Women's Day Pack-Free Hike
Celebrating Women on the Trail
10-12 May, Saturday - Monday, Mother’s Day 2025
To mark International Women’s Day, K’gari Walking Tours hosted a special pack-free hiking experience led by our owner Jane Needham. 5 women, aged between 40 and 60, from around the Fraser Coast region, joined Jane on the 3-day rainforest eco hike where they celebrated women, nature and connection. Despite most of the women not knowing each other, they all got along well and kept each other company, chatting and sharing stories as they traversed along the walking tracks!
Why a women-only hike?
Women often bring a unique energy to the trail, from nurturing connections to deep conversations under the trees. This hike offered women the opportunity to explore, unwind and bond in a supportive and inspiring environment.
SHORT INTERVIEW WITH JANE NEEDHAM, OWNER
What inspired you to create a women-only hike for International Women’s Day?
To celebrate women, create connections and build momentum around women feeling confident in the outdoors.
What makes K'gari a special place for female adventurers?
K’gari offers soft adventure in a safe, supportive environment. The pack-free format and experienced guides make it accessible for all levels of hikers, from beginners to experienced hikers and even those recovering from injuries.
What advice would you give to a woman thinking about hiking for the first time?
I may be biased, but start with a K’gari Walking Tours experience! Our all-inclusive 3-day hike is beginner-friendly, safe, and fully supported, so you can focus on enjoying the experience and hiking.
Why is it important to support women-led travel businesses?
Supporting women-led businesses empowers more inclusive and diverse travel experiences and helps create spaces where all women feel welcome in the outdoors.
What inspired you to create a women-only hike for International Women’s Day?
To celebrate International Women’s Day, bring women together in nature and build traction for more inclusive hiking experiences led by women, for women.
🌿 Highlights of the trip 🌿
- Discovered and uncovered interesting trees and flora throughout the hike
- Watches as dingos passed through the camp, heard them howling from afar (Valley of the Giants)
- Seeing different fauna, leeches/snakes/ birds
- Watching the full moon glistening over Lake Garawongera
- Waking up to a beautiful sunrise over Lake Garawongera
- Hiking into Lake McKenzie and enjoying an afternoon swim in the sun
Reflections from the hike:
Our recent Women’s Pack-Free Hike on K’gari was more than just a walk through nature — it was a journey of connection, empowerment and awe-inspiring beauty. Here’s what some of our hikers had to say:
🌿 A Detox in Nature – Subecha
Subecha described the experience as a much-needed “detox” from everyday life. Her advice? Step away from the busyness and immerse yourself in nature. Her three words to sum up the hike: Awesome, Sisterhood, Fearless.
🌿 A Journey of Discovery – Heidi
For Heihi, the hike was “lovely and fantastic.” She was struck by the pristine environment, the diverse terrain and the beautiful scenery; she even called it surprising at times, thanks to the unexpected variety in flora, fauna and landscapes.
🌿 A Local’s Perspective – Margie
Margie, a local hiker, described the experience as adventurous, sensational and a time for deep women bonding. “It was mind-blowing – I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
🌿 A Deeply Supported Experience – Michelle
Michelle said the hike “exceeded all expectations.” She praised our team (Jane, Ash and Bob) for their passion and guidance, and shared how moved she was by the ancient rainforest trails and unique flora.
She highlighted the comfort of the campsites, the delicious meals and the safety provided by hiking with experienced guides. Her tips were to 1) Stay alert during the walk (some tracks are overgrown) and 2) be ready for some true immersion — yes, that includes a few leeches!