6 epic experiences with a luxury finish

Rock climbing with Blue Mountains Adventure Company
Credit: David Hill | Blue Mountains Adventure Company/BMLOT

We’ve gathered some of NSW’s most challenging outdoor experiences and paired them with a luxurious reward at the end.

From a clifftop hike that culminates in a Japanese hot spring to a gruelling 60km cycle topped off with a lavish French meal, here’s how to tough it out, then treat yourself.

This is your guide to some of NSW’s most beautiful and challenging adventures plus the best stays, feeds and baths after. Challenge yourself, then reward yourself with luxury at the finish line.

Climb an iconic Blue Mountains cliff, then relax in a Japanese bath

Adventure: The Blue Mountains is NSW’s rock-climbing hub. And within lies a rock-climbing challenge on almost every Australian climber’s bucket list – The Janicepts. The trad climb (the traditional, rope-and-harness style) sits at an accessible 21 or 22 grade, but it stretches over 27m of sandstone cliff and includes a huge variety of techniques. It’s a real challenge for any intermediate climber, and a fun experience for those with more skill. If you’re just getting into rock climbing, Blue Mountains Adventure Company can guide you through your first outdoor climb.

Reward: When you finally climb over the last metre of The Janicepts, imagine how (in just an hour’s time) you’ll be submerged in the mineral-infused spa waters of the Japanese Bath House. For an extra luxe finish to your journey, stay the night in one of its Japanese-style rooms, then don a kimono and book in for a massage.

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Hike Warrumbungle’s rock formations, then stay at the Dark Sky Eco Resort

Breadknife and Grand High Tops Walk, 
Warrumbungle National Park, Country NSW

Adventure: The Warrumbungle National Park (500km northwest of Sydney) is Australia’s first Dark Sky Park, a location with such clear sky skies it’s internationally recognised for stargazing. It’s also home to one of NSW’s most unique hikes, the Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk, which takes you around and over the park’s incredible rock formations. This single-day journey weighs in at a decent 14km, with a few moderately challenging sections. To experience a truly epic hike with views of all the Warrumbungle’s incredible volcanic creations, embark on a multi-day journey starting with Breadknife and Grand High Tops, continuing into Mount Exmouth and finishing at Belougery Split Rock. If you’re unsure about embarking on the walk solo, join Take Shape Adventures’ four-day tour through the national park.
Reward: Shed your boots at Belougery Split Rock and get ready to lounge in the outdoor spa of the Dark Sky Eco Resort. When you’re not luxuriating in your spa or off-grid cabin, take a minute to meet the residents of the emu farm, or duck into the private observatory to see the night sky from one of the clearest spots in the country.

Mountain bike down Kosciuszko, then bunker down in a beautiful cabin

Chairlift, Kosciuszko National Park

Adventure: Thredbo’s 20-year-old Cannonball Downhill Trail is so famous in the mountain biking scene they named a festival after it (join in February for a week of mountain-bike adventure). Starting at the top of the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift and descending 500m over 3.4km of rock drops, jumps, wall rides, off-camber roots and more, it’s one of the most technical and physically demanding downhill runs in the country. If it’s a stretch too far, Thredbo’s MTB Park has a range of runs that can challenge riders of any level – even complete beginners.

Reward: Just 20 minutes' drive from the base of Cannonball is the Mill Cabin, an off-grid, secluded stay with a beautifully simple timber-and-stone design. Its outdoor woodfired bath and luxurious bed await your arrival, ready to envelop you for however long you need to recharge after your journey down the mountain.

Dive with turtles at Cook Island Aquatic Reserve, then sit back with a magnificent wine

Local sea turtles around Cook Island, Fingal Head, North Coast

Adventure: NSW is dotted with incredible dive sites, each with its own distinct character and creatures to see. At Cook Island Aquatic Reserve, just off the Tweed coast, the green sea turtle is the hero. The turtles lay eggs on the shore and the island provides them a sanctuary for eating and playing. The 80 hectares of protected waters are also extremely biodiverse, showing off corals, grey nurse sharks and a colourful range of fish. You can free-dive or scuba in the reserve, or join one of the many local tour operators.

Reward: Inland from the dive site in Murwillumbah is one of the best wine bars in the state, Bistro Livi. Share your creature-spotting stories over a natural Australian wine and a Spanish-influenced meal that champions the region’s best producers.

Cycle Sydney’s three gorges, then have a French feast at Hubert

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Adventure: Test the limit of your thighs and mental fortitude with the three gorges cycling route, a 60km ride that starts and finishes in the North Shore suburb of Hornsby and traverses three gruelling ascents. The immense challenge is only half the reason this ride is so well known among Sydney cyclists – its other drawcard is the spectacular scenery around Bobbin Head, Berowra Waters and Galston Gorge. For an extra challenge, instead of hopping on the train to Hornsby, add 35km to the journey by starting in the city centre.

Reward: Back in the city, nab a booking at Hubert, an underground French restaurant meticulously designed and run to make you feel like you’ve stepped into an old-world bistro made modern by a fun drinks list and the kitchen’s subtle but creative approach. Sit at the bar and tuck into a well-earned steak and martini or book a table for the whole peloton team and indulge in a full Australian rock lobster.

Kayak the Tumut River, then stay at a Kimo Estate off-grid cabin

Picturesque Tumut in Kosciuszko National Park

Adventure: Starting just beyond the Blowering Dam wall and finishing 71km north in Gundagai, the Tumut River kayak journey is famed for idyllic countryside scenery, incredible trout fishing and calm waters. There are two main options to complete the journey: option one is to pump it and finish the full 71kms in two days, and option two is to pack your kayaks with three days' worth of supplies and enjoy a slow drift, stopping to fish and for a beer at Tumut River Brewing Co.

Reward: Just beyond Gundagai (12 minutes’ drive or kayak the river for an extra 15km) is Kimo Estate, a sustainable farm with a trio of architecturally unique, off-grid eco huts sporting bucolic views and outdoor baths, a luxurious extra after three days of camping. If you’re a bigger group, you can also bunker down in the old-school Shearers Quarters.