A Zen Rainforest Retreat: Hinterland Tastes, Trails and Tranquillity 2026

Name: A Zen Rainforest Retreat: Hinterland Tastes, Trails and Tranquillity 2026
Rating: 5 (10 reviews)

17-19 July 2026
Australia, Queensland
Easy, Moderate
3 Days

Botanical, Culinary, Culture, Gourmet, Nature, Sensory

Bookings are closed for this tour.

Overview
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Itinerary

This 3 day/2-night getaway is a delightful fusion of Japanese culture and regional community hospitality, a little bit of Japan in the Scenic Rim. This winter, escape to the serene beauty of Tamborine Mountain and Lamington National Park, part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia UNESCO World Heritage Area. Nestled in the heart of Queensland’s Scenic Rim, these enchanting locations offer the perfect balance of nature, relaxation, community engagement, artisan creations, cultural immersion and gourmet pleasures. Spend time exploring the lush rainforest on walks that offer a rich sensory experience. Meet local artisans and producers. Embrace the tranquillity of a Japanese tea ceremony. Learn how to make miso in a private hands-on workshop. Stay in beautiful accommodation. Savour expertly crafted wines, gins, and other gourmet delights, immersing yourself in the vibrant flavours of the region. Learn the fine art of Ikebana (kadō or “the way of flowers”), the 7th-century Japanese art of minimalist, structured flower arrangement. Relax, unwind, and rejuvenate in a mountain spa sanctuary. This unforgettable experience promises the perfect blend of indulgence, discovery, and inspiration. For those who have experienced Japanese culture, and those who are yet to do so, this taste of Japan in SEQ’s stunning hinterland offers a brief insight into what might just be your next chosen adventure (our Japan – Autumn in Hokkaido 2026 tour)

Rediscover the benefits of being in nature, and a relaxed pace
Experience immersive encounters with nature, and curated products
Connect with local communities, fellow travellers, and your inner being

Explore Tamborine National Park and the hiking trails of UNESCO listed Lamington National Park with an experienced, knowledgeable, local guide
Embrace the tranquillity of a Japanese tea ceremony
Savour the fresh, seasonal and local flavours of local cafes & beautiful restaurants
Meet local producers, artisans, and creatives
Learn Ikebana (Kadō or “the way of flowers”), the 7th-century Japanese art of minimalist, structured flower arrangement
Stay in gorgeous mountain accommodation overlooking the stunning Guanaba Creek valley
Sample the craftsmanship and regional influences of a local artisan distillery
Discover miso making in a hands-on class and make your own to take-home
Step into a sanctuary of calm, serenity and well-being; soak, steam and relax in a place where every moment is designed to revitalise and rejuvenate

Tour date: 17-19 July 2026

Price: A$2,229 Twin share/person (starts/ends Brisbane). Private group rates are available upon request and subject to availability.

Single Supplement: A$509

Note: For guests who request a single room the single supplement will be charged. For single people who prefer to share, we will try to find a suitable roommate, but if this is not possible the single supplement surcharge will apply.

Minimum Group Size: 6 guests

Maximum Group Size: 10 guests

Special Interest: Nature, Cultural, Botanical, Culinary, Sensory, Gourmet

Walk rating: Gentle to Moderate: 2-5km per walking day, with some longer options. We reserve the right to be flexible with the itinerary to allow for unforeseen circumstances including weather conditions, track closures and group fitness.

Inclusions

Return set-time bus transfers from Brisbane to and around Tamborine Mountain and Lamington National Park (Brisbane pick-up/drop-off points – South Bank and Roma Street)
Two nights’ accommodation with continental breakfast and welcome cocktail
Japanese tea ceremony
Professionally guided immersive walks through Tamborine Mountain and Lamington National Park rainforests
Meals (2 breakfasts, 2 morning teas, 2 lunches and 2 dinners at renowned mountain cafes and restaurants)
Miso making class
Local artisan distillery visit with a cocktail and live music on the lawn
Ikebana workshop (Japanese flower arrangement)
A serene and rejuvenating bathhouse experience at a local rainforest spa

Exclusions

Personal expenses, e.g., souvenirs; gifts; alcoholic drinks, specialty teas & coffees, snacks (other than those mentioned in the ‘INCLUSIONS’ section above)
Travel insurance

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Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony Gardens

Hiking the Knoll, Tamborine National Park

★★★★★ 5/5 (10 reviews)

★★★★★

I thoroughly enjoyed the Iconic Queensland tour. The variety of walks was excellent and suited my fitness level perfectly, with beautiful scenery throughout. The accommodation was also excellent, with the eco huts being a particular highlight. We experienced some wonderful dining, and I really enjoyed the overall balance of the tour, with a great mix of walking, nature, local experiences and time to relax. Our guide’s knowledge of the natural environment added greatly to the experience and gave me a deeper appreciation of the places we visited. It was a very enjoyable and well-organised tour.

Lyn N Iconic Queensland - Rainforest to the Reef 2026 tour 01/09/2026

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★★★★★

A wonderful ten days with new friends. A mix of interesting people, walking in varied mountain and coastal landscapes, some walks being more of a stroll while others more challenging but all in interesting natural landscapes - mountains, coastal treasures and coral reef. Meals and individual accommodation were all first class while our guide Luke was very knowledgeable, organized and caring. Throw in a few local activities, history and talks all making for a great, stress free and wonderful break, surpassing prior expectation.

BDK Iconic Queensland - Rainforest to the Reef 2026 tour 28/08/2026

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★★★★★

My husband and I went on a private guided hike with Luke when we were on holiday visiting the Gold Coast from Melbourne. We run our own business, so we wanted an experience where we could "switch off" from the daily grind and didn't have to do any of the thinking! Luke was warm, friendly and we immediately felt like we had known him for ages! He was really knowledgeable about the local area and nature and took us on an awesome hike around the Lamington National Park. He even had a coffee for us and some homemade treats for the halfway stop off. I would highly recommend Park Tours to anyone who wants a personalised experience, someone who knows the area inside out and someone who is just a genuinely good bloke!

Jess C Private Guided Hike in Lamington NP May 2026 19/06/2026

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★★★★★

I have nothing but praise for this tour. The guides, Luke and Phil were professional, in that they were knowledgeable, enthusiastic, caring and helpful. There was a good variation of walks, and Autumn is a lovely time to be out along the tracks. The accommodation was good and set in ideal locations. The meals were delicious too and I certainly did not go hungry! Overall, this tour was of good value as most meals and even National Park entry fees were included in the cost of the tour. My favourite walk was to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko. The weather was perfect and there was still some snow around from a big snowfall a few days earlier. It certainly made for some pretty pictures. My other favourites were the Munyunga Waraga Dhugan loop walk (Booderee NP), along the shoreline of the Mallacoota Inlet and the Yankee Hat Rock Art (Canberra). My favourite accommodation was in the Snowy Mountains. It was lovely watching the birdlife and there were beautiful reflections in the lake. The accommodation at the old guest house in Mallacoota was special too. It was in a lovely setting overlooking the bay.

Jenny F The Wild Alpine Summits and Coastal Trails of the Southeast tour 2026 12/04/2026

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★★★★★

Thank you for putting together a delightful holiday. This most interesting and well-rounded itinerary certainly ticked all the boxes for me. Regardless of age, personal interests and walking ability for each group member, the tour itinerary certainly satisfied the needs on every level for myself and everyone else in our group. It was very obvious that much thought had gone into the carefully researched itinerary for this tour. It was guided by Luke with passion, good knowledge, care and thoughtful consideration for each group member. All walks were pleasant without being too challenging. Launceston with its stock of listed Georgian and Victorian buildings lining its streets to the ocean wilderness of the Southern Tarkine one never tires from the diversity of the vegetation range of the remote and diverse region of the West Coast region in particular. Exploring with insights of the vanished communities from past mining days I could not help but be inspired by the extraordinary unique character of this environment. I found this mystical place particularly at the Pieman River area with all it’s shapes and moods, a great place to reconnect. Walking Cradle Mountain & Lake St Clair National Parks as we bush walked deep into these forests to the button grass mountain top views and into unexpected midsummer valleys of most colorful wildflowers to exploring along the jagged coastline of Tasmania’s Southern coastline. I certainly experienced, rediscovered and reconnected. Thanks for a most relaxing trip. Just what I needed.

Peter Whitcombe Epic Tasmania - Walks, Wildlife and Waterways tour 2026 04/02/2026

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★★★★★

Our Flinders Island walking tour was wonderful! John and I loved the walks, David and Kathleen were great guides, the lodgings were great and chef Mel is superb! We had good weather, windy with a little rain, but we loved that as that is what an Island in Bass Strait is all about. The walks were varied and were of good distances for us. As each day passed, I felt fitter and stronger. We were certainly fed well for breakfast, lunch and dinner by Mel. We appreciated the visit to Wybalenna to learn the story of the aboriginals who were taken there. So sad. It was a great week in a wonderful part of Australia. Highly recommend.

John and June Grimmett Flinders Island Highlights tour 2025 22/12/2025

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★★★★★

I am new to the world of escorted group walking adventures - and I’m hooked! My 8 days with Luke was above and beyond my expectations. A delicious mix of magical walks, interesting excursions, and scrumptious food; all delicately melded by Luke. I appreciated the pre-trip info presentation and timing, the mix of walks and touristy activities, the choice of restaurants interspersed with home meals, and the unpretentious but comfy accommodation. The icing on the cake was our ‘ambassador’ Luke. His immense knowledge bank was shared in snippets with a dressing of humour. All in all, an indelible experience imprinted upon me forever!

Sandy L Iconic Queensland – Rainforest to the Reef tour 2025 26/08/2025

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★★★★★

We loved the trip and would recommend it. The highlight of the tour was getting to the top of Strezlecki and the coastal walk to Killiecrankie. Accomodation at the lodge was good and in a great location. We loved Kathleen and David, Spud and Kim. They were all so lovely and awesome guides, varying the daily activities to match the tides & accommodate the variety of tour members, with short & full walking options.

Antonetta and Victor Savaris Flinders Island Highlights tour 2024 12/12/2024

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★★★★★

The super tour guides worked hard to ensure everyone on the tour had a wonderful experience. Quality accommodation, and the meals provided were superb. Each day had its own highlights, with a delightful mix of walking, learning about the local area, and engaging with the local people. The wildlife, flora, ancient majestic Bunya pines, bird life, colourful fungi, the caves of Cania gorge and the cruise to Lady Musgrave Island were amazing. The gorges, waterfalls, scenic reserves, rock pools, mountains, and the sacred site of Ban Ban Springs were truly inspiring. I highly recommend the Bunya Mountains to Bundaberg tour!

Joan Stephens Bunya Mountains to Bundaberg tour 2025 09/09/2024

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★★★★★

After experiencing both our 3-day Hinterland and 4-day Girraween tours, one guest highlighted the perfect harmony between adventure and comfort. They were particularly moved by the 'spectacular landscapes' and the high standard of our accommodation and meals. A special shout-out went to Lisa, Luke, and Amy for their expert knowledge and the personalised care that made the trip truly unforgettable.

Rosie Girraween 2024 02/02/2024

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