2005

The 30-kilometre track, which opened in August 2004, is one of the Airlie Beach gems that gets lost among the more traditional tourist activities.

The track, which finishes above the main area of Airlie Beach, gives visitors stunning views of the Whitsunday Islands.

The owners of the newly established Organic Bed and Breakfast on Lamond Street, John Sergeant and Sharini Kumarage, spent a year packaging the bushwalk with their eco-friendly accommodation.

Those who have recurring nightmares about bushwalking (oversized, poorly fitting packs and heavy canvas tents) from their high school days need not fear.

Experienced walkers can undertake a two-day, one-night walk, which includes a permit, tent, backpack, cooker, sleeping bag and organic meals. For those with little more than sturdy walking shoes, there are more leisurely three-day packages.

On arrival at the B&B the packs are prepared with two-man tents (light but warm), sleeping bags, plastic cutlery, plates, torches, blow-up pillows and food.

A rundown of the trek over organic tea and fruit bread no less plus safety tips, are given before the start of the walk at Brandy Creek, Conway State Forest.

To experience the walk at a more involved level, Sergeant recommends a qualified guide, at $150 a day.

The walk is in manageable sections. Day one is just over eight kilometres and should take 41/2 hours to Repulse Creek Camp.

The track, an old logging road wide enough for two to walk side by side, goes through lush rainforest.

A guide points out differences in vegetation as it changes into woody vines and tough oaks, the plants to avoid and the wild pig damage.

The first overnight camp, at Repulse Creek, has food chests, toilets, benches and water tanks.

But if you still have the legs and want to walk further on the first day alternative campsites are 1.8 or 3 kilometres ahead, but they have little more than a clearing and a water tank.

The benefits of booking an organised trek through Sergeant and Kumarage become obvious when it comes to the food.

Basic survival foods of dried fruit and nuts will never be the same again once you've had their organic mix, and main meals aren't the usual powdered mixes and ready-to-eat bars traditionally associated with trekking. Lunches of tuna, potato, asparagus and tomato salad with organic black bread and fresh fruit are included.

Setting up camp is a team effort before a look at the forest night-life.

Sergeant and Kumarage cater for all dietary needs. They'll provide lentil stew for vegetarians and a spicy chicken casserole for the rest.

Day two is a six-hour walk of about 11 1/2 kilometres from Repulse Creek Camp to Bloodwood Camp.

The first section is a gentle walk through drier forest and across creeks before a steep ridge up to the summit of Mount Hayward with its views across the Whitsunday Islands.

The final leg of the walk, Bloodwood Camp to Airlie Beach, is just over eight kilometres and takes up to 4 1/2 hours. A punishing kilometre stretch is the only leg-wearying section, through rocky soils and clearing vegetation.

If you've booked in for an extra night at the B&B, you can daydream during the downhill section about your one-hour massage and a lavish Sri Lankan organic dinner.