What better way to experience such a vast, magnificent country than by letting your own two feet take you along wondrous trails? There’s just something about those contemplative moments of walking and observing nature’s wonders simultaneously. It’s a spiritual experience, as your legs push forward, your mind takes it all in and you feel like you’re truly living in the moment. Australian hikers know this best. The country has so many varied landscapes and beautiful sights to offer, and thankfully, there are trails and organised hikes that make it possible for us to experience the scenery. For a lovely weekend getaway, you might want to check out ideas for day trips, whereas here we’ll cover both short and long walking trails.
The Three Capes Track, Tasmania
This ambitious trail designed by Tasmania’s Parks and Wildlife Service offers a 46-kilometre walk to take in a stunning coastline and raw wilderness, as well as custom-designed accommodations along the way, boat rides, and smooth boardwalks. Not just that, but the trail offers a history lesson as it starts and ends at Port Arthur – a village on the Tasman Peninsula that’s one of Australia’s most significant heritage sites. This is an easy to moderate trail that is particularly organised to complete in four days by foot, boat, and bus on the return journey.
National Pass, New South Wales
If you’re looking to be absolutely stunned, humbled, and maybe even a bit exhilarated, this is the walk for you. Also, it’s a short one, as the National Pass presents a 4.5 km loop that takes approximately 3 hours to complete. Located in the Blue Mountains National Park, this walk is one of the most epic and scenic yet, as it exhibits lush greenery, waterfalls, rapid rivers, steep trails, unbelievable panoramic shots and finally, the Grand Stairway – literally a cliff-hugging staircase that will make you feel like you’re floating in the air at times. However, this is a trail for more experienced hikers as it is a Grade 4 track, so if you’re not ready for it just yet, pencil it in for a later date.
Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory
Voted by National Geographic as one of the top 20 trekking experiences, this track winds through a rugged and serenely energetic landscape in the Northern Territory. The Larapinta Trail takes five days to complete as itineraries usually include support vehicles to shorten the long walk, but there are also trekking options to complete the whole 223 km journey only by foot in fourteen days. Either way, you’ll find yourself exploring an ancient landscape filled with breathtaking scenery of gorges, high ridges, waterholes, and an abundant wildlife.
The Great Ocean Walk, Victoria
The Great Ocean Road, with its dramatic coastal scenery and view of the iconic Twelve Apostles Rock formations, is a beloved trail whose sights are featured wherever Australia Travel is in question. But since 2006, the options have widened, and you can explore much beyond the road. The Great Ocean walk stretches 104 km from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park, meandering along the way to present changing landscapes – from the lush greenery of the Great Otway National Park to vast stretches of open beach and rocky cliff-top tracks. As you walk along the coast, there will also be remnants of historical shipwrecks to explore. There are various organised tours, but it is also possible to go on an independent hike with proper planning, as well as walking independently for a portion of the trail and taking a tour for another.
The Arkaba Walk, South Australia
Yes, of course it’s possible to experience a landscape reminiscent of the Northern Territory, yet in a whole other region – this is Australia, a geographical wonder! The Flinders Ranges, set in outback South Australia, also feature ancient and rugged terrain. The Arkaba walk takes you through this ancient land, across craggy sandstone bluffs and landscapes shaped by millions of years to offer spectacular views and sightings of wildlife. Most importantly, this walk is charged with a feeling of history and man’s connection to harsh nature. The Arkaba Conservancy offers private accommodations and a place to observe the otherworldly sunsets of this area. The trek takes four days but is divided into seven-hour walks daily, covering between six to fifteen kilometres.
