Bower Camp Co The Girraween Walking Tour - Twin Share

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Four nights in a set-up camp inside Girraween National Park, walking a different granite landscape each day with a guide, swimming in creek pools and eating chef-cooked meals by the campfire. Share a tent for two, set up with twin beds or a king-size double, or book the single option for a tent to yourself.

Days

5 days, 4 nights

Group size

Max 16

Start / finish

Girraween National Park / Girraween National Park (optional Brisbane transfer)
Brisbane, around 2pm (with transfer)

Return

Brisbane, around 2pm (with transfer)

Accommodation

4 nights in premium canvas tents with real beds at a private camp in the park; twin share or your own tent

Transport

On foot from camp; optional return transfer from Brisbane

Meals

4 breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches, 4 campfire dinners

Route

Map of Bower Camp Co The Girraween Walking Tour - Twin Share

View map

Included experiences

Terrawambella — guided summit climb and the Granite Arch
The Junction — creekside walk through red gums and a swim in granite pools
Castle Rock — 360-degree views, then the Sphinx and Turtle Rock
Main Range National Park — rainforest walk and picnic lunch on the way in
Camp — campfire dinners with kangaroos grazing nearby

Bower Camp Co The Girraween Walking Tour - Twin Share

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: BRISBANE TO GIRRAWEEN

Your trip starts with the optional transfer from Brisbane (airport around 11am, city around 11:30am), or you can drive yourself. The road runs south-west through the Scenic Rim to Main Range National Park, where lunch is a picnic and a short walk in rainforest that is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. Then it's up over the Great Dividing Range to the Granite Belt. You reach camp in Girraween National Park in the late afternoon, with tents up and afternoon tea waiting. A short guided walk to the creek, with Terrawambella rising above, comes before the first campfire dinner.

Overnight: Girraween National Park (canvas tent camp)

DAY 2: TERRAWAMBELLA AND THE GRANITE ARCH

After breakfast your guide leads the climb of Terrawambella, also known as The Pyramid, a bare granite dome you walk straight up on grippy rock. The steep section is optional, and the guides brief you before it. From the top the view runs across a sea of boulders to the hills of the New England in New South Wales, since the park sits right on the state border. On the way back you pass the Granite Arch, a natural archway of balanced boulders. The day is 6 to 10 km over 4 to 6 hours, with a picnic lunch the guides carry. Back at camp there's time for a swim in the creek.

Overnight: Girraween National Park (canvas tent camp)

DAY 3: THE JUNCTION

A gentler day of about 8 km and 4 to 6 hours follows Bald Rock Creek through red gum woodland to The Junction, where two creeks meet among granite slabs. Lunch is laid out beside the water, and the granite pools are good for a swim before the walk back. Girraween means 'place of flowers' in the language of the Kambuwal people, and from late winter into spring the woodland lights up with wildflowers, from yellow wattle to heath and bright pea flowers. Eastern grey kangaroos graze around camp in the late afternoon, and the birdlife is busy all day.

Overnight: Girraween National Park (canvas tent camp)

DAY 4: CASTLE ROCK, THE SPHINX AND TURTLE ROCK

The last full walking day covers about 10 km in 4 to 6 hours. From the top of Castle Rock the view runs all the way round, over domes and tors to the far ranges. The route then passes the Sphinx, a tall stack of balanced boulders, and Turtle Rock, from where the Sphinx stands out in full profile. These shapes are granite that cooled deep underground, then weathered along its cracks into rounded blocks once the softer rock above wore away. In the evening the group gathers for the final campfire dinner, and the stars here are bright, with very little town light.

Overnight: Girraween National Park (canvas tent camp)

DAY 5: GIRRAWEEN TO BRISBANE

Breakfast comes with Byron Bay coffee before the transfer leaves camp at about 9:30am. On the way back to the coast there's a lunch stop at Scenic Rim Farm, in the farming country south of Brisbane. You're back in the Brisbane city centre around 2pm and at the airport around 2:30pm, in time for an afternoon flight. If you drove yourself, you're free to leave camp after breakfast, perhaps via the cellar doors around Ballandean, the heart of the Granite Belt, Queensland's main wine region.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Camp inside Girraween National Park, near Ballandean, about 3 hours from Brisbane. With the optional transfer: Brisbane Airport around 11am or Roma Street in the city around 11:30am.
Finishes: Camp around 9:30am on day 5; with the transfer, Brisbane city about 2pm and the airport about 2:30pm.
Fitness: Moderate. You walk 6 to 10 km a day for 4 to 6 hours, mostly on smooth, gentle tracks through woodland and along creeks. The rocky climbs and steep granite ascents are optional, and shorter distances can be arranged.
Suits: Walkers who want comfort in the bush with no camping experience needed. Not suited to people with significant mobility limits or who can't manage uneven ground for long periods.
Dietary needs: All dietary needs are catered for; tell us when you book.
Accommodation note: The twin share option is for two people sharing one tent, set up as twin beds or a king-size double. With the single option you have a tent to yourself. Next to camp is a national parks amenities block with flush toilets and private washrooms; hot water for a private wash is available on request.
Please note: Groups are kept to 16 guests at most. Tours run on set dates from about March to November. Winter days are around 12 to 18°C with cold, frosty nights; spring is the peak of the wildflowers.

What to bring

High-ankle hiking boots with a heavy-duty grip (required)
A day pack of about 5–7 kg with water, sun hat, camera, waterproof jacket and warm layers
Warm clothes for the evenings, especially in winter
Swimmers for the creek pools
A power bank, as phone reception is patchy

What is included

4 nights in a premium canvas tent with a real mattress bed, organic cotton sheets, pillows and a seasonal quilt
Afternoon tea on arrival, 4 breakfasts, 5 gourmet picnic lunches and 4 campfire dinners, all dietary needs catered for
High-energy trail snacks
Guided walks every day with experienced guides, support staff and an onsite chef
Common area shelter with books, magazines, art supplies and wood carving tools
National park fees
Emergency communications with 24-hour back-up and a group first aid kit
Solar USB phone charging at camp
Pre-departure information kit and packing list

Not included

Return transfer from Brisbane Airport or the city (optional, arranged when you book)
Accommodation before and after the tour
Alcoholic drinks
Travel insurance

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.