self-guided walking holidays
All INN-to-INN walking holidays can be done Self-Guided. You walk independently, without a guide, following our detailed Walk Notes. Some INN-to-INN walks can also be done guided.
how do self-guided trips work?
destinations for self-guided walking holidays
frequently asked questions
sample page of self-guided walk notes
departure dates
prices
No special skills are needed -
our detailed Walk Notes are
clear, simple and easy to follow
Self-Guided walking holidays are FULLY SUPPORTED. We book all of your accommodation and move your luggage ahead each day. You walk independently, without a guide, following our detailed Walk Notes.
Self-Guided walking is a simple concept. No technical expertise is required so anyone who is active and in good health can do it. This is ideal for anyone who is hesitant about group travel or wants to travel with their own friends and set their own pace. Auswalk’s easy-to-follow Walk Notes will guide you from point to point along the way and provide lots of interesting and valuable information about the natural environment you are passing through, average walking times, optional side-trips etc.
Extensive way marking and track signage is not common within Australian National Parks, making route selection and navigation a difficult task for many people. So, we have selected the best walks available and joined them together for you into fabulous itineraries. With Auswalk's comprehensive Walk Notes and marked maps, it is safe and easy to follow the routes.
On a Self-Guided walking
holiday in the Snowy Mountains
Our Walk Notes have been tried and tested over many years. They are simple to follow and to date no one has become lost using them. Remember that the host at your next accommodation will be expecting you and will raise the alarm if you do not turn up.
In addition to the Walk Notes you'll receive a comprehensive kit of documents packed with information on the area. We provide a marked map showing the walking route and location of each accommodation. There are informative booklets about the area you are walking in, a waterproof map case and insulated lunch bag. This package of documents is mailed to you about one month prior to the holiday, giving you plenty of time to prepare.
Self-Guided walking offers great flexibility. You can discover an area at your own pace, stopping and starting as you wish. You walk with your own companions (a minimum of two people booking together is required). Most importantly, you choose your own starting date. Once confirmed, we won't cancel the booking, so you can book in the sure knowledge that your walking holiday will operate.
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Self-Guided walkers using a flower
book from their document pack
Is it easy to find your way?
Extensive waymarking and track signage is not common within Australian National Parks, making route selection and navigation a difficult task for most people. With Auswalk's comprehensive Walk Notes and marked maps it is safe and easy to follow the routes even when there is no waymarking or track signage.
Do you need any special skills or experience?
Self-Guided walking is a simple concept. We provide maps, but most people find that our Walk Notes are adequate on their own. No technical expertise is required so anyone who is active and in good health can enjoy a Self-Guided walking holiday.
Do you think we've taken a wrong turn???
What sort of information do the Walk Notes provide?
These easy-to-follow notes will guide you from point to point along the way and provide lots of interesting and valuable information to enhance your walking experience. As well as describing the walking route in detail, the notes include information about the natural environment you are passing through, average walking times, optional side-trips and many interesting things en route. We provide a marked map showing the walking route and location of each accommodation. You’ll also receive a comprehensive kit of documents packed with information on the area. There are informative booklets on the flora, fauna, geology or history of the area you walk through and information on public transport, shops, restaurants and other places of interest.
How accurate should I expect the Walk Notes to be?
We regularly check our walking routes and receive regular feedback from clients. Your Walk Notes are printed one month prior to your trip especially for you, ensuring that they are as up-to-date as possible.
What do the Walk Notes look like?
Click here to see a sample page of Walk Notes. The Walk Notes are provided in a folder that allows you to take out the pages relevant for the day - so you don't have to carry the entire booklet with you. The pages fit neatly into the waterproof map case we supply you with. We use large print and point-by-point instructions, making the notes easy to follow.
Is all the accommodation arranged for us?
When you make a booking with us we arrange all the accommodation, meals, transfers etc. for you. You may choose your own starting date. As there are many components for us to arrange, it is best to book well in advance to ensure your choice of dates is available.
A typical B&B on a Self-Guided Blue Mountains walk
Do you transfer our luggage on a Self-Guided walk?
Yes, your luggage is moved ahead of you while you are out walking. This is one of the special features of an Auswalk INN-to-INN walking holiday. All you need carry is a day pack with your picnic lunch, water, camera, a jacket etc.
What if we get lost?
It is extremely unlikely that you’ll become lost if you have Auswalk’s Walk Notes. They are very detailed and simple to follow and are the key to ensuring you remain on track. Your luggage has been moved ahead of you to the next accommodation so they will be expecting you. The hosts know our walking route and have an action plan in place if you don’t arrive.
If I am travelling alone, can I do a Self-Guided trip?
No, Self-Guided trips require a minimum of two people booking together. If you are travelling alone you can do one of our guided INN-to-INN walking holidays or choose a Group Guided walking holiday.
How do I get to the start of the holiday?
All start and finish points of our walking holidays can be reached by daily public transport. If you arrive by private car you can leave it at the first accommodation.
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sample self-guided walk notes
From Day Two of the "Hawkesbury Trail"
Note that actual Walk Notes are formatted clearly with boxes for different sections etc.
Section 1: Grosvenor Street to Bobbin Head
Expected time: 2 hrs / 2 hrs 30 mins
Approximate distance: 6.5km
Today’s walking will take you into the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. This rugged sandstone country is dissected by an extensive system of deep waterways. It is a most popular fishing, boating, picnicking, walking, sightseeing and camping area for Sydney-siders.
Although the soil which is derived from sandstone is poor quality, the wide range of aspect and topography of this plateau has given rise to a surprising variety of plant life. From July to October a magnificent display of wildflowers brings colour to the park. The flower display attracts many birds and nectar seeking insects. The park also offers shelter to possums, swamp wallabies and the egg laying spiny anteater. Koalas may occasionally be seen resting high in eucalypt trees.
The rugged landscape of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park reflects the dynamic changes which have formed the area over more than 220 million years. When dinosaurs were just starting to roam the earth, Hawkesbury sandstone was being formed from giant rivers depositing sand beds thousands of metres thick. Volcanic activity led to the formation of many of the features you see today. This was followed by a gradual uplifting of the area at the end of the Ice Age.
1) From the end of Grosvenor St follow the 4WD track. In about 200m veer R. There's an arrow on a National Parks & Wildlife Service post. After about 20 mins walking there's a branch in the track.
2) At the branch in the track, continue straight ahead. The track narrows and heads more steeply downhill.
3) Keep walking downhill. In around 10 mins you will reach a creek. Turn L following the sign to Bobbin Head. The track immediately crosses over the creek. Take care on the slippery rocks.
You soon reach Gibberanong Waterholes. Aborigines lived in the Hawkesbury area for at least 47,000 years. They had a rich source of food and lived peacefully in this idyllic environment. Can you imagine what life might have been like at this peaceful waterhole? That changed very quickly when white man arrived. Within weeks of the First Fleet landing in 1788 a small pox epidemic hit the natives, halving their population within a couple of years. Further outbreaks of "white" diseases such as influenza and syphilis further reduced their numbers. Whenever Aborigines attacked or frightened the isolated early Hawkesbury settlers retaliation was swift and severe. There are many reports of natives being shot or driven over the cliffs or drowned in the river while attempting to escape. At several places along this track you will see ancient Aboriginal rock shelters.
4) Continue following the track alongside the creek downhill for about 1 hr, to mangrove flats and a "T" intersection.
This will be your first look at a branch of the Hawkesbury River. The Aborigines called it "Derrubin" but Governor Phillip later renamed it the Hawkesbury after an influential person on the Board of Trade & Plantations in England.
5) Turn L at the "T" intersection to Bobbin Head.
After about 20m you will see some flat rocks to the R of the track. The groves in these rocks were worn by Aborigines grinding axe heads many years ago.
6) Continue following the track onto the Mangrove Board Walk, all the way to the Bobbin Head car park. This will take around 15 / 20 mins. Walk through the car park until you see large buildings on your L.
Mangroves are small trees with thick leathery leaves and a system of aerial roots called pneumatophores, which enable them to survive and breathe in mud. Mangroves provide the ideal environment for shellfish and plankton, mud crabs and blue soldier crabs. They provide feeding grounds for fish, other crustaceans and wading birds like herons, spoonbills and ibis. Sacred and azure kingfishers can be seen amongst the mangroves too.
Bobbin Head has lots of tourist facilities. The Visitor Information Centre, souvenirs, food, restaurant etc are in the large building on your L, behind the picnic areas. Public toilets are in the picnic area. It's worth spending some time at the information centre. Another place worth visiting is the Bobbin Head Marina, which is to the R across the bridge. It is usually bustling with boat people and you can always get a drink or a snack.
Section 2: Bobbin Head to Appletree Bay
Expected time: 20 / 30 mins
Approximate distance: 1.2km
1) Continue walking, firstly along the water's edge then along a road a few metres above the water. Walk on the R side of the road to Appletree Bay where you’ll find toilets, a kiosk and quiet picnic area.
Section 3: Appletree Bay to Waratah Bay
Expected time: 2 hrs / 2 hrs 15 mins
Approximate distance: 5km
1) Cross the bridge over a creek at the far side of carpark. Turn R onto Berowra Track. It's 7km from here to Berowra.
Notice the small rock oysters clinging to the rocks at the tidal mark. Most have been picked clean by those before you!
2) In 15-20 mins you'll reach a track to the L to Mt Kuring-gai. Ignore this track and continue straight ahead following the water’s edge all the way to Waratah Bay.
The track goes around 3 inlets on its way to Waratah Bay. Each inlet has a pretty creek flowing into it and its own patch of cool rainforest. There is a good chance of seeing lyrebirds in these cooler forests. Between the first and second inlets the vegetation becomes drier, favours sheoak trees (with the pine-like needles).
3) Waratah Bay is just past a rusting houseboat hulk.
Pioneer Edward Windybank first saw the sparking waters of Waratah Bay from the Newcastle train in the late 1880s. He fell in love with the place and made it his home, raising a family of seven here. He was a boat builder by trade and established a business hiring rowing boats to tourists. By 1894 he had a hut, a jetty and 30 boats for hire. He built the walking track from Berowra (which you are about to walk up), for tourist access to this beautiful place. Try to imagine the small orchard, an aviary, fernery, cows, horses and chickens (and seven kids!)
Section 4: Waratah Bay to Berowra Railway Station
Expected time: 40 / 50 mins
Approximate distance: 3km
1) After the rusting houseboat, follow the track away from the water and heading uphill.
Notice the caves in the cliffs to your L. After crossing a pretty creek the track becomes steeper. Just before you reach the freeway, look back for a view over the river. Look at how far you've climbed!
2) Cross the freeway on a footbridge, back to noisy civilisation. The Berowra railway station is on your L.
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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 |
