Compare Australia: Cradle Mountain Huts Great Walk by Walking Connection vs Australia Beachside Wildlife Adventure by Discover Corps

Day 1: Waldheim to Barn Bluff Hut

Walk through ancient rainforest, enjoy spectacular views of Cradle Mountain, walk along the edge of a spectacular glacial cirque, and drop into Waterfall Valley before arriving at Barn Bluff.

Day 2: Barn Bluff To Pine Forest Moor Hut

Travel across plains where glaciers once sat. Walk over plains of button grass, by the peaks of Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff.

Day 3: Pine Forest Moor Hut to Pelion Plains Hut

A mix of long, slow descents and ascents, from the base of Mt Pelion West down to the Forth River and Lemonthyme Valley, to the beautiful Pelion Plains.

Day 4: Pelion Hut to Kia Ora Hut

Climb to Pelion Gap; a few hours of gentle downhill from the gap to the hut, with the option of various side trips for a more challenging day of walking.

(This is the final day of the four day itinerary – Walk from Pelion Hut to Arm River Valley.

Final day of Four-Day itinerary: head east across Pelion Plains, following the southern shore of Lake Ayr. Take in stunning views of Mount Pillinger and the peaks along the Overland Track.

Day 1:

Meals: Dinner

Arrive at the Gold Coast Airport in tropical Queensland. You’ll be met at the airport by your Discover Corps host who will accompany you to our Home base where we’ll have a Welcome Dinner.

Day 2:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Start the day with a traditional Aboriginal welcome to the Gold Coast. Experience a live Aboriginal dance performance and traditional fire demonstration followed by a trek around a coastal headland known as the “Dreaming Mountain” discovering traditional sites used by the local Yugambeh people along the way. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon before a sunset cruise along the river exploring the diverse ecosystem and keeping an eye out for dolphins along the way.

Day 3:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, head over to a local wildlife conservation park where we will have an introduction to the park and spend the next four days assisting rangers and staff on a variety of wildlife-related activities. Whether it’s caring for the park’s wallabies, koalas, and kangaroos or simply helping to improve the infrastructure, we’ll lend a hand in a meaningful way. In the afternoon, visit the stunning Currumbin Valley and Springbrook National Park where we’ll see majestic waterfalls that tumble down into the depths of a canyon, rock creeks that flow into cool swimming holes and some of the oldest trees in Australia.

Day 4:

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Spend the morning at the wildlife conservation park. Spend the day alongside the rangers assisting them in their daily work with the park’s wildlife including gathering food, feeding and other projects around the park. Later on, take a drive to a leading koala conservation center to meet with the park’s

The Gold Coast – Queensland’s Iconic Beaches

Boasting over 30 miles of beaches, nearly 300 sunny days per year and surrounded by the continent’s oldest rainforests, the Gold Coast is truly paradise.It is also home to an array of Australian wildlife and the leading organizations that aim to educate and conserve these animals. The area is also a center of Australian café culture, food and the “no worries” attitude that dominates the Aussie way of life. Whether exploring the inland waterfalls and rainforest canopies or relaxing along one of the area’s sandy beaches, the Gold Coast is the perfect place to be based during your time in the Land Down Under.

Best Time to Visit

Australia’s Gold Coast is blessed with year-round sunshine and warm weather. As Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are the opposite as the U.S. Summers on the Gold Coast (our winter) tend to be hot while the winters (our summer) are mild. Regardless of the time of year, there is plenty to do in the area given it’s natural surroundings and proximity to world-class cafes, restaurants and beaches. Offshore islands such as North Stradbroke Island provide an easy getaway over the weekend while the interior rainforests are renowned for their abundance of ancient trees, wildlife and waterfalls.

Day 4 (cont.): rangers and experience firsthand the work being done to care for these gentle animals. On the way back to our hotel, we’ll stop at some of the most beautiful beaches along the coast.

Days 5-6:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Continue the next two mornings with our projects at the local Australian wildlife conservation park. By now, you’ll have a good understanding of the unique array of this continent’s wildlife as well as some of the issues facing kangaroos, wallabies and koalas. Our final day at the park will be spent on a legacy project that includes seasonal planting and time with the animals. One afternoon, take a relaxing road trip along the coast stopping at Brunswick Heads, a quaint seaside village where the river meets the sea. Another afternoon, journey into the rainforest and walk along a skywalk that meanders through the canopy. Afterwards, take a walk through the quaint galleries and wineries of Mt. Tamborine.

Day 7:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Rise early for breakfast and drive to Moreton Bay where we will take a ferry to North Stradbroke Island, the world’s second largest sand island. Upon arrival, enjoy a traditional Aboriginal welcome from the indigenous Quandamooka People. Paint your own boomerang, try the didgeridoo and enjoy a visit to Myora Springs, an important source of freshwater for the wildlife of the island. After lunch, take an afternoon bush walk to a remote beach spotting koalas along the way. Spend the night at a set of charming seaside bungalows on the island.

Day 8:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Spend the day exploring the beauty of North Stradbroke Island. Take a walk to the island’s famous blow hole looking out for kangaroos, dolphins and possibly whales in the distance. Have lunch at famous Cylinder Beach and unwind at one of the best beaches in Queensland. Take a kayak out in the turquoise waters off picturesque Amity Point, experiencing the vibrant sea life that thrives around the island. Enjoy a relaxing dinner together and try your hand at Australian “barefoot” lawn bowling – a pastime in the Land Down Under.

Day 9:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, take the ferry back to the mainland where we’ll return to the Gold Coast in time for lunch. Take the afternoon to explore the nearby beaches, shop for some last minute souvenirs or simply relax by the Home Base’s pool. Tonight, we’ll have a special Farewell Dinner together, reminiscing about our experiences over the past week.

Day 10:

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Throughout the day, staff will take travelers to the airport for their flights back home.

Our Home Base

During your time on the Gold Coast, you’ll be based at spacious beachside apartments walking distance to the beach, shops and cafes. All apartments have air-conditioning and are completely self-contained with fully equipped kitchens, laundry, balconies and double or single occupancy rooms. There is an outdoor in-ground pool and plenty of sunshine to relax under. We’ll also spend two nights in charming seaside bungalows (with resident koalas) on North Stradbroke Island.