Hiking in Australia
Places in Australia. On the map.
The vibe
Australia's hiking ranges from the rugged Outback to lush rainforests, giving a sense of vast, open wilderness rarely matched elsewhere. The best months are late autumn to early spring when the heat subsides, though many trails are open year-round. Hikers often find themselves in remote, sparsely populated areas, with a DIY spirit, though popular long walks attract a steady stream of visitors.
park ticket
Blue Mountains National Park (Grand Canyon Track)
New South Wales
Charles J. Sharp / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Descend into a cool-temperate canyon filled with towering tree ferns, golden sandstone overhangs, and cascading waterfalls. This classic day walk loops along canyon floors and sandstone ledges just west of Sydney.
Access. Begin at the Evans Lookout or Neates Glen car parks near Blackheath, reachable by train from Sydney followed by local transport.
Notes. Steps can be steep and slippery after rain. Check national park alerts for track maintenance.
Christmas Island National Park Coastal Circuit
Christmas Island
David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Explore the dramatic limestone cliffs, marine terraces, and dense rainforest fringes of Christmas Island National Park via rugged coastal paths. The trails lead to sweeping ocean viewpoints where blowholes and nesting seabirds dominate the landscape. Hikes range from moderate forest tracks to steep descents toward secluded rocky coves.
Access. Accessible via park roads leading to trailheads such as the Dales or Blowholes. A rental 4WD is recommended for navigating unpaved park access roads.
Notes. Sturdy footwear is essential due to sharp limestone rock (karst). Check seasonal closure notices during the red crab migration.
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park (Overland Track)
Tasmania
JJ Harrison ( https://www.jjharrison.com.au/ ) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Trek through glaciated valleys, buttongrass moorlands, and ancient deciduous beech forests in Tasmania's premier alpine wilderness. The world-famous Overland Track spans multiple days past Cradle Mountain and Mount Ossa, offering raw wilderness immersion.
Access. Accessible via shuttle bus from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre. Multi-day walkers book well in advance and usually hike north to south.
Notes. Bookings are compulsory during the peak summer season. Weather can change instantly from sunshine to snow at any time of year.
Flinders Ranges National Park (Wilpena Pound)
South Australia
Frans-Banja Mulder / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Explore an enormous natural amphitheatre of ancient rugged mountains and red-earth gorges in outback South Australia. Trails lead up to St Mary Peak for expansive views over the outback basin.
Access. Drive approximately five hours north of Adelaide to Wilpena Pound Resort, the main access point and trailhead.
Notes. Summer temperatures can be extremely high; hike during the cooler months between April and October.
Freycinet National Park (Peninsula Circuit)
Tasmania
Bjørn Christian Tørrissen / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Walk past pink granite peaks down to the crystalline waters and white quartz sands of Wineglass Bay in Tasmania. The full circuit explores secluded coves and dramatic coastal headlands.
Access. Drive two and a half hours northeast of Hobart to the Freycinet Visitor Centre at Coles Bay.
Notes. Campsites at Cooks Creek and Hazards Beach require prior registration and permits during peak periods.
Grampians National Park (Gariwerd)
Victoria
Ed Dunens / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Traverse dramatic sandstone ridgelines, panoramic lookouts, and ancient Aboriginal cultural sites across western Victoria. The Grampians Peaks Trail offers both challenging multi-day journeys and rewarding day hikes.
Access. Drive about three hours west of Melbourne to Halls Gap, the main hub for park trails and shuttle bookings.
Notes. Sections of the long-distance trail require pre-booked hikers' campsites.
Great Ocean Walk
Victoria
Sourabh.biswas003 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Hike along wild southern ocean cliffs, deserted sandy beaches, and through towering eucalyptus forests along Victoria's Shipwreck Coast. The full route leads past the iconic Twelve Apostles.
Access. Most walkers start from Apollo Bay, easily reached by bus or car from Melbourne, and trek westward toward the Twelve Apostles.
Notes. Carry sufficient water and check tide times for beach-walking sections.
Great South West Walk
Victoria
Loop through diverse landscapes in southwest Victoria, taking in the mighty Glenelg River gorges, coastal heathlands, and towering sea cliffs of Cape Bridgewater.
Access. Portland is the main regional hub, located about four hours west of Melbourne by car.
Notes. Can be done in shorter loop sections or as a complete 250-kilometre multi-week journey.
K'gari (Fraser Island) Great Walk
Queensland
Unknown author Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Trek across the world's largest sand island through tall rainforests, perched dune lakes, and sweeping coastal blowouts. Walkers experience diverse ecosystems right on the sand.
Access. Take a 4WD ferry from River Heads near Hervey Bay to the island, then access trailheads on foot.
Notes. Permits and advance bookings are required for hikers' campsites. Beware of dingoes and carry all drinking water.
Larapinta Trail
Australia
Kattastroffee1976 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Journey along the spine of the West MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia through ancient red-rock gorges and stark desert ranges. This challenging desert trek offers profound outback solitude.
Access. Start from the Alice Springs Telegraph Station; transport services operate trail-head drop-offs for independent walkers.
Notes. Strictly a cooler-months trek (May to August). Water tanks require careful planning along remote sections.
Pulu Keeling National Park
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
PalawanOz / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
This remote national park on North Keeling Island offers a unique, protected environment for nature walks through dense Pisonia forests. It is a world-renowned seabird rookery, providing a rare opportunity to observe wildlife in a pristine, isolated tropical setting.
Access. Access is strictly regulated and requires a permit from Parks Australia. Visitors must travel by boat from West Island, typically arranged through local tour operators who manage the necessary permits and logistics.
Notes. Access is highly weather-dependent and restricted to protect the fragile ecosystem; check with the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Visitor Centre for current availability.
Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle Range)
Western Australia
Travel & Shit from Brighton, UK / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Wander through a labyrinth of iconic orange-and-black striped sandstone beehive domes and deep, cool gorges in the remote Kimberley region. Trails lead into Cathedral Gorge and Echidna Chasm.
Access. Accessible via 4WD only along unpaved tracks from the Great Northern Highway in Western Australia, or via scenic flights.
Notes. Accessible only in the dry season (approx. April to November). Extreme heat hazards apply.
Wilsons Promontory National Park (Southern Circuit)
Victoria
Jeancarroll / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Discover mainland Australia's southernmost tip via granite mountains, roaring surf beaches, and lush coastal forests. The Southern Circuit links remote beaches like Waterloo Bay and Roaring Meg.
Access. Drive three hours southeast from Melbourne to the Tidal River campground and visitor center.
Notes. Advance bookings are mandatory for overnight hike-in campsites within the Promontory.