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The changing landscape of private group travel in 2023
As the world continues to open up, it’s no surprise that travellers have become more discerning. Unique private travel experiences are sought after, with time in nature and private lodge buy-outs growing in popularity. With both corporate and family groups choosing private custom touring in increasing numbers, here is our round up of the best lodges and experiences for private groups travelling in 2023.
By Walk into Luxury
Wilderness retreats and luxury lodges for your private group
Immerse yourself in nature by day and unwind in secluded comfort each evening in some of Australia and New Zealand’s most biodiverse locations. These luxury lodges and boutique wilderness retreats offer an all-inclusive experience featuring gourmet dining, premium beverages, guided activity options and cosy communal spaces for gathering as a group at the end of each day.
Australia’s best luxury lodges
- El Questro Homestead, East Kimberley, WA
- Sal Salis Wilderness Safari Camp, Ningaloo Reef, WA
- Silky Oaks Lodge, Daintree, QLD
- Bullo River Station, East Kimberley, NT
- Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, Greater Blue Mountains, NSW
- Spicers Peak Lodge, Scenic Rim Qld
- Longitude 131°, Uluru, NT
- Saffire Freycinet, TAS
- Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, QLD
- Spicers Sangoma Retreat, Greater Blue Mountains, NSW
New Zealand’s best luxury lodges
Private walks and nature experiences for your private group
Customised departures of signature and Great Walks are available for an active private family adventure, or corporate groups looking to develop teamwork or resilience. Multi-day hike options based at a single lodge include the Cape to Cape in Margaret River, Gorge Walks in the Kimberley, the trails in the Lake St Clair wilderness area in Tasmania, and the Freycinet Walk Experience. Some hut-to-hut style hikes we recommend include the Larapinta Trek in the West McDonnell Ranges, the Arkaba Walk in the Flinders Ranges, the Scenic Rim Trail in Queensland, and the Hollyford Track in New Zealand. Each walk can be privately booked and tailored to your group.
For a more relaxed pace, combine your lodge accommodation with hand-selected private guided experiences in nearby wilderness areas. Some popular experiences we recommend for private groups include:
- Half-day scenic hike to a glacier on the Rob Roy Track in Mount Aspiring National Park, near Wanaka
- A taste of the Kepler track, Milford Track or Routeburn Track with a private guided day hike returning to your lodge; combine with a heli transfer to heighten the experience for your group
- Scenic destination picnic lunch in the mountains of the South Island; choose to access your alpine picnic by car, heli, e-bike or horseback
- River jet boat, stand-up paddleboard and kayaking options
- Swimming with whale sharks or snorkelling at Ningaloo or the Great Barrier Reef
- Island atoll castaway experience for a day
- Fly-fishing in alpine rivers or deep sea fishing
- Wildlife sundowner safaris
- Private sailing charter for a day or more, with access to snorkelling, fishing, seafood or wine tasting, private islands and more, depending on the location
This is just a taste of the experiences we can arrange for clients planning private travel for their group.
Food and wine experiences to complete your private group journey
Food and wine lovers can expect local produce and wines on their Walk into Luxury journey, with many of our partner lodges and retreats based in or near Australia and New Zealand’s best wine regions. In Australia, these include Margaret River, Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, South Australia’s Barossa and Clare Valleys, the Coal River Valley in Tasmania, and the Hunter Valley in New South Wales. For New Zealand, lodges are based in Central Otago, Hawke’s Bay, Martinborough and Marlborough wine regions.
Private cellar door tastings and vineyard walks are great options for private groups keen to experience the local wines. After a day together in a wilderness setting, return to your accommodation and be served an expertly crafted menu showcasing locally sourced food and wine. We can even arrange destination dining experiences under the stars, on a boat cruise, by the beach or on a clifftop - just about anywhere - to maximise the connection to nature while dining on produce sourced from the surrounding land or sea.
