As the adventure tourism sector continues to gain momentum around the world, Heart & Lava is a brand-new Gold Coast-based outdoor adventure and retreat company that offers participants the opportunity to step out of their everyday life and into the great outdoors through guided multi-day adventures.
Imagined and created by three intrepid adventurers, Sarah Callaham (The Body Method), Bec Barnett and Tristan Schultz (Relative Creative), Heart & Lava caters to adventurers of all levels with its tightly curated range of experiences that expertly guide people out of their comfort zones.
Among the initial dates for 2023 is a women-focussed multi-day experience, a single-day no-frills trail run and corporate weekends.
“If Covid taught us one thing, it’s the value of travel and experiences over material possessions. Heart & Lava is designed to facilitate these kinds of meaningful moments and connections that linger in your memory long after the weekend draws to a close.” says Bec Barnett, co-founder of Heart & Lava.
On the retreat, the days are filled with a dynamic blend of heart-pumping adventure activities, including rock climbing, abseiling, stand-up paddleboarding, trail running, and hiking, interspersed with moments of tranquillity and slower-paced pursuits such as yoga, Pilates, illustration sessions, book clubs, and engaging fire-chats.
Heart & Lava’s point of difference is the team behind its inception. Each member draws upon their own unique experience and background to lead the team at various points across the weekend. Sarah draws upon her Pilates training to hold one-on-one bio-mechanics sessions alongside campfire yoga sessions, while Tristan takes the lead on the trail runs and hikes, illustration workshops and other reflection activities, drawing on his decades of professional practice as a designer, illustrator and facilitator. Bec, who has spent much of her life in different outdoor environments, brings her confidence, expertise and organisational skills to supporting people to feel at home in potentially “uncomfortable” spaces.
Meticulously curated, every detail is taken care of, from the gear required, food and even bedding. During the multi-day retreats, guests will be accommodated in luxurious bell tents, which can be shared with fellow participants or upgraded for a private sanctuary.
Heart & Lava taps into pent-up demand for adventure tourism, which has been identified as a niche tourism sector in 2023. Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or someone looking to reconnect with nature, Heart & Lava offers an extraordinary opportunity to immerse yourself in thrilling adventures while enjoying the serenity of the natural world.
For those seeking a stripped-down adventure, the bare-bones trail running experiences are designed to offer a supported one-day experience. Heart & Lava guides adventurers through essential preparation and gear selection, while leading them on breathtaking trails as part of a group. Every step of the journey is met with support from the Heart & Lava team.
Each experience is curated to ensure adventurers get much more than a guided tour. Instead, these carefully designed experiences contain moments of meaningful reflection, interaction, and introductions to ecologies and cartographies of places that give guests the opportunity to connect mind, body and places.
To learn more about Heart & Lava and explore the current range of adventures and retreats, please visit heartandlava.com.au. You can also follow Heart & Lava on Instagram here @heartandlava