client stories & testimonials
Read stories written by our clients
Read testimonials from our clients
testimonials
"Thank you for the professional way you organised our walk. There were many little extras which I appreciated. I thought the accommodation for such an area to be excellent and the lunches and snacks provided were great. For me personally I loved the walking and didn’t have to worry about getting there, accommodation, meals and information on our walks. This was all provided." Judy Truman from West Wollongong, Red Centre Augist 2008
"This was one of the best trips I have been on with Auswalk. I thought the visit to the Desert Park made a really good start to the trip and helped with understanding the landscape, birds and plants." Pamela Gratton from Sydney - Red Centre August 2008.
"The holiday exceeded our expectations. Our accommodation was clean and comfortable and the food was tasty and very adequate. Monica's gourmet tucker on every occasion was a treat. The walking routes were very well thought out as each walk's scenery differed and provided excellent photo opportunities. We were pleased that each walk was not rushed as we could experience everything around us. Thankyou for your hard work (even though you made it all look so easy) to make our holiday a memorable one. We enjoyed the good mix of interesting people in the group and also the laughter." Wayne & Eunice Hamilton from Sydney - Red Centre August 2008.
"Seeing Australia with Auswalk is an experience you will long remember. They are aware of individual needs & blend that in with the group to ensure your walking holiday is challenging & enjoyable." Monica & Merv Spencer from Melbourne - Carnarvon Gorge June 2008.
"We set off just two, but we met up with two other Auswalk couples along the way. Thoroughly enjoyed one another's company, but had the freedom to walk alone when we wanted to. Walking is the only way to really appreciate this astonishingly beautiful coastline. Every beach and headland more breathtaking that the last - wonderful varied coastal vegetation - we felt so sorry for the people in cars!" Sarah Cains from Mittagong NSW - Great Ocean Walk April 2008.
"All you have to do is be fit enough to do the Ks and enjoy the scenery. The rest is organised for you so you really do enjoy the walks." Elisabeth Mills from Sydney - Wilsons Promontory April 2008
"The organisation of the walk made the whole thing so user friendly. I loved all the accommodation. All the meals were terrific. All the accommodation hosts could not have been more accommodating – nothing was too much trouble. I particularly liked the way all the hosts treated us as their guests, rather than Auswalk being the client – does that make sense? The walking notes were fantastic. We would like to do the Great Ocean Walk again. We will do the Great Alpine Walk, probably in summer to see the flora. The Lamington Traverse sounds good – well they all do! The four of us, Champions and Goulds, got to the Twelve Apostles and wondered just why we did the long trip to Europe each year to walk. I think the Great Ocean Walk has all the elements to make it into an iconic walk in the same way the Overland Track is. Except there aren’t any dolerite rocks on the Great Ocean Walk and the tracks are in such good condition." Sandra Champion from Hobart - Great Ocean Walk March 2008
"Once again a superbly organised self guided walk by Auswalk where everything went smoothly. Great to get back into the outdoors." Kevin & Pam Adamson from Perth - Great Alpine Walk March 2008
"The holiday was fantastic, much better than I had expected. No meal preparation, warm comfy beds, spas and saunas, what absolute luxury. I particularly enjoyed the homely atmosphere of the lodges - very clean, all Comfy lounges to relax in après hiking. Intimate but relaxed dining areas, gourmet meals were a treat. We thought that the chef was so great he may have liked to return home with us.
Sally was warm, friendly and always gave us top service. She greeted our group of 6 ‘Soggy Walker’s by inviting us to warm up in the spa, the wind and rain we had experienced, somehow didn’t seem so miserable.
The solitude was fabulous during the week. Charlottes Pass to Blue Lake and up to Carruthers Peak was my favourite hike. The track notes were very well prepared and simple to follow, at no stage did we have any difficulties and most definitely did not have to use a map and compass. The more difficult route across the range into Perisher was easy to find, once on the ridge we could see Perisher and could not get lost, although the weather was clear up to this point.
I would most certainly recommend Auswalks to all our friends in the walking club." Lesley James from Geelong Bushwalking Club - Roof of Australia, February 2008
"Worth flying all the way from the UK just to do this walk." Alan & Mary Rodgman from England - Great Ocean Walk, February 2008
"We have walked on several Inn-to-Inn holidays in Europe, and this Auswalk holiday compared extremely favourably with the best of them". Christopher & Jean Maingay from England - Blue Mountains Traverse, February 2008
"The dinners where provided were excellent as were all the breakfasts. The packed lunches were most sustaining We had a lovely time!". Janet & Robert Baxter from Duncraig W.A
"Our walking holiday was a wonderful break from our 'office jobs'. It provided a great way to de-stress and while we were tired at the end of each day we also were left feeling energised and relaxed." Maureen & Trevor Henderson from Toowoomba Qld - Blue Mountains Traverse, January 2008
"If word of mouth is the best advertising, then I think you'd better get ready for a very busy time ahead, as I've done some serious talking (which I know you may find hard to believe), gloating and recommending Auswalk and the experiences I've just had to anyone who is within ear shot. The week in Tassie well and truly exceeded my expectations!! It was the best week of my life, full of wonderful experiences, terrific people, amazing scenery, flora and fauna. Phil and Monica are marvels at being able to accommodate walkers with interesting, enjoyable and challenging routes. Tweaking the itinerary to suit the group and the occasional ‘break-away-walker’ was executed without fuss and greatly appreciated. These guys are one out of the box. They were incredibility attentive to individuals needs, without compromising the group at any time. Thank you to all the team that looked after me so well from my first tentative email enquiry in Sep 2007, to the final drop off at Launceston Airport. Due to your hard work, professionalism and enthusiasm, I’ve just had the most wonderful week." Rechelle Paton from Bendigo - Tasmanian Hiker January 2008
"4 women, all over 55 and with varying degrees of fitness and experience, ended with a great sense of personal achievement, camaraderie and enjoyment. At times we were quite daunted when we stood on the top or bottom of a mountain and looked at what we had to do but knowing there was not other way out (except helicopter rescue!!) we kept going and DID IT! I thoroughly recommend such walks to anyone with a sense of adventure." Sue Ogden from Brisbane - Roof of Australia, January 2008
The Final Leg of our Lighthouses Trek
"On arrival from our 22km walk we were greeted by three of our tour group who made us feel very welcome in this magnificent setting with the lighthouse as our goal. We were pleased to see it towering majestically skywards. After our gourmet meal and a few wines we heard many footsteps (was it Robert the Point Hicks ghost or the call of nature???) After checking the weather with Paul and a lighthouse tour with Sue, most of the group set off on our sand dune expedition led by Michael, our guiding light. The others enjoyed the ambience of the area - whale spotting, swimming and rock hopping on a beautiful sunny day. Our leader served up a banquet for dinner, then tested how well we had listened and observed our fellow walkers. Points were added and subtracted in a very random manner. The winner got a lighthouse magnet as a prize. A great time was had by all. There were a few empty bottles visible in the morning light!"
The mob who did the Lighthouses Trek in November 2007
We walked with the lovely Sharon and Phil
To the lighthouses that gave us a thrill
But the things that impressed
Were the way Leona dressed
Phil's knowledge and Sharon's culinary skill
A limerick by Stuart Corfield from Rockhampton Qld,
who did the Lighthouses Trek in November 2007
"This holiday was just what I needed at the time – the ability to think while enjoying some amazing scenery that I would never have seen if it hadn’t been for this tour. The accommodation was great. It was comfortable and clean and supplied all your needs while travelling. The people who ran the accommodation were friendly and helpful and the scenery and tranquillity at the lighthouses was like nothing I have experienced before. The meals were fantastic. Sharon did an amazing job with the cooking at the lighthouses, catering to each person’s dietary requirements. The food was tasty and plentiful. I really enjoyed the walking routes. Those that I participated in were scenic and while some were a little challenging at times, the sites, the birds, the animals and the sheer feeling of achievement at the end of the day were well worth it. Both Phil and Sharon were very knowledgeable about the places we visit, the plants we saw and the wildlife. There was always enough time to soak up the surroundings and it was never a problem when I wanted to stop and take one of my many photos. I had a wonderful week away, seeing a part of the country that I didn’t realise was there, even though I had driven the coast road from Melbourne to Eden previously. It was a fun week, very relaxing and Sharon and Phil could not have done more for us." Linda Shepherd from NSW - Lighthouses Trek November 2007.
"I recommend the Light to Light walk – well organised, beautiful scenery and a sapphire sea on the sapphire coast! Coming from Britain and rambling in the Midlands I found it a very different terrain for walking – no stiles and no mud instead sea, sand and sun." Jane Reeves from the UK - Lighthouses Trek November 2007
"I can't believe how much fun I had on this holiday. I came home so relaxed and in such good spirits that I felt like I had had weeks off work, not just 8 days. The Auswalk team could do nothing to improve this holiday, it was perfect. Thanks." Donna Franklin from Queanbeyan NSW - Lighthouses Trek November 2007
Donna Franklin on Montague Island
"Phil (the guide) was just excellent, low key, full of interesting information and advice. Factoring in the groups' interests and abilities. I would like to say that I noticed that you had paid attention to detail in your planning arrangements. I organise ski holidays for friends in France, so I know to some degree the necessity for planning in advance! I am hoping next time to do a walk in Tasmania." Lizzie Shields from England - Blue Mountains Traverse guided walking holiday October 2007
To all who did their best that our dream became true.
Last year we were planning a journey from good old Germany to Australia. Through the world wide net we came across Auswalk Pty Ltd and had the feeling that this company had a brilliant idea to give everybody the right impression of its country. So we arranged with the Auswalk people a self guided trip along the Great Ocean Road. Two month before our exciting holiday would start I had a terrible accident. When we told the Auswalk people about it they postponed the contract without even asking for doctors` documents or more money. They just said that they would love to see us next year. No business in Germany would have done this for us. We were immensely impressed. And so we were when we could actually start our trip this year. Everything, handling the money business, sending the brochure to us and the walk documents to my sister's place in Australia, arranging the overnight places on the most beautiful spots, and explaining the walking path itself without leading us in wrong directions, was so perfectly and meaningfully worked out that we only can wish for other people that they will discover Auswalk as well. We at least want to say thank you and will definitely recommend you to everybody we know. Hopefully we will be able to do another Auswalk one day." Wika & Herbert Brüne from Bonn, Germany
These two pictures were taken on Wika &
Herbert's Surf Coast Walking Holiday
“Great weather, great scenery, great accommodation, great hosts, great food, great walks – very enjoyable, and very satisfying - a lot of climbing each day made sure we slept very well each night! Yes, we thoroughly enjoyed our Blue Mountains Auswalk holiday! Keith & Di Green from Melbourne, Blue Mountains Traverse September 2007
"A great way to spend days on end of walking without having to worry about meals or accommodation. Friendly hosts waiting to greet you at the end of the day. Excellent!!!" Peter Neylon from Melbourne, Blue Mountains Traverse May 2007
"As always the tour more than came up to expectations. In fact it's very difficult to respond to your request for suggestions and criticism: your comprehensive research and attention to detail invariably ensure a successful outcome. Were I to do this tour again I can't think of anything that I would want to change or do differently. So instead I'd like to focus on the positive aspects that, in my view, contributed so greatly to the enjoyment of walking with Auswalk.
Perhaps the single most important factor is the quality of the guiding. The warmth and friendliness with which you and Monica welcomed us on board on day one and the enthusiasm and extensive knowledge that you both bring to each area we visit added a dimension to the whole experience. The detailed preparatory notes that are much more than an itinerary prepared us, both before and during the tour, for what each day entailed. Together with supplementary material in the form of booklets and brochures these provided background knowledge that continues to inform long after the end of the tour. And of great value was the advice you are able to give individual walkers, based on their level of fitness, as to their choice of harder or easier options where these were offered. Provision of these options is an important feature in itself, much appreciated by those of lesser fitness and agility who can participate without depriving others who are capable of more strenuous walks.
The choice of accommodation was excellent - exactly the right degree of comfort at an affordable price and in delightful surroundings. I particularly enjoyed our stay at Lync-Haven Rainforest Retreat with its spacious, comfortable cottages in an extensive tropical rainforest setting. The cottage I occupied overlooked a large enclosure where three orphaned young kangaroos, rescued and lovingly cared for by Lync-Haven's owners, who enjoy a peaceful, sheltered existence in natural surroundings until they are ready to be returned to the wild. Our late afternoon arrival made exploration of the forest walking track on the property a dubious undertaking as darkness was descending rapidly. A stop at the Daintree Ice Cream Factory had delayed our arrival but it was a stopover unanimously voted for and was indeed well worth it. And we had several hours of walking ahead of us next day anyway. Another highlight for me was the motel at Yungaburra Park Motel where we enjoyed a splendid buffet breakfast served in a garden gazebo by our friendly host. And at Mission Beach we spent our last three nights in great comfort at Castaways Resort, situated right on the beach, where we could unpack and settle in for a few days.
The walks were carefully chosen to give us a nice mix of tropical rainforest, beach walks, waterfalls and opportunities to swim in pools below the falls and peaks to climb for the reward of great views. Distances walked were about right. I found the distance walked on the last day a bit overlong but that was due to my choice of the harder option, an unwise choice and a bit beyond my level of fitness, especially on the last of 8 days of walking.
Meals were excellent without exception. Monica's buffet style al fresco picnic lunches were delicious, varied and attractively presented. Full marks. And packed lunches in insulated bags is a great idea. In the evenings we enjoyed excellent meals everywhere. 50% of the meals were included in the total cost. I consider this reasonable and it provides for a choice of the remaining meals according to a preferred price range.
I cannot fault the schedule of starting and finishing times nor the length of tea and lunch breaks. Journeys in the comfortable air conditioned minibus were never overlong and we were able to stop and walk at intervals, carrying only day packs while our luggage travelled in the trailer.
I will definitely walk with Auswalk again for as long as my feet will carry me on the track." Phoebe Basson from Sydney - Tropical Hiker August 2007
"Barry Davies was an excellent guide and we learnt heaps. Highly recommend him." Lynne Sherwood, Melbourne - Lamington Traverse guided July 2007
"The holiday surpassed my expectations. Fantastic walks!!! Well researched!! Good time frames with convenience to toilets etc. Great variety and some out of the normal places like Mt Sonder and Redbank Gorge!! The food was excellent and plentiful, from the big cooked breakfasts, to the great picnic lunches, to the very special meals such as in the Namatjiro Room at Glen Helen and the Overlander in Alice Springs!! Outstanding quality of information provided in our pre-Tour notes!!! I cannot fault you Monica and Phil!!! Friendly, organised, knowledgeable, and helpful!!!!" Megan Small, Oatley NSW - Red Centre June 2007.
Megan enjoying a glass of bubbly
whilst watching the Uluru sunset
"I'm now back in flat, dry Texas and find it hard to believe that just a short while ago I was somewhere where it is possible to walk for hours and not meet anyone!!!! I have been enthusing to all and sundry about the walk....most of them think me mad I'm sure....voluntarily walking such a distance. My only comment is that each walk I take is unique and the people you walk with are of like mind and with common areas of interest....this is more than you can say for a holiday such as a cruise! Plus you come back feeling physically and spiritually refreshed, even if the muscles are aching and the knee is swollen! Will definitely recommend Auswalk in the future." Joan Organ from America - Great Ocean Walk March 2007.
"We loved it - had an amazing holiday. The notes were excellent, very precise. Didn't get lost or even came close. We felt the holiday was very well organised. The accommodation was excellent and we didn't have to worry about our luggage. We could do everything at our own pace and were not restricted by other people. Most beautiful scenery. We've already recommended Auswalk to friends and raved about it to our travel agent! We even emailed photos to him in England and told him to recommend Auswalk. He's now considering doing the Blue Mountains holiday himself! Marie & Lee Whitehead from England - Blue Mountains Traverse January 2007.
"This was my first experience at extended walking. I was very nervous initially but very soon settled into the rhythm. I can truly say that this was one of the most satisfying experiences I have had. The walks were well supported and I am already looking for my next challenge." Wendy Baker from Victoria - Great Ocean Walk January 2007
"All very well organised - the walk is beautiful - diverse, interesting, well maintained. Every day a new environment and new experiences. The pickups were great and people all so helpful. The wildlife and the wild coast were real plusses - different from anything we have at home." Greg from New Zealand - Great Ocean Walk December 2006
"We have just completed our second Auswalk trip. Once again we were delightfully surprised each night at the outstanding accommodation chosen, the friendliness of the hosts and the wonderful food. You honestly can't go wrong booking an Auswalk trip". Donna Pribula from Sydney - Great Ocean Walk, January 2007
clients' stories
australian alps (snowy mountains) story
great ocean walk
surf coast walk
hawkesbury trail story
lighthouses trek stories & poems
lord howe island story
rainforests & waterfall way story
red centre story
roof of australia story
tasmanian hiker story
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Auswalk Pty Ltd |
4 Red Gum Lease Track |
Halls Gap Victoria 3381 | Australia
Phone +61 (0)3 5356 4971 |
Fax +61 (0)3 5356 4970 | Email info@auswalk.com.au |
