Trek West – Hiking With Mrs Savvy B

Last month my gorgeous friend and neighbour Mrs Savvy B – or Shelly if you will – asked if I would help with one of her hiking tours –  Trek West Tailored Hiking Tours.

Of course I jumped at the chance and felt so lucky to be asked.  My job would be helping Tilly, who is Shell’s number one off sider, drive one of the two utes from camp to camp on the Big Loop Trek.

The Big Loop is a 5 night hiking trek.  Each night is spent at a different camp along the track.  All up it involves about 70km of hiking.

Imagine unspoilt remote landscapes.  Steep escarpments and picturesque waterholes.  Hiking with fabulous women.  Camping with a side of glamping.

If you are sick of the day to day grind of how busy life can get then this is just what you need because guess what – there isn’t even mobile service.  So you can literally leave everything behind and enjoy some real time out.  Don’t call me, I won’t call you!

Shell started this business last year but had been working on it since that time we decided to go hiking together.  Do you remember that?  If you have no idea what I am talking about you can find out about it HERE.

After reading the book Wild, I got the crazy idea that I might like to go hiking and somehow roped Shelly into it.  Thank goodness we did because she has created such a wonderful business from that hike.

The Trek West adventure begins in Mt Isa.  All the hikers make their own travel arrangements and meet in Mt Isa, we enjoyed a fabulous meal at the Isa Hotel and the hikers also stayed there the night.  The next morning we departed town in the two utes.  It is about a 5 hour drive up to camp and we stopped for lunch along the way.  The hikers were dropped off about 5km’s out from the first camp point and hike their way in that afternoon, while I drove in and met Tilly who had set most things up at The Pinnacle – our first stop.

All I can say is WOW.  It was just stunning.  I was so excited to be there even if I wasn’t actually hiking.

When they had settled in at the first camp: The Pinnacle, we took them up to enjoy the view over a cheeky glass of bubbly, mad if you don’t!!!

It is just so peaceful out there and no one is going to bother you.

Isn’t it something.  Like I said – so peaceful and relaxing.

The hike takes you through Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park and you wonder how on earth anyone ever got up there to grade a road.  It really is mind boggling to me.

Each day starts with a hot cup of tea or coffee, a cooked breakfast plus yogurt, berries and granola.  Yum!  Each person is responsible for the setting up and putting down of their own tent and ensuring all their gear is ready to go in the utes.

Then it is time to set off hiking.  Catch you later everyone.  Off they go.

It is now time for Tilly and I to pack up everything, load up the utes and camper trailer and head off.  We meet the crew along the road for morning smoko and then go ahead to set up for lunch a bit further along the track.  So much yummy food!

Then we head off again ahead of everyone to set up at the next camp, ready to welcome the hikers back with a cold jug of soda water with fresh lemon.

Everyone sets up their tents,  settles in and has a shower.  Oh the showers… these really did blow me away.  There are real showers at each camp, lovely hot showers.  Oh the joy.  On the third night the shower even comes with a fabulous view, you just leave the door open and take in the picturesque scenery…

Dinner is a delicious affair, with wine of course, not to mention the superior table scaping and lots of laughs…

Followed by tea, coffee and chocolate around the campfire.  I mean it doesn’t get any better than that does it?!!!

Then we do it all again the next day.

Each camp is different and I must say my favourite was night 3 – that was the camp that had the shower with the view.  It was stunning up there, high in the hills.

The last night was also very special.  A real treat.  The last night is spent at Stockcamp or should we say StockGlamp.  Bell tents, a beautiful shower, flushing toilet and so many other touches of luxury.  It is such a fabulous way to finish a great week of hiking.

On sunset at Stockcamp everyone is taken up to the old homestead site to watch the sunset over bubbly and cheese platters.  So relaxing. 

The crew that we had on this hike were just the best bunch of women.  Boy did we have some laughs.  This group were part of Joys Fitness Hub – Off The Track Training.

You may even recognise one of the hikers…

Yes it is Ainsley who blogs over at From The Verandah.  I know quite a few of you already follow her adventures but if you don’t you might want to check it out.  She lives an amazing life on a cattle station over in Queensland.  Her pictures are always amazing and it was just such a treat to get to know her better.  Such a gorgeous lady!

Now I know many of you were very interested when I told you that Shelly and I planned on hiking together back in 2016 so I have no doubt you will be excited to hear about this venture.  The best part about this trek is all the extra little touches of luxury that you may not expect in the bush.  Shelly really has thought of everything.

There are different hikes to choose from.  If a 5 day big loop isn’t for you then perhaps basing yourself at the stunning Stockcamp is more your style.  You get the best of both worlds there – camping in style and also hiking out on different trails each day.  Shelly can tailor a hike to your exact needs and you will speak with her personally.

To find out more head over to the Trek West Website.

So please, tell me… what do you think?  Is this something you would like to do?
If you would like to experience the stunning landscape of outback Australia then this is for you!
Are you a hiker?  I know we have quite a few in the Chardy Community. 

Thank you for inviting me to help on this hike Shell, I just loved it.  Thanks also to Julie Harrison for a few of these pictures.