Discover Japan’s roads less travelled - on foot

World Expeditions, which specialises in less-visited locations, has unveiled a new self-guided walking adventure along the remote and rugged Michinoku Coastal Trail in Japan.

This seven-day journey offers travellers an opportunity to explore Japan’s wild north-east - a part of the country still largely untouched by mass tourism. 

World Expeditions promises an experience where “the pace is slower, the landscapes raw, and the cultural encounters refreshingly unfiltered”.

The Michinoku Coastal Trail, stretching over 1,000 kilometres through the scenic Tohoku region, was developed as part of Japan’s reconstruction efforts following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. 

The trail now stands as a symbol of renewal and resilience. 

World Expeditions’ new itinerary cherry-picks the trail’s most spectacular sections, guiding travellers through coastal shrines, remote fishing villages, forested headlands and hidden bays between Hachinohe and the cliffs of Kitayamazaki.

Unlike Japan’s better-known walking routes, the Michinoku Trail remains largely untouched by over tourism. 

The self-guided trip is designed for experienced walkers who value both independence and support. 

Travellers receive clear daily route notes, reliable local assistance and luggage transfers, ensuring a seamless journey while maintaining the freedom to walk at their own pace. Accommodations are in locally run inns and small hotels, where regional hospitality and fresh seafood meals bring each day to a perfect close.

"This trail offers travellers the chance to connect deeply with nature and local traditions while enjoying the freedom of independent exploration,” says World Expeditions CEO Sue Badyari.

“Importantly, this initiative supports sustainable tourism by directing vital income to communities along the trail - many of which are still recovering from the 2011 tsunami.

“By choosing this walk, our travellers contribute directly to the revitalisation of these quiet coastal towns, helping preserve their heritage and support a resilient future for the people who call this remarkable region home."

View the Michinoku Coastal Trail itinerary

For more information on World Expeditions, visit www.worldexpeditions.com 

How to get away from it all in the Grampians

There seems to be an ever-increasing level of interest in getting off the beaten track.

From the wilds of Tasmania to wilderness areas in Victoria, to the remote outback, Australians are keen to turn their backs on city hustle and bustle and get away from it all.

The latest in the popular Woodslane Walking Guides will be released this month: The Grampians Peaks Trail will be the first independent guide dedicated to the region, complementing the official maps.

It is described as an indispensable resource for those seeking to plan and undertake the hike across rural Victoria, either in one go, or in sections.

The multi-day Grampians Peaks Trail covers 164km of spectacular scenery and challenging hiking from Mt Zero in the north to Dunkeld in the south, traversing three major mountain ranges along the way.

Over 13 days, the GPT apparently takes in almost the same amount of elevation and descent as it would be to climb Mt Everest.

The book is illustrated with full-colour photographs and detailed maps for each section.

As well as extensive planning notes, there are detailed walk notes for each of the 13 official days walks, with flexible ‘build your own walk’ options for those seeking to do the GPT as a series of day or sectional walks.

The book also contains much Information on transport, food drops, camping and water, as well as local history, the environment and wildlife.

Authors Deb Heyes and Julie Mundy have been keen walkers their whole lives, and have been walking together for over 15 years.

This is Julie’s seventh and Deb’s fourth walking guidebook for Woodslane Press.

RRP: $29.99 Available from bookstores and online. See www.woodslane.com.au

Walks on the mild side in Tasmania

Winter in Tasmania can be long and cold, but spring is just around the corner. 

The Tasmanian Walking Company has just unveiled its 2022/23 Walk+ Collection in collaboration with some of the island state’s tourism innovators and designed for adventurous walkers looking for experiences in nature. 

Heath Garratt, general manager of the Tasmanian Walking Company, says: “Our walks consistently attract global interest from guests looking to make their next adventure truly extraordinary. 

“Our new Walk+ collection is a unique approach to experiencing Tasmania’s hidden gems and the current demand exhibited for our walks gives us great confidence in these new and unique itineraries.”

Among the new experiences: 

Bruny Island Long Weekend and Fat Pig Farm Feast

This farm to table experience is designed for adventurous foodies seeking a journey into Tassie’s local produce. The Bruny Island Long Weekend and Fat Pig Farm Feast combines a three-day island walk with a Farm Feast at Matthew Evans and Sadie Chrestman's Fat Pig Farm in the Huon Valley. Walkers will enjoy coastal walks, forest glamping and local culinary delights from a gourmet long lunch at the farm to fresh oyster shucking.

www.taswalkingco.com.au/bruny-island-long-weekend-fat-pig-farm/

Sacred Geography with Sarah Bachelard

A chance to experience one of Australia’s most beautiful tracks in a spirit of pilgrimage with theologian and spiritual director Sarah Bachelard. 

This journey on thevoverland track is described as an “opportunity to reconnect body, soul and spirit deepened by the lived experience of sacred geography and listening to the land”.

The Cradle Mountain Huts Walk is a six-day walk along the Overland Track, retreating each evening to the comfort of private accommodation along the trail.

https://www.taswalkingco.com.au/overland-track-with-Sarah-Bachelard/

Live Music Walks with Emily Sanzaro

Walk the Bay of Fires and experience a cliff top dinner party complete with an interactive live performance by avant-garde Tasmanian harpist, Emily Sanzaro. 

The Bay of Fires Lodge Walk is an all-inclusive four-day walk along the pristine east coast of Tasmania and staying at award winning Bay of Fires Lodge.

www.taswalkingco.com.au/bay-of-fires-live-music-walk-with-emily-sanzaro/

For bookings and further information on the Walk+ experiences see www.taswalkingco.com.au/extraordinary/special-interest/

 

Up close and personal with wombats and wallabies in Tasmania

Tasmania, the Australian capital of luxury walking experiences, now has another icon experience. 

Tour operator Walk Into Luxury has unveiled details of a four-day Lake St Clair Walk in Tasmania; a new small group walk experience based out of Pumphouse Point rural retreat. 

Weekly departures will start on December 17. 

The four day all-inclusive experience departs from Hobart and showcases the best walks at Lake St Clair and nearby Mount Field National Park. 

Carrying only a day pack, guests will discover Russell Falls, Lake Seal and Lake Dobson at Mount Field; and Shadow Lake, Platypus Bay and Echo Point at Lake St Clair, with 35km covered in total. 

There is the chance to view Lake St Clair and the surrounding mountains from the lake; and plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities with wombats, wallabies, echidnas and platypus. 

At the end of four days in the Tasmanian wilderness, guests will visit a Tasmanian distillery for an exclusive tasting and lunch by the Derwent River before returning to Hobart.

Three nights’ accommodation is included at Pumphouse Point, located within the world heritage-listed Tasmanian wilderness area and overlooking Lake St Clair. 

Guests relax each evening around cosy lounge fireplaces overlooking the lake and enjoy three-course dinners with local Tasmanian wines (from a list that I help curate and update). 

An in-room larder of local cheese, chocolate and other provisions is also included. 

Walkers will sleep in the Pumphouse rooms perched at the end of the jetty on Lake St Clair, offering the chance to fall asleep to the sound of the water lapping against the walls. 

“The Lake St Clair region and Mount Field contain some of the best day walks in Australia," says Walk into Luxury managing director Nikki King. 

"We’re excited to share these spectacular alpine and wilderness landscapes with our guests led by our local guides. To finish a day on the trails with a glass of red by the fire overlooking the lake at Pumphouse Point makes this a perfect wilderness escape.”

To support the operation of its Lake St Clair Walk, Walk into Luxury will open its second Australian base in Hobart. 

The four-day Lake St Clair Walk is priced at $3150 per person, twin share, and departs weekly on Fridays from December 17 to the end of April. 

Subsequent seasons are expected to run from October-April. Transfers from Hobart are included.

See walkintoluxury.com.au/lakestclairwalk