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At the 2019 AFOTC National Conference, your committee was asked to ‘Encourage Australians to explore local Camino paths’. Here is some information to help you further investigate some of the spiritual walks provided here in Australia.
The Way of St James Cygnet – Huon Valley, Tasmania
A 2-day pilgrim walk starting at the Spanish Mission style Church of St James, Cygnet, Tasmania.
It is an organised walk which is usually held in mid-January during the Cygnet Folk Festival.
This route is over rural roads in southern Tasmania over 2 days. Day 1 is from Mountain River to Ranelagh (14kms). Day 2 is from Ranelagh church to Cygnet (15kms). This includes a bus trip to Cradoc to avoid narrow sections.
Various options for accommodation are available including camping, free ‘in floor’ accommodation at St Mary’s Church, Ranelagh, as well as other nearby locations. B&Bs can be organised at your expense.
The current cost for an adult pilgrim is $100 ($75 early bird), for a young adult 16-21yrs is $55 ($45 early bird), and a child 10-15yrs is $35 ($25 early bird).
For further information visit www.waytostjames.com.au
Camino Salvado – Perth. WA – 7-day pilgrimage in the spirit of Dom Salvado
Dom Rosendo Salvado Rote was a Spanish Benedictine Monk, born at Tui, Galicia. who came to Western Australia in 1846 as a missionary. With Father Joseph Serra, Dom founded the Central Mission (later renamed New Norcia) to serve the aboriginal community in this remote location.
It is of interest to note that eucalyptus trees were introduced to Galicia by Father Salvado in the mid-nineties as a private initiative.
In 2009 the first group of walkers completed the Camino Salvado. The route runs from St. Joseph’s Church, Subiaco, to New Norcia and is walked over 7 days.
In 2020 there will be 2 organised Caminos – 23-30 August & 6-13 September.
Each walk will have a maximum of 24 pilgrims & is available at a total cost of $1,150. This cost covers accommodation, transport & meals.
This trail which links the city & the bush is 202kms along permanent walking trails.
You could walk the trail yourself but accommodation is sparse, so camping along the way would be the best option.
It starts in an urban environment as you leave Subiaco following the Swan River. It passes through national parks & rural landscapes before arriving in New Norcia.
For further information visit www.caminosalvado.com
The ‘Aussie Camino’ – A pilgrimage from Portland, Victoria to Penola, SA
This ‘Aussie Camino’ was inspired by the life & journeys of Saint Mary MacKillop & her mentor Fr. Julian Tenison-Woods.
It is an organised Camino conducted in autumn (31 March- 9 April 2020) & Spring (23 Sept-2 Oct 2020). Note that groups of 10 or more can request specific dates.
Each day includes 6 to 8 hours of walking (average 24kms) tracing the places Mary MacKillop visited. It includes cliff top walks, beaches, sand dunes, goat trails & farm tracks with just 7kms on highway.
Accommodation is provided in local hotels.
The total cost of $900 includes a group leader, accommodation, baggage transport & all other transport required from Melbourne to Penola & return to Melbourne. It also includes the entry fee to the Mary MacKillop Museums in Melbourne & Penola.
For further information visit www.aussiecamino.org
5-day walk Camino style from Penrith, NSW to Blackheath
This year there are two 5-day walks being organised by the Blue Mountains Camino Supporters (BMCS). This is an opportunity for participants to experience the Camino spirit.
These Camino style training walks will be conducted in Au- tumn (24-28 March 2020) & in Spring (22-26 September 2020). You walk on dirt tracks, concrete footpaths, roads & across paddocks which provides you with a walk reminiscent of travelling on the Camino in Spain. Each day provides an opportunity of 2 routes – a direct route and a technical route providing differing grades which can be selected according to your walking experience & fitness.
On this walk it is up to you to organise your own accommodation along the way. A small donation of $25 to BMCS assists in the planning of these walks.
For further information visit bluemountainscamino.com/training/walks/20-training-walk.html
Pallotine Camino – A pilgrimage from St Christopher’s Parish, Syndal, to Pallotti College Millgrove, Melbourne, Victoria
This annual pilgrimage is a walk of approximately 65 kilometres over three days. Day 1: 23km from Syndal to Kilsyth, to join the Warburton Trail at Mt Evelyn. Day 2: 25km along the Warburton Trail to Woori Yallock.
Day 3: 15km Woori Yallock to Pallotti College along Warburton Trail and O’Shannassy Aqueduct.
The accommodation for the 2 nights is at the Pallotti College. You are taken by bus there after your day’s walk. The Pallotine Camino is usually held in April each year; however, details have not been released for this year’s pilgrimage.
The cost last year was $260 which included accommodation & most meals. An early bird rate is usually available. For further information, contact Denise on 0420 200 266 or denisejlyons@gmail.com
Please send us any information which we have missed or inadvertently omitted.