Hike Queensland's Scenic Rim Trail

The Scenic Rim Trail is rated as moderate to hard. Hikers must have a high level of fitness and be able to complete all point-to-point walks as there is no support vehicle on this trip., Hikes proceed in all weather conditions unless directed by your local leader., A toilet is located at the start of the hike and at camp, otherwise bush toileting is required. Each camp is exclusive to the Scenic Rim Trail, with comfortable lodgings but shared facilities., You’ll have to carry your own clothing, sleeping bag, towel and personal items as you hike. Pillows and a bottom sheet are provided. Optional luggage porterage (maximum 12 kg) is available on request at an extra cost.

START & END POINT LOCATION AND TIME
The trip starts with an early morning meeting on day 1 at our starting point hotel. Please read the daily itinerary and the joining point instructions carefully for more information. On the last day the trip finishes on arrival into Brisbane, usually between 6pm and 7pm. Our vehicle will do drop off stops at Brisbane's Roma Street train station and the Hotel Grand Chancellor Brisbane. Please consider this when arranging onward travel.

PHYSICAL RATING
This trip involves plenty of hiking over at times challenging terrain and is only suited to travellers with a good level of mobility and fitness. You must be able to complete all point-to-point walks as there is no support vehicle on this trip. The walks included on this trip range from Grade 3 on the Australian Walking Track Grading System (AWTGS) scale (some bushwalking experience required), up to Grade 5 (experienced bushwalkers. Tracks are likely to be very rough, steep, and unmarked). Good footwear, clothing for all types of Queensland weather, plus perhaps walking poles are recommended. More details on each day's hike can be found in the itinerary.

SINGLE TRAVELLERS
A single supplement is not available to be booked on this trip. Instead single travellers will share a twin room with another traveller of the same gender.

MINIMUM NUMBERS
This trip requires a minimum of two (2) clients to operate.

WEATHER & PACKING
The weather in this part of the world can be unpredictable, even in the dry season, so be sure to pack for all conditions! It is essential that your read the Packing List on this trip carefully as there are a number of items that are essential to bring with you.

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list, ITEMS PROVIDED ON THIS TRIP
• Shampoo, conditioner, body wash & moisturiser are provided (must use provided products for septic systems)
• Pillowcase and bottom sheet provided at each camp (not required to be carried)
• Sunscreen and insect spray
• Lunch box
• Hiking poles (if you don't have any)
• Lunch and trail mix container - approx. 500g in weight (to be carried in your pack)
• Microfibre light weight towel (yours to keep)
• Sleeping bag suitable for the season (in winter can reach below zero overnight)

ITEMS TO BRING
• Water bottles / bladders with minimum 2.5L and 3L during the warmer months.
• Day backpack with waist belt & rain cover min 23l size (running vests not suitable); or suitable multi-day hiking pack if carrying your gear
• Head torch
• Hiking shoes with good grip worn regularly & recently, or trail running shoes with good grip
• Water resistant duffel style luggage bag if portering, max 12kg per bag
• Sleeping bag liner
• Insulated cup/Thermos if you like to take a hot coffee/tea from the camp on the hike with you (nice in the winter months)

CLOTHING
It is important not to underestimate Queensland winter in the mountains, be prepared.
• Light weight and quick dry clothing is highly recommended.
• Quality rain jacket
• Inside shoes for camp
• Wet shoes for communal showers (optional)
• Lightweight long pants & lightweight sleeved shirts (wearing the same pants daily is common practice)
• Fleece jumper
• Warm, lightweight, insulated jacket (puffer jacket)
• Comfortable camp wear (acceptable to wear the same outfit nightly)
• Sleeping gear, underwear and suitable socks
• Gloves, beanie, neck buff
• Thermals, winter PJ’s, extra warm layers (if travelling in winter)
• Second jumper if carrying your gear for camp in case you get wet

OTHER
• Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, hairbrush, deodorant, lip balm, chafe cream, sanitary items, personal medications
• Phone charger
• Hat, sunglasses
• Plastic bag or dry bag for dirty clothes

If your bag is being ported (additional cost), we request a water-resistant duffel style luggage bag with a maximum weight of 12kg, bags will be weighed on arrival. Bags are transported in open vehicles and may get dirty, please bring a suitable bag.

If you are carrying your gear and not opting for luggage porterage, here are some recommendations:
• Pack: If you don’t have a multi-day hiking pack, go to a hiking store, get properly fitted and buy one with a rain cover
• Training: with your pack (full of your gear) is critical, you must be prepared
• Weight: Minimalist approach – pack light, the lighter the better
• Dry bags: Pack all your gear in dry bags to protect from heavy rain
• If washing clothes use provided wash as septic systems are sensitive

The Scenic Rim Trail is rated as moderate to hard and is comparable in difficulty to Tasmania's Overland Track. As such, hikers must have a good level of fitness, balance, and stability. The trail is 60km in total, with daily hiking distances ranging from 10-18kms across flat to very steep trails - as there is no vehicle support it is essential that you can cover these distances comfortably on foot, even in adverse weather conditions. Most days we will be walking on some Grade 4 & 5 tracks (Australian Walking Trade Grading Standard) which means tracks are less defined and are rough and steep in sections. Approximately 50% of the trails are Grade 5 rainforest trails. There is no formed track, and you can expect tree roots, rocks and obstacles. In wet weather it maybe slippery underfoot.

Hotel Grand Chancellor Brisbane, 23 Leichhardt St, Brisbane, AUSTRALIA

Alternate Joining Point

The meeting point for this trip is the foyer of the Hotel Grand Chancellor. Your welcome meeting will be at 6:30am, except during the hotter months (departures in March, October and November), when the meeting time will be 5am, so you can start hiking before the heat arrives. See the daily itinerary for further details. It’s very important that you arrive with your luggage as you’ll be departing immediately after the meeting.

Given the early start, we strongly advise booking accommodation at the hotel for the night before your trip commences as most flight arriving into Brisbane arrive after 6am. If you'd like to add a night prior to the trip just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

To get from Brisbane Airport (airport code BNE), your best option is to take the Airtrain to Roma Street Railway Station or any train towards Varsity Lakes to Brisbane Central Station. You can use your contactless card for payment, or you can buy a single paper ticket. The journey takes about 20 to 25 minutes and trains depart frequently. From Roma Street Station it is a 10 minute walk to the hotel, taking the back exit at Roma Street. From Brisbane Central it is a 15 minute walk. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or Uber from the airport directly to the hotel in approximately 25 minutes (depending on traffic).

Brisbane Roma St Station, Brisbane, AUSTRALIA

Alternate Finish Point

Breakfasts included: 3

Lunches included: 4

Dinners included: 3

Breakfast will be at 7am daily and dinner will be at 6pm nightly. Lunches will be prepared by your guides, and trail mix, muesli bars & fruit will be available for snacks.

If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know at least 14 days prior to departure. We can cater to the following dietary needs: Gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, diabetic, lactose free.

Soft drinks, beer and wine are available for purchase at camp. Please note that BYO is not permitted. Any purchases at camp at to be in cash only. Beers is $12 per can, Wine is $14 per glass (minimum half bottle).

Winter
In winter the days are shorter (sunrise around 6:30am and sunset before 5:30pm) and the daytime temperatures are milder, from the low teens to the mid 20s(°C). Due to the elevation – approx. 1000m above sea level - evening/nighttime temperatures can get cold and easily drop below 10(°C).

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time., For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us, ALL general enquiry must be directed to our reservations team. In case of a GENUINE CRISIS OR EMERGENCY, or concerns about a missed pick-up on the day of departure ONLY (if applicable), you can reach our local office on the numbers listed below:, +61 (0)3 7036 7322

Your accommodation on the Scenic Rim trail will be in eco-conscious camps and you will be sharing basic facilities with other guests at the property. While you may have to forgo modern facilities during your time here you will be in the middle of nature with beautiful views of the mountain ranges. You will be sharing a room with another member of your group. Each camp is unique and exclusive to the Scenic Rim Trail - see the day to day itinerary 'Special Information' section for more details. Pillow, pillowcase and sheet will be provided at each camp. Continental breakfast will be at 7am daily and share style dinner will be at 6pm nightly, and tea & coffee is included. Soft drinks, beer, wine available for purchase.

All camps on the Scenic Rim Trail are off-grid so we don’t have conventional heating or cooling. Electric blankets are provided for winter and communal lodges are heated by fireplace (gas or wood). For the warmer months windows can be opened, and rooms have ceiling fans. Winter is cold in the mountains and can be cold indoors so please come prepared with thermals, layers and appropriate clothing. You are staying in remote luxury bush camps, which have many modern conveniences but not all.
, Phone reception & Wi-Fi
There is very minimal phone reception throughout the region. All camps have Wi-Fi in the main lodge and you can generally make calls over Wi-Fi on your phone. Given the remote locations Wi-Fi can be patchy.