You make your own way from Brisbane to Spicers Hidden Vale Retreat, a 90 minute drive, which is the meeting point for your Scenic Rim Trail experience.
Tonight's dining experience will allow you to taste foods from across the Scenic Rim region and the retreat itself. All of the dishes have been prepared with an element of fire and you’ll be able to watch the chefs cook in their outside coal-fired kitchen.
After dinner, you’ll retire for a good night’s rest before you embark on your hike tomorrow.
An Elevation Map of the hike can be found under the Documents Tab.
After breakfast you are transferred by private vehicle to Spicers Scenic Rim Trailhead - the start point of your hike. All your luggage will be transported for you.
Over the next five hours or so, you will slowly ascend through the private nature refuge. As you climb higher through the western part of the Scenic Rim you will learn about the history and ecology of the region. Mount Mistake is part of the ‘Main Range,’ a collection of over 40 mountain peaks, which are the remnants of a volcano that was active some 24 million years ago.
The panoramic views open up as you head towards the ridgeline. The trail weaves through open eucalypt forests. As you make your way along the ridgeline you enter a unique ecosystem, which protects an endangered species of rock wallaby. You stop for morning tea on top of a rocky outcrop with views as far as the eye can see.
Throughout the trail, you’ll notice the beautiful xanthorrhoea grass trees with their green spiky bloom and charcoal trunk that feels like dragon scales. Grass trees are long-lived and slow growing with a lifespan of up to 250 years.
Your first day of walking is rewarded with the most incredible views along the range. You’ll walk along the ridgeline with plenty of time to pause and take it in. Your lunch site affords views over the Little Liverpool Ranges. As you come out of the forest and into the farmland the ground rolls gently towards the Spicers Mount Mistake Farmhouse. You’ll be greeted with a well-earned beverage.
With some free time in the afternoon, you can relax and enjoy the amazing views or take a self-guided stroll to the local waterfall.
Each of the six bedrooms has its own private ensuite and hot shower. After a hearty dinner, served at the communal table, you can settle in around the stone fireplace.
Today's walk is around 7 kms and should take around 5 hours to complete. The grade is moderate to difficult.
Today you pass into the Main Range National Park.
As you venture forward you will feel the forest folding in around you. This area is of national significance with most of the Main Range National Park being decreed a World Heritage Area. You will learn about the fascinating ecology of the rainforest and surrounding ecosystems along your journey.
There is also a curious history to the region having been extensively logged in the 1900’s. The path you take is, in fact, an old logging trail and you will see remnants of the past and learn of its history as you traverse the landscape.
Today’s walk is smooth going and relatively flat so while its the longest day by distance it’s easily achieved.
In the final stretch of your day you emerge from the forest and onto the ‘winder trail’ where you can see the old iron winder that was once used by timber getters to winch the logs along. You turn off the open cut trail and through our final stretch of forest before arriving at Spicers Amphitheatre Eco Cabins.
The eco-cabins have been built to the highest sustainability standards and you’ll enjoy a tour of the camp after you’ve had a hot shower, rested and before congregating in the common pavilion for a hearty dinner and well-earned beverage.
Each cabin has a private balcony with an incredible louvre window that opens up to the views of the valley below and the mountain behind. The camp got its name from its amphitheatre setting, an open circular space with a central space for the cabins.
Today's walk is around 18 kms and should take 8 hours to complete. The grade is easy to moderate.
Setting out after breakfast, today explores a number of ecosystems venturing deep into the national park. The lookout vantage points early in the day offer a spectacular view of Mount Castle. As you descend you become enveloped by the canopy and this natural cover will provide cool temperatures throughout the day.
The ecosystems of today’s journey are particularly noticeable starting in a wooded forest with beautiful walkways fringed by boulders and contrasting bright green foliage. You then journey deeper into an unharvested section of the park and the trees get thicker and taller. In the towering trees above you’ll see giant staghorn air plants. Keep an eye out for Albert’s lyrebird, the endangered eastern bristlebird and the vulnerable black-breasted button-quail
Lunch is taken at ‘the cathedral’ zone of giant Crow’s Ash trees (Australian Teak) hundreds of years old.
The final descent crisscrosses the ridge and you leave of the rainforest and traverse through an ancient eucalypt forest. Reaching the valley floor you arrive at the source of Dalrymple Creek, where you can rest and refill your water bottle from the waterfall. From here it is a gentle ascent into Spicers Timber Getters Eco Cabins.
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are enjoyed on the trail, arriving into camp in the afternoon.
Today's walk is around 8.7 kms and should take 8 hours to complete. The grade is moderate (with steps).
After breakfast you set out and cross a rocky saddle before re-entering the rainforest with magnificent tree ferns. Listen for the sounds of Albert’s lyrebirds before ending with a brief scramble to a rocky outcrop. From here the spectacular views over the northern section of the park are a just reward. Much of the day will be on an open ridgeline where you’ll appreciate the full extent and vastness of the Scenic Rim.
Towards the end of the walk you will see a monument credited to Allan Cunningham, who in 1828 was the first European to find and explore the region. Cunningham’s discovery seemed to solve the problem of finding a shorter route between Moreton Bay Colony and the newly-discovered Darling Downs.
As you complete the descent of Mt Cordeaux, you’ll be quickly transported to your final destination, Spicers Hidden Peaks Cabins, which sits in the shadows of Mt Greville.
Enjoy a special dinner to celebrate the past 4 days.
Today's walk is around 13.7 kms and should take 7 hours to complete. The grade is easy to moderate.
Today you are returned to Spicers Hidden Vale by private transfer and make your way back to Brisbane.
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