Hola pilgrim! Registration to attend the conference is now closed, however…

If you would like to attend, you may be in luck. Please send an email to conference2026@afotc.org and one of the volunteers will respond to you as possible.

Please keep an eye on the the following pages for all the latest updates. All information will be shared at:

• Website of the Australian Friends of the Camino 3rd National Conference
• Facebook page of the Australian Friend 0f the Camino
• Facebook page of the 3rd National Conference
• Facebook page of the Sunshine Coast Camino Group

We look forward to welcoming you to the Sunshine Coast.

The program is *ready! Click here to view and download.

The theme is: An Australian Perspective – before, during and after. At the conference, you’ll take a weekend-long journey through the Camino experience one step at a time. Meet like minded people, explore, learn, understand and give back.

• Friday starts with getting to know each other, and sharing preparation tips with seasoned walkers and novices alike.
• On Saturday, embrace and enhance your footfall through understanding of John Brierley’s three Camino stages: the physical, mental and spiritual.
• On Sunday, look forward by incorporating your Camino experience into yours and other’s lives, leaving a legacy for future pilgrims.

*Disclaimer: The Australian Friends of the Camino (AFotC) reserves the right to modify the conference program, including session timings and keynote speakers, due to circumstances beyond our control. AFotC is not responsible for any costs, including travel or accommodation, incurred by delegates as a result of program changes or speaker cancellations. The most current version of the program will always be available at www.afotc.org/conference

Do I need to be a member of the Australian Friends of the Camino to attend the conference?

• You don’t need to be a member, however, AFotC members will receive a discount to attend the Conference.
• Find out more and join the AFotC, here.

How much is registration?

1. Full Conference AFotC Member: $450 per person
2. Full Conference non-AFotC Member: $490 per person
3. Saturday only: $250 per person

Why is the Full Conference price the best option?

• The Full Conference fee is designed to give you the most authentic pilgrim experience possible.
• It includes all food from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch, the incredible program and two nights of on-site, albergue-style accommodation in quality dormitories with ensuites.
  • Mingle with fellow pilgrims until late.
  • Enjoy the full personal experience and unique camaraderie.
  • Experience the weekend in a truly immersive, pilgrim-style setting! This is more than just a place to sleep – it’s the heart of the conference.

Do I have to stay on site? I have already booked other accommodation, wish to stay at home, want to stay at a friend’s place.

• You can stay off site and attend on Saturday for $250 per person.
• You can stay off site and attend all three days for the Full Conference fee ($450/$490)
• Whether you choose to sleep onsite or not, the Full Conference fee ($450/$490) covers the full immersive experience, accommodation and program, from Friday afternoon to Sunday lunch.
• We highly recommend staying at the venue to get the most out of the weekend.
• If you are still keen to book your own accommodation, click here for recommendations.

What should I wear to the conference?

• We recommend wearing layers. So maybe a skirt, t-shirt, shorts for during the day and jeans and a warm jacket for at night.
• Pack a rain jacket just in case and don’t forget your bathers for a swim in the ocean!

I’m flying to the conference. Should I land in Brisbane or Sunshine Coast?

• We recommend flying into Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast.
• Scroll down to the Getting There tab which explains all transport options in detail.

What time do need to be at the venue?

• On Friday 24^th July, you need to be at the venue no later than 2.45pm as all attendees must attend an orientation briefing at 3pm.
• It’s advisable to arrive earlier in the day and drop your bags at the Conference Welcome Desk then make your way down to the cafes and shops on Alexandra Headland – only a few minutes walk away.

Can I park my car at the accommodation venue?

• Yes. Whether you’re driving your own, or hiring a car, there is plenty of room for parking at the Alexandra Park Conference Centre.

Alexandra Park Conference Centre, 13 Mari St, Alexandra Headland QLD 4572.

Run by the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod, this expansive venue is nestled in the centre of the Sunshine Coast at Alexandra Headland with a variety of indoor and outdoor meeting and activity spaces, auditorium seating, chef-prepared meals, swimming pool, indoor and outdoor chapel, and a bush walk track.

All this within leafy, tranquil surroundings, just a few minutes walk to the beach. It’s a perfect place to relax, recharge, connect and grow together.

• Full registration includes two nights in pilgrim style, four to eight-bed dormitories with modern bunk beds, quality mattresses and ensuite.
• All linen and towels are provided.
• Accessible accommodation is subject to availability at the time of booking.

Visit the Alexandra Park Conference Centre website.

Alexandra Headland, known as ‘Alex’ by the locals, is a coastal suburb of Maroochydore in the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland, Australia. View location.

From Sunshine Coast airport (MCY):

• 13km, 13 minute drive, taxi or Uber.
• Door to door transfers and public transport is available. Find out more at https://www.sunshinecoastairport.com.au/to-and-from-the-airport/transport-options/

From Brisbane airport (BNE):

• 100km, 1 hour 20 minute drive.
• Door to door or transfer through Con-x-ion, Col’s Airport Shuttle and Sun-air.
• Train via Airtrain and then to Nambour. Then a taxi or uber to Alexander Headland (20 minutes).
• Bus via Greyhound to Maroochydore, then taxi or uber to Alexander Headland (5 minutes).

If you are driving, there is plenty of parking for your car at the venue.

Hospitalero Training will be held on Wednesday 22 July and Thursday 23 July, 2026 – the two days prior to the Conference. The venue is the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden, 51 Palm Creek Rd, Tanawha QLD 4554.

• If you’re interested in volunteering as a Hospitalero in a donativo albergue in Spain, to find out more about the Hospitalero role and responsibilities as well as the training course, click here.
• If you have any general enquiries, contact hospitaleros.aus@gmail.com

This is a great opportunity to fully immerge yourself into the Camino spirit by combining Hospitalero Training and the Conference!

If you have any questions about the conference:

1. You might find your question already answered in the Frequently Asked Questions above!
2. Send an email to conference2026@afotc.org, or
3. Send a message through the Facebook page
4. For anything urgent that requires less than a 24 hour reply, call Mark Squires on 0450 410 354 or Melinda Haeusler on 0407 645 652.

If you would like to join the Sunshine Coast Camino Group, please go to their Facebook group.

If you would like to learn about and join the Australian Friends of the Camino (AFotC), please view the membership details.

Follow our Conference Facebook page for regular updates and interesting insights about the conference.

facebook.com/afotcconference2026/

We are very grateful to the following sponsors who are directly contributing to the success of this event and to help deliver a high-quality program that inspires and informs pilgrims. Please take a moment to read and click through to their websites.

Silver Sponsors

FootMotion is more than a shoe store. They are footwear specialists dedicated to helping you perfect your step and take the time to ensure the perfect fit for individual needs.

Whether wide or narrow feet, bunions, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, or even different foot lengths, they have the expertise (and the shoes) to keep you moving in comfort. From functional everyday footwear to specialist performance styles, they can match the pair that’s right for you.

RAW Travel is Australia’s most experienced Camino de Santiago trip operator. For more than a decade, we’ve supported thousands of walkers along ‘The Way’. Our dedicated Camino Team are genuine experts, with first-hand experience walking and cycling all the major routes. They understand the daily realities of the Camino and can give you the practical insights and guidance you need to plan your journey with confidence. Whether you’re after a short 6-day highlights trip or a full-length 40+ day pilgrimage, RAW offers the widest range of itineraries across Spain, France, Portugal and Italy. Options include women’s trips, cycling adventures, and fully tailored journeys to match your pace, interests and fitness level. We take care of every detail – accommodation, luggage transfers, breakfasts, maps and transport – so you can focus on the journey itself. The support we provide for walkers on the Camino is unrivalled. We have our own staff on the ground in Spain, long-standing connections with accommodation providers, comprehensive resources and a custom-built app (with all your trip information and route guidance in one handy place). When you speak to RAW, you’ll connect with experts who share your passion for this remarkable walk.

Bronze Sponsors

BIG4 Holiday Parks delivers exceptional service and quality accommodation across Australia, from iconic coastal destinations to outback retreats. Since its founding, the brand has evolved significantly, offering everything from traditional caravan sites to luxury self-contained cabins and glamping tents. Modern facilities now include accessible amenities, water parks, and pet-friendly options.

With an unwavering commitment to high standards and a friendly community atmosphere, BIG4 provides unique, memorable holiday experiences for all travelers. Whether seeking an adventurous getaway or a relaxed escape, guests can rely on the quality and variety synonymous with the trusted BIG4 name.

Blister Wool. For generations, people have turned to wool to prevent blisters – but the idea hadn’t evolved in years.
Blister Wool sets out to change that. They’re a small Aussie team of hikers and runners who knew wool worked, but believed it could work even better. So they put countless blends through thousands of kilometres of testing with athletes, adventurers, and everyday trail lovers. The result? A premium, high-performing wool blend designed specifically for blister prevention – soft, durable, breathable, and ridiculously effective. Every pouch is packed by hand, using 100% Australian-grown wool, ready to go wherever your feet take you.

Karin Kiser from Camino Chronicles Press: Karin Kiser is the founder of Camino Chronicles Press and author of 10 books, including Before the Camino, Your Inner Camino, After the Camino, and the international bestseller Lighten Your Load. She has been on and off the Camino since 2011 – as pilgrim, hospitalera, Pilgrim Office volunteer and guide for small groups. A portion of the proceeds from her books goes toward keeping the Camino clean.

Cape Camino’s mission in South Africa is to facilitate a Camino Way, with space for personal reflection and growth. Cape Camino believes in supporting small/medium, family-run, local establishments and the revenue generated goes directly to the communities, which creates employment and business sustainability.

Experiential Journeys is founded on an ethos of responsible tourism, encounters, experiences & unique accommodations filled with character. Their focus is to deliver a curated, unforgettable travel experience for travellers to become storytellers and speak about their experiences for years to come. With over two decades of experience in the travel industry, have their own operational bases in Sri Lanka and India in addition to own accommodation.

Experiential Journeys is well known for the unprecedented focus on quality it has in the destinations it offers and is fuelled by a passionate, multicultural and diverse team who excel at designing and managing experiential travel.

Massey Online Management (MOM) provides an industry experienced and skilled support service for holiday parks, property managers, hotels, resorts and SMEs. Using a range of eMarketing, reservation systems and social media tools, MOM assists to increase occupancy and revenue by managing and promoting the business in the online space.

Stone & Wood. In 2008, three friends from the beer industry came together to establish a brewery that operated differently. Inspired by the concept of a “village brewery,” maintaining a business with a conscience has been the central focus of Stone & Wood since its inception.

Traditionally, local breweries served as community hubs, acting as meeting places that supported the wider region. Stone & Wood embraces this responsibility, prioritising the support of the people and the environment that sustain the business. While the growth of craft beer has seen the brewery expand far beyond its original home in Byron Bay, the founders’ vision—first established around a kitchen table while dreaming up the original Pacific Ale—remains unchanged.

TerryWhite Chemmart Noosa is your trusted local health partner in the heart of Noosa Junction. We provide prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, health advice, vaccinations, and wellness solutions — all delivered with personalised care from our friendly pharmacists and in-house naturopath. Kevin Puttergill, owner for 22 years, is known in Noosa for his caring counselling of customers and was recently nominated for national pharmacist of the year. Alongside healthcare, our well-known Perfume Place offers a curated range of fine fragrances. We are committed to quality, convenience, and genuine community care. We’re here to support your health and wellbeing every step of the way.