Hiking & Bushwalking
Trek through ancient rainforests, rugged outback trails, and alpine wilderness
About Hiking & Bushwalking
Australia's diverse landscapes offer bushwalking experiences found nowhere else on Earth. From the ancient Gondwana rainforests of the east coast to the stark, ochre-red trails of the outback, the alpine meadows of the Snowy Mountains, and the dramatic coastal cliff paths of the Great Ocean Walk, there is a trail for every fitness level and interest. Australia's national parks protect some of the world's oldest ecosystems, and walking through them is the best way to connect with the land's 65,000 years of Indigenous heritage and extraordinary natural beauty.
Quick Facts
- Over 10,000 designated walking trails nationally
- 68 national parks in NSW alone
- Tasmania's Overland Track: limited to 60 walkers/day
- Larapinta Trail: 223km through Central Australia
- Heysen Trail: 1,200km — Australia's longest walk
Top Highlights
Overland Track, Tasmania
Australia's most famous multi-day walk covers 65km through World Heritage wilderness from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. Six days of ancient rainforest, alpine plateaus, and glacial lakes make this a true bucket-list trek.
Larapinta Trail, NT
Stretching 223km along the West MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia, the Larapinta Trail traverses some of the oldest geological formations on Earth, with spectacular ridge walks, gorge swims, and star-filled desert nights.
Blue Mountains, NSW
Just 90 minutes from Sydney, the Blue Mountains offer over 140km of walking tracks through eucalyptus forests draped in a distinctive blue haze. The Grand Canyon Walk, Three Sisters circuit, and National Pass are iconic day walks.
Great Ocean Walk, VIC
This 104km trail follows Victoria's dramatic Shipwreck Coast from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles. Walk past towering sea cliffs, through temperate rainforest, and along deserted beaches with regular whale sightings from June to September.
Multi-Day Treks
Australia's great multi-day walks are world-class wilderness experiences. Tasmania's Overland Track is the crown jewel — a six-day journey through World Heritage wilderness featuring ancient rainforest, alpine heath, and glacial lakes. The track is limited to 60 walkers per day during peak season (October–May) to protect the pristine environment. The Three Capes Track on Tasmania's Tasman Peninsula offers a more accessible luxury hiking experience with architecturally designed lodges along the route. On the mainland, the Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory is an epic 223km journey through the West MacDonnell Ranges, and the Heysen Trail in South Australia spans an extraordinary 1,200km from Cape Jervis to the Flinders Ranges.
Day Walks & Short Hikes
Every Australian state offers outstanding day walks. In New South Wales, the Blue Mountains Grand Canyon Walk descends into a moss-covered canyon of ancient vegetation, while the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk in Sydney is one of the world's great urban walks. Victoria's Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park features the Pinnacle Walk with panoramic views, and the 1,000 Steps in the Dandenong Ranges is a Melbourne favourite. Queensland's Gold Coast Hinterland offers subtropical rainforest walks to waterfalls, and Western Australia's Cape to Cape Track along the Margaret River coast can be walked in day sections through wildflower-covered headlands.
Walking with Indigenous Guides
Some of Australia's most meaningful bushwalking experiences are led by Indigenous guides who share their deep knowledge of the land. In the Kimberley, walk through ancient gorges with Bunuba guides who explain the rock art and Dreamtime stories of the landscape. In the Daintree Rainforest, Kuku Yalanji guides reveal bush tucker foods, medicinal plants, and the spiritual significance of the world's oldest living rainforest. In the Red Centre, Anangu guides lead walks around the base of Uluru, sharing Tjukurpa (creation stories) and pointing out features invisible to the untrained eye. These walks offer a profound connection to Australia's oldest living culture.
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Wildlife Encounters
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Cultural Experiences
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