Ever wanted to explore Brisbane and the gorgeous Sunshine Coast, away from the maddening crowds? Then join us on an extended trip to visit one of Australia’s most beautiful regions, with gorgeous parks, beaches, towns and restaurants.

Trip leader and hike leader is Craig. Trip organiser and second in command is Doug.

For a copy of our trip flyer with full details of the trip, please contact the leader using the “Enquiry” button (see below).

 

Accommodation

BRISBANE: Check-in Thursday 14 April; Check-out Tuesday 19 April

You will book your own accommodation in Brisbane. However, we recommend you stay at (or near) the Brisbane City YHA.

Being a YHA hostel, this venue offers a variety of dorm style, twin, double or single accommodation options. We have requested that all YHA Bushwalking people who have selected dorm style accommodation to be in the same dorm only (ie, you will not have to share with outside people) and to be separated by gender, but neither of these requests can be guaranteed.

YHA venues do have flexible cancellation policies. They also usually have shared kitchen facilities, so you can self-cater and store food and drinks if you wish.

Costs for Brisbane accommodation are entirely your own and are to be managed between you and your chosen accommodation provider. Given this trip is over the Easter weekend, it is wise to arrange accommodation well in advance.

CALOUNDRA: Check-in Tuesday 19 April; Check-out Monday 25 April

You will stay in share houses booked by the club. You may not get to choose which property you get to stay in, but they are all high quality, and you should only have to share a bedroom with one other person at the most (each property has at least three bedrooms, and then it’s usually a double with 2 single beds in two bedrooms. No bunks!). Each property also has two bathrooms, a living/dining area and a kitchen, so you can self-cater if you wish.

We will try to group snorers together, and we will try to separate the rooms by gender. The snorers part will be difficult, but the gender part should be achievable.

The cost of the Caloundra leg is $320 per person, or $53 per night. It’s actually pretty good value.

 

Transport

You are responsible for organising your own transport to and from Brisbane and Caloundra. Flights are the most practical way to get to the region, and can be surprisingly cheap if you book them well in advance.

To travel from our accommodation in Brisbane and Caloundra to the walk locations, we will use hire cars for seven days and public transport or taxi for the other days.

We will travel from Brisbane to Caloundra by train and bus.

 

Car Hire

Car hire is required for seven days. YHA Bushwalking has a policy on car hire, which basically means we have designated drivers, we pay for no-excess insurance, and the cost is divided between all participants, regardless of whether they use the cars for each day. We have hired three mid-sized cars for the trip. We have budgeted for $180 per person for car hire. We have priced the cars on the assumption that we will have fifteen people on the trip. You therefore need to factor in an adjustment payment (allow $100) to be made by you for fuel, additional driver fees, car parking in Brisbane and any other unforeseen car expenses. Car hire is split between Brisbane (three days hire) and Sunshine Coast (four days hire) to cut costs.

We will require drivers. ALL drivers will need to provide their details to the rental company. No details to the rental company means you do not drive under any circumstances whatsoever. If you offer to be a driver, it follows that you will be expected to attend each hike (unless we have more than one driver per car, in which case a driver could have a rest day if another driver is doing the hike). Car hire is being organised through Hertz.

 

Trip Costs

Cost to be prepaid upon trip booking:

Car Hire                                    $180

Caloundra Accom                  $320

Total:                                         $500 plus booking fee

(Booking fee is free for YHA Bushwalking Victoria members; $10 for non-members.)

 

Additional Costs (to be paid on the trip):

Adjustment Payment for Car Hire to cover fuel, car parking and other sundries:

Allow approximately:              $100

 

Your own costs:

Accom in Brisbane                  $Up to you!

Flights                                         $To be determined

Public Transport / Taxi           $To be determined

Transport between Brisbane & Caloundra:   $To be determined

 

All other costs are your own.

 

Itinerary and Walks

Friday, 15 April 2022: Brisbane Botanic Gardens and Mount Coot-tha (15-20 km, 4-6 hours, Easy)

Saturday, 16 April 2022: Lake Manchester Loop, Lake Manchester (17 km, 5-6 hours, Hard)

Sunday, 17 April 2022: Cabbage Tree Range Loop, D’Aguilar National Park (17 km, 6 hours, Hard)

Option 1: Northbrook Gorges (6km, 2-3 hours, Hard) and Araucaria Track, Brisbane Forest Park (5km, 1-2 hrs, Easy)

Option 2: Short walks from the Maiala Day Use Area (Easy) and Araucaria Track (5km, 1-2 hrs, Easy)

Tuesday, 19 April 2022: Rest Day; Travel to Caloundra

Option 2: Glass House Mountains Conservation Park

 

Covid-19 Restrictions

It is naturally uncertain as to what the pandemic situation will be like in April 2022. However, we are planning this trip with the expectations that:

• Some level of Covid-19 restrictions still will be in place.
• We will be able to travel to and from Brisbane by plane.
• We will be able to stay in the accommodation planned.
• We will be able to travel around Brisbane using public transport (train, bus, ferry).
• We will follow all health guidelines as advised at the time by state and federal governments, including social distancing, good hygiene practices. Refer to:
  • Queensland state government coronavirus website
  • Victoria state government Coronavirus website
• Anyone who is concerned about the Covid-19 risk and/or is not prepared to observe all health guidelines as advised at that time should not be joining us on this trip.

 

Booking

Booking is  required for this trip.

This event is aimed at adults, both in terms of the hikes, the hostels and the dinner and drinks venues selected. Over 18s only please.

For harder-graded walks, the leader has the right not to accept bookings from anyone they consider is not sufficiently fit or experienced to undertake it, so please provide as much relevant information as you can when booking. Unless the leader knows you well, please indicate what similar walks you have done recently (i.e. in the past few months) to give the leader confidence that you are capable of doing this walk.

The Leader will confirm your acceptance on the trip, or not, via email.  The leader will provide further trip details as the trip gets closer.

Trip Fees:
Members:  $500 + Booking fee (nil) = $500.

Non-members: $500 + Booking fee ($10) = $510.

Payment:
All trip fees must be prepaid. Payment by Paypal or card is the quickest method, but if you choose to pay by EFT please follow the instruction to email the Treasurer with your payment details.

Cancellation:
If you need to cancel, please advise the leader as soon as possible, so that someone else has the opportunity.
If you have made your payment but need to cancel, we will only provide you with a refund if we can find a replacement for you.

 

What to Bring

• Hand Sanitiser
• Face Mask

• All the equipment, clothing, food and water you will need for the walks and overnight stays (refer Trip details above).

Refer to our Gear Checklist page for more details, or discuss with the leader.  If you are not properly equipped, the walk leader can decide not to let you participate on this walk.

 

Still have questions?

Check out Joining a walk and your safety

Check out What happens on a walk.

Check out Weekend and extended walks.

Check out our Covid-19 status.

Contact the leader using the “Enquiry” button.

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