AllTrails reveals the 5 most popular hikes in Australia

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.

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 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.

Check out more of Australia’s best hikes here.

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape. — Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens. — Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface. — Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile — See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure. — Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. — Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens — Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters. — Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .