Australia’s hiking scene goes way beyond your usual weekend walk for your morning cup of Joe. From multi-day adventures to sandy strolls across near-empty stretches of sand, there are well-maintained trails for every kind of explorer right across the country.
Ready to hit the trail? Lace up, here’s my pick of the best walks and hikes across Australia.
The Overland Track
Tasmania
This one has been on my hiking hit list for years. Stretching across 74-ish kilometres of Tasmania’s wild heartland, the Overland Track takes you deep into Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park over six to eight unforgettable days. Think ancient rainforests, alpine meadows, glacial lakes, and wombats waddling around you.
You’ll need to plan ahead (permits are required and it’s one-way only from November to May), but if you time it right—say, between December and February—you’ll catch the highland wildflowers in full bloom. It’s ideal for those with moderate hiking experience and a good sense of adventure. Lace up, pack smart, and prepare to be totally off-grid.
Scenic Rim Trail
Queensland
Scenic in name and scenic in nature, this four-day trek came highly recommended by my friend Rach who claims it “cured her screen addiction".
A hot destination among locals and tourists alike, wind your way around Mount Tamborine and experience diverse terrains like bushland, rocky scapes and shrubby national parks. Relatively new on the hiking scene but rich in history, the Scenic Rim Trail explores the best of Main Range National Park, and prehistoric Gondwana Rainforests.
If I were to commit to this trail, I'd go for the guided experience. Spicers’ multi-day, lodge-to-lodge walk means you’ll end each day with a hot shower, local wine and a chef-prepped meal. Full-body challenge by day, total luxury by night. No wonder it’s Queensland’s only official Great Walk of Australia.
Sydney Harbour Walk
NSW
As a Perth local, I’ve done plenty of coastal walks in my time, but none have surprised me quite like this one.
The 80km Sydney Harbour Walk is basically a greatest hits album of Sydney. Starting at Bondi, it winds all the way to Manly, stitching together icons like the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, secluded beaches, bushland, and cultural landmarks that most locals don’t even know exist.
When I was last in Sydney, a friend and I picked off one of the eight manageable chunks, rewarding ourselves with dips in harbour coves and cheeky gelatos. You really don’t need to be a hardcore hiker to get a whole lot out of this one. You can stroll one leg at a time, or go all in and hike it over several days. Either way, you’ll be getting your steps up while hugging one of the world’s most spectacular coastlines.
It’s the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure city walk. Just don’t forget your sunscreen, that Sydney sun has some bite.
Kings Canyon
Northern Territory
Hold onto your Akubra, lace up your Timberlands and head to Kings Canyon in the Northern Territory for a beginner-friendly Australian hike in Watarrka National Park.
See everything this sunburnt country has on offer with a 6km circuit outlining Kings Canyon and venturing through the ‘Garden of Eden’, a sacred watering hole of the local Luritja people hidden deep in the canyon floor. It’s a back-to-basics kind of Aussie hike, where the red dirt gets in your socks, the views are magical and the silence is almost surreal.
Pro tip: go early. Not just for the beautiful changing light, but because the heat out here is no joke. My friend Bron made the mistake of starting a little too late on her trip to the NT and felt like a rotisserie chook by 10am.
Cape To Cape Track
Western Australia
I might be biased because the Cape to Cape is in my own backyard, but eight days of salty air, white-sand beaches, wildflowers and whale sightings? Doesn't get much better than that. Stretching 123km from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, this track is the ultimate slow travel experience, with the Indian Ocean as your backdrop.
Don’t let the distance scare you off, though. It’s surprisingly beginner-friendly and the terrain’s not too intense, so it’s a great first multi-day hike if you’re keen to dip a toe into this world. You’ll camp along the way at designated sites (or treat yourself to a lodge stay if you’re feeling fancy), and each day brings a fresh slice of WA’s insanely beautiful coast.
K'gari Great Walk
Queensland
K’gari (Fraser Island) Great Walk has been calling my name for a while now. Stretching around 90km from one end of the island to the other, this five- to seven-day trek winds through rainforests, dunes, and crystal-clear creeks. It’s a mobile-blackout zone, so it’s all about switching off, tuning in and keeping an eye out for dingoes. Most people start their journey after ferrying over from Rainbow Beach or Hervey Bay, then follow the well-marked trails past icons like Lake McKenzie and Wanggoolba Creek.
Just make sure you go with people you know you actually get along with—you’ll be sharing campsites, snacks, and a lot of quality silence
You might also like:
- The Best Things To Do In Tamborine Mountain
- The Must-Do Adventures In The Blue Mountains
- The Ultimate Alice Springs To Uluru Road Trip
Freycinet Experience Walk
Tasmania
One short scroll through photos of Freycinet and I can guarantee your weekend plans will suddenly be looking a lot more adventurous. This four-day, three-night walking journey takes you through some of Tassie’s most breathtaking landscapes—from the pink granite peaks of the Freycinet Peninsula to the tranquil shores of Saltwater Lagoon.
It caters to everyone, from casual wanderers to full-on explorers, letting you dial your adventure up or down depending on how much you’re willing to sweat for those killer views. With trail options ranging from easy strolls to challenging climbs, every step promises stunning scenery and that unmistakable Tassie magic.
Great Ocean Walk
Victoria
104 kilometres of jaw-dropping coastline? Check. Insta-ready destinations around every bend? Double check. A trail that lets everyone—from weekend wanderers to serious trekkers—soak up Australia’s rugged beauty without turning an ankle? Triple check. The Great Ocean Walk, just a few hundred clicks from Melbourne, serves up some of the country’s most iconic landscapes on foot. You’ll hit famous spots like the Twelve Apostles and Otway National Park while making your way from Apollo Bay to Glenample Homestead.
I came very close to tackling this route until the pandemic had other plans, but from what I researched, I know that some parts get tricky or vanish with high tide so plan ahead before you wander off into this legendary slice of Aussie coastline.
Valley Of The Winds
Northern Territory
Ready to soul-search through some of the Northern Territory’s most iconic natural wonders? The Valley of the Winds trail in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is an 8km round trip that lands firmly in the ‘medium’ hiking zone—just enough to get the heart pumping without sending you straight to the nearest aircon.
You’ll weave through creek beds and valleys, surrounded by 36 giant, dome-shaped rocks that look like something out of a sci-fi movie. The red earth and rugged landscape don’t mess around, either—expect strong winds, dry air and the need for serious sun protection. My friend Bron has been to the NT more times than I can count on hand, and she recommends you pack your chapstick and a hat with a chinstrap for this unforgettable hike.
Mount Gingera Summit Walk
Australian Capital Territory
The Mount Gingera Summit Walk threads through alpine wildflowers and snow gum forests into the kind of crisp mountain air I wish I could bottle. It’s the ACT’s second-highest peak and takes around eight hours return, but the views at the top will make you forget how much your legs are complaining.
From the summit, you’ll score panoramas in every direction, including a clear line of sight to Australia’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko, looking smug on the horizon.
Bibblummem Track
Western Australia
Speak to almost any West Aussie about their adventure bucket list and “do the Bibbulmun Track” will be on it—mine included. Stretching a casual 1,000 kilometres from the Perth Hills down to Albany, this legendary trail weaves through jarrah forests, wildflower country, and some of the South West’s most b-e-a-utiful coastline.
Completing the whole thing takes around eight weeks, but that’s the beauty of it—you don’t have to. Bite-sized sections let you dip in for a day or a weekend, with huts and campsites sprinkled along the way. One minute you’re deep in the bush, the next you’re staring at a postcard-perfect bay wondering why you didn't do this sooner.
Maria Island Walk
Tasmania
Maria Island is basically Tasmania’s greatest hits album—wildlife galore, rich Indigenous culture, UNESCO-listed heritage sites, pristine beaches, towering eucalyptus forests and geology. Just off Tassie’s East Coast, this island national park serves up a four-day, multi-award-winning walk that’s as easy or as adventurous as you want it to be.
From what I’ve heard, you can spend the days spotting wombats, wandering heritage settlements or taking side trips to conquer impressive peaks. Come nightfall, you can then swap the hiking boots for a glass of local wine. You’ve earned it.
Larapinta Trail
Northern Territory
Now for the bonus round. Stretching a whopping 223km from east to west across the Northern Territory, the Larapinta Trail is no playground for rookies or the faint-hearted. If you’re up for an epic adventure, kick off in Alice Springs and make your way to Mount Sonder, one of the Territory’s highest peaks.
The trail winds through rugged ranges, jagged peaks and dramatic ridgelines, dipping into national parks that are as wild as they come. You’ll meet plenty of Aussie locals along the way—think snakes, spiders, birds, and the occasional sneaky dingo ready to say hello. Ready to test your grit in some seriously spectacular country? This is it.
Still exploring? Check out:
Image credit: Erico Marcelino Tourism Australia