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The new Central Coast hike with camping, workshops and a bush sauna

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
A new two-day guided hike is coming to the Central Coast in April, and you’ve got one chance to experience it.

A new multi-day hike is hitting the Central Coast this year, inviting guests to experience Bouddi National Park like never before. Hosted by international trekking company HIGHLANDER, the overnight adventure goes beyond racking up steps, turning into a mini eco-friendly festival after dark.

What’s involved?

Bouddi National Park on the Central Coast, NSW
The new HIGHLANDER hike explores Bouddi National Park in NSW. (Image: Destination NSW)

The guided walk is part of the brand’s first-ever offering Down Under, with previous global events held everywhere from the Himalayas in Nepal to Costa Rica’s El Camino. The Aussie launch includes just two hosted hikes, the first taking place this March in Victoria’s Alpine National Park. Spanning five days, it’s tailored more towards experienced adventurers.

The second walk is more beginner-friendly, swapping the mountainous terrain of Mount Hotham for the gentle coastal tracks of Bouddi National Park. And while guests can opt in for the full two days, it’s also offered in a range of formats to suit different abilities: Highlander Lyra, Highlander Lyra PLUS and Highlander Orion.

Bouddi National Park on the Central Coast, NSW
Clearly marked boardwalks and trails make the hike beginner-friendly. (Image: Destination Central Coast)

Lyra includes a single day on the trail and suits first-time hikers who aren’t keen on overnight camping, while Lyra PLUS adds a night under the stars. For the full experience, Orion includes the camp-out, as well as both hiking days.

No matter which option you choose, you’re in for a treat. Bouddi National Park is home to some of the best bushwalks on the Central Coast, complete with coastal views at every turn – and HIGHLANDER is taking full advantage of the postcard-perfect location.

The hike covers 35 kilometres in total, with route highlights including Cave Bay, Pretty Beach, Marang Lookout and Box Head. During the day, you’ll explore clifftops, bushland and hidden beaches, stopping for wildlife encounters, dramatic lookouts and ancient Indigenous rock art.

Bouddi National Park on the Central Coast, NSW
Along the way, guests will be treated to uninterrupted coastal views. (Image: The Legendary Pacific Coast)

As the sun sets, your guides will set up camp before preparing a nourishing and energy-packed dinner. But this is more than just a place to rest your head – it’s a space of inspiration and celebration, where you can connect with others through live music, workshops, and interactive activations.

Guests can join a range of hands-on activities at camp, from nature talks and stargazing sessions to yoga and breathwork classes. Those who make it to the finish line can also look forward to a relaxing Bush Sweat Sauna session, followed by a refreshing cold plunge.

It’s all part of a recent rise in wellness tourism, a travel trend that focuses on improving and maintaining personal health. But the beauty of the HIGHLANDER experience is that it combines multiple facets of wellbeing, from physical and spiritual to mental and emotional – all designed to enhance your life in one truly unforgettable sweep.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Need to know info

Bouddi National Park on the Central Coast, NSW
Guests are responsible for carrying their own day pack and camping gear.

What’s one of the best things about HIGHLANDER? It does all the heavy lifting for you. While guests are responsible for bringing their own equipment, your guides take care of the rest. You’ll only need to carry your backpack and personal gear (other luggage can be stored) and transport is taken care of.

Be sure to bring hiking boots, a head torch, water bottle, eating utensils, rain jacket, compass and first aid kit. Camping gear like tents, swags and sleeping bags are also not provided, so be sure to pack your own or share with a friend.

Bouddi National Park on the Central Coast, NSW
Safety remains a top priority for the HIGHLANDER team throughout the experience. (Image: Destination Central Coast)

Everything else, including gas cartridges, maps and locator tags are supplied. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in registration – all prepared by Offgrid Provisions. You’ll also be provided with snacks along the way that will fuel your body, from electrolyte drinks to collagen bars and beef biltong.

Safety is always a top priority for HIGHLANDER – guests can rest assured knowing that 24-hour medical staff are available throughout the entire hike. The experience also includes participant injury insurance, public liability coverage and sweepers that close the track to ensure no one is left behind.

The new Central Coast HIGHLANDER hike will run from 18–19 April 2026. Registration is now open, with prices ranging from $155pp for Lyra, $299pp for Lyra PLUS and $449pp for Orion.

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Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

    It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

    Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

    Where the vines tell a story

    A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food.
    Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

    Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

    Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

    Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

    At the table

    A flat lay of a steak.
    Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

    Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

    Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

    And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

    Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

    From the source

    A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish.
    Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

    Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

    Mark your calendar

    A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith.
    Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

    Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

    Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.