Our country abounds with great walking paths and trails that appeal to everyone from social strollers with coffee in hand to hardcore hikers with boots, backpacks, and the works.
From mind-blown coastal paths and excellent art deco trails to challenging mountain climbs, there’s a path for everyone from all walks of life. It’s time to step to it on the following walks.
NSW is blessed with 2137km of coastal paths, which burst with epic scenery for folks who love the outdoors. We’ve highlighted two walking paths that you need to experience sooner rather than later on your next NSW trip.
Gulaga Mountain Walk, South Coast
This walk was formerly part of an active volcano and the surrounding landscape is of importance to local Aboriginal people. The 7km path takes you up a steep track originally built for gold miners in 1894. When you reach ‘the saddle,’ you’ll be rewarded with views of giant granite tors and a nice little spot to rest and rejuvenate.
Time to complete: 2.5hr.
Where to stay: BIG4 Narooma East's Holiday Park, BIG4 Wallaga Lake Holiday Park or Ingenia Holidays Ocean Lake.
Blue Mountains Walks
No place does walking tracks quite like the Blue Mountains! There are hundreds of walks to choose from in this prized area. For a leisurely 1km stroll, try out the Three Sisters Walk, which starts at the information centre at Echo Point. It delights with lookout points over the towering Three Sisters and ends with a bit of a challenge at the giant stairway. Or soak up the sights on the Katoomba Falls Round Walk, a 2km circuit that takes you through lush rainforest and offers incredible views of the valley below.
Time to complete: Allow 45min-1hr for the Three Sisters Walk and 2hr for the Katoomba Falls Round Walk.
Where to stay: Ingenia Holidays Nepean River, Ingenia Holidays Avina or Ingenia Holidays Sydney Hills.
Victoria is a treasure chest filled to the brim with fantastic walking opportunities. From the city’s very own graffiti-splashed alleyway walks to hiking vast mountain trails, there is a route to suit all tastes.
Iconic laneways and arcades walk, Melbourne
Nothing says a day well spent in Melbourne like a latte from one of the renowned
hole-in-the-wall cafés and an eye-opening walk through the laneways and arcades. There are murals to marvel at and artistic talents to appreciate, and some places of note are Hosier Lane, AC/DC Lane, Duckboard Place, and Presgrave Place. For arcades worth a wander, check out The Royal Arcade (also Australia’s oldest building), Block Arcade, and Cathedral Arcade.
Time to complete: Take this one at your leisure and enjoy getting lost in laneways.
Where to stay: BIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park and BIG4 Dandenong Tourist Park.
The Canyon Walk, Bright
Bright is a beautiful town in Victoria’s High Country that is a mecca for cyclists and walkers. With endless alpine mountain scenery, Bright is the ideal choice for nature lovers. The Canyon Walk is a family-friendly stroll that suits all ages and abilities. The hike is 3km and delivers on nature, stunning surroundings, and views from up high on a suspension bridge.
Time to complete: 1.5hr.
Where to stay: BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks - Bright, NRMA Bright Holiday Park and BIG4 Porepunkah Holiday Park.
There’s more to SA than just divine wineries and fun events/festivals; it’s also a haven for walks with hundreds of trails to explore.
The River Torrens Linear Trail, Adelaide
There’s no need to escape the city with Adelaide’s very own urban trail. This path is 30km long and begins at the Adelaide foothills. The walk meanders its way through the CBD and finishes with a sea breeze along the coast. So, you get the best of all worlds on this trail: nature, city, and the coast!
Time to complete: 5hr.
Where to stay: BIG4 West Beach Parks, The Retreat at West Beach or Marion Holiday Park.
Heysen Trail
Classified as one of the world’s best hiking trails, this 1200km track (yep, it could take as long as 60 days) extends from Cape Jervis to Parachilna Gorge Flinders Range. If you don’t have two months up your sleeve to take in all this trail offers (think passing through national parks, vineyards, and state forests), you can still enjoy smaller sections of the track. We suggest doing so within the fabulous Fleurieu Peninsula region.
Time to complete: Well, 60 days is about 1140hr, so we’d recommend some sturdy walking shoes for this one.
Where to stay: BIG4 Mount Compass Caravan Park, BIG4 Cape Jervis Accommodation & Caravan Park, BIG4 Normanville Jetty Holiday Park or BIG4 Port Willunga Tourist Park.
There’s a good reason many flock to Tasmania for none other than a ‘walking holiday’. With its astounding natural beauty, there are many rewarding hikes to enjoy.
Organ Pipes Track, Mt Wellington, Hobart
For out-of-this-world views, and to see Hobart city from a different height, this walk ticks all the boxes. The Organ Pipes walk will get you up close to some of the most noted landmarks in Hobart. On this 3km hike – or thereabouts – you’ll see the 120m-high dolerite pipes with their staggering cliffs, which are a favourite haunt of avid rock-climbers.
Time to complete: 4hr.
Where to stay: BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park.
Cradle Mountain Summit Bush Walk
Seasoned walkers and hikers might like to challenge themselves to a half-day hike up spectacular Cradle Mountain, standing at a hefty 1545m. The Cradle Mountain Summit Bush Walk takes you past the regularly Instagrammed Dove Lake and Marion's Lookout.
Time to complete: 7hr.
Where to stay: BIG4 Ulverstone Holiday Park or BIG4 Stanley Holiday Park.
WA delivers the wow-factor on all levels; all it takes is one look at those whitewash beaches to know what we’re talking about! But beaches aside, WA is winning with many high calibres walks to its name, too.
Law Walk, Kings Park, Perth
This is a 2.5km journey through beautiful bushland right in the heart of Kings Park and Botanic Garden. You’ll have scenic views of the Swan River, see flocks of birds, and you may even be lucky enough to spot dolphins frolicking.
Time to complete: Takes 45min to cover off.
Where to stay: BIG4 Perth Midland Tourist Park or Perth Central Caravan Park.
Busselton Jetty Walk
Walk along the longest wooden pier in the southern hemisphere where the clear waters beneath offer prime fish-viewing opportunities. Make sure you walk to the end of the pier to see the underwater observatory where you can descend a spiral staircase to the sea floor below.
Time to complete: 1hr.
Where to stay: BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks - Busselton, RAC Busselton Holiday Park or Mandalay Holiday Resort.
The NT is known for its wilderness, and there’s really no better way to experience its beauty than on two feet.
Larapinta Trail, Alice Springs
The iconic Larapinta Trail is a true 223km beauty of a walk through the West MacDonnell Ranges from Alice Springs Telegraph Station to Mt Sonder. This is a bushwalking and trekking experience like no other!
Time to complete: You could do it all in 12-14 days or compete a small section like The Alice Springs Telegraph Station to Simpsons Gap in one day.
Darwin’s Waterfront, Esplanade Walk
This esplanade walk is quite simply the perfect location in the city for a stroll. Stretching just 1.5km in length, the park runs along the southern western edge. From picnic areas, trees, viewpoints of the harbour, and playgrounds for the little ones, you can come for a walk but stay a whole day. If your Fitbit is nudging you to take some more steps, then why not continue your way into the city and enjoy the Darwin Street Art Trail.
Time to complete: 1hr.
Where to stay: BIG4 Howard Springs Holiday Park or BIG4 Hidden Valley Holiday Park.
Assemble in your activewear and ready, step, walk!
Seeking more paths? Check out this selection of one-day mountain climbs here.
