Women Overland offers small group active holidays that aim to provide a deep experience of Australia's fabulous natural and cultural environments. We love being in the bush, in the outback and in spectacular coastal environments, and we love sharing these great gifts with others.

Our trips are designed specifically for women (we encourage men and mixed groups on custom trips). Group sizes are small (maximum 7 or 12) which enables us to travel to remote locations. We do lots of bushwalking and sometimes kayaking, and on custom trips we can also offer rafting, diving, surfing and other activities. While our trips are active they are not exhausting and are suitable for people of good health and moderate fitness.

On all of our trips we try to engage local Aboriginal people. We are privileged to be able to learn from, and share with, the traditional owners of this land. Indigenous people can teach us a great deal about respecting culture and respecting country. Sometimes we engage Aboriginal women who are able to take us to Women's sites and explain something of Women's Business.

Trip styles

We have now extended our range of trips to include Camping Safaris as well as our fully accommodated trips (Overland Trips and Mini Breaks). On all of our trips we spend much of our time in National Parks and stay overnight in National Parks if suitable accommodation is available. Fabulous fresh organic tucker is essential to all of our trips.

    Overland Trips

Our Overland Trips start and finish in major centres (ie Brisbane to Sydney, Sydney to Melbourne) visiting great locations along the way. Accommodation is in hotels, eco-lodges, cabins and lighthouses usually close to or within National Parks. Usually two or three nights (one or two days) are spent in each location allowing time for good exploration of the area.

    Mini Trips

Mini Trips are similar to the Overland Trips. They are simply fast tracked a little for those people who do not have much time. To achieve a great trip in a shorter time a location may be left of the itinery and usually two nights (one full day) is spent in each location.

    Camping Safaris

Our Camping Safaris start and finish in the same place and explore a region in detail. They are a great choice for those people who love getting close to nature or want to gain a great experience of the Australian bush. As many of Australia's mammals are nocturnal the Camping Safaris provide a great opportunity for seeing lots of unique wildlife. They are also nice for sitting around a campfire, eating traditional Australian campfire tucker and observing the starry southern sky. Accommodation is twin share in comfortable 3-person tents, and toilets and hot showers are available.

Our locations

The eastern states of Australia are vast and diverse. The diversity is partly because of the north-south extent of the region as well as the landform variation formed by the Great Dividing Range. The northern parts of the country are well and truly in the tropics and, yet, in winter, mountains in the southern parts are under snow.

The Great Diving Range is an old mountain range that formed when the Pacific continental plate collided with the Australasian plate, pushing it up. The Range runs almost the entire length of the east coast of Australia and brings rainfall and life to an otherwise dry country. The Great Diving Range contributes to the great diversity of geology, landforms, plants and animal life. Many of the large rivers that travel eastward from the Great Dividing Range form boundaries of, or are central to, Aboriginal countries.

For our trips we choose locations that highlight the diversity and uniqueness of the regions that we are travelling in. We travel to plateaus and mountain tops; coastal lowlands and river valleys. We explore heathlands, woodlands and grasslands; as well as rainforests and moist ferny gullies. We look for the big gangly Greater Glider and the petite Feathertail Glider; the classic Grey Kangaroo as well as rock wallabies, tree kangaroos, bandicoots and bettongs. On all of our trips we discover diversity, and all of our trips are vastly different.

Climate

We take advantage of Australia’s pleasant climates. During the southern hemisphere summer we travel in the southern (dry) part of the country, while in winter we generally travel in the tropical and subtropical parts.

Accommodation

We plan our trips to stay close to nature. In choosing our locations we attempt to strike a balance between the attractions of the site and what facilities are available. Whether we are camping under the stars or staying in 4 stars, the beds are always cosy, the tucker is gourmet and hot showers are at hand.

Level of activity

Our trips are generally suited to people who are healthy and have a moderate level of fitness. Although more energetic people are unlikely to be bored. Our activities usually include half day or day long walks, and sometimes flatwater kayaking. Any longer or more energetic activities are clearly described in the trip detail pages.

Language

The official language of guided trips is English. Inquiries are welcome regarding guiding and interpretation in other languages, particularly German language.

Food

At Women Overland we place a lot of importance on food - healthy, yummy food - and, where possible, we source fresh, locally grown, organic produce. As we travel through different growing regions we are able to take advantage of a large variety of great produce. Breakfasts and lunches are generally simple buffets, while dinners are often feasts of classic Australian and modern Australian (multicultural) fare.

What is included

Details of what is included in the tariff of each trip are given with the trip description. Generally speaking, all listed activities, entry fees, transport, accommodation and most meals are included. Where it is more cost effective, restaurant meals are not included in the tariff. Participants may want to budget for occasional restaurant meals ($20AUD/meal), soft drink or alcohol, cafes, and other personal items. On Camping Safaris all camping equipment is included, however participants will need to bring a sleeping bag or otherwise hire bedding for $70AUD/trip.

Meeting up for the trip

Overland and Mini Trips generally start in the afternoon. Unless already staying in the hotel, participants are usually able to check in after 4pm. Participants can then meet up with the Guide to finalise any outstanding details, before going out for a Welcome Dinner.

The Camping Safaris usually start around 10AM. Participants are picked up from their accommodation or from a pre-arranged location. The meeting arrangements for all trips are forwarded two months prior to departure and include details about how to book pre-trip accommodation if desired.

Information Pack To ensure that everyone is prepared for the trip we send out an information pack two months prior to departure. The pack includes such things as meeting instructions, packing lists, interesting reading lists, and details about mobile phone and internet access. However, if you would like this information earlier or have other inquiries just send us an email.