6 Day

Meeting time: Meet your guide/s and fellow walkers at 2.30pm at reception

Meeting Location: Spicers Hidden Vale located at 617 Grandchester Mount Mort Road ,Grandchester.

Check-in at 2pm, we recommend checking in and taking your luggage to your room before meeting your Guide/s and group at 2.30pm at reception.

If you are self-driving, upon arrival take the lower entrance onto the unsealed road and park along the wooden fence. Undercover parking is not available. If this is a concern, we can assist in arranging transfers.

Transfers to / from Brisbane can be arranged.

Packing List

Frequently Asked Questions

To gain a full understanding behind the Scenic Rim Trail and founder Jude Turner’s passion for land, conservation and nature the signature 6 day walk would not be complete without a visit to the Hidden Vale Wildlife Research Centre.

Your Guide/s will walk you over to the centre sharing history about Old Hidden Vale Station and the Retreat as you go. The walk is just 15 – 20 minutes.

At the Wildlife Centre you’ll get to see the interpretation room and your Guide/s will share information past, present and future about the conservation work being undertaken by the Turner Family Foundation.

To find out more visit the Turner Family Foundation website.

Once back at the retreat you have some leisure time before a group dinner in Homage restaurant at 6pm.

Your breakfast and coffee order will be taken at dinner ready for the next morning.

Breakfast will be at 7am in Homage.

Please come packed and ready to go with your luggage and all gear. You can place your bags on the front deck while you have breakfast.

If you had any items from the mini bar or beverages during your stay at Spicers Hidden Vale they will be automatically charged to your credit card upon check-out and a receipt sent by email.

We will meet at reception at approx. 7.45am (or as advised by your guides) before a prompt 8am departure.

You will depart in the 4WD bus to the start of the trail, which is a 40 min drive. There is a bathroom at the start of the trail.

From here you will start on your first day of hiking!

Today’s trail is approximately 12 km on Grade 4 and 5 trails. Trails will be long, rough and steep in sections. You will use the natural rock to navigate some sections with your guides safely leading the way.

Day one is an adventurous day that sees you climb up the Mistake Mountain Range with a 600m ascent. The ecosystem is dry sclerophyll forest with incredible views afforded throughout the day.

A highlight is the 16m rock ladder, which you’ll be safely harnessed to. If you have a grave fear of heights or any concerns about climbing the ladder, there is an alternative trail.

You will arrive at Spicers Mt Mistake at approximately 3:30pm where you will be welcomed with a cool drink, afternoon tea and a great sense of achievement.

From here the afternoon is at your leisure.

Your group will gather together for the daily briefing where your guides will provide you with key information for the next day including communicating breakfast and departure times.

Please note that timings may change depending on weather and conditions.

Share style dinner will be served at 6pm, followed by time spent relaxing by the fire.

Breakfast is served at 6.45am with tea and coffee available earlier.

After breakfast you will pack your luggage and make your final preparations for the day.

Your guides will provide you with your lunches and show you where to refill your water bottles.

You’ll walk out of camp at 8am.

Times may vary depending on the time of year and conditions.

Today’s trail is approximately 18km largely on a Grade 3 trail – a formed track with some obstacles and some short, steep hills.

The final hour of the day is spent on a Grade 5, unformed track. The terrain is rough, unmarked and filled with natural beauty.

You’ll start the day with a climb before entering World Heritage Listed Gondwana Rainforest. This will be your first encounter of this natural wonder and a taste of what’s to come. Emerging from the rainforest, you’ll join a former logging road.

In the final section of the day you’ll step deep into the rainforest on a private Grade 5 trail that takes you into camp.

Arrive at camp with a great sense of achievement and take a moment to relax on the viewing deck.

Your guides will take you up to your treehouse-like cabin, giving you an orientation and briefing for the incredible camp you find yourself in.

There are two communal wash pavilions and after a well-earned shower you are welcome to make your way to the lounge to relax.

We recommend enjoying the sunset at the viewing deck before is served at 6pm.

Each cabin has a yoga mat, so feel free to stretch out on your private balcony or take your mat down to the viewing deck and enjoy some morning relaxation before breakfast.

Following your morning routine of breakfast, packing and getting organised you’ll walk out at 8am.

Today’s walk entails Grade 3, Grade 4 and Grade 5 trails. The total distance is approximately 16 km.

We start the day with a relatively flat warm up as we make our way up the access road, enjoying the sounds of the rainforest birds as we go.

This initial track can sometimes get muddy, so you may have to skirt your way around some puddles as we make our way along the track.

As we descend into the valley, we become enveloped by rainforest. Approximately half of today’s walk is on Grade 5 trail. Your guides will lead the way on the unmarked trails.

You’ll ascend down some rocky boulder sections that will require you to crouch down and move slowly. The pace is slower as you take care with your footing, navigating the tree roots and rocky sections.

The last section of the day offers a climb up to camp where your hosts will be waiting to welcome you to Spicers Timber Getters Eco Cabins.

Architecturally, the camp is the same as Spicers Amphitheatre, however each has a unique interior and exterior.

Formally a loggers camp, you can view the old tin shed that once housed loggers, or ‘timber getters’, of the era.

Gather in the lounge for your daily briefing ahead of dinner at 6pm.

The birdlife at Spicers Timbergetters is particularly beautiful at dawn.

Following your morning routine of breakfast, packing and gathering our gear for the day, we will walk out at 8am.

Today’s walk entails Grade 3, Grade 4 and Grade 5 trail and is approximately 16 km. You’ll start the day with a heartwarming climb up the fire trail past an old pine plantation. Once at the top, you’ll head deep into the rainforest on Grade 5 track. We come across some huge rainforest trees with buttresses five feet tall.

Once again, the pace is slower as  you take care with your footing while navigating the tree roots and rocky sections. Emerging from deep in the rainforest, you’ll scramble over Bare Rock. This spectacular location offers 360 degree views on a clear day.

From here, you’ll join the commonly used public trail where you may pass fellow walkers, not many of whom will ever venture where you have just been. In the final section of the trail the modern world comes into earshot as you hear trucks carrying goods from the coast to the west.

A vehicle will be waiting for you at the end of the trail ready to transfer you to Spicers Hidden Peaks.

The drive is approximately 15 minutes to camp where you will be greeted and shown to your handcrafted log cabin, each with its own ensuite bathroom.

After you have rested and settled into camp, gather around the fire pit to share stories and your favourite memories from the trip so far. Enjoy a hearty dinner in the lodge.

Breakfast at 7am before being transferred by bus to the starting of today’s walk.

You’ll be transferred by bus to Cunningham’s Gap, from where you’ll climb the twin summits of Mt Mitchell. The steady ascent rewards more breathtaking views of the southern ridges and escarpments of the Main Range National Park.

Once taking in the expansive views from the top we descend into Spicers private Nature Refuge crossing creek beds and the farmlands of Peak Station to walk directly into Spicers Canopy.

The twin peaks of Mt Mitchell is an iconic feature along the Scenic Rim Trail and a popular stand alone hike. Our 12km trail takes you over the summit with sweeping views of the southerly end of the Main Range and beyond through Spicers Nature refuge and onto Peak Station where Spicers Canopy awaits.

After arriving at Spicers Canopy enjoy a well-earned shower and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing in your glamping-style tent, lounging in the main lodge savoring the aroma of the evening dinner being prepared, or enjoy a soak in the outdoor hot tub overlooking farmland paddocks with the summits of Mt Cordeaux and Mt Mitchell basking in the warm sunset glow.

If the weather is clear, we highly recommend getting up early and watching the sun rise over the mountains.

Enjoy breakfast at camp from 7am before setting off for a morning hike exploring private land, beautiful creeks and possibly spot a koala if you are lucky.

You will return to camp late morning in time to change (and shower if you would like) before driving to Spicers Peak Lodge for lunch at approximately 1pm.

Your guides will bid you farewell allowing you to relax into your time at Spicers Peak Lodge.

Spend the afternoon exploring Spicers Peak Lodge at your leisure or opt for one of our guided experiences. If relaxation after six days of hiking is what you’re after, book your moment of serenity at Spa Anise and indulge in one of our luxurious treatments.

In the evening, enjoy a drink or two beside the fire pit followed by an indulgent dinner at The Peak restaurant.

Your group will be booked to dine together however if you prefer to have some time to yourself, please don’t hesitate to advise the team at Spicers Peak Lodge on arrival to arrange a different sitting time.

Enjoy a morning of serenity at Spicers Peak Lodge including breakfast and perhaps one last walk around the stunning surrounds of the property, saying good morning to the highland cows.

At 10:30am, your helicopter transfer will arrive at the Lodge for your return journey to Spicers Hidden Vale. There is one helicopter that will take you in groups so if you are on a second or third rotation you can enjoy a little more time at Spicers Peak Lodge. Your luggage will travel with you.

The pilot will trace the hiking trail from the sky allowing you to see the vast beauty of the entire Main Range giving you a further sense of what you have achieved on your journey.

For safety reasons, the size of the group and overall weight needs to be accounted for in determining the number of Heli rotations required.

If you have arranged private vehicle transfers, you will be collected from Spicers Hidden Vale.

If you are flying out from Brisbane, please book an afternoon flight of 2pm or later.