Lisa Marshall
As Christmas draws near and you dread the last-minute dash to the shops to find gifts for loved ones and friends, how great would it be to give someone the gift of adventure, with just a couple of clicks online? Giving the gift of an experience to someone you love, not only gives them something to look forward to, but takes away the stress of buying more “things” that often aren’t needed. There’s no wrapping, no plastic, and no guilt when you give someone a “greener” Christmas gift: an experience in the outdoors.
This year has brought hardship, anxiety, and stress to many people. Experiences in nature are proven to ease some of these heightened feelings and bring much needed “feel good” hormones to help us regulate, and connections to nature and other people as a shared experience, when we venture into the outdoors. The 2022 Great Noosa Trail Walk is a long weekend countryside adventure that provides connection, community and time spent outdoors as a balm for the soul, for those that take part as walkers or volunteers. This local Noosa Hinterland experience sells out each year, and continually receives glowing testimonials from walkers and volunteers who come from far and wide for this 3 day, 56km countryside walk. This is what some of the walkers in this year’s Great Noosa Trail Walk had to say: “Loved meeting new friends and wandering through farmland; fantastic views and scenery along the way and gorgeous country trails; enjoyed the challenge and now looking forward to getting fitter and taking on many more experiences like this one.
For the October 2022 event, you can gift someone an entry into the event. If you have someone close to you who you know loves walking or hiking, would enjoy three days out in the countryside on trails, meandering through farmland, National Park, forests and country towns, and camping at night under the stars, then this is the perfect “green gift”. The event is Plastic Free and aims to be a zero-waste experience too!
For 2022, the organisers, The Cooroy Future Group Inc, a not for profit community organisation, are also offering a 1-day experience, for those that can’t commit to the whole weekend. Entries are capped to ensure this event keeps it local country charm and the support of all the volunteers that bring it to life. For more details and to enter, visit www.greatnoosatrailwalk.com
