Bush walking has been a favourite pastime for years. A love of the bush probably evolved after growing up in rural West Australia. Early bush walks on the way to school in a one horse town called Badgingarra (try and find that on Google Maps!) involved negotiationg snake and blue tongued goanna habitat, leaving home early enough to take a detour if the wildlife were restless. I vividly recall the grey sand that would burn our feet in summer (yep, shoes were optional) and the prickly scrub that would scratch our legs. The family dog, a white border collie called Poochie (imaginative name I know) would follow us through the bush, so too our pet baby emu before she up and left us. Or perhaps she just got lost, who knows. One day she was there, the next day, gone.
When I remember how much freedom and independence my sister and I had in our first years of primary school (little brother was still an infant learning to walk so was far more restricted) I chuckle and shake my head at my niece and nephews tightly managed childhood. Sure they may encounter fewer city hazards being physically escorted every step of the way from front door to school room. But I suspect their independence, along with their ability to make decisions, is being stymied. But, being blissfully childless, what would I know?
But back to my point. Given the chance to hike for a couple of days in Queensland’s Scenic Rim Trail, about an hour west of Brisbane, I was thrilled with the enticing combination of soft adventure with lashings of luxurious softness. I’m talking crisp linen, plump doonas and king beds, fine food matched with even finer wine, fluffy bathrobes, crackling open fires and convivial conversation in a drop-dead gorgeous location. Spicers Retreats know their stuff.
Covering 33 km over three days, it was hardly hardcore hiking. Throw in two nights in uber luxe Spicers Canopy tents, an even more luxurious Spicers Peak Lodge with a spa suite room with its own fireplace and mountain views, seven course degustation dinner as the grand hiking finale and I was sold. It’s Glamping (as in glamorous camping) all right. Or the word I invented which captures it best – Gliking (as in glamorous hiking), call it what you will. Just call me, please. I am SO there.
One of the eight Great Walks of Australia, enjoy the two minute video below for a snapshot of how much fun hiking the Scenic Rim Trail can be. You may just be tempted to dust of your walking shoes and join in. Better still, grab a mate and tackle all eight. See you on a trail somewhere soon.
