HIKING AND BIKING

Their plan was to scale the Flinders Ranges by bicycle: born-again pedallers Chris Ryan and his wife came, got sore, and got conquered.  When my wife gave me a flash mountain bike for my 30th birthday, I was a little puzzled. The last time I’d ridden regularly was when I was going to and from school on my BMX, and I’d never even owned a bike with gears. I should have realised it was part of a plan. Fiona had bought a bike for herself too. Together we would launch into my fourth decade embracing an active lifestyle and the...

Where is it? Cradle Mountain-Lake Sinclair National Park, Tas.  Walking the 65km Overland Track is easily the best way to get your blood pumping in the magical Tasmanian wilderness. The rapidly changeable weather will keep you on your toes during the six-day trek and you’ll have to be  in top physical condition, but the finish-line view is unbelievable. Sure, it might not be the highest mountain in Tasmania, but it has become one of the most recognisable peaks in Australia. December through April is the best time to hike because of the longer hours of warmth and daylight. “This is...

 Where is it? Watarrka National Park, 300km north-east of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT. Most people visit the Red Centre to see the Rock. While Uluru is undeniably an experience not to be missed, a surprise highlight for many is Kings Canyon. It’s astounding that this phenomenal land formation so often flies under the tourist radar, but in a way it’s a good thing. If you’re in the area for Uluru alone, you’ll be overjoyed to find this rugged, prehistoric-looking canyon, with walls rising up to 270m above the canyon floor. A sheer climb up the rock face allows access to...

Where is it? In the Hamersley Ranges of the Pilbara in north-western WA A two-hour drive from Newman, you’ll find the gorges, mountains, lookouts, secret swimming holes and waterfalls that define this awe-inspiring National Park. Expectations of arid, desolate landscapes are exchanged for delight at this diverse, rugged, red-rock landscape with often surprisingly green patches, and numerous places to take a dip. There are plenty of shady campsites in the Park. Be sure to base yourself for at least a night at Dales Gorge, from where you can hike to spectacular Circular Pool....

Ever dreamed of taking part in the famous Tour de France, soaking up the amazingly varied scenery as you ride along? Well, now you can make that dream a reality (albeit on a much smaller scale) without even having to leave the country – technically. Welcome to the Tour de Norfolk Island Cycling Challenge via Mountain Bike. By Alex Hargaves  Over two days in July, this inaugural Norfolk Island experience, packed with fun-filled cycling events for all ages and skill levels, is sure to be memorable, set on one of Australia’s truly unique and diverse islands. Strap on your helmet...

Why drive when you can ride? Shed the GPS system and four wheels, trade in your boot for a basket, and head to the High Country in northeast Victoria, home to Pedal to Produce, a series of food and wine trails designed specially for cyclists. We’re not talking about lycra-clad, hairless professionals. This gourmet experience is perfect for food-loving folk who want a bit of fresh air between cheese sampling and wine tasting. You won’t be on the road for long before stopping at Milawa Cheese Factory (No. 77 on this list), hopping back on the track only to pop...

Gail Liston has hit the road and distilled her extensive travel knowledge to bring us the 20 Top Tours from all around Australia. With a tick of excellence from Lonely Planet as the “hottest” travel destination for 2009, Tasmania’s Bay of Fires Walk can only be classed as one of the best wilderness hiking adventures in the country. Led by a team of eco-guides who really know their stuff, this is a four-day breathtaking escape into nature where you’ll find every trail tells a story. For some it’s a castaway experience that would do Robinson Crusoe proud, with hours spent clambering...

Ezra Shaw captures images of The Simpson Desert Bike Challenge Satan’s Velodrome    Seasoned Getty images photographer Ezra Shaw has covered every major sporting event you can think of. But nothing could prepare him for the sheer descent into hell that is The Simpson Desert Bike Challenge. One of the most talented and hardest-working sports shooters in the game, Ezra Shaw has been a staff photographer for Getty Images for more than a decade, with his pictures appearing on the cover and in the pages of Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated and hundreds of other publications around...

Novotel Lake Crackenback Resort has launched new guided tour walks in the Kosciusko National Park Walking on top of Australia Trek your way to the top of some of Australia’s gorgeous alpine region with these new-guided walking tours in Kosciuszko National Park. Novotel Lake Crackenback Resort located in the Kosciuszko National Park has just launched the Kosciuszko Alpine Guided Walks, a new opportunity for the experienced bush-walker. The guided walks will let you experience the picturesque beauty of the Kosciuszko National Park without the hassles; all you have to do is just take advantage of the professional service provided by...

The final of our top ten Australian day walks, Bluff Knoll is the highlight of the Stirling Range National Park in South East Western Australia on two feet and a heart beat. As a general rule, Western Australia has hills, not mountains. But you wouldn’t know it when you’re standing beneath the chiselled mass of Bluff Knoll.  Armour plated in rock, and with a summit that protrudes like Roger Ramjet’s chin, this craggy mountain is softened only by the wildflower displays that decorate its slopes each spring. From the trailhead, Bluff Knoll’s summit cliffs appear impenetrable but the walking track...

Who knew Victoria's highest peak could make for a family-friendly holiday? Read on as an Australian Traveller reader climbs Mt Bogong with her family. AT Reader Noeleen McPherson from Mt Martha in Victoria took her family for a trek up Victoria’s highest mountain, to see what she could see . . It had been several years since we’d holidayed at Bright, Victoria, and I now wonder why we’d waited so long. It’s one of the most beautiful corners of Australia, and especially with the colours of the autumn leaves and the shades of blue on the Victorian Alps. With a long-time...

Australian Traveller looks at the state of the union for cycling holidays in Australia. Easy Riders -- Cycling Holidays Made Easy   Sue Webber has holidayed on her trusty treadly in every corner of Australia, so trust her when she says there’s a cycling holiday out there just for you. There are so many cycling holidays to choose from in Australia – a leisurely ride through vineyards with regular stops for tastings; an adventure into the outback by bike; a social cycle to raise money for charity; or a mass ride with hundreds of other cyclists – that there simply...

The fourth of Australian Traveller's epic bushwalks, the Australian Alps Walking Track is also the highest.   Foremost is the walk from Mt Howitt to the Viking (four days), revealing some of the most rugged and spectacular areas in the High Country. The type of terrain is betrayed by some of the feature names: Mt Buggery, Mt Despair, Horrible Gap and the Terrible Hollow. The mountain lover’s long-distance trail, the Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) rolls up, over and through the High Country between Walhalla, in Victoria’s Gippsland region, and Canberra’s edge. Though it’s the closest of the trails to...