The Great Blue Mountains Traverse walk
3 day Pack Free walk
The Blue Mountains in NSW is a magical location, famous for its dramatic escarpments, spectacular forests and stunning waterfalls, this region is a walker’s paradise. On this fantastic 3-day pack walk we traverse the great Blue Mountains from Blackheath to Wentworth Falls walking the most beautiful trails. Discover the lush fern gullies of the Grand Canyon, take in the stunning views from the rocky outcrop of Ruined Castle and be amazed by the Valley of Waterfalls at Wentworth Falls.
Pack-Free walk
Carry as little as your water, camera and lunch
This is a Pack Free walk designed for those looking for a guided multi-day walking experience with everything done for you. Our guests won’t be asked to carry their clothes or overnight bags for the entire tour. 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, carry as little as your water bottle, camera and lunch.
Wow Factor
Scenic Railway ride to the start of the trail
On day two we take a short cut to the valley floor on the Scenic Railway. Gliding through the rainforest and down the escarpment is a magical way to avoid the steep stairs and get to the start of the walking trail.
Please note as the Ruined Castle walk is being reapired after bushfires, we are currently not using the Scenic Railway, this will be reinstated when this walk is.
Stay at the historic Carrington Hotel
Art Deco manor close to shops and cafes
Our guests will stay at the iconic Carrington Hotel in the heart of Katoomba. This elegant heritage-listed hotel was a popular mountain retreat in the late 1800s. The hotel features charming art deco interiors including grand stunning chandeliers and relics of the past in its bar and restaurant. Guests rooms offer Queen or twin beds. The hotel is ideally situated in the heart of Katoomba with shops and cafes at its doorstep.
Personalised Tours
Maximum of 12 people
We keep our walking tours small and intimate so they can be more personalised. We have a maximum group size of 12 people on this walk.
Local wines included
accompanying a la carte dining
Indulge in sensational high-quality local produce that makes this region unique accompanied with local wines each evening. On night or we dine in the Carrington’s grand dining room with its art deco high ceilings. Whilst on night two we enjoy dinner in a charming local restaurant.
Typical Menu at the Carrington.
Mains:
- Fish of the Day
- Slow Braised Beef Short Ribs
Kipfler Potatoes, Sugar Snaps, Heirloom Carrots - Roasted Lamb Loin
Eggplant, Olive & Caper Caponata, Herb Polenta, Rosemary Jus - Pan Fried Spatchcock
Braised Beans, Cavalo Nero, Spinach & Potato Puree - Baked Wild Mushroom and Ricotta Crespelle
Leeks, Savoy Cabbage, Cheddar Cheese Sauce
Dessert:
- Honey & Ricotta Tart
Caramelized Pear, Vanilla Ice Cream - Pastel de Tres Leches Dom
(Three Milk Cake)
White Chocolate Mousse, Sponge Cake, Peach Puree - Coffee Hazelnut Ice Cream Stone
Fresh Berries, Chocolate Hazelnut Sauce - Triple Layered Chocolate S’mores Marshmallow, Crispy Crepe, Chocolate Mousse
- A Selection of Local & Imported Cheeses with Lavosh, Crackers & Fruit and Nuts.
Special dietary requirements can be catered for.
Genuinely all-inclusive walk
You won't even pay for credit card fees!
When you travel on one of our walking holidays you won’t be asked to put your hand in your pocket for extras along the way. All restaurant meals, as well as local wines, are included in your walking tour with nothing more to pay. You won’t even pay extra for credit card fees.
Our Guides Chief Experience officers
Passionate and enthusiastic guides
We call our guides CEOs – Chief Experience Officers and it’s their job to ensure your walking holiday is everything you hoped it would be. Our guides are wonderful at bringing the group together as well as sharing their love of the environment in which you travel. Our CEO’s are locals who are passionate, well trained and enthusiastic with a wealth of information.
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 clients come back and travel with us time and time again.
NEW Flexiwalk Add-On
Cancel for any reason option
FlexiWalk is a new optional Add-On that allows passengers to cancel their tour last minute and not be penalised. Exclusively designed by Life’s An Adventure, this product gives our guests certainty in a time of uncertainty. Click here to find out more details
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To find out more click on any of the below links:
Why should you choose us?
Tour Itinerary
Your 3 day walking holiday includes:
- Pack Free Walk – carry as little as your water and camera
- 2 nights at the Blue Mountain’s historic art deco Carrington hotel
- 2 x a la carte dinners in local Blue Mountains restaurants
- Superb regional wines to enjoy with dinner
- 2 x Hot and Cold breakfasts
- 3 lunches to enjoy whilst walking
- 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.
- Transfers to and from Sydney
- National Park Fees
PRE-TOUR STAY: For those starting the walk in the Blue Mountains a pre-tour night at the historic Carrington Hotel can be organised when you book your tour including dinner, bed and breakfast. This art deco manor is in the heart of Katoomba with shops, cafes and restaurants at your doorstep.
MEETING TIME: 7.15am at the Sir Stamford Hotel Sydney or 9.15am at the Carrington Hotel Katoomba.
TRAIL NOTES: 5.8km, 4 hours walking with breaks. Ascents 298m. Grade 3. Medium to Hard Grade.
TERRAIN: The trail from Evans Lookout runs gently uphill for about 1.5km before dropping steeply for about 0.9km with steps. It then undulates through the canyon for about 2.3km on dirt and rock paths interspersed with sandstone steps, rock ledges and overhangs, small bridges and stepping stone creek crossings before ascending steeply to the top of the plateau, with steps, for 1.1km.
TRANSFERS: Complimentary transfers from the Sydney CBD to the Blue Mountains are available if required (2 hours drive), or option to meet in the Blue Mountains.
WALK ITINERARY: This morning we head to Blackheath for the beginning of our walking adventure of the Blue Mountain’s Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon as a narrow chasm approximately 180m deep formed into the sandstone by the cascading waters of Greaves Creek. Our walk starts on the top of the escarpment near Evans Lookout taking us to the head of the Grand Canyon Track. Here where we descend into a magical wonderland of fern gullies and rainforest, dotted with pretty creek crossings and cascading waterfalls. The walk culminates in a climb up a series of sandstone steps through lush forest and ferns to Evans Lookout where guests will be awed by the panoramic views across the immense Grose Valley, surrounded by huge, vertical sandstone cliffs and impressive waterfalls. Afterwards, we head to our accommodation at the iconic Carrington Hotel, one of the Blue Mountain’s most historic and iconic hotels situated in the heart of Katoomba and close to shops and cafes. Tonight enjoy fine a la carte dining in a local restaurant accompanied by regional wines and great views
REVISED ITINERARY DUE TO BUSHFIRES:
Please note day one’s walk to Ruined Castle was affected by the January 2020 bushfires. When this walk is re-established we will add this back into our itinerary.
NEW Day 2: Scenic Railway – Federal Pass and Dardanelles Pass Loop
TRAIL NOTES: 9.8kms. 5-6 hours walking with breaks. Ascents: 623m. Medium Grade.
TERRAIN: From the Scenic Railway platform the walk follows a well-maintained path, with steps, undulating along the bottom of the cliff escarpment for 3.7km. It then climbs steeply for 1km with 230m elevation gain. The trail is interspersed with some steel stairs (with hand rails) and small bridges. Once the walk reaches the Prince Henry Cliff Walk the trail undulates along the top of the escarpment for 4.9km. Around Echo Point the paths are paved and easy walking while between Echo Point and Katoomba Falls there are some sections of steps and steel stairs with hand rails.
WALK ITINERARY: After a hearty breakfast, we set out for our day’s walking adventure. Today we have a unique way to get to the start of our walk. We head from our hotel to the Scenic Railway for a short cut to the valley floor on the Scenic Railway the world’s steepest railway. From here we begin our walk along the historic Federal Pass passing through dense forests and past pretty waterfalls and taking in views of the famous Three Sisters rock formations. Our trail takes us back up to the cliff top via Dardanelles Pass and the cascades and waterfalls of Linda Creek and then back along the cliff top past the Three Sisters with stunning views of the Jamieson Valley. We return to our superb accommodation, tonight we visit a local restaurant for a wonderful a la carte dinner including local wine and recount the day’s adventures with newfound friends.
ORIGINAL ITINERARY: Ruined Castle walk.7.9kms. 5.5 hours walking with breaks. Walk: Medium to Hard grade. Ascents 666m. 2.6km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 1.2km is very steep. The remaining (210m) has short steep hills.
After a hearty breakfast, we set out for our day’s walking adventure. Today we have a unique way to get to the start of our walk. We head from our hotel to Katoomba. From here we take a short cut to the valley floor on the Scenic Railway the world’s steepest railway. We traverse the Jamieson Valley, the track was once a historic mining route with ruins of miner’s cottages and worksites. We then head into a world of lush rainforests of giant sassafrass and coachwood trees. As we reach Ruined Castle we enjoy some rock hopping to take up to the peak of Ruined Castle, one of the most visible and remarkable landmarks of the Blue Mountains. The 360-degree views from the rocky outcrop are simply breathtaking. We return to our superb accommodation for an enjoyable dining experience in the superb Eucalypt Restaurant including local wine and recount the day’s adventures with new found friends.
NOTE: PHOTO & MAP ARE OF ORIGINAL WALK.
TRAIL NOTES: 6.2kms. 5 hours walking with breaks. Ascents: 489m. Medium Grade.
TERRAIN: The walk undulates easily along the top of the escarpment, over and under the cliffs for 2.5km to Wentworth Falls. From here there are a series of steep ascents and descents, for 1km, with steps, stairs and handrails before descending to the valley below the cliffs. The trail runs along the valley for 1.5km and is rough in sections but not difficult. It then climbs steeply for 1.1km to the Conservation Hut and includes short sections with steep rock steps and metal and wooden stairs with handrails.
WALK ITINERARY: After a relaxing breakfast, we head out on our day’s walking adventure, to one of the most beautiful hikes in the whole of the Blue Mountains. Descend into a valley of magnificent waterfalls through a stunning rainforest gorge. Explore ferny grottos, swimming holes and see a series of cascades including beautiful Empress Falls where water gushes from a narrow gorge. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch at the base of a waterfall where you can listen for the distinctive calls of the whip-birds and lyrebirds. Soak up the atmosphere as you jump across stepping stones to cross creeks and stand in awe taking in magnificent views of the falls and mountain scenery. Instead of just admiring the views from a lookout you’ll descend by steps down the cliffs into the wilderness to experience the true beauty of this region. We finish our walk early afternoon, for those returning to Sydney we offer complimentary transfers to the Sydney CDB, returning to the Sir Stamford Hotel.
FINISH TIME: Approximately 3.00pm in the Blue Mountains or 5.00pm in Sydney depending on the pace of the group and traffic into Sydney
Tour Availability
We run regular monthly tours from September to April every year. Dates are listed below however availability changes by the hour – to see real-time availability click on the monthly calendar at the bottom of the page and select the month you require. We will also consider opening up a new departure date if we have enough demand. Email us at walks@lifesanadventure.com.au
SPECIALS
Check below to see if your preferred departure has a special savings. Conditions apply see pricing page.
| Departure Dates | Availability | Special Offer/ Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Dec 2020 | Available | Super Earlybird Savings |
| 23 Jan 2021 | Available | Super Earlybird Savings |
| 25 Feb 2021 | Available | Super Earlybird Savings |
| 19 Mar 2021 | Available | Super Earlybird Savings |
| 22 Apr 2021 | Available | Super Earlybird Savings |
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PRIVATE GROUPS:
Date of your choice is available for groups of 8-10 people. Subject to availability. Free Group T’shirts also available – see details.
Please contact us for more details on (02) 9975 4553 or email: walks@lifesanadventure.com.au
To find out more click on any of the below links:
Tour Prices
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FIRST TIME TRAVELLER SUPER EARLYBIRD
From
$
1099
/p
Prices for those doing their first walk with us |
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DEPARTURES Super Earlybird Price*…..$1099 Super Earlybird savings available on all departures only when you pay in full by 10 November 2020. Normal Price requires deposit then final payment due 8 weeks prior to departure. |
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PAST PASSENGER SUPER EARLYBIRD
From
$
999
/p
Travelled with Life's An Adventure previously |
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DEPARTURES Super Earlybird Price*…..$999 Enquire for special code. Super Earlybird savings available on all departures only when you pay in full by 10 November 2020. Normal Price requires deposit then final payment due 8 weeks prior to departure. |
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Private Group Super Earlybird
From
$
999
/p
Your own Private Group of 10-12 guests |
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PRIVATE GROUPS DEPARTURES: Super Earlybird Price*…..$999 _______________________________ Additional Past Passenger discount not available for groups. Super Earlybird savings available on all departures only when you pay in full by 10 November 2020. Normal Price requires deposit then final payment due 8 weeks prior to departure. |
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OPTIONAL
$
Xtras
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The following extras can be purchased with your tour Pre or Post tour night Package: 3 day walk Single Supplement: FlexiWalk Add-On – Cancel for Any Reason: |
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COVID Booking Guarantee
For terms and conditions on our special COVID-19 Booking Guarantee click here.
FlexiWalk Option – Cancel for any Reason
Click here for full conditions on our FlexiWalk Option.
Single Supplement
Singles not wanting to share and requesting their own room can pay a single supplement. Subject to availability at time of booking.
Discount Information:
- PAST PASSENGER DISCOUNT: Those who have travelled with Life’s An Adventure previously, receive a past passenger discount of $100. In order to receive this discount please email us for your special “promo code” to use when booking. In your email, you should outline what Life’s An Adventure tour you have done with us in the past so we can cross-check.
- EARLYBIRD, & SPOT SPECIALS: Refunds and 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 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. We have organised through NIB Insurance for you to purchase travel insurance directly with them – please click here for details.
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.
- Payments must be made online via our NAB (National Australia Bank) secure payment page via credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or over the phone.
- NO Credit Card fee applies.
- 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.
Booking Terms and Conditions
Before you book please read our Booking Terms and Conditions. Click here.
To find out more click on any of the below links:
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