Women Embrace Southern Highlands Long Weekend 2023

Experience the beautiful Southern Highlands of NSW on our four-day weekend where we'll hike and enjoy sweeping views, marvel at gorgeous waterfalls, share beautiful local food and wine, and explore quaint local villages. 

Our Southern Highlands escape is an all-inclusive, fabulous adventure for women. We hope you can join us!

Details:

• Date: Thursday, 3 August 2023 -Sunday, 6 August  2023
• Time: 4-day adventure – starting from 7:00 am Thursday, finish 6:00 pm  Sunday
• Start and finish point: Central pick up points - Newcastle/Lake Macquarie (other locations as required)
• Accommodation: twin share in local accommodation  
• Meals: All prepared and served at your accommodation with a focus on the freshest local ingredients
• Walk Grading: The walks on this trip are graded 3/4/5. To find out about the grading system click here

Inclusions:

• Three night's accommodation in beautiful Bowral, twin share
• All meals (three breakfasts, four lunches, three hearty homemade dinners, afternoon nibbles, hiking snacks and fruit). We cater for most dietary needs; let us know when you are booking.
• Guided, pack-free walks on 4 days (weather dependent)
• Stops at local villages in the Southern Highlands
• Two Wilderness First Aid Qualified Women Embrace Hosts to ensure you have the best experience possible
• WEA surprises
• National Park Fees
• Guaranteed lots of fun and laughter!

Cost:  $1890/person twin share (limited single supplement may be available at additional cost)

Full Itinerary: 

Day 1 – Thursday, 3 August – Pick up and transport to the Southern Highlands, afternoon walk

We'll meet you at the designated pick-up point in Newcastle/Lake Macquarie at 7:00 am and load up the mini-bus ready for our adventure. We'll cruise down the highway to Mittagong in the Southern Highlands where we'll enjoy a picnic lunch at a local park before our afternoon walk. We'll set out on a local walk-in Mt Alexandra Reserve towards Sixty Foot Falls. After enjoying the vista at the falls, we'll return and head back to our accommodation to get settled in.  We'll share a beautiful dinner and a nice local wine, a perfect opportunity to get to know the amazing women you will be spending the weekend with, share some past adventure stories and have a laugh.

Activity: Hike 5km

Meals Included: Lunch, afternoon nibbles and drinks, dinner

Accommodation: Bowral Country House

Day 2 – Friday 4 August – Ahearn's Lookout

We start the day with a beautiful breakfast then head out for the longest of our Southern Highlands walks. Boasting stunning views over the Nattai Gorge, our walk up to Ahearn's lookout covers both fire trails and moderate-hard walking trails. There are plenty of photo opportunities as we stand 350m above the Nattai River and look down the valley. Upon our return to Bowral, you'll have a chance to put your feet up with some afternoon nibbles while we prepare you a delicious dinner. 

Activity: Hike 12 km

Meals Included: Breakfast, morning tea, trail snacks, lunch, pre-dinner nibbles and dinner.

Accommodation: Bowral Country House

Day 3 – Saturday 5 August, Waterfall Day

After breakfast at our accommodation we head out to explore some of the region's well-known waterfalls in Morton National Park. We'll make multiple stops in the region and take several short hikes today to appreciate the beauty of the national parks, the waterfalls and the stunning valley scenery. We'll have plenty of opportunities for photos, and we'll make a stop or two in some of the quaint Southern Highlands towns for a drink and a look around before we head back to our accommodation for pre-dinner nibbles and dinner. 

Activity: Various small hikes totalling 7-10km

Meals Included: Breakfast, morning tea, trail snacks, lunch, pre-dinner nibbles and dinner.

Accommodation: Bowral Country House

Day 4 – Sunday 6 August, Wine tasting and walking

After breakfast and packing our bags, we'll say farewell to our accommodation and stretch our legs on the Cherry Tree Walk in Bowral. This flat, accessible walk is picturesque and was created in dedication to the soldiers that lost their lives in the Vietnam War. After our stroll and a stop for coffee, we'll head to a local winery to sample the local drop. After lunch, we'll board the bus to head back home, arriving at our drop-off points in Newcastle/Lake Macquarie around 6 pm. 

Activity: Walk 5km, wine tasting

Meals Included: Breakfast, morning tea, lunch.

What's not included:

• Travel Insurance
• Alcohol (other than the wine provided in the tasting at the local winery. You are very welcome to BYO and we can stop in the Bowral for you to make any purchases)

About the Southern Highlands, NSW: Set amongst stunning gorges and valleys and with four distinct seasons, the Southern Highlands also offer enchanting inland villages, award-winning food, cool climate wines and boutique shopping precincts.  

Mini Van transport is included from select pick up spots in Newcastle/Lake Macquarie but if you are meeting us in the Southern Highlands the Driving distance from Sydney 1.5 hours, from Newcastle 3.5 hours, from Williamtown Airport 3.5 hours

Some Frequently Asked Questions:

What do I need to bring?

We'll send you a full packing list once you book. You only need to carry your day-pack during our walks.

• Small Day Pack for personal first aid, water, jacket, snacks/lunch (all food provided)
• Toiletries and a beach towel (if you're game to take a dip in the water!)
• Hiking/outdoor wear and comfortable evening clothes (we'll send a full list before we go)
• Any alcoholic beverages you may want

How fit do I need to be?

You'll need a moderate level of fitness for this four-day weekend. The walk on Friday is approx 12 km and challenging in parts, but we take our time and enjoy the views on the way. Other walks have a few hills, some stairs and uneven ground. The pace of our Southern Highlands getaway will be quite relaxed. If you'd like to discuss if this adventure is for you, please email us at info@womenembraceadventure.au; we'll happily give you a call.

Do I need experience?

Nope! Just come along and enjoy this beautiful part of the world.

I'm not sure this adventure is for me?! What about this then...

• All meals provided and made with love
• Pre-dinner nibbles and a drink with your fellow adventurers
• Beautiful accommodation in homely Bowral
• Some of the most stunning natural features in NSW
• Did we mention local wines??
• Beautiful night skies and gorgeous scenery
• And best of all, we do all the hard work for you. All you have to do is turn up and enjoy; everything else is done for you!

How many women will be on my adventure?

We like to keep things small and intimate at WEA to offer you a supportive and friendly environment. We have a maximum capacity of 9 women plus your WEA hosts

I'll be coming on my own, is that ok?

Not a problem at all!  Lots of women come on their own to our adventures. Your Women Embrace Adventure hosts will make sure you meet everyone when you arrive on Thursday. We always have lots of fun; there's no pressure, no judgment, and lots of encouragement from everyone. By the end of the weekend, you may have just found some new adventure friends!

I want to come with my friend/friends...

Just let us know who you are coming with when you book and we will be sure to match you in a room share with them.

Can bad weather conditions affect my adventure?

Wet weather will not cause the cancellation of this adventure. If the weather proves to be wet or otherwise dangerous, we may have to alter the itinerary though. As we are staying in beautiful accommodation in a gorgeous part of NSW we'll be sure to have a fantastic time if mother nature is not kind to us.

Nitty Gritty and Bits and Bobs:

Stay Safe Procedures: Women Embrace Adventure is taking significant measures to limit the transmission of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Read our full Covid-19 T&C's for full details https://www.womenembraceadventure.com.au/t-c

By making a booking, you agree to and accept our terms and conditions, including these Terms and Conditions, our Covid-19 Policy and the Waiver of Liability.

Your booking is final once your payment is processed and a confirmation email is sent to you.

This is a women's only adventure.

Valid for travel for  3 August 2023 departure.

Valid for sale until sold out.

Advertised prices are per person, twin share and do not include travel insurance.

Prices are correct as of 17 February 2023 and are subject to availability, withdrawal and change at any time without notice due to fluctuations in charges and currency.

A non-refundable deposit of $600 per person is required to secure your booking.

Full price $1890

You will be invoiced for the balance owing which is due 90 days prior to departure and is payable via direct deposit, PayPal or credit card.

All current government safety and health guidelines at the time of booking and departure must be adhered to including all Covid-19 requirements. Any additional costs related to but not limited to government travel restrictions are the responsibility of the individual traveller and not Women Embrace Adventure. If this trip is undersubscribed or in circumstances where external events affect the viability or safety of this trip to go ahead, Women Embrace Adventure reserves the right to cancel or reschedule and to exclude/remove any participants from this trip. Your booking is non-transferable.

Cancellation Policy:

· Prior to 90 days before the trip departure, we reserve the right to charge any administration costs and any trip cost incurred by us prior to the time of cancellation

· Between 90-60 days before trip departure-75% Of the Adventure Cost plus any administration costs and any trip cost incurred by us prior to the time of cancellation

· Between 59-30 days before trip departure- 85% Of the Adventure Cost plus any administration costs and any trip cost incurred by us prior to the time of cancellation

· Within 30 days of the trip departure - 100% Of the Adventure Cost

· Once the trip has commenced, there will be no refunds granted.

· Travel insurance is recommended for all our adventures

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We hope you can join us!

Sharon and Kat x