Tummy-trimming Treks

Sun Herald

Sunday January 4, 2009

Jane W. Fraser

From cycling to kayaking, Jane E. Fraser nominates healthy holidays that combine fitness and fun.

Feeling a bit spongy around the middle? You don't have to check into an expensive retreat or submit to deprivation to get back on track - healthy holidays come in many guises and it doesn't feel like hard work when you're having fun.

Walk on

Australia has no shortage of walking tracks for independent hikers but many people prefer to let someone else do the planning. You may wish to join the Victorian operator bothfeet (phone 1300 767 416) on Victoria's Great Ocean Walk and be one of the first to stay in the new bothfeet walking lodge, set among rainforest just back from Johanna Beach.

The full walk takes six days and covers 91 kilometres or you can opt to do a shorter section. Either way, you return each evening to the lodge for dinner, a glass of wine and a comfortable night's sleep - not much deprivation there. All-inclusive prices start at $1395 a person.

Further south, Intrepid Travel has a seven-day walk though Tasmania's Tarkine Wilderness - think ancient rainforest, giant fern glades, elusive freshwater crayfish and colonies of glow worms. Prices for this trip start at $1675 a person and include most meals. It departs from Launceston.

Closer to home, there are beautiful, guided walks in the Kosciuszko National Park. Both day walks and overnight walks are available. Accommodation can be had at the Lake Crackenback Resort. Guided day treks start at $50; two-day walks are $595 a person.

North of Sydney, Auswalk has self-guided inn-to-inn packages on the Hawkesbury Trail. The tours include four days of walking taken over six days. You carry a light day pack; your bags are transferred to your accommodation each day. All meals, including picnic lunches, are provided. The trail follows the Hawkesbury River through national parks, with many postcard-worthy coastal views. Prices start at $1150 a person, including accommodation and most meals.

See bothfeet.com.au; intrepidtravel.com.au; www.novotellakecrackenback.com.au/walks; and www.auswalk.com.au.

Pedal power

There's definitely no deprivation with north-eastern Victoria's new Pedal to Produce program, which combines scenic cycling with local food and wine. Hire a basket for the bike from one of the visitors' centres in Rutherglen, Bright, Beechworth, Mt Beauty, Myrtleford or Wangaratta and you receive a book of discount vouchers for wineries, cafes, restaurants and food producers. Choose your route and fill up on fresh produce and gourmet treats as you go.

A similar concept is South Australia's Riesling Trail, which follows an old railway track through the Clare Valley wine region, two hours north of Adelaide. The trail is hard enough to make you think twice about tasting too much - without being a difficult ride. Stop and eat along the way. It's about five to seven kilometres between wineries; many accommodation providers will drop you off and pick you up from points on the route. If you want something more challenging, Mountain Bike Tours offers guided mountain biking through the lush Byron Bay hinterland. Everything is provided and all abilities are catered for, so there are no excuses. Full-day tours cost from $99 a person.

See northeastvalleys.com.au; clarevalley.com.au; and mountainbiketours.com.au.

On the water

There are options to cater for all abilities and fitness levels. A good entry-level trip is Peregrine's four-day Freycinet kayak expedition, which includes paddling, a day of snorkelling and a day relaxing in a beautiful area with plentiful marine life. Priced at $1290 a person, the expedition departs from Hobart.

Taking the activity level up a notch is whitewater rafting. World Expeditions hosts a nine-day trip on Tasmania's Franklin River - no experience necessary. It's a solid week of guided rafting, priced at $2495 a person, all inclusive, departing from Hobart.

The Nymboida River, on the Coffs Coast, is a great place for whitewater rafting. Rapids range from a reasonably gentle grade two up to a thrilling grade five. Liquid Assets Adventure Tours has trips ranging from half a day to two days, operating out of Coffs Harbour. Beginners are catered for and be warned, rafting can become addictive.

See peregrineadventures.com; worldexpeditions.com.au; and surfrafting.com.

Adrenalin fixes

If you need more adrenalin, try canyoning in the Blue Mountains. It combines hiking, abseiling and swimming and is a great workout for every part of the body, with the distraction of great scenery along the way. High n Wild Mountain Adventures has day trips ranging from easy canyons for beginners to seriously challenging adventures for the experienced. Prices start at $179 a person and all the equipment is provided.

A sport growing in popularity is kite surfing, which is guaranteed to get the blood pumping. Try Sunshine Coast Sailboards at Caloundra, an hour's drive north of Brisbane. Prices start at $150 for two hours and there are plenty of other adventure activities in the area if you want to mix it up.

For something different, run away with the circus and learn to swing on a trapeze or walk a tightrope.

The newly renovated Novotel Twin Waters Resort on the Sunshine Coast is one of several Australian resorts with resident circus schools. Anyone over the age of seven can give it a go. It's great fun and very satisfying when you get the hang of it.

See high-n-wild.com.au; sunshinecoastsailboards.com.au; and twinwatersresort.com.au.

RETREAT, RETREAT

If a health retreat is what you need, Australia has some great options. The Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in the Gold Coast hinterland is offering 50 per cent off regular rates, for a second guest, between January 22 and March 23. Programs range from a two-night weekend to a seven-night detox. Gwinganna also has specialty retreats for specific needs.

The Golden Door Health Retreat Elysia in the Hunter Valley has special prices until the end of January.

Go with a friend and the second person pays half price. Or go on your own and get 20 per cent off the Golden Door's five-night program or an independent stay.

Another option is Gaia Retreat and Spa in the Byron Bay hinterland that has specialty packages, including weight loss, yoga and fitness programs.

See gwinganna.com; www.golden door.com.au; gaiaretreat.com.au.