Wilderness Expeditions

Wilderness Expeditions has operated since 2000, providing walking expeditions into remote places of North Queensland. Pack donkeys are used to carry equipment and supplies, thus relieving trekkers from carrying heavy backpacks in hot tropical conditions. These bushwalks and treks are really "luxury" walking treks into remote and interesting places in Queensland’s wild places. The donkeys carry camp furniture and other comforts such as red wine to accompany dinner. The donkeys are also loveable, hardworking companions during walks. We conduct two specialty safaris annually that retrace two of the first European explorers in North Queensland: Ludwig Liechhardt and Edmund Kennedy. Treks rediscover and use campsites used these explorers at least 160 years before. Treks include day walks, overnight camping safaris and extended treks that can be up to 28 days duration. Our longer treks may follow sections of the Bicentennial National Trail or other expended trail. A local "Classic Queensland Pub Trek" is currently being developed. Treks are suitable for all age groups providing they have sufficient physical fitness to walk up to six hours in a day. The pack train’s capacity is approximately 750kg, which is sufficient to carry luggage, camping equipment and supplies for a party of 10 persons for up to 14 days, including wine with dinner! Safaris are extended by establishing caches of supplies, or arranging rendezvous with supporting motor vehicles The pack team has grown to 14 donkeys equipped with packsaddles modeled on the type used by Australian Light Horse Units, but modified to fit donkeys and much lighter in weight. Loads are normally carried in pack bags with more bulky items such as chairs, tables and beds forming top loads that are lashed to the saddle frames with special quick release knots or “Hitches”.