There are many different factors that contribute to the grading of a particular trip. The combination of the length of the tour, terrain, altitude and weather conditions are considered to provide you with a general indication of our grading to help with your trip planning. It’s important to note here, that these gradings do not take into account personal factors such as interests, abilities or experience. If you have questions about your suitability for a particular trip, please don’t hesitate to speak to one of our expert Adventure Consultants on 1300 666 856.

First things first: to show the relative difficulty of our walking holidays and active adventures, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 8, with 1 being the easiest, and 8 being the most challenging. The majority of our walking holidays fall into grade 4: Introductory to Moderate, however each grading is detailed below.

Discovery and Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travelling days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms.

Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2-3 months prior to departure.

View trips graded "Discovery and Cruising"

Adventure Touring

These adventure tours sometimes may visit remote areas where facilities are often basic. Many of these trips sometimes involve some camping or basic lodging. They will often involve long journeys and rough roads. To enjoy these adventures we suggest reasonable fitness and health, a moderately active lifestyle and a positive attitude.

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

View trips graded "Adventure Touring"

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be underestimated. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health. Terrain may include undulations, rocky surfaces, bush scrub or boardwalks.

Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling, hill walking or jogging) three times a week. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended.

View trips graded "Introductory"

Introductory to Moderate

These trips include several days of introductory activity with several and moderate stages. Some days you may be walking a slow and steady pace for up to 6 hours in the day. Other days may be more difficult, involving early morning departures and tricky ascents to lookouts. You will be expected to carry a day-pack for the majority of your trip which could weigh up to 10kg. Terrain may include walking off-track, through bush and scrublands, or on duckboards and boardwalks, or a combination of these.

Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise 3-4 times a week for 3 months prior to your trip. This can include swimming, jogging, hard walking or cycling - good cardiovascular exercise. For trekking, hill or stair walking with approximately a 10kg daypack in variable weather conditions for several hours is also recommended. For cycling adventures, road cycling twice a week for 3 months prior to departure is advised. 

View trips graded "Introductory to Moderate"

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or kayaking for up to 6-8 hours a day at a steady pace. You will need a good level of fitness and must be in good health. Depending on the trip, you may be expected to carry either a day-pack (up to 10kg) or a full pack (up to 17kgs) for several hours at a time.  Be prepared for potential variable weather conditions, including rain, hail, snow or strong winds. 

Suggested preparation: 45-60 minutes of aerobic type exercise, 3-5 times a week. Hill walking, on both day & overnight trips, with a weighted pack in variable weather conditions is also recommended, whilst gradually increasing pack weight as you progress.  For rafting trips, we recommend kayaking or if you are unable to do this, some sessions on a rowing machine in a gym will suffice to help build upper body strength.  Regular road cycling will assist you with preparing for any trip that includes cycling. 

View trips graded "Moderate"

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8-10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions). You will need a good/excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry either a daypack or a full pack (15 - 17kg), and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.

Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise 4-5 times a week. Hill walking on multi-day treks, with a full pack in variable weather conditions is also recommended, whilst gradually increasing pack weight as you progress. At least once a week, you should walk with a weighted day pack (5 – 7kg) for several hours for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness.  If you are joining a rafting adventure, we recommend either some kayaking sessions or rowing sessions in the gym to help build your upper body strength.

View trips graded "Moderate to Challenging"

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking in remote areas for up to 8-10 hours a day, possibly more. With remoteness comes potential to encounter variable weather conditions. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a full pack weighing up to 20kgs and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions and remote locations where evacuation may be very difficult.  

Suggested preparation: We recommend one hour of strenuous exercise 4 time per week (this can be cycling, jogging or walking) interspersed with relatively demanding bushwalks carrying a full pack weigh (up to 20kgs).  At least once a week, you should walk with a weighted day pack (5 – 7kg) for several hours for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness.  The best exercise for our challenging treks is multi day bushwalking involving relatively steep ascents and descents and in variable weather conditions.

View trips graded "Challenging"