Reflecting on a remarkable year – and what keeps us putting one foot in front of the other
Dear Walkers & Friends, with the recent end of another financial year, as founder I always tend to reflect on the past twelve months and looking ahead with excitement to what lies beyond.
Just a few weeks ago, I was walking in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges with a wonderful group of Park Trek guests. Many were familiar faces who have walked with us before, while others were joining us for the first time. The youngest walker was 26, the oldest 86.
As we wandered through landscapes transformed by recent rains, I was reminded again of one of the things I love most about our walks: age, profession and background matter very little when people come together to share a trail, a meal and a common sense of curiosity.
The Flinders Ranges looked magnificent. Ancient ranges, vibrant vegetation and the kind of clear winter light that invites you to slow down and really notice where you are. Around the dinner table each evening, conversations flowed easily, friendships formed and phones remained largely forgotten. Our opportunity to also meet, listen and learn from Adnyamathanha man Kristian Coulthard, of Wadna, was simply powerful and inspiring. It was, in many ways, a perfect reminder of why Park Trek exists.
As technology becomes ever more present in our lives, I believe the value of stepping away from constant connectivity has never been greater. The opportunity to disconnect from digital noise and reconnect with nature, with ourselves, and with like-minded people has inspired me since childhood. It shaped me as a young person, through my obsession with fishing, hiking and camping across this beautiful land, and in my professional life when I hosted clients outdoors. It continues to influence how we design every Park Trek experience today.
Other highlights of our year
Looking back on the year, there are many reasons to be grateful and proud.
One of the highlights has been the success of our charity walks. In December 2025 we again supported Shake It Up Australia, where participants raised more than $100,000 for Parkinson’s research, walking the Snowys and climbing Mount Kosciuszko. This followed their successful 2024 Great Ocean Charity Walk where they raised over $50,000.
And in March 2026, our Guide Dogs Victoria Great Ocean Walk raised over $50,000 to support GDV’s important work. Having previously served as Chair of Guide Dogs Victoria, this cause remains close to my heart. What made the event even more inspiring was the participation of two blind and vision-impaired walkers, who demonstrated to all of us the power of determination, inclusion and shared experience – and true independence!
To see walking used not only as a source of wellbeing and connection, but also as a force for positive change, is something of which we are immensely proud. Which is why walking with charities like Borneo Orangutan Survival Australia on the Great Ocean Walk this September is so inspiring. If you have a cause you’d like to support through fundraising, consider combining it with one of our expertly guided walks. We’d love to help you achieve your fundraising goals.
Over the past year, we have also received renewed recognition for something that has always been central to Park Trek’s identity: responsible and sustainable tourism. Our recent Ecotourism Australia audit reaffirmed our status as an Advanced Ecotourism operator, while last year we received a Victorian Tourism Award for Ecotourism.
While awards are gratifying, what matters most is what they represent. They reflect a long-standing commitment to helping protect the natural and cultural landscapes that make our walks so special. They acknowledge our belief that tourism should help educate and leave places, communities and visitors better for the experience. As a tourism mentor in 2025 said to me, we must “leave only footprints and take only memories”.
Perhaps even more meaningful for me and the team are the generous comments we receive from our guests. Our near-perfect ratings on Google and TripAdvisor reflect the professionalism, passion and care shown of our guides and support team every day. Some recent guests’ quotes are noted further below. While every review is appreciated, more than anything else they reassure us that we are delivering the kind of experiences we seek to create.
Our mission remains unchanged
So, as we begin a new financial year, our mission remains unchanged:
We will continue offering genuinely small-group experiences, typically just seven to ten guests and two knowledgeable guides – unless tailored for a larger private group.
We will continue to seek out distinctive quality local lodgings, and always offer home-style hospitality and nutritious fresh meals enjoyed together around a communal table.
We will continue to carefully design itineraries that showcase the very best each region has to offer, while allowing time to appreciate the places we visit rather than simply pass through them. While simultaneously making our walks accessible to most.
We will continue our commitment to sustainable and respectful travel, including a focus on meaningful cultural experiences and reconciliation. Experiences such as our Wadna experience enrich our guests understanding of Country and Culture and help foster deeper connections with the places we walk.
And above all, we will continue to champion the simple but powerful idea that walking improves our wellbeing, broadens our perspectives and brings people together.
I am enormously grateful to our guests, guides and team, our partners, and supporters who make Park Trek what it is. Thank you for being part of the journey so far.
I hope our paths cross soon on a trail in Australia, or on an Upcoming Departures. Until then, I’m always happy to hear from you so feel free to email me or connect on LinkedIn.
Warm regards,
Charles Thompson
Owner & MD | Park Trek Walking Holidays
Selected recent customer quotes:
“The complete experience was outstanding, the guides, accommodation, the walk variety and walking group made it very special.” Barry | June 2026
“This was an excellently organised trip – starting with a suggested fitness program before leaving… The guides knew the land well and managed our mixed-ability group with care. There were additions to the trekking – like meeting with and learning from an Adnyamathanha elder. Food was plentiful and tasty.” Pam | May 2026
“Our takayna tour was fantastic. Breathtaking scenery, great guides, tasty food. What a place! I’d highly recommend visiting the region with Park Trek.” Louise | April 2026
“Absolutely top notch. Great guides, great experience and great food.” Kim | March 2026
“The trip from booking through to the actual walk was smooth and met all expectations. The guides were great with a wealth of knowledge and care. The walk itself was post card perfect with scenery that was a kaleidoscope of colour!” Kerrie | Feb 2026
“We just can’t say enough about our Three Capes Walk. Thanks for the fun, the laughs and we’ll be back for sure!” Tannis | Jan 2026
“Two experienced and professional guides led our Snowies group. Our group gelled into a happy and sociable party. Leadership by our guides was excellent and empathetic. Catering by our guides was excellent quality with generous servings.” Geoff | Dec 2025 “5 stars all the way. Everything was taken care of. The guides were caring, supportive, and interesting. The fresh food and snacks were delicious, and the ambiance of the accommodation added to the walking.” Amanda | Nov 2025
Park Trek acknowledges and pays its respects to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which we wander as a walking company. We recognise the unique place held by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the original custodians of the lands and waterways across our continent, with histories of continuous connection dating back more than 60,000 years. We are proud to live on the planet’s oldest continent with the oldest continuous living culture. We support the Uluru Statement from the Heart.