Sun, Sweat, and South East Queensland

About
Gallery
Itinerary
Location
Things to keep in mind

Retreat Highlights:

Your trip includes in-person training and pre-trip engagement
Trips can be created specifically for your club/group or join with an existing retreat
Complete a century ride on the rustic landscape
Hike the diverse and sprawling trails of O'Reilly's rainforest
Immerse yourself into beachside culture

We will hike through native bush and rainforests, run and swim at the region's stunning beaches and kayak in a UNESCO recognised ecosystem. You'll be accompanied by great people who share
your passion for training preparation and rewarding challenges.

You'll eat well and play hard as you reap the benefits of your pre-trip training on the roads, trails, sand and water.A century ride is a feature challenge and the trip will finish on a high note with our Summit to Surf challenge day, which will push you physically and give you an experience to remember, before we say our farewells with a well earned beach-side dinner.

WHO IS TRAINING FOR TRIPS

Training for Trips will work with you to understand your current level of fitness, training routine and goals. Using this information we will individualise a training program for you to ensure you are fit, ready and confident to have an amazing adventure.

We are experts at supporting people to achieve extraordinary things.

Our resident Strength and Conditioning coach, Justin Crow, has a unique mix of qualifications and experience that guarantees you are getting a training program of the highest quality:

Australian Strength and Conditioning Association Pro Scheme: Elite Coach
Exercise and Sports Science Australia: Accredited High Performance Manager
Australian Physiotherapy Association: Accredited Physiotherapist
10+ years of strength/conditioning, rehabilitation and high performance coaching in the AFL
Currently Senior Manager, High Performance at Paralympics Australia

Expressions of Interest for 2022 & 2023,

Coupons

About

What's included

What's not included

Food and Accommodation

Requirements

This retreat would suit someone who

Prices

Gallery

About The Host

Your Instructors

Aaron Davis

Aaron has 25 years experience in the travel industry designing and leading adventure travel in Australia, Japan, UK and the US. Aaron values genuine connections and sustainable travel and has built strong relationships with locals around the world.

Justin Crow

Justin is an Elite Strength and Conditioning Coach (ASCA), Accredited Physiotherapist (APA), Accredited High Performance Manager (ESSA), and has extensive experience preparing elite athletes to succeed across a wide variety of sports. Justin’s experience includes 12 years at the highest level of Australian football and he is currently employed as Senior Manager, High Performance at Paralympics Australia where he continues his passion of supporting people to do extraordinary things.

Itinerary

Pre-trip Training

As soon as you book we will engage with you in the development of your individualised and targeted training program. You will provide some background information to us on your current training and goals and then we will be in touch to make sure we craft your training program to suit your personal situation.

This particular program will target bike endurance, kayak-specific movement, hiking capacity, and swimming strength.

Your journey starts now.
Day 1 - Gold Coast Airport to Southport

Hike - 25km, Bike - 15km, Swim - up to 2km, Paddle - 5km

Our South East Queensland adventure starts with a fun multi activity traverse the length of the Gold Coast.

Get to know your fellow travelers and group leaders as we enjoy an introductory beach walk, ocean swim, canal kayak and bike riding day to loosen the body for what follows. We enjoy some great company, great views while taking in some fun local stops. Conclude our day with a sunset meal at the beach and play in the waves.

We will cover around 50km in total today and see some different views of the area and learn more about the journey ahead.

Casual evening kayak under the Surfers Paradise lights enjoying some star gazing and experience the peaceful side of the Gold Coast night.
Day 2 - Broadbeach and South Stradbroke

Swim - 1km (2km option), Kayak - 8km, Hike - 5km

Morning swim and play in surf. Practice or learning of some new skills worked into this great start to the day. The keen swimmers looking for a strong start are invited to join our local regular group for a swim also.

Our breakfast is a locally sourced food bonanza that we take time in a lovely location to savour.

This is a very special day as we kayak the Broadwater with some snorkel stops to take in some of the amazing wildlife, enjoy a beach picnic and wallaby bush beach walk on the quiet South Stradbroke Island again looking for the special animals that call this area home.

Great local dinner tonight with some local brews and wines provided for those reminding themselves amongst the challenge that relaxing and enjoying the beautiful dinner location all helps.
Day 3 – Brisbane cycling and sunset walk

Bike - 60km, Hike - 6km

Again our day opens with some open water swimming opportunities but also a morning beach run option can be a great way to stretch the legs along the 30km beach.

Today we see a different side of Brisbane - a river and neighborhood ride. We cycle on wonderfully designed and crafted bike trails through the underrated Queensland capital. We stay close to the river but dip into the many different and diverse neighborhoods, each with their own personality and story that we explore from the saddle.

We finish our day with a sunset walk in a new part of South East Queensland and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Day 4 – Noosa everglades kayak and camping

Kayak - 22km, Hike - 12km

We wake early and launch our boats at the start of a special day. We kayak through Lake Cootharaba and into the upper Noosa River everglades.

We lunch on the river bank, take the chance to hike to Cooloola Sands, and enjoy one of only two Everglade environments on earth as we try and take in all the diverse birdlife the area is famous for.

We make our way deep into the everglades and set up camp for the night.
Day 5 - Return kayak and Noosa trail ride

We wake with the sun in the everglades and paddle back to Elanda Point.

Our next stop is Tewantin National Park and an opportunity to ride the trails of the hidden Noosa hinterland.

We return to Noosa via Land & Sea Craft Brewery for an afternoon of leisure and exploration, and a return to luxury after our everglades adventure.
Day 6 - Mt. Barney full day hike

Hike - 25km

This morning those who are inclined can enjoy a morning swim at the stunning and nearby Noosa beach which we follow with a refreshing walk or run in the adjourning National Park. Hells Gate route is a favorite 7km trail but other shorter options exist and you are welcome to choose. Great views and wildlife abound so we can run, jog or walk to take it all in at a personal comfortable pace. It is your journey and your personal preference and experience - stay with the group or get out on your own.

We transfer to Mt Barney where our full day hike is a challenging but highly rewarding day of bush, wildlife, views, teamwork and nature.

Our rolling 25km hike today is made up of a wonderful diversity of Australian woodland comprising thick green forests, giant fig trees, cliff tops and sprawling open landscape presenting great views of the resident and very special Bunya Trees.
Day 7 - Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Century Ride

Bike - 100 miles

A true challenge today in the best Training For Trips style. Today as a group we cycle a full day 100 mile rail trail ride along the off road but flat and moderate level Brisbane valley rail trail.

The original rail line is from 170 years ago and we ride down the valley through the many great towns along her path. The scenery is a great mix of hills and rock face and is a contrast to the rainforests ahead and the bushlands we have spent time in already.

In our design meetings we were really pleased to be able to offer the chance to do an interesting century ride through great landscape and the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail provides that perfect experience. Tonight sit back and relax as we enjoy again some local wines and brews with locally sourced food to celebrate the day on the trail.
Day 8 - Bunya mountains Hiking

Hike - 20km

A true highlight for everyone, including the leaders. This is one of the best hiking locations in this part of Australia. Again an enjoyable but challenging experience on some tough but stunning trails. We take a full day to do our 20km and have rewarding views and vista opportunities.

Our transit to our locally signifiant accommodation at O'Reilly’s means we rest well with some great food and sunset views before a wildlife packed night walk in this UNESCO designated forest area.
Day 9 - O'Reilly loop hiking rainforest trail

Enjoy our regular morning stretch and activation session even more from this top of the world location before filling our stomachs with a great breakfast and our backpacks with wonderful snacks and lunches before we head off into the rainforest for one of the best trails the area provides.

We have again a tough but rewarding hiking journey with plenty of stops for wildlife, views, waterfalls and chats.
Day 10 - Summit to Surf challenge day

Today is a day like no other. We are the first group to do this challenge and we take pride in how it sits in the Training For Trips vision of what a great active day out with likeminded people should be.

We start out with the famous hike from OReillys retreat to BInna Burra in Lamington National Park, a wonderful 21 km of rainforest, views and waterfalls. We take some deep breaths, hear the story of the recent fires and the area rising again out of the ashes as we change mode to bike and ride down through the National Parks quiet roads to Nerang 45km away.

Next we collect ourselves, working as a group and team, and looking to finish our journey in the best shape possible and enjoy a final kayak down the Nerang River to Gold Coast beach 10km away where we celebrate and finish with a final meal on the beach before we depart.