The Great North walk
5 day Pack-Free guided walk
The iconic Great North Walk is 250km walk that begins in Sydney and winds it’s way north towards Newcastle, normally taking around 18 days to walk in its entirety. On our 5 day walk, we showcase the highlights of the Great North walk including sections of the trail near Berowra Waters, Wondabyne on the Central Coast, followed by a walk on the beautiful Watagan trail into the Hunter Valley where we finish with a celebratory winery. Explore high mountain ridges, forests of Blue Gum and Eucalypts, steep river gorges, meandering creeks and cascades. Enjoy the tranquillity of cute Hawkesbury towns and finish your journey with a celebration wine tasting in the world-famous wine region of the Hunter Valley.
A Pack-Free Walk
Walk in comfort with a day pack carrying your water, lunch & camera
Our Pack-free walks are designed to have your luggage transferred while you walk, leaving you free to walk with only a light daypack. This is a big advantage for our guests, in that you will avoid carrying a heavy rucksack on your back every day. With Life’s An Adventure, you will carry as little as your water bottle, camera and lunch!
Waterfront Penthouse
at beautiful Berowra Waters
Situated on the waterfront and surrounded by bushland our accommodation for two nights is at beautiful Berowra Waters Penthouse. Relax on the deck on in the lounge room soaking up stunning views of the boats bobbing on the water outside, in this tranquil location.
Room Configurations:
Room 1: King Bed
Room 2: Queen bed
Room 3: Queen Bed
Room 4: Queen Bed
Room 5: Twin beds
Those wanting a single supplement and their own room will be housed at nearby accommodation. Enquire for details.
Stay beachside
Mantra Hotel Ettalong Beach
During our stay in the Hawkesbury, we spend 1 night at either the fabulous Mantra Hotel situated on the waterfront at Ettalong Beach guests will stay in Pool or Ocean view 1 bedroom Deluxe suites.
Noonaweena Retreat
Set amongst the bush with views of the valley
This superb retreat set amongst the bush with beautiful views over the valley features an outdoor swimming pool and hot spa as well as tennis court. Our guests stay in elegant lodges with modern furnishings. The property features 8 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms.
Gourmet food and wines
Superb seafood & local produce
A seafood feast will be enjoyed two nights at Berowra Waters in a lovely local restaurant overlooking the water. Both dinners will be served with local wines for your enjoyment. Our talented guides will prepare fresh fruit, muesli and a hot breakfast for you. Whilst lunches will be made by a local café for enjoying along the trail Whilst at Noonaweena we enjoy fresh organic and local produce and wines at the lodge. On our last day we enjoy a celebration lunch and wine tasting in the famous Hunter Valley wine region a fantastic way to celebrate the end of our journey.
Special dietary requirements will be catered for.
Personalised Tours
A maxmium group of 10 people
We keep our group sizes small and personalised with a maximum of 10 guests per trip, we find this delivers a more personal service, a great social environment and has less impact on the environment.
Flexible walking
Shorter and longer options available
Don’t feel like walking as far as your walking partner? Don’t worry, with this walk you have the flexibility to choose a shorter walking option if you prefer. Our guides are there to make your journey enjoyable, fun and carefree.
Our CEO Guides
Chief Experience Officers
We refer to our guides as CEOs…. Chief Experience Officers whose aim is to deliver you a world-class walk. We pride ourselves on employing a talented team of passionate CEOs with an enthusiasm for their homeland. They are committed to your safety and have a genuine desire to provide an enriching and memorable walking experience.
21 Tourism Awards of Excellence
including Australia's best Adventure Tourism Company
Life’s an Adventure have won 21 Tourism Awards of Excellence including the Qantas Australian Tourism Award for Australia’s Best Adventure Company. Awards are great, but our biggest accolade which we value even more, is that our happy clients come back and travel with us time and time again.
Genuinely all-inclusive
We provide a genuinely all-inclusive experience. When you travel with us you won’t need to keep putting your hand in your pocket to pay for additional items not included in your tour, such as meals, wine and activities, everything is taken care of.
NO Credit Cards Fees!
To find out more click on any of the below links:
Why should you choose us?
Tour Itinerary
Your 5-day walking holiday includes:
- Pack Free walk with your overnight luggage transported every day
- 2 nights accommodation staying in a luxury waterfront penthouse suite
- 1 night accommodation at the Mantra Ettalong Beach
- 1 night accommodation Noonaweena Retreat
- 3 x restaurant dinners at a local hidden gem
- 1 x dinner at the retreat
- 5 x walkers lunches
- 5 x hot and cold breakfasts
- Complimentary pick up from the Sir Stamford Hotel, Sydney CBD. Alternatively, you can meet the group at Hornsby.
- Fresh fruit and trail mix to enjoy during your walk
- Professionally guided – Our guides are locals who are passionate, well trained and enthusiastic with the ability to bring to life a depth of information
HOW TO GET TO YOUR WALK: Whether you live in Sydney or you’re visiting from afar, we have suggested a number of options to make your journey as easy as possible.
PICKUP: complementary pickup at 7.00am from Sir Stamford Hotel, Sydney CBD
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: For those catching public transport, take the train or bus to Hornsby Station and walk to the Bunker Bean Café to meet with your group. Your guides will pick you up at 8.00am
DRIVING: If you choose to drive there is a car park at the Hornsby Station with 370 spaces available. From here you can walk just 5mins to the ‘Bunker Bean Café’ where the guides will pick you up at 8.00am
MEETING TIME HORNSBY: 8:00 am from the Bunker Bean Café, Hornsby
TRANSFER TIMES: Morning: 3-minute transfer to the beginning of the walk. Afternoon: 35-minute transfer from the end of the walk to the accommodation
WALK DETAILS: 16km. Medium to hard grade. 7-8hrs including breaks. Easier option: 9.6km. Medium to hard. 3-4hrs including breaks.
TERRAIN: The walk starts with a couple of short, steep descents and ascents. While the track is well-formed with a firm base, there are some rocky sections and some ladders to negotiate. Fallen trees and other obstacles may be likely but it is the ups and downs that make this track grade Medium to Hard. The cumulative ascent for the day is more than 900m, with the biggest rises at the start as the track becomes more lightly undulating towards the end of the day.
WALK ITINERARY: After meeting your guides and joining the rest of the group at Hornsby you’ll begin your journey along the Great North Track heading into the bush and down steep stone steps through the volcanic Old Mans Valley. You’ll follow the Blue Gum walk through one of Sydney’s rare Blue Gum Forest stands to then cross the Berowra Creek a few times at Fishponds waterhole. After exploring the edge of the valley the walk starts to lead steeply down enjoying more sandstone caves before arriving into Galston Gorge, a perfect spot for a rest and some lunch before following the eastern side of Berowra Creek valley from Galston Gorge to Crosslands. This enjoyable section of track travels through wide tidal creeks in deep valleys where there are many grass trees and more sandstone caves. Finishing today’s walk at Crosslands Reserve where we will be met and transferred to our waterfront accommodation at beautiful Berowra Waters. Enjoy time to relax in our waterfront property before walking to our nearby restaurant for a superb dinner by the water. Enjoy fresh local seafood and produce perfectly matched with regional wines. A wonderful way to finish the day.
TRANSFER TIMES: Morning: 35 minute transfer to the beginning of the walk. Afternoon: 35 minute transfer from the end of the walk back to our accommodation.
WALK DETAILS: 14kms. Medium to hard grade. 8-9hrs with breaks. Easier option: 12.9km. Medium to hard grade. 5-6hrs with breaks.
TERRAIN: Some quite steep and rocky areas with a few ladders. A few easy creek crossings. The track is otherwise well-formed with a firm base.
ITINERARY: After a hearty breakfast at the accommodation you will be transferred back to Crosslands. The trail starts off winding north alongside Berowra Creek passing mangroves, estuaries, sandstone overhangs and stunning lookouts. After passing through Berowra Waters the track meanders through some amazing remote bushland where you’ll experience some creek crossings, crazy rock formations & some steeper terrain, providing you with rewarding views looking back over Berowra Creek. Finishing up in Cowan your guides will drive the group back to the accommodation for some relaxation time in the comfortable penthouse accommodation that overlooks the wonderful Berowra Marina. Tonight enjoy dinner in a local restaurant with magnificent views as we enjoy fresh local produce with wines.
TRANSFER TIMES: Morning: 35-minute transfer to Cowan. Afternoon: 25-minute transfer to Hornsby Station or 50-minutes to Sir Stamford Hotel in Sydney’s CBD
WALK GRADE: 14kms. Medium to Hard grade. 6-7hrs with breaks.
TERRAIN: Two steep and rocky climbs. The track is well-formed with a firm base, there are some uneven sections and the usual, occasional, obstacles such as fallen trees, overhanging branches and spiky and pokey scrub.
ITINERARY: After another enjoyable breakfast at the accommodation your guides will transfer the group back to Cowan to recommence our walk. This stunning section of the Great North Walk has some spectacular scenery ranging from foreshore to ridge top lookouts. Enjoy a steady descent into the picturesque Jerusalem Bay before climbing over a series of ridges into Brooklyn. Marvel at the wonderful diversity of flora throughout today’s walk while you experience numerous water views including a circumnavigation of Brooklyn Dam. Hiking can make you thirsty, so this walk finishing at the iconic pub in Brooklyn overlooking the Hawkesbury River. From here we cruise across the Hawkesbury to Patonga Beach and transfer to our accommodation in the waterfront town of Ettalong Beach. Tonight we spend the night at the superb Mantra Hotel, set right on the beachfront with sweeping views. This evening join the group for a fabulous dinner in a local restaurant featuring regional wines.
TRANSFER TIMES: Morning: 15-minute transfer to Staples Lookout. Afternoon: 45 minute to your accommodation
WALK GRADE: 12.4km. Medium to Hard grade. 5 hrs with breaks. Elevation: 484m.
TERRAIN: Some steep uphill sections. Undulating walk along ridges. Some rock steps.
FLEXIBLE WALKING: Optional 8km walk also available. Medium to Hard grade.
ITINERARY: Enjoy a relaxing breakfast, before we make our way to Staples Lookout. Our walk starts from here, today the trails takes us through the beautiful Brisbane Waters National Park. About 2.7 km into the day we arrive at the bottom of a gully at Kariong Brook Falls. Afterwards, enjoy stunning views as you climb the ridges, pass pretty rocky gullies and cascading falls, and cross the Phil Houghton suspension bridge as you make your way to Mooney Mooney Creek trailhead. At the end of our trail, we will be met by our driver and transferred to your accommodation at Noonaweena Retreat set amongst the bushland with views of the valley. Tonight put your feet up and enjoy a relaxing dinner served with regional wines.
TRANSFER TIMES: Morning: 55-minute transfer to Bimbadeen. Afternoon: 1 hour and 45 minute transfer to Hornsby ( or 2 hour transfer to Sydney CBD).
WALK GRADE: 13.1kms. Moderate grade. 4.5hrs with breaks.
TERRAIN: Compact, firm surface. Some fences to cross. Undulating terrain.
ITINERARY: After breakfast, we transfer to the final section of our walk. Today’s walk forms part of the extended section of the Great North walk as it makes its way into the Hunter Valley Wine region. We meander along the Mount View ridgeline with its sweeping views before descending into the Hunter Valley dry rainforest one of the last remaining of its kind. We make our way into Pokolbin enjoying vistas of rich vineyards along the way. Our walk ends at Tinklers Winery in Pokolbin where we enjoy wine tasting some of the estate. Afterwards, we head to a local winery restaurant for a celebratory lunch. After lunch, we transfer back to Hornsby and the Sydney CBD, the end of a remarkable journey.
Tour Availability
We run this tour once a month all year round. We will also consider opening up a new departure date if we have enough demand. Email us at walks@lifesanadventure.com.au
PRIVATE GROUPS:
Date of your choice is available for groups of 10 people. (Note groups of 12 people can be accommodated – with the additional 2 people staying at a nearby property in Berowra Waters). Subject to availability. Please contact us for more details on (02) 9975 4553 or email: groups@lifesanadventure.com.au
To find out more click on any of the below links:
Tour Prices
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Private Group Prices
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PRIVATE GROUPS Departure date of your choice AUG 2023 – MAY 2024 Spot Special prices available on specific departures when you book and pay in full at time of booking. Normal price requires a $300 deposit, then final payments due 8 weeks prior to departure. Departure date of your choice is subjective to availability. A minimum group size of 8 required. Prices are equal to Past Travellers’ discounted rates. Additional Past Traveller’s’ discount not available for groups. Based on twin share – see details about Single Supplement and upgrade extras. |
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The following extras can be purchased with your tour SOLO TRAVELLERS WILLING TO SHARE SOLO TRAVELLERS WANTING THEIR OWN ROOM Accommodation for single supplements are at a nearby accommodation due to restricted rooms. Enquire for price and details. _____________________ TRAVEL INSURANCE |
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Discount Information:
PAST PASSENGER DISCOUNT: Those who have travelled with Life’s An Adventure previously, receive a past passenger discount of $100. This discount will automatically be deducted from future bookings when you book online using the same email address used for past bookings.
EARLYBIRD & SPOT SPECIAL CANCELLATIONS: Refunds or cancellations are not permitted for Earlybird Deals or Spot Specials, however, transfers to another date are permitted 8 weeks or more prior to departure. We advise taking out travel insurance, in case unexpected circumstances prior to the trip, prevent you from joining this tour. Early bird or Spot Special discounts cannot be used in conjunction with another offer. To receive these special discounts, full payment must be made at the time of initial booking. Flexiwalk Add-On option not available on these tickets.
Travel Insurance
We strongly advise our clients travelling within Australia to take out Travel Insurance. We have partnered with Cover-More to provide travel insurance to our guests. To get a quote or purchase travel insurance directly with them CLICK HERE .
Additional Information
- Prices are per person in Australian dollars and include GST.
- A deposit of $300 per person is required to secure your booking. (unless taking advantage of Earlybird or Spot Specials in which full payment is required at time of booking).
- Note: If you are booking within 90 days of your departure date – we will require full payment at the time of booking
- Prices are based on twin share of rooms. If you are travelling solo you may be required to share with someone of the same gender. If this is not suitable you can request to pay a single supplement, however, limited single rooms are available per trip so are on a request basis.
- No Credit Cards fees.
- Payments must be made online via our NAB (National Australia Bank) secure payment page via credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or over the phone.
- We advise taking our Travel Insurance to cover items such as cancellation of tour due to minimum numbers not met, or adverse weather conditions, injury, evacuation, delayed flights, illness, etc.
Credit for cancelled activities
If a tour activity has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances a credit for this missed activity can be applied to any future bookings. Click here.
Booking Terms and Conditions
Before you book please read our Booking Terms and Conditions. Click here.
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