From the incredible wonders of the outback, to endless beaches and cosmopolitan cities, Australia provides an unforgettable experience for all who visit it. From bush walks and coastal trails, the country is brimming with incredible walks and hikes. Here we outline the very best.
1. The Manly to Spit Walk, Sydney
First on our list of Australia’s best walks is found in the city of Sydney. The Manly to Spit coastal walk offers panoramic ocean views as you move through native bushland on a well managed route. The 10 kilometre walk features many aboriginal rock engravings, which are over 1,000 years old. The walk is well signposted and will take around 4 hours to complete. Highlights include Grotto Point Lighthouse. And if you’re feeling a bit hot you can always take a dip in one of the many beaches you pass along the way.
A misty day on the Manly to Spit Coastal Walk.
2. Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
There are many walking routes in Cradle Mountain National Park. Whether you want a short afternoon stroll, or an intense all day hike, it’s a walker’s paradise. The ‘Enchanted Walk’ is one of the most popular routes. It begins at the Interpretation Centre and meanders through the forest for 1.2 kilometres. The Dove Lake Circuit is a more intense challenge. This 3 hour walk (6 kilometres) traverses the lake and provides the perfect backdrop of Cradle Mountain as you walk. Incredible native flora and fauna are abundant and whichever Cradle Mountain walk you choose, the views are jaw-dropping. Tasmania’s Overland Track is another world-famous walk in the region, that takes between 7-9 days to complete.
The iconic image of Tasmania, Cradle Mountain sits majestic atop the the jewel that is Dove Lake bathed in glowing sunset light.
3. The Larapinta Trail
For those looking for an intense hiking challenge, The Larapinta Trail is a great option. This 223 kilometre trail moves through some of the harshest land on Planet Earth. This arid-zone walk traverses the Northern Territory’s craggy West MacDonnell Range. Because of the soaring temperatures, this walk is only recommended between the months of April and September.
4. National Pass, Blue Mountains
Located in the Blue Mountains National Park, which is only 2 hours by train from Sydney, the National Pass is an incredible walking trail. Taking around 3 hours to complete, the 4.5 kilometre track provides epic vistas of the Australian bush, jaw-dropping waterfalls and features the famous Grand Stairway (a grand staircase that hugs a cliff-face!). This is the most memorable section of the walk, and certainly not for the faint hearted.
5. The Great Ocean Walk, Victoria
The Great Ocean Walk is a 104 kilometre trail from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles in Victoria. Through remote stretches of coastline walkers can enjoy the true remote, untamed beauty of the state. The clifftop paths weave first through the Great Otway National Park, then onto Moonlight Head and The Gables, before arriving at the Twelve Apostles. The full walk will take around 8 days to complete. If you visit in the warmer summer months (December to February) it’ll be hot enough to take a dip in the ocean to cool off. Many hikers prefer to tackle the Great Ocean Walk in Autumn, when the temperatures are cooler.
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