AllTrails reveals the 5 most popular hikes in Australia

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The app has just dropped its yearly wrap of Aussie hiking habits in 2024, including the most popular tracks. Here’s what the stats revealed.

It’s well-known that Aussies love getting outdoors. But new data from hiking app AllTrails has shown just how much we really enjoy hitting the trail. According to the app’s roundup, Aussie AllTrails users navigated 11 million kilometres on the app last year. For reference, that’s the equivalent of walking around the Earth over 30 times! And when it comes to the average Aussie hiker, we ranked third globally, both for the amount of time spent on the trail and for the most kilometres clocked per person. It’s no wonder we’re known as a sporting nation!

As for the most popular hikes in Austalia, here are the trails most trodden in 2024.

1. Grand Canyon Track (Blue Mountains, NSW)

Length: 6 kilometres

The Blue Mountains are a World Heritage Site, a gem of biodiversity just a stone’s throw from Sydney. So, it makes sense that AllTrails’s most popular track of the year hailed from this beloved region. The six-kilometre Grand Canyon Track takes in waterfalls, ferns and striking views over the valley. In the right light, the landscape almost shimmers blue, thanks to the haze emanating from the blue gums that lend the region its name. As an aside, we also recommend extending your trip to do the new Grand Clifftop Walk, too.

Blue Mountains Grand Canyon Walk.
Explore the Blue Mountains Grand Canyon Walk. (Images: Getty/Katharina13)

2. Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach Walk (Sydney, NSW)

Length: 12.4 kilometres

New South Wales dominates the list with Sydney’s tried-and-true Bondi to Coogee Walk coming in at second place. Starting at Bondi’s photogenic Icebergs pool and taking in some of the city’s prettiest swimming spots, you’ll see plenty of activewear-clad walkers powering along the trail, oat latte in hand. But this a popular walk for good reason, showcasing Sydney’s coveted coastal lifestyle in a nutshell.

Icebergs swimming pool at Bondi Beach
The Bondi to Coogee Walk showcases why Sydney’s Eastern suburbs are among the country’s most-desired locales. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Mount Lofty Loop (Wonga Park, Vic)

Length: 5 kilometres

Rounding out the top three is the Mount Lofty Loop. This is a popular spot for Melbournians to get a dose of greenery, with the trail steering hikers around the beautiful Yarra Valley and taking in serene views of rolling hills. Best of all, wildlife is abundant here and you’ll likely spot plenty of kangaroos and wallabies as you hike. We’ve also rounded up more great hikes around Melbourne.

Wonga Park in Victoria
Melburnians head to Wonga Park to soak in the greenery.

4. Whistlepipe Gully and Lesmurdie Falls Loop (Perth, WA)

Length: 6.8 kilometres

This stunning track in Mundy Regional Park is a go-to for Perth locals. Best of all, your pooch can accompany you on this dog-friendly trail (as long as they are on a leash). As you walk on this waterfall-dotted trail, you’ll be accompanied by the croak of frogs and maybe even spot a kangaroo or two if you’re lucky.

Lesmurdie Falls
Lesmurdie Falls Loop is a popular dog-friendly walk near Perth. (Image: Getty/Jonathan Carruthers)

5. Enoggera Reservoir Circuit (Enoggera Reservoir, Qld)

Length: 10.9 kilometres

Meander around this moderate track that encircles Enoggera Reservoir near Brisbane. Marvel as the glassy water budding with plant life. And don’t forget your swimmers so you can enjoy a post-hike dip, as this is a popular swimming spot for locals to cool off.

enoggera reservoir
There are plenty of places to cool off on a hike around Enoggera Reservoir. (Image: Getty/ Marlon Trottmann)

Check out more of Australia’s best hikes here.

Elizabeth Whitehead
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
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7 things you must experience on a getaway to Echuca Moama

Those dreaming of a river escape that’s less rush and more rest will discover the perfect getaway in Echuca Moama.

Best known for summer river holidays, Echuca Moama dishes up extraordinary options for those craving good food, experiences and culture. Discover how best to spend your getaway in this gorgeous river town.

1. Find unique stays in Echuca Moama

Goolwa River Retreat villas
Bathe under the stars at Goolwa River Retreat.

An adventure here starts with the perfect place to stay. Echuca Moama is famous for its luxury houseboats. Be spoilt for choice with amenities like spas, chef’s kitchens and en-suites onboard Murray River Houseboats and Echuca Luxury Houseboats .

For those who prefer to stay on dry land to sleep, there’s no shortage of accommodation options to suit every taste and budget. The villas at Goolwa River Retreat offer spectacular views of the Murray Riverfront, cosy evenings by the fire pit. And, a truly unique and luxurious experience: bathing under the stars in an outdoor bathtub.

Families travelling with young kids will appreciate the fully self-contained cabins, which sleep up to six, at NRMA Echuca Holiday Park . Complete with BBQ facilities and a kids’ playground, Echuca Holiday Park is the perfect base for families exploring the Echuca Moama region.

More adventurous guests can experience off-grid serenity at Carriages Water Front Retreat , where they can slumber among the redgums in a lovingly converted vintage train carriage.

If you prefer a more central place to stay, the Mercure Port of Echuca is located just five minutes from the Port of Echuca on foot and offers comfortable rooms, as well as easy access to all the region has to offer.

2. Explore the Murray River

PaddlesteamerS on the Murray River
Jump aboard one of Echuca Moama’s famous paddlesteamers.

A trip to Echuca Moama isn’t complete without seeing the Murray River. Take in views from the water, with Murray River Paddlesteamers and Echuca Paddlesteamers Or combine sightseeing with lunch at a local winery or brewery on a Wharf to Winery or Port to Plate cruise .

Those who prefer an active holiday can hire a stand-up paddleboard with Echuca SUP  to explore the river. Duck under the historic Echuca Moama Bridge and listen out for local wildlife. At the end of your paddleboarding trip, you’ll find a shuttle service to return you to the car park.

Kayaking is another great option if you like to combine seeing the sights with a full-body workout. Hire a kayak from River Country Adventours , or join a river safari for a guided experience.

3. Go hiking and biking in Echuca Moama

two bikers riding on the 19-kilometre Waranga Rail Trail
Peddle along the 19-kilometre Waranga Rail Trail.

On foot or by bike, there are plenty of trails to explore the region. Embark on a guided e-bike tour with Green Pedal (or hire an e-bike and go it alone) to explore the 19-kilometre Waranga Rail Trail . Traverse through beautiful bushland and the scenic Waranga Basin. Bakeries and picnic areas in the historic town of Rushworth provide the perfect place for refreshments.

Day trip to the lookout at Whroo Forest, near the now-abandoned Whroo township, located on historic Balaclava Hill. The Hill was once the site of Victoria’s largest open-cut gold mine and home to a thriving town. Today, the area offers picturesque walking tracks and picnic sites.

4. Taste Echuca Moama’s best dining options

lobster dish on the table at opa in echuca moama
Taste delicious, authentic Greek at Opa. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Whether you like a candlelit dinner or a coffee in the sunshine, Echuca Moama is ready to delight your taste buds.

Pop into Opa for authentic Greek fare with views of the town from its upstairs balcony. Enjoy seasonal produce at The Mill , offering everything from global street food and share plates to classic dinner and dessert options inside a historic building.

Discover a local secret at Monkee and Co , a relaxed Asian-fusion restaurant serving up classics like Banh Mi and dumplings.

Start the day with excellent coffee and waterfront views at the family-run Watson St Pavilion .

5. Drink at Echuca Moama’s best bars

two people drinking cockatails at paradise bar in echuca moama
Cheers to neon at Paradise Bar.

Top-notch tipples can be found at Paradise Bar , a new cocktail bar serving up handcrafted cocktails to delight the taste buds in the heart of Echuca. The menu features classics like mojitos, margs, and spritzers. As well as Paradise’s own creations featuring funky ingredients like bubble gum syrup and an Old Fashioned with truffle oil.

Bar Lee at the Echuca Distillery is the place to go to watch the sun go down at the rooftop bar, taste Echuca’s locally made spirits and nibble your way through an exceptional selection of share plates.

For river views, excellent service and a more than extensive wine menu, head to Social Wine Bar . You’ll find a laid-back atmosphere in the riverfront beer garden that sprawls out under an ancient pine tree and a cosy interior perfect for hiding away on a cool evening.

6. Follow local art trails

Silo Art Trail
Jump in the car and follow the Silo Art Trail.

The region’s silos have been transformed into impressive, towering canvases depicting local fauna, Echuca’s historical links to industry and the building of the local railroad. Follow the Silo Art Trail by car, which takes between three and four hours.

Rochester Mural Park is home to an annual lineup of changing murals, while the Rochester Mural Festival showcases established and emerging artists.

7. Dive into local history

Echuca Port Museum and Penny Tourism
See the historic Port of Echuca.

The Echuca Moama region is bursting with history. Among its historical treasures is the Port of Echuca . Interactive displays showcase the port’s importance to historical trade along the river, industrial sites like the Evans Brothers Sawmill and the Port of Echuca railway station with its very own heritage steam train.

The displays pay homage to the site’s significance to the local Yorta Yorta People and their ancestral connection to the land where the Murray, Campaspe and Goulburn Rivers meet.

Explore the port independently or join a guided tour to learn from Echuca’s history buffs.

Learn more and start planning the perfect holiday to Echuca Moama at visitechucamoama.com.au.