If there’s one thing Australia has in spades, it’s vast expanses of the great outdoors – wherever you are (even in the city), you don’t have to go far to find a fabulous nature walk in Australia. Here are 16 of our favourite hikes from across the country.
Shadowing the Great Ocean Road, this 110km, eight-day walk encompasses two national parks, the iconic 12 Apostles, lighthouses, beaches, and cliffs along this deservedly world-famous coastal route. There is no need to bite off the whole trail in one chunk; short walks or day hikes are a great way to explore, too. parks.vic.gov.au
At the southern end of the Great Dividing Range, the Razorback Walk takes you along a ridge to Mount Feathertop, Victoria’s second-highest peak. You’ll need to be fit to tackle the challenging 22km trail, but the reward is unforgettable views. parks.vic.gov.au
Walking the Three Capes Track is rightly described as a transformative experience. This four-day wilderness hike at the pointy end of Tasmania encompasses dramatic, rocky cliffs and remote, rugged landscapes with whale and wildlife spotting opportunities a-plenty. parks.tas.gov.au
If you want to explore Cradle Mountain but only have a day, the 10km circuit walk to Marion’s Lookout offers stunning views of the lakes and peaks in this spectacular national park. Summer visitors are also treated to a lavish display of alpine wildflowers. enjoytasmania.com.au
Getting to Australia’s highest peak starts with a scenic chairlift ride up to Eagle’s Nest from Thredbo Village. From there, you can start the 13km loop to the summit, where you’ll literally feel on top of the world. Need more adventure? Shoot back down the mountain on a bobsled. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
The Light to Light Walk is a 30km, multi-day hike stretching from the historic Boyds Tower to the Green Cape Lighthouse on NSW’s beautiful Sapphire Coast. As well as guides to the trail, the National Parks and Wildlife Service app offers fascinating insights into the area’s rich Indigenous history. visitnsw.com
One of the ‘Great Walks of Australia’, the Arkaba Walk is a privately operated guided walk in this ancient outback landscape. As well as the spectacular landscape by day, nights reveal the beauty of the clear night sky. southaustralia.com
Australia’s longest walk at 1200km, tackling the Heysen Trail is an adventure to be stretched over weeks or a lifetime. Dip your toe with this short 11.5km section near Adelaide – it makes for a great day trip with loads of beach and picnic options and obligatory cliff-top views. southaustralia.com
Sheltered beaches and fine white sand mean it’s easy to cool off at the end of this easy 1.5km loop that includes the dramatic 1.5-billion-year-old Elephant Rocks. Further into the park, discover karri forest, lakes and more coastal walks. exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au
Start your walk with the 1km circuit to Nature’s Window, an opening in the rock offering a spectacular view, then head further into the gorge on the 9km loop trail through rocky and sandy terrain (not recommended in summer). Finally, finish your gorge experience at the Kalbarri Skywalk, a dramatic cantilevered platform overlooking the gorge. exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au
In the heart of outback Queensland, the Carnarvon Great Walk offers towering sandstone cliffs, tableland vistas, creeks, rocky gorges, and high plateaus. The complete circuit is 87 km, and you can opt for either a short walk or a multi-day hike. visitcapricorn.com.au
Start by climbing the Whitsunday Peak for 360-degree views over the Whitsunday Islands and the mainland, then plot your walk through 30km of bush and beach trails (or swap hiking boots for a canoe). Highlights include Whitehaven Beach, hidden caves, and the Ngaro Cultural Site.
The best way to understand the cultural and geological significance of this extraordinary natural wonder, the walk around the base of Uluru takes you through a range of landscapes from acacia woodlands to grassed claypans, with each section of the rock revealing cultural landmarks and Indigenous stories. parksaustralia.gov.au
The Butterfly Gorge Loop takes in some of the gorge’s prettiest scenery, including rainforest and shady rock passages. There is a reason it’s called Butterfly Gorge – look out for the plentiful common crow butterfly along the 12km trail. Swimming is seasonal only, so check the park website before you go. nt.gov.au
Once a pine plantation, the National Arboretum is home to a living museum – the world’s largest collection of rare, endangered and significant trees. Featuring 94 forests and more than 44,000 tree species from all over the world, it’s the perfect way to reconnect to nature. nationalarboretum.act.gov.au
