You score up to 10% of your purchase value emailed to you as a one time code to use on your next adventure!

Yes! Please contact our helpful support team on support@backpackerdeals.com or see our live chat!

The tour starts and ends in Melbourne. 

Location: National Gallery of Victoria (NGV International), 180 St Kilda Road, (In front of the main entrance to the NGV facing St Kilda Road), Melbourne, Australia

Joining instructions:

Please meet your leader and the vehicle on the footpath outside the main entrance to the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). There is a bus parking zone which is where the bus will be stopping to pick you up.

The National Gallery of Victoria is located about 500 metres south of Flinders Street Station and Federation Square (approx 10 minutes on foot). Alternatively multiple tram lines travel from the city along St Kilda Road. Please get off at tram stop 14 'Arts Precinct/St Kilda Road'. Please note that this stop is outside of the free tram zone.

From Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (airport code MEL), your best option is to take the Skybus to Southern Cross railway station. The bus journey takes about 25 minutes and departs frequently. Southern Cross railway station is located at the south-western corner of Melbourne's CBD, from where you can catch free trams within the CBD. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or Uber from the airport.

This is a walking trip so a good fitness level will help you enjoy all the included walks and activities. We suggest doing some training including some hills and taking on some uneven terrain. If you are able to get in some longer walks in your training, a safe and rewarding walking trip awaits you!

While there are a couple of easier days on this tour, some of the others are quite challenging, with some decent hills to get up and down -- which can be hard on the knees, thighs and glutes. However, the walks are achievable to those of reasonable fitness. If you have done some training prior to the walk you will enjoy it all the more.You will be surprised just how your fitness improves over thecouple of days. A positive mental attitude is most important. If you focus on the scenery, the company and the moment, not on the kilometres, then you find yourself reaching your destination with little problem. If you have done some training prior to the walk you will enjoy it all the more.

The best way to prepare physically for the trip is to walk, walk and walk some more - preferably on broken and uneven surfaces. Try to walk frequently. Even walking around your suburb will get you walk-fit. By the start of our tour you should be able to comfortably walk 15km, and try and do a few 20km walks on rough tracks, as well as being comfortable walking steep hills. Include stepping up onto and over big steps, a random rock or bench on your walk would make a good candidate to add to your training regime. Many of the council provided outdoor gyms have blocks you can practice stepping up on to as well. Make sure to train both legs equally!

We know that this type of preparation is difficult to fit into a busy schedule. If you don't have the time to do long walks, we recommend doing regular stair walking sessions and lots and lots of glut exercises (squats and lunges). Walking small distances frequently helps a lot as well. For instance, walking 3 - 5km four times a week, and 8km once a week, is a great help. If you're doing short training sessions, make sure you get yourself puffed and sweaty. Otherwise you won't benefit from your efforts. And start walking in the shoes you will wear on the walk now!

WALKING & TREKKING
This is a hiking trip. Please come physically prepared and with the right hiking gear in order to complete the hikes safely and comfortably. Please read the trip notes carefully and take note of the packing list.

START & END TIMES
This trip begins with a pick-up in Melbourne on day 1 at 8am and finishes in the late afternoon on the last day upon arrival back into Melbourne. Please keep this in mind when booking your arrival and departure arrangements.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A Single Supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. Due to the types of accommodation used on this tour a single supplement will not always mean a king/queen bed and own bathroom.

PASSPORT
You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date.

We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends.

VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. 

INSURANCE

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses, including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region, please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative.

If you have credit card insurance, your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number, rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements. For example, some mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality. Travellers from the European Union, Switzerland or the USA who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

AUSTRALIANS TRAVELLING DOMESTICALLY
Travel insurance will help ensure you’re protected in case of any unforeseen changes to your journey – such as flight cancellations or illness. For this reason, we recommend you purchase comprehensive domestic travel insurance for your trip. This may not be something you would have typically done in the past when travelling domestically in Australia, but it does offer you a number of benefits. While Australians and Australian Permanent Residents travelling within Australia are not required to be covered for hospital care due to being covered by Medicare, a comprehensive domestic travel insurance policy should cover you for expenses incurred. Domestic travel insurance plans may also include personal liability, cancellation, curtailment, loss of luggage and personal effects, and other benefits. It is also advisable that domestic travellers have current ambulance cover in the case of emergency evacuation or incidents requiring ambulance transportation. Please be sure to carefully check the policy’s inclusions with your preferred insurer.

GENERAL HEALTH
All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements.

When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government's foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements. 

HYDRATION
Daytime temperatures across Australia be extreme (especially from September to March) with temperatures over 40ºC (104ºF). Even for travellers familiar with these temperatures, it’s easy to become dehydrated. The key point to remember is not to wait until you’re thirsty, but to drink water regularly. Adding an electrolyte solution can aid in replenishing the salts/electrolytes lost when travelling at this time of year. You will be required to carry at least 1L of water per hour of walking.

As we operate in remote areas, guests will need to bring all of their own personal medications on tour. Whilst our guides are qualified in remote area or wilderness first aid and carry satellite phones, we do not carry epi-pens, Ventolin or other emergency medications. If a person requires urgent medical attention whilst on tour, it may take several hours or more for emergency services to attend the scene and take you to a medical facility. Under certain circumstances, your tour consultant may request a medical certificate of fitness before you are cleared to participate in the tour. If pre-existing medical issues that will affect your ability to complete the tour or have an impact on other guests' experiences are not disclosed prior to the departure, we reserve the right to remove you from the tour.

MEDICAL RESTRICTIONS
As we operate in remote areas, guests will need to bring all of their own personal medications on tour. Whilst our guides are qualified in remote area or wilderness first aid and carry satellite phones, we do not carry epi-pens, Ventolin or other emergency medications. If a person requires urgent medical attention whilst on tour, it may take several hours or more for emergency services to attend the scene and take you to a medical facility.

Under certain circumstances your tour consultant may request a medical certificate of fitness before you are cleared to participate on the tour. If pre-existing medical issues that will affect your ability to complete the tour or have an impact on other guests experiences, are not disclosed prior to the departure, we reserve the right to remove you from the tour.

MEDICAL RESTRICTIONS
As we operate in remote areas, guests will need to bring all of their own personal medications on tour. Whilst our guides are qualified in remote area or wilderness first aid and carry satellite phones, we do not carry epi-pens, Ventolin or other emergency medications. If a person requires urgent medical attention whilst on tour, it may take several hours or more for emergency services to attend the scene and take you to a medical facility. Under certain circumstances your tour consultant may request a medical certificate of fitness before you are cleared to participate on the tour. If pre-existing medical issues that will affect your ability to complete the tour or have an impact on other guests experiences, are not disclosed prior to the departure, we reserve the right to remove you from the tour. You can bring a CPAP machine whilst on tour but you will need to purchase a single supplement.

Breakfast comprises of cereal, fruit and toast. Lunch is sometimes prepared and brought to you on the track when we can get vehicle access. On days you are walking in a remote section guests will pack their lunch in the morning which consists of cold meats and salad with sandwiches, rolls or wraps. Dinner is a 2 course meal, main and dessert. Each day on the track you will enjoy tea, coffee and morning tea carried by your leader, and fresh fruit is always available. If you have any special dietary requirements please let us know when you book, we are happy to adapt our tasty, nutritious meals to suit a variety of dietary needs.

AUSTRALIA
The official currency of Australia is the Australian dollar (AUD). Card payments, including digital card payments like Apple Pay, are the most common form of payment in Australia. Many vendors add a small surcharge for card payments. Cash is accepted in most places and ATMs are common.

SPENDING MONEY
When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while travelling.

TIPPING
Tipping can be an appropriate way to recognise great service when travelling. While it may not be customary in your home country, it is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many of our destinations and is greatly appreciated by the people who take care of you during your travels. It is always best to avoid tipping with coins, very small denomination notes, or dirty and ripped notes, as this can be regarded as an insult rather than the goodwill gesture it is intended to be.

YOUR GROUP LEADER OR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE
Tipping your group leader or local representative is highly appreciated if you feel they’ve provided outstanding services throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however, as a guideline, the recommended amount is 4-7 USD or EUR per traveller per day (in a currency relevant to your destination). Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length and involvement of your group leader or local representative on your trip.

CONTINGENCY FUNDS
We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. We are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred because of changes to itineraries, including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights.

Make sure you have access to an extra USD 500 for emergencies (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other events that result in unavoidable changes to the itinerary (e.g. transport strikes or cancellations, airport closures). Sometimes these things necessitate last-minute changes to enable our trips to continue to run, and as a result, there may be some extra costs involved.

The recommended amount is listed in USD for the relatability of all travellers; however, local currency may be needed once in the country to cover these costs. Please confirm with your leader on Day 1 if you need to carry this in cash, or whether access via card or electronically is sufficient.

ESSENTIAL ITEMS
• Day-pack - with a thick waist strap to help take some weight off your shoulders. In wet weather, a waterproof cover or a bin bag to wrap your belongings in can be handy
• Shorts/long pants and shirts for walking - as many sets as you wish! Quick-dry material is best, especially for trousers. Don't wear jeans walking.
• Socks - whichever thickness you're comfortable walking in and as many pairs as you like
• Boots/shoes for walking (make sure you wear them in well)
• Windcheater or lightweight jumper for walking
• Waterproof jacket*
• Sun protection - hat (secure fitting and/or with chin strap), sun cream, sun glasses
• Casual clothes for evenings
• Torch/headlamp (can be handy when twin sharing for getting up at night)
• Any preferred first aid supplies - such as your favourite blister treatment! (Your guide will carry a full first-aid kit)
• Water bottle/s or camelback - 2 to 3 litre capacity
• A lunch container (with freezer brick if desired), so your sandwich won't get squashed and/or Bees wax wrap to use instead of the supplied cling wrap
*You have to expect some bad weather at any time of the year down here so bring wet weather gear even if the forecast is fine. Also, it can get cold at higher altitudes so you may want to consider bringing a beenie.

OPTIONAL ITEMS
• Waterproof pants. Some people love them and some hate them - personally, we don't wear them but there have been times when we have wished for a pair!
• Fly net (especially for walks in warmer weather)
• Camera and charger/batteries
• Gaiters for snake bite protection are recommended unless you are wearing long pants and long socks. They're also good for keeping sand out of your shoes.
• Sock protectors (to keep sand out of your boots)
• Robust sandals for wading/beach sections
• Bathers and towel
• Small towel to carry during the day
• Snacks and alcohol - there will be time to purchase more during the week if you need to. Some people like to have some muesli bars, nuts, lollies etc
• Walking poles (recommended for this tour)

WEATHER IN VICTORIA
Victoria experiences four distinct seasons throughout the year. During the summer, daily temperatures are between 14C/57F and 27C/80F. During winter, daily temperatures are between 6C/42F and 13C/55F. Spring is the wettest time of year, with October’s average rainfall reaching 53mm. The weather at higher altitudes can be unpredictable and even in the height of summer can experience very cold weather. Please pack appropriate warm and waterproof clothing including a beanie, sturdy enclosed shoes and a rain jacket. Layering clothing can be beneficial. Please consider the time of year you are travelling.