Hiking/Walking

 7 Great Australian Hiking Trails to Ease You into the Great Outdoors

Australia boasts some of the world’s most extraordinary hiking landscapes, from lush rainforests to vast desert ranges. Modern trekking no longer means roughing it, glamping-style comfort, luggage transfers, and gourmet meals have transformed the hiking experience. You can still enjoy the wild beauty without carrying a heavy pack or forgoing a good night’s sleep. Here are seven trails that balance adventure with a touch of indulgence.

1. The Gold Coast Hinterland Walk – A Jurassic Paradise

Connecting Lamington and Springbrook Plateaus, this World Heritage rainforest teems with wildlife, waterfalls, and two-thousand-year-old Antarctic beech trees. A six-day guided (or self-guided) walk leads you through lush valleys, towering strangler figs, and vibrant orchids. Accommodation is arranged along the way, and luggage transfers make your days easier.

Fitness level: 35% easy, 45% moderate, 20% harder. Longest day 7 hours walking.

2. The Blue Mountains Traverse – A Scenic Escape from Sydney

Just an hour from the city, this five-day self-guided hike retraces the route of early explorers across a sandstone plateau. Expect cascading waterfalls, hanging swamps, and dramatic views of the famous Three Sisters. Stay in charming guesthouses and B&Bs, with luggage transfers included.

Fitness level: 30% easy, 35% moderate, 35% harder. 9–16 km per day.

3. The Bibbulmun Track – Highlights of Western Australia

Stretching from Perth to Albany, the Bibbulmun Track offers everything from day walks to an epic eight-week journey. The nine-day Walpole-to-Albany section is a favourite, showcasing towering karri forests, granite headlands, and pristine coastline. Comfortable B&B stays make it an accessible adventure.

Fitness level: 40% easy, 50% moderate, 10% harder. 15–25 km per day.

4. The Arkaba Walk – Flinders Ranges Outback Luxury

A four-day walking safari through 600 million years of geological history. Traverse Wilpena Pound, explore isolated waterholes framed by cypress pines, and overnight in luxury wilderness camps before finishing at a beautifully restored 1850s homestead. Expert guides bring the landscape’s story to life.

Fitness level: Easy to moderate, with 8–14 km days.

5. Snowy Mountains Hike – The Top of Australia

This seven-day journey through Kosciuszko National Park takes in alpine meadows, rare wildlife, and Australia’s highest peak. Stay in remote ski villages with luggage transfers included. In summer, alpine herb fields burst into bloom, offering a spectacular high-country experience.

Fitness level: 25% easy, 55% moderate, 20% harder. 14–23 km per day.

6. Tasmania’s Overland Track – A Wilderness Classic

Covering 65 km over six days, this trek through the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area reveals rainforests, alpine plains, and glacial lakes. Wildlife sightings might include wombats, echidnas, and even the elusive Tasmanian devil. Accommodation ranges from camping to basic huts.

Fitness level: Moderate. About 10 km per day with a full pack.

7. The Jatbula Trail – Arnhem Land Adventure

A five-day, 58 km trail from Katherine Gorge to Edith Falls offers waterfalls, Aboriginal rock art, and tropical monsoon forests. Best tackled in the cooler months, it’s a challenging full-pack bushwalk rewarded with pristine swimming holes and incredible scenery.

Fitness level: For fit, experienced walkers. Up to 15 kg packs over rough terrain.