ICON Adventures

18/01/2025

I so need to up my game when it comes to tech! Thanks to the Fierce Fitness Toowoomba gang for a great week in Tassie. Here it is summed up in two minutes.

Check out Coach Rabbit’s video.

18/01/2025

As our week in Tasmania rolled on, it was time to pump the brakes a little. Those early mornings, leg-burning hikes, and "long" drives (it’s Tassie, not the Nullarbor, after all!) were starting to take their toll.

Rather than send everyone home feeling like they needed a holiday to recover from their holiday, we decided to dial things down.

Cue gentler walks, a slower pace, and a step back in time to uncover the fascinating history of the island state. Who says adventure can’t come with a side of R&R?

Starting with a day in my favourite area of Tasmania, the Tasman Peninsula and another day in Hobart.

16/01/2025

For the next couple of days, we embraced the ultimate island adventure—hopping from islands off the island state, off the island nation!

First up: Maria (or as the locals say, “Mariah”) Island. Picture this: no cars, no roads, just us, nature, and a dash of colonial history, all wrapped up in rugged beauty. 🚶‍♀️🚴‍♂️ With our trusty guide, Lucas, leading the way, we explored this slice of serenity on foot and loved every moment.

Next stop: Bruny Island, the ultimate paradise for hikers, sailors, and... well, eaters! 🍫🍯🦪🧀 From chocolate to honey, oysters to cheese, this island is basically a buffet disguised as a nature retreat. What else could you ask for?

15/01/2025

Our Tassie Tour adventure rolled on from the rugged beauty of Cradle Mountain to the stunning shores of Freycinet National Park. Here, we tackled the iconic 12km loop that takes in the Wineglass Bay lookout beach and Hazards Beach.

The hike kicked off with a heart-pumping 200m elevation climb to the lookout—nature's way of saying, "Let's see if you're serious about this!" But the effort was worth it as we were greeted with 'breathtaking' postcard-perfect views

With determination and plenty of encouragement, our group powered through to the finish line like champions. And what better way to celebrate than with a well-earned trip to Devil's Corner Winery? Sipping fine wine while basking in the day's triumph—now that's what we call a perfect Tassie day! 🍷

14/01/2025

We've started the new year running . . . well hiking actually! The second week in and we're in Tasmania with a private tour organised for Fierce Fitness Toowoomba.

Do you belong to a group who would like to holiday together? Get in touch and you too can have as much fun as these guys.

31/12/2024

🎉 New Year, Same You? Nah, Let’s Upgrade! 🎉

As the countdown begins, dive into our latest musings—it’s a quick 5-minute read that’ll inspire your year ahead.

Wishing you a joyful and adventure-filled New Year! 🎆

19/12/2024

🎄✈️ Where in the World are Our Adventurers This Month? 🌍

While some of you are still wondering where you stashed last year’s Christmas wrapping paper, Kerri and I have been sending our fabulous clients away living their best lives! Here’s where they’re off to this month:

⛷️ A solo traveller hitting the slopes at Whistler before swapping skis for city vibes in NYC.
🏝️ Five girlfriends celebrating their combined 105th birthday (🤔) in Bali .
🏙️ A couple exploring San Francisco, Chicago, NYC & LA – the ultimate city-hopping adventure.
🌲 A farming family of six spending Christmas surrounded by Banff’s snowy magic.
🎄 A mum and her four adult kids off to discover the charm of England and Scotland.
🕌 A family of four soaking up the colours, chaos and culture of India on their first big adventure there.
🍷 A couple of teachers sneaking in some Italian dolce vita – Tuscany, Venice, and Florence!
🌴 Another couple kicking back for a relaxing time on Norfolk Island.
❄️ A family with teens jetting to the UK, Iceland, Switzerland, and Italy – ticking off bucket lists!
🚢 Two couples travelling together on a 3 month holiday and finishing off cruising rivers from Amsterdam to Switzerland to celebrate Christmas in the mountains.

And people ask if we have done our Christmas shopping yet… Ummm, that’s a hard NO! 🎁 But we did go out to dinner last night to raise a glass in celebration 🥂

To all our travellers – may your journeys be filled with laughter, connection, and moments you’ll be talking about for years to come. Wherever you are in the world this month, you’re making it count! 🌟

Where’s your next adventure taking you? Let us know – we’d love to help make it happen.

16/12/2024

The Poms are getting their own back - What You Need to Know!

The UK is shaking things up in the travel department! The Poms have had to get an ETA (visa) to visit Australia since 2001, but at long last, they've decided to return the favour! Starting 8 January 2025, we’ll need one to visit them too. Better late than never, right? Here's the lowdown:

1️⃣ eVisas Are Taking Centre Stage
If you hold a UK visa and use a biometric residence permit/card, you'll need to switch to an eVisa before packing your bags. Oh, and don’t forget—passport details must be up-to-date too! Check it all out here: www.gov.uk/eVisa.

2️⃣ Already Have an eVisa?
Great! Just make sure the UK Government knows which passport you will be flashing at border control. Update travel details here: www.gov.uk/update-uk-visas-immigration-account-details.

3️⃣ No Visa? No Worries (Well, Sort Of)
For short stays of up to six months, travellers without a visa will now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)—basically, their golden ticket to enter the UK. Get it sorted here: www.gov.uk/electronic-travel-authorisation.

Travel smarter, not harder—because no one likes surprises at border control! ✈️

14/12/2024

Are you a 5,4,3,2,1? Or a 3:1?

07/12/2024

Sri Lanka: Small Island, Big Adventures!

For an island smaller than Tasmania, Sri Lanka sure packs a mighty punch!

Imagine cycling through ancient cities, hiking lush tea trails, spotting leopards on safari, and marvelling at iconic sights. This is your chance to explore Sri Lanka’s charm before the world discovers it, on a tour combining adventure, culture, and relaxation in true ICON Adventures style.

Tour Highlights:
🏞️ Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress
🚴 Cycle through the ancient city of Polonnaruwa
🐘 Spot elephants and leopards in Yala National Park
🍃 Hike the brand new Pekoe Trail through tea plantations
🚂 Ride one of the world’s most scenic trains
🌊 Stroll through the historic Galle Fort
🍛 Indulge in Sri Lanka’s vibrant cuisine

🗓️ Dates: 22 March – 4 April 2025
📍 Departure & Return: Colombo
👥 Small Group Experience: Max 14

This fully escorted tour includes top-notch accommodation, guided tours, private transport, and most meals—everything you need for an unforgettable adventure.

Don’t miss out on this incredible journey. Tag your travel buddy and start planning your Sri Lankan adventure today! 🌟🐒🍛

07/12/2024

🌏 Why Sri Lanka is Attracting Adventure Seekers & Culture Lovers. Get there before the crowds discover it! 🥾✨

Move over Japan and Europe—Sri Lanka is stealing the spotlight, and for good reason. This gem in the Indian Ocean has everything you could dream of (and more):

🌄 Outstanding Scenery: From misty tea-covered mountains to golden beaches and lush jungles, Sri Lanka is a feast for the eyes. Whether you’re hiking to World’s End or relaxing by the ocean, the views will leave you breathless.

🚴‍♂️ Adventures at Every Turn: Trekking, cycling, wildlife safaris—Sri Lanka is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Where else can you climb a 5th-century fortress in the morning and spot wild elephants in the afternoon?

🏛️ Rich History & Culture: Ancient cities, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and stunning temples. Sri Lanka’s story spans thousands of years, and you’ll feel like an explorer uncovering its treasures.

🍃 Off the Beaten Track: While others flock to overcrowded spots, Sri Lanka offers the thrill of discovery. The Pekoe Trail through tea plantations and quaint villages is just one example of the untouched beauty waiting for you.

🍛 Flavours to Savour: From spicy curries and fresh seafood to world-famous Ceylon tea, Sri Lankan cuisine is a culinary adventure you’ll never forget.

🐘 Wildlife Wonderland: Yala National Park is home to leopards, elephants, and exotic birds. Get your cameras ready—this is nature at its finest.

🚂 Bucket-List Experiences: Riding the scenic train through tea country is just as magical as it looks on Instagram. Trust us, the photos don’t do it justice!

So, why is Sri Lanka the new hot spot? Because it’s got the perfect mix of adventure, culture, relaxation, and WOW-factor moments you won’t find anywhere else. All wrapped up in an island smaller than Tasmania!

📅 Join us for our next Sri Lanka tour and see what all the buzz is about!
💻 Info & Bookings: https://iconadventures.com.au/tour/sri-lanka-22-march-4-april-2025/

Tag someone who needs this kind of adventure in their life! 🌴🐒🚴‍♀️

With endless beaches, timeless ruins, friendly people, oodles of wildlife, famous tea, scenic trains and flavourful food, Sri Lanka is simply irresistible.

30/11/2024

Accommodation options in Japan range from western-style hotels to traditional Japanese experiences. Ever wondered what it’s like to sleep on futons and eat on tatami mats? It might not be for everyone, but stepping out of your comfort zone can be a rewarding experience. I (Kerri) recently stayed at the Nipponia Hotel in the historic town of Ozu, where old mansion houses have been beautifully renovated to combine nostalgic charm with modern comfort. The project to protect the towns architectural heritage and develop sustainable tourism practices is fascinating - Ozu: The Renaissance of an Enchanting Castle Town | Visit Ehime Japan https://www.visitehimejapan.com/en/discover/stories/0013/

28/11/2024

The Shimanami Kaido is one of Japan’s premier cycle routes. It’s not near Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto, rather, it’s a bit off the beaten track in rural Shikoku. But it’s not hard to reach and with the infrastructure to support group or independent cyclists, it’s ideal for active travellers.

27/11/2024

What do you think - cherry blossoms or autumn colours? I’m partial to the explosion of yellows, oranges and reds that you find in Autumn (that’s right now guys!) in Japan. Whatever your preference, ICON’s got you covered. Join our small group hiking adventure next autumn along the Kunisaki Pilgrimage (see comments for details), or request a custom made itinerary for any season.

26/11/2024

It’s been a case of planes, buses, bikes and boats on this adventure into Hiroshima and Ehime Prefectures. Forget cities and tick ‘em off sight seeing - this is slow travel Japan at its best. Theres always a temple or a shrine, it’s Japan after all, but there is so much more on offer here on the islands of the Seto Inland Sea.

25/11/2024

Lucky Kerri had a 'tough' weekend of work!

By 'work', we mean hopping on a flight to Sydney on Sunday, indulging in a cosy airport lounge packed with delicious food and drinks, and jetting off on an overnight flight to Japan.

This was her view this morning—pretty hard to complain, right?

Get ready for some Japan spam over the next week as Kerri embarks on a discovery tour, exploring off-the-beaten-track gems to add even more magic to our pilgrimage hike in Japan next year. Stay tuned!