Tasmanians Peter Mooney and Rob Sherrard launch Iconic Walks

The state is known as a bushwalking mecca and two Tasmanians have joined forces to launch a new walking company. Here’s what they’re up to.

A former head of the Parks and Wildlife service and a pioneer in the aviation industry – who have co-founded a new global walking company – have their sights set on a Tasmanian walk “unlike any other” in Australia.

Iconic Walks is the brainchild of Peter Mooney, who retired in 2016 after starting as a trainee park ranger in 1977, and Launceston based tourism entrepreneur Rob Sherrard who founded the former Virgin Blue Airline Group in 2000.

Iconic Walks founders Rob Sherrard and Peter Mooney. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Mooney, the CEO, expects next year to add the Tasman Peninsula to five walk options already on offer in the Northern Territory, Nepal and Canada.

“We are a global walking company, rooted in Tasmania and naturally our hearts are at home,” he said.

“Tasmania has remarkable locations with great potential to provide unique experiences and we’re excited about the possibilities combined with highest operational integrity, expert guides and an authentic local operator.

“Discerning travellers seek out these types of experiences around the world, for small group, private travel to different, extraordinary places that few have been.

“We have negotiated the use of private land on the Tasman Peninsula to establish a basecamp pending approvals, and our Tasman Peninsula experience will be unlike any other walking experience in Australia.

Cape Raoul is one of the key walking destinations on the Tasman Peninsula. Picture: Philip Young

“We are also reviewing a number of other private parcels of land in Tasmania, which may be suitable locations for basecamps and lodges.”

Mr Sherrard said the Iconic Walks team were “all truly passionate about the wilderness”, and they shared common values as experts in wilderness, exploration and the environment.

“They are all world travellers and share deep respect for First Nations people,” he said.

“The week our web site quietly went live, they were emailing from the Tibetan Plateau, Tasmanian Wilderness, Europe, near Nimbin in Northern NSW and Queensland, walking, trekking, working remotely, pretty normal for this team.

Jatbula trail in the Northern Territory, Iconic Walks

“Iconic Walks grew from their collective desire to do things differently, to do what they are passionate about and to truly give back to the communities on whose land we walk.

“We will are doing that, partnering with Indigenous communities to create opportunities that match their own vision for their land and their aims for future generations.”

Iconic Walks has joined with the Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation in the Northern Territory to develop the 64km Jatbula Trail and plan to build an accommodation lodge.

“It is a tremendous privilege to be accepted to form such a partnership with the traditional landowners, and to support Jawoyn Association’s vision,” Mr Mooney said.

Iconic Walks operations manager Chris Jones, who has guided adventure tours and expeditions around the world from the Franklin River to Antarctica, Canada, the Himalayas and the European Alps has moved back to his home state of Tasmania.