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The best-rated spots for a scenic hiking and camping trip in one

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
AllTrails and HipCamp teamed up to reveal the top 10 ‘tent-to-trail’ list; the best hiking and camping spots to visit in one holiday for plenty of opportunities to reconnect with nature.

Growing demand for hiking holidays

Couple Hiking nearby their Larapinta campsite in Queensland's Scenic Rim
Scenic hikes and camping go hand-in-hand. (Image: Larapinta Scenic Rim/ Hipcamp)

Younger Australians are driving the new ‘trail-to-tent’ trend that is sweeping through Australia as nearly half the population forgoes creature comforts in favour of a hiking holiday. That’s according to data from AllTrails that reveals more than 60 per cent of young Australians frequently incorporate hiking into their travel plans.

In response to this rising interest in reconnecting with nature, AllTrails and Hipcamp have collaborated to unveil their highly anticipated list of nature getaways for 2025 .

According to Pitt Grewe, head of social and environmental impact at AllTrails, this surge in hiking interest is being led by a shift in how outdoor activities are being viewed and how people perceive travel.

Birds in shrubs by the Larapinta campsite in Queensland's Scenic Rim
Spot incredible birdlife at the Larapinta campsite in the heart of the Scenic Rim. (Image: Hipcamp)

“Younger generations are particularly inclined to seek outdoor adventures that provide not just a break from routine but a connection with nature," Grewe says.

“Australians, particularly younger generations, are also embracing hiking to combat ‘feed fatigue’, a social media overload that leads to feeling emotionally drained," he says.

Cows in the paddock near Misty Mountain Kunghur campsite
‘Feed-fatigue’ leading to a growing desire to spend more time outdoors. (Image: Misty Mountain Kunghur/ Hipcamp)

Grewe says the data shows that more than 50 per cent of Gen Z Australians go on a hike or spend time in nature to unplug and 46 per cent of Gen Z agreed that seeing locations online was not the same.

He says AllTrails has adapted its platform to cater to the increased interest in combining hiking with camping.

AllTrails recently introduced Points of Interest (POIs) to help members discover campsites, monuments, picnic areas and more. The Custom Routes also let members plan longer, more personalised adventures by combining multiple trail segments and adding waypoints to mark key spots like campsites.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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The best ‘tent-to-trail’ holidays

Camp set up at Hold It Flats in NSW
Hold It Flats is a highly-rated campiste and a jumping off point for Red Cliff Islands Walk. (Image: Hipcamp)

AllTrails and HipCamp devised their Top 10 ‘tent-to-trail’ list based on data identifying which destinations Aussies rated the most for hiking, camping and reconnecting with nature. The list includes places to pitch a tent that have proximity to great trails, everywhere from the pristine coastline of WA to a family-friendly farm stay on the Coffs Coast.

Woman cooking at her campsite in Hold It Flats in NSW
The demand for camping and hiking trips continues to rise. (Image: Hold It Flats/ Hipcamp)

Ranked No.1 on the list of best ‘trail-to-tent’ campgrounds is Hold It Flats in Yalboroo , about 75 kilometres north of Mackay, which has hot showers and big-sky views. The campground is on a bend of the O’Connell River and a jumping-off point for the Red Cliff Islands Walk. The list also includes Sapphire Beach Coastal Circuit and the rugged track leading up to the summit of Mt Beerwah.

Swimming at Hold It Flats
Unique camping experiences are in high demand. (Image: Hold It Flats/ Hipcamp)

Brooke Wood, Australian marketing manager of HipCamp, the platform that connects Australian travellers with unique camping experiences, says the destinations featured on the list have been chosen for their breathtaking landscapes as well as the unique experiences they offer.

Wood says Hipcamp has noted a substantial increase in bookings for outdoor accommodation that caters to campers looking for a bit of adventure. “As more people are looking to combine hiking with camping, we’ve seen a growing demand for camping experiences that are directly connected to great walking and hiking trails," he says.

Lakeside at Bushywood at Woodford Skilake
Bushywood at Woodford Skilake is close to Mt Beerwah Track. (Image: Hipcamp)

Whether it’s the rugged alpine environment of Victoria’s High Country or a SA campsite near an iconic trail like the Larapinta, Wood says the camping spots selected encourage Australians to embrace the outdoors. The listing also features a variety of options from basic campsites like Bushywood at Woodford Skilake near the Mt Beerwah Track, to the family-friendly Misty Mountain Kunghur near Unicorn Falls Walking Track.

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Marvelling at nature is on the agenda

A woman sits with her dog at her campsite by a campfire at Misty Mountain in NSW
Ending the day fireside is a key experience hikers are looking to incorporate into their trips. (Image: Hipcamp)

One of the key trends identified in the data was a growing demand for immersive experiences, where campers engage in activities such as hiking, fishing and stargazing. “It’s about creating memorable experiences. Campers are eager to explore trails by day and enjoy fireside chats at night. It’s a holistic approach to enjoying nature," she says.

Hold It Flats campsite at night with stars
Stargazing is one of the many highlights of a camping trip. (Image: Hold It Flats/ Hipcamp)

As Australians seek ways to travel responsibly, both AllTrails and Hipcamp have emphasised the importance of sustainable practices. “We encourage our users to respect the environment by following Leave No Trace guidelines, ensuring that these beautiful locations remain pristine for future generations," says Wood.

Wood says the collaborative effort with AllTrails highlights Australia’s rich natural beauty while providing insights to both novice hikers and seasoned adventurers.

Whether it’s tackling challenging hikes or lying beneath the stars, Wood says this resurgence in outdoor exploration promises to inspire a wave of unforgettable nature getaways across the nation.

The full list

Larapinta campsite in the Scenic Rim Queensland.
Queensland’s Larapinta campsite, paired with Nindooinbah Dam Circuit, is in the top 10 Tent to Trail trips for 2025. (Image: Hipcamp)
  1. Hold It Flats & Red Cliff Islands Walk, NSW
  2. Misty Mountain & Unicorn Falls Walking Track, NSW
  3. Bushywood at Woodford Skilake & Mount Beerwah Track, Qld
  4. Megalong Valley Farm & Castle Head, NSW
  5. Fair Harvest Retreat & Ten Mile Brook Trail, WA
  6. Lakeview & Mount Elimbah Track (Saddleback Mountain), Qld
  7. Coffs Harbour Camping and Farmstay & Sapphire Beach Coastal Circuit, NSW
  8. Edgehill Farmstays & Heysen Trail: Gerkie Gap to Webb Gap, SA
  9. Larapinta & Nindooinbah Dam Circuit, Qld
  10. High Country Paradise & Reform Hill Lookout Loop, Vic

For all the details on each hike and campsite, visit AllTrails here.

Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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Discovering East Arnhem: Australia’s most unique and rewarding corner

    Joanne Millares Joanne Millares
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    Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.

    The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem . It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.

    For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.

    “The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”

    But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.

    “It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”

    Getting there

    Aerial shot of East Arnhem’s coastline as cars trace the curve of the shore.
    Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.

    Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.

    However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.

    The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.

    At one with nature

    East Arnhem’s  landscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy , also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.

    “I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”

    Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.

    For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.

    “I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”

    The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.

    Immersing in local culture

    A visitor spends a meaningful moment alongside Yolŋu guides, gaining insight into their deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land.
    Experience authentic moments with the locals.

    Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

    For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.

    “I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

    The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.

    Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.

    Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.

    “A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me…  and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”

    These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.

    Spotting local wildlife

    An aerial view of the beach shows tiny figures lined up across the white sand, moving as if in a rhythmic dance.
    Step into a world where nature reigns.

    The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.

    Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.

    “Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”

    Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.

    “As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”

    Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.

    Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.

    “Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”

    And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.

    “The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”

    For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au .