experiences. Travelling from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, we begin at Binna Burra Lodge, on the eastern side of Lamington National Park. Founded by Arthur Groom and Romeo Lahey in 1933, this lodge holds a special place in the hearts of many people and is open for business again after the September 2019 bushfires. After meeting the locals and enjoying short introductory walks, we relax overnight in studio apartments at the Binna Burra Sky Lodges. Next morning, you have the option of walking the iconic Border Track or travelling by bus to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. We learn about this historic lodge and have time to bird-watch or relax in their spa facilities. Continuing via Canungra and the dairy farms of the Kerry Valley, we come to the Lost World Valley. Staying in family-owned Worendo Cottages, we explore local swimming holes, walk in the open countryside or relax on the verandas admiring the mountain vistas. Further west, Mt Barney Lodge is our final base for walks to spectacular lookouts over this impressive peak. Our final day focuses on stories of regeneration at Wild Mountains and the pioneering Collins family.

Price: Twin share/person (starts / ends Brisbane or Gold Coast) Regular: A$2,850 Single Supplement: A$650

Note: For guests who request a single room the single supplement will be charged. For single people who prefer to share, we will try to find a suitable room-mate, but if this is not possible the single supplement surcharge will apply.

Minimum Group Size: 8 guests

Special Interest: Wildlife, Botanical, Art, Food, Wine

DETAILS

HighlightsTo a man who loved and understood the bush and found his happiness sharing it with others’.Arthur Groom

To a man who loved and understood the bush and found his happiness shar-ing it with others’. – Arthur Groom

For bookings call 07 5533 3583 | visit www.parktours.com.au | or email info@parktours.com.au | 2

29 AUGUST – 3 SEPTEMBER 2021 (5 NIGHTS)Arthur’s Trek

FAQWhat COVID-SAFE procedures are in place for tours?

During our walking holiday strict COVID SAFE hygiene procedures will be in place. These include, but are not limited to:

• Complimentary hand sanitiser will be available on tour

• Daily health checks will be undertaken by your guide, in line with Queensland Health requirements. More information will be provided to you before the start of the tour.

• Physical or social distancing will be practiced during our daily activities. The current advice from the Department of Health is for everyone to keep at least 1.5 metres apart from others (outside of their family unit) where possible.

• Additional cleaning will be undertaken as required

Please note ParkTours will comply with new policies and procedures as they are made available through our industry authorities and Government to keep you safe and healthy whilst on tour.

How & when to book? To place your booking, simply visit www.parktours.com.au and select the “Bookings” page, or complete a Tour Booking form and return by post or email with your $A500 deposit. Once you have booked on a tour, we will stay in contact with regular mailings (see below).

What information and contact can I expect? When you send your initial deposit, we will contact you to confirm your booking. Please do not book any flights or travel arrangements until our office contacts you to advise that your tour has been confirmed to depart. Once the tour has been confirmed to depart, a comprehensive pre-departure information pack will be sent to you, including a Tour A-Z, suggested packing list, medical questionnaire, balance of payment invoice, and pre / post accommodation options. The final mailing is sent approximately two weeks before departure and includes final tour information, meeting points, accommodation and guest list. This will also include any additional documentation required under new Covid-Safe procedures.

What is the group size? We specialise in small group travel with a tour size normally between 8 to 18 guests. Consideration will be given for physical distancing regulations for bus travel. Please refer to the front page for details on the minimum group size for this particular tour. All tours need a minimum number of participants to operate at the price listed in the itinerary. If the minimum number is not reached, a tour may still operate with a surcharge.

How fit do I have to be? When you are assessing your ability to participate, age is not necessarily as important as your fitness and recent walking experience. Please read the tour walk rating and the day-by-day walking descriptions in the itinerary to determine if the tour is suitable for your fitness level. If you have any queries, we are happy to put you in touch with either the tour coordinator or tour leader to discuss your fitness in more detail.

What gear and equipment do I need to take?

Because we focus on half and full day walks, returning to our accommodation in the afternoon, you don’t need to carry any more than a daypack with rain wear, sunscreen, drinking water, camera and lunch. We recommend walking poles and hiking boots on most of our tours as they offer good ankle support and grip. A detailed packing list is included with your tour’s information pack.

WALKING RATINGEasy to Moderate: 3-21km per walking day, on mostly well graded tracks. There are some moderate to challenging walks with some steeper sections or creek crossings. This tour is for anyone with a good level of fitness, and bushwalking experience. We reserve the right to be flexible with the itinerary to allow for unforeseen circumstances including weather conditions, track closures and group fitness.

INCLUSIONS • 5 nights twin share accommodation – motel, homestead and B&B style

accommodation with private facilities (2 nights) and shared facilities (3 nights)

• Meals included - 5 Breakfasts (B), 5 Lunches (L), 5 Dinners (D)• All transfers as listed in itinerary• National park entry fees• Professional tour leader assisted when required by local tour guides• Pre-departure material including background & personalised A-Z tour

information

EXCLUSIONS• Airfares & taxes to start / from end of tour• Travel insurance• Personal expenses eg: alcoholic drinks, refreshments, laundry, or

optional tours

TOUR LEADERDedicated to developing regional ecotourism, Lisa Groom is passionate about the environment, showcasing nature from a different perspective while exploring her backyard. Whether chatting to local characters, exploring walking trails, or soaking in spectacular sunsets, Lisa’s knowledge and enthusiasm makes for a memorable walking holiday. Lisa is a member of the pioneering Groom family, whose vision

and hard work helped create Binna Burra Lodge and family business of ParkTours. Arthur Groom was Lisa’s grandfather and was well-known for his long distance walking feats including walking from Binna Burra to Brisbane and O’Reilly’s to Mt Barney.

Click map to view in Google Maps

For bookings call 07 5533 3583 | visit www.parktours.com.au | or email info@parktours.com.au | 3

TOUR ITINERARY 29 AUGUST – 3 SEPTEMBER 2021 (5 NIGHTS)

Arthur’s Trek

Day 1 – Sun 29 Aug | Brisbane and Gold Coast pickup / Travel to Lamington National Park / Binna Burra Welcome to Arthur’s Trek (actually, more of a saunter!). After a private bus transfer from Brisbane CBD and Nerang Station, we travel to Binna Burra, the eastern entry to Lamington National Park and a northern gateway to the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. On the way, we pause for lunch and visit the home studio of Dave Groom to view some of his landscape paintings of his Beechmont surrounds. Once settled in to your Sky Lodge accommodation at Binna Burra, enjoy an orientation walk around the lodge area to appreciate the story of regeneration and recovery after the September 2019 bushfires. Learn some of the indigenous history and hear the stories of conservationists - Arthur Groom, Romeo Lahey, Robert Collins. Over several decades, they worked hard to ensure that this iconic national park was protected then developed Binna Burra as a hub for bushwalkers and adventurers. After dinner, you might like to relax beside the communal campfire or take a short rainforest night walk. Meals: L, D Walks: 1 hr introductory walk / optional short evening walk

Day 2 – Mon 30 Aug | Lamington National Park / Binna Burra to O’Reilly’s walk Today you have several options to travel further west. Firstly, you can follow the Border Track (21.4km) between Binna Burra and O’Reilly’s to experience the essence of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. We delve into this ancient landscape on this full-day hike, hiking through subtropical and temperate rainforests, crossing mountain streams and following the Qld / NSW border with lookout points into the Wollumbin (Mt Warning) caldera. Alternatively, if you prefer a shorter walk, we will offer a half day walk to Tullawallal where we can admire the stands of Antarctic beech (Nothofagus moorei) while listening for the chatter of whipbirds and catbirds. If you don’t join the longer Border track walk, you can relax at Binna Burra before joining the bus for a 1½ hr transfer to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. After we have all arrived at O’Reilly’s, you can either enjoy free time before dinner or have a pre-dinner drink in their upstairs bar. The O’Reilly’s family story is captured in their heritage room - be amazed by their feats over the years, including Bernard O’Reilly’s Stinson Crash rescue. After dinner, you may choose to join an optional glow worm viewing experience under a starry Scenic Rim night sky (extra expense). Meals: B, L, D Walks: Border Track 21.4km (7-8 hrs) moderate walk on a well graded track. Tullawallal – 5km (3-4 hrs) easy walk on well graded track

Day 3 – Tue 31 Aug | Short Lamington walks / Canungra / Kerry Valley / Lost World Valley For early risers, it is worth joining the daily O’Reilly’s bird watching tour. You may also like to ascend the famous O’Reilly’s tree top walk tower to really embrace the day. After breakfast, we’ll head off to Kamarun Lookout which pays homage to the conservation advocacy of Romeo Lahey, a very close friend of Arthur Groom as we’ve come to know. We’ll descend from the Green Mountains sections of Lamington National Park to the village of Canungra nestled beneath the south-western flanks of Tamborine Mountain. Here, we shall stroll the streets and learn more about the famous Lahey family legacy. After lunch (guest’s own), we continue via Beaudesert to Lost World Valley and visit some of the innovative local farmers who reside here today. Visiting a creamery, is followed by afternoon tea in one of the valley’s oldest buildings. Once checked in to our delightful homestead accommodation at Worendo Cottages in the Lost World Valley, you may choose to admire the views from the verandas or a join a walk to a local waterhole for some birdwatching or a brisk swim! Our evening meal featuring local produce,

For bookings call 07 5533 3583 | visit www.parktours.com.au | or email info@parktours.com.au | 4

29 AUGUST – 3 SEPTEMBER 2021 (5 NIGHTS)

Arthur’s TrekTOUR ITINERARY

is set in one of the cottages with a backdrop of spectacular mountains. Meals: B, D Walks: Optional short morning walks at O’Reilly’s / optional short afternoon walk to a Lost World waterhole with some creek crossings

Day 4 – Wed 1 Sep | Kerry Valley / Lost World Valley We begin today with the option of a walk upstream on the Albert River (Right Branch) to local swimming holes (creek crossing / rock-hopping involved). If you prefer to relax in the morning, you can stay at Worendo homestead to await the walking group. Depending on group wishes to relax or be more active in the afternoon, we have the option of exploring the nearby Christmas Creek valley which includes a walk to Westray’s Grave, one of the heroes of the Stinson airplane crash in the 1937. This walk involves crossing Christmas Creek with some rock-hopping but rewards us with small waterfalls inviting waterholes to swim in. We return for our final Lost World dinner in the lovely homestead. Meals: B, L, D Walks: Optional 2-3 hr moderate walk along Albert River; optional 3 hr moderate walk to Westray’s Grave

Day 5 – Thu 2 Sep | Lost World Valley Walk / Rathdowney / Mt Barney National Park This morning, we suggest a stroll along the country roads with views that are more like Ireland than SE Qld. If you prefer to relax in the morning, you can enjoy the peace of the homestead while awaiting the walking group. Leaving Lost World, we enjoy a pub lunch and visit the quirky Rathdowney Historical Centre before we continue our drive to magnificent Mt Barney Lodge. Checking into our homestead, Moringararah, we are staying on regenerated land owned by two generations of the Larkin family who have long been friends of the Grooms. You’ll hear about Donn Groom, Lisa’s uncle, who was an accomplished rock climber of Mt Barney and many other peaks. His son Michael Groom, is regarded as one of the world’s best mountaineers and both have climbed with the Larkin family over the decades. After sunset drinks, the Larkins will share their intimate knowledge of Mt Barney and stories around our dinner table this evening. Meals: B, L, D Walks: Easy 2hr walk on country roads, short walks at Mt Barney Lodge

Day 6 – Fri 3 Sep | Wild Mountains / Tamrookum / End of tour After breakfast, you have the option of walking the short but steep hike to Yellow Pinch lookout for a closer view of Mt Barney. After our final farewells to the Larkin family, we travel in time to the future and past of the Collins’ family. Robert Martin Collins came from a pastoralist family in this area and was the father of Queensland’s national park system. Today, we meet two of his great grand-daughters. Janice Hooper will show us inside the impressive Tamrookum Church, a building that also serves as a special memorial to Robert Collins, and admired by the likes of Arthur and Romeo. Susan Zoomers is also a proud conservationist and with her husband and other volunteers, has hand built the Wild Mountains Education Centre over the past few decades. Located high in the hills near the Border Ranges, Wild Mountains is a sustainably designed, Earth Education centre for primary school children, university students and adults alike. After short walks, lunch and chats with the founders, we return to Brisbane in the late afternoon. We reflect on the journeys, people and stories that Arthur Groom wrote about when he mentioned the Scenic Rim in his ‘One Mountains After Another’ book over 70 years ago. Meals: B, L Walks: Optional 1.5 hr 2km moderate walk to Yellow Pinch on graded tracks with steeper sections. Short walks at Wild Mountains

WHY TRAVEL WITH US?

WALKING HOLIDAYS & ADVENTURES

ParkTours have been leading small group walking holidays since 1975. Our like-minded guests bond easily and often create reunions, celebrations and friendships, many of them life-long. Our tours are active with regular half and full day walks. Aside from walking, we also spend time meeting local people, tasting regional food and immersing ourselves in the culture and history of a destination. Our flexibility enables us to adapt to the likes, dislikes and agility of our travellers, and changing situations such as weather and unforeseen circumstances. In most locations, we stay 2-3 nights and sometimes longer. This allows us to slow down, unpack our bags and enjoy the local atmosphere at different times of the day. Accommodation is comfortable and unique plus locally owned and operated where possible.

Our guides are dedicated, informative people who share their passion and knowledge on local history, culture, wildlife and topography. Our journeys are designed to safeguard the ecosystems; benefit the communities we visit and contribute to the sustainability of destinations. Travel is a chance to change your perspective. Nature always provides a new view if we take the time to look.

Responsible TravelFor your protection, we are member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA). Your payments are kept in a client account until required for payment of your tour. We are accredited with AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS), a national accreditation scheme, endorsing travel agents who have met strict financial and customer service criteria. We also have advanced accreditation with Ecotourism Australia, are members of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, and a Green Circle member of Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation (QORF).

Serendipity of travelOur Leader and local guides will continually work on your behalf to provide a memorable journey. We have planned an intimate adventure, but adventure cannot be guaranteed. If indeed it could then it would lose its appeal.

Though we do the best we can to plan a smooth journey, sometimes things change at short notice. Some things may take longer than anticipated, transport and accommodation arrangements may alter, and you may experience occasional shortcomings and be frustrated by the ‘manana’ attitude; at other times you will be amazed by local efficiency. Tour itineraries may need to be modified but this is done so with your needs in mind and to provide the best tour experience.

So, be flexible, surprised and delighted with the serendipity that comes from being open to the unexpected. Your enjoyment of this journey is ultimately up to you.

“I find the organisation and attention to detail is always good. Having travelled quite a few times with ParkTours now I would not consider a walking tour with any other organization”

Catherine Eakin

“I have had a wonderful experience on my ParkTours trips. I know the accommodation, meals, etc. will have the level of comfort I’m looking for”Anne Stanfield

T +61 7 5533 3583

1069 Binna Burra Road, Beechmont QLD 4211 Australia

info@parktours.com.au | www.parktours.com.au

Disclaimer of Liability

Although Park Tours has prepared the Information contained in this itinerary with all due care and updates the Information regularly, Park Tours does not warrant or represent that the Information is free from errors or omission. Whilst the Information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the Information. The Information may change without notice and Park Tours is not in any way liable for the accuracy of any information printed and stored or in any way interpreted and used by a user.

Itinerary Updated: June 28, 2021 1:21 PM