Park Tours
From the mountains and rainforests of the Scenic Rim to the beauty of Tasmania, ParkTours takes you on small group walking tours to national parks and natural regions around Australia.
Discover the country on easy to medium grade walks. Travel between destinations by private coach. Relax and unwind at the end of the day in comfortable accommodation. Most meals are included with the focus on local cuisine and regional produce. ParkTours guides are experienced and have your comfort and energy levels in mind.
Australian walking holidays range from three to four day short breaks, one week hiking tours or extended walking tours of two to three weeks, which travel to more remote areas. ParkTours also organise special interest tours including birding, wildlife, food/wine and wellbeing adventures.
ParkTours have operated walking focused tours in Australia and around the world since 1975. The company is family-owned and the office is located in Australia's Gold Coast hinterland (on Tamborine Mountain).
Secret Walks of the Scenic Rim
Treat yourself to a short break in the Scenic Rim and learn its secrets from the locals. Stretching southwest of Brisbane, this arc of sweeping ranges, river valleys, lush rainforests and quaint country towns is the perfect city antidote. Walk amongst spectacular landforms, sample fresh produce and meet artists and local characters along the way. Travelling from Brisbane via the country towns of Kalbar and Harrisville, they begin with easy walks in Moogerah Peaks National Park. At the Main Range National Park, we walk to Mt Cordeaux and Bear Rock for spectacular views, before enjoying an evening cooking class at Mt Barney Lodge. Within Mt Barney National Park, they take on the climb to Mt Maroon, before enjoying sunset drinks with Scenic Rim produce.
Travelling via Rathdowney and Beaudesert, they then explore the eastern side of the Scenic Rim. Based for two nights at Tamborine Mountain, short walks lead to palm forests, waterfalls and quiet lookouts. They enjoy the mountain's culinary delights and meet local characters. The final day includes a short walk in Lamington National Park, time at a Beechmont art studio and lunch with views back over the mountains before returning to Brisbane.
Girraween Short Break
This walking and wellbeing short break features the rainforests of Main Range and the balancing boulders of Girraween National Park in Southern Queensland's Granite Belt. From Brisbane, we travel southwest to Main Range National Park for rainforest walks with the option to climb Mt Cordeaux then stop for some Granite Belt wine-tasting.
South of Stanthorpe, Girraween National Park is famous for its granite domes, improbable balancing boulders and exquisitely water-worn creek forms. We spend three nights in the comfortable and spacious accommodation of Girraween Environmental Lodge. Enjoy cool nights, a spa and pool, and abundant wildlife around the lodge. Walks lead us to fascinating underground creeks, magnificent granite outcrops, and lookouts over the eucalypt forests and heathlands.
Each day, we will offer a selection of popular and lesser-known walks with options to hike as much or as little as you prefer. During our stay, we enhance our connection to body, mind, and nature, with two optional yoga classes and a night stroll. There’s also time to explore the towns of Tenterfield and Stanthorpe. Our final walk is to the largest exposed granite monolith in Australia, at Bald Rock National Park with spectacular views and quiet picnic spots.
For single people who prefer NOT to share, they may pay the additional supplement to have sole use of a chalet. Sole use: A$500
Best of Beechmont and Binna Burra
Enjoy the hidden gems of Beechmont and Binna Burra in a day. Walk on private land to a local waterfall or do an easier walk in Lamington National Park. You also have the chance to meet a landscape artist in his studio. After lunch at the Binna Burra Teahouse, learn about the stories and characters on a Welcome to Binna Burra walk and talk. This tour is accompanied by our expert local guides who live in and love this area of the Scenic Rim and Gold Coast Hinterland.
The tour includes transfers from Nerang station; guided morning walk; morning tea at a local cafe; lunch at the Binna Burra Teahouse; artist visit and a private tour around Binna Burra.
Starts / ends Nerang train station
Return bus transfer included to Beechmont and Binna Burra
Price for a minimum of 2 people
Lava Tubes to Lawn Hill - Walking Holiday
Starting in Cairns this 16-day journey travels west via Millstream Falls National Park, staying 2 nights in Undara Experience. Savannah Guides introduce us to Undara Volcanic National Park as we explore the world’s longest single vent lava flow. Based for 2 nights in Normanton, gateway to the Gulf of Carpentaria’s major fishing port of Karumba, unwind on a sunset cruise along the Norman River. Enjoy a short train ride aboard the historic Gulflander, a 1950 railmotor. Travelling southwest, stay 3 nights at Adel’s Grove and explore the gorges of Boodjamulla National Park with its palm-fringed waterholes and sheer sandstone walls. Canoe the waterways, swim in rock pools, and walk to viewpoints and Aboriginal rock art. Visit the Riversleigh World Heritage Site and explore the Riversleigh Fossils Centre in Mt Isa. During our 2-day stopover, there is the option to visit Isa Experience providing a fascinating insight into the mining industry development to the cultural diversity of Mount Isa. At the John Flynn Museum in Cloncurry, learn about the Royal Flying Doctor Service. In the regional town of Richmond, search for dinosaur fossils and visit the renowned Richmond Marine Fossil Museum, also known as Kronosaurus Korner. The tour ends in Townsville.
Price: $7930$7930 / person (twin share) +
$1580 (single supplement)
Scenic Rim Walks & Backroads
This trip takes visitors on an exclusive 5-day journey from Binna Burra to O’Reilly’s, on to the Lost World Valley and Mt Barney National Park.
Journey through natural and human history as they explore Gondwana Rainforests over 5 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 and swimming holes.
Taste the regional cuisine of the Scenic Rim 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 and learn about the eccentric characters who founded them.
Twin share/person (starts/ends Brisbane & Gold Coast)
Regular: $2670
Single supplement: $520
Bunya Mountains to Bundaberg
The majestic Bunya Mountains, is a spectacular wilderness in an isolated section of the Great Dividing Range. We begin with two nights here amongst the cool eucalypt forests and woodlands, home to the world's largest forest of bunya pines. Walks feature panoramic mountain scenery with views over the South Burnett region and southern plains. Travelling via Kingaroy and Ban Ban Springs, we relax for two days with time to explore Cania Gorge National Park. This park protects a valuable remnant of the Brigalow belt and is the closest park to the coast where you can see the sandstone landscapes of Central Queensland. Our next two nights are spent at the charming coastal town of Bargara, near Bundaberg. We stroll along the Burnett River, wander through the lush botanical gardens, and visit the Bundaberg Rum Distillery. A day cruise to Lady Musgrave, the jewel of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, gives you a chance to snorkel over coral reefs, teeming with marine life. Returning south, we stop two nights in the Sunshine Hinterland town of Montville and stay at a tranquil eco-retreat. Gentle walks include Kondalilla National Park in the scenic Blackall Range, along with Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.
Price: $4830Twin share/person (starts / ends Brisbane)
Regular: $4,830
Single Supplement: $1,060
Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk Highlights
Make a pilgrimage to the heart of the Gondwana rainforests on one of Queensland’s long-distance hiking trails. Spend three days walking the highlights of this 54km trail with the comfort of luggage transfers and walking only with a day pack. Traverse the mountains, World Heritage listed rainforest and hidden valleys of Lamington and Springbrook National Parks. From O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, we walk 21km through the Green Mountain section of Lamington following sections of the QLD / NSW border. Based for two nights at the Binna Burra Sky Lodge, we explore the Lower Ballanjui Circuit with lookouts over the eastern side of Lamington National Park. Admire the stands of flooded gums, brushbox and piccabeen groves on the way to lunch at the base of Ballanjui Falls. Leaving Lamington plateau, we travel by bus via Numinbah valley viewing Kurraragin (Egg Rock), a remnant plug from the Tweed shield volcano, Wollumbin (Mt Warning). Our final day at Springbrook National Park includes the option of two waterfall circuit walks – to the cool spray of Purling Brook Falls via Warringah Pools followed by the spectacular Twin Falls Circuit before returning to the Gold Coast.
Price: $1579Price: Twin share/person (starts Gold Coast /ends Gold Coast)
A$1,579 (twin share in 2 bedroom Sky Lodge Apartment)
Single Supplement: A$480 (sole use bedroom studio apartment)
Alcheringa Escape
Alcheringa Holiday Houses and the Binna Burra Sky Lodges are your base for this small group getaway. Relax in these passive-solar, architect-designed buildings. Enjoy walks with the extended Groom family in World Heritage listed Lamington National Park. Soak your muscles in a magnesium spa at the end of the day or relax with a good book and valley views. Local produce will feature on the daily menu with all meals and snacks included. Walking options include the Lower Ballanjui Circuit with lookouts over the eastern side of Lamington National Park. Admire the stands of flooded gums, brushbox and piccabeen groves on the way to lunch at the base of Ballanjui Falls. We also see the spectacle of Coomera Falls from a dramatic viewpoint. Another day is focused on walks at Springbrook National Park including Purling Brook Falls and Best of All lookouts, the Twin Falls Circuit, and a night walk at Natural Arch to see the glow-worms. The itinerary is flexible to allow for weather, waterfalls and your walking wishes. We also suggest some nature journalling, finding a quiet magic spot and viewing the forest on optional night walks
Price: $1937A$1,937 (twin / double in 2 bedroom / 2 bathroom Alcheringa Holiday Houses).
A$650 (sole use bedroom in 2-bedroom house)
Experiences you can enjoy:
- Nature & Wildlife
- Experience is charged
Activities you can engage in:
- Birdwatching
- Swimming
- Walks
- Hiking