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

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.

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)

Hold It Flats & Red Cliff Islands Walk, NSW
Misty Mountain & Unicorn Falls Walking Track, NSW
Bushywood at Woodford Skilake & Mount Beerwah Track, Qld
Megalong Valley Farm & Castle Head, NSW
Fair Harvest Retreat & Ten Mile Brook Trail, WA
Lakeview & Mount Elimbah Track (Saddleback Mountain), Qld
Coffs Harbour Camping and Farmstay & Sapphire Beach Coastal Circuit, NSW
Edgehill Farmstays & Heysen Trail: Gerkie Gap to Webb Gap, SA
Larapinta & Nindooinbah Dam Circuit, Qld
High Country Paradise & Reform Hill Lookout Loop, Vic

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

Makers, bakers, artists, chefs, crafters – Ballarat and its surrounds are overflowing with creative spirits. All dedicated to keeping traditional skills alive for a city that is humming with artful energy.

Modern makers: a new generation of artists and artisans

“Keeping craft alive is a noble cause,” says Jess Cameron-Wootten, a charming and passionate master leathercrafter and cordwainer, who handmakes traditional leather boots and shoes in Ballarat’s old Gun Cotton Goods Store.

Ballarat was recognised in 2019 as a UNESCO Creative City of Craft and Folk Art, and today it’s a place where craft traditions converge with contemporary needs. Nothing quite captures this convergence as a visit to Wootten, the workshop and store of Jess Cameron-Wootten and his partner Krystina Menegazzo.

heritage buildings in Ballarat — Ballarat’s streets are lined with heritage buildings. (Image: Matt Dunne)

Jess’s father was an artisan bootmaker, or cordwainer. Now Jess and Krys and their small team of artisans continue the tradition, but with a modern spin. The company’s boots and shoes, made completely from scratch, are renowned for their quality and longevity. Wootten also craft shoes, bags, belts, leather aprons, wallets and more.

Cosy beanies, gloves, alpaca socks, “unbreakable” shoelaces and various other goods – many from local craftspeople and small-scale makers – fill the shop’s shelves. “We’re always happy to support a mate,” says Jess. “People love to see the workshop and where things are made. Our clients care about quality and sustainability,” Krys comments. The company slogan ‘Made for generations’ says it all.

Ruby Pilven’s ceramics at Ross Creek Gallery. (Image: Tara Moore)

For Ruby Pilven, craft is also in the DNA – both her parents were potters and with her latest porcelain ceramics, Ruby’s young daughter has been helping add colour to the glazes. “I grew up watching my parents in the workshop – I’ve always been doing ceramics,” she says, although her Visual Arts degree was in printmaking. That printmaking training comes through particularly in the rich layering of pattern. Her audacious colour, unexpected shapes and sudden pops of 12-carat gold are contemporary, quirky – and joyful.

You can see Ruby’s handcrafted ceramics, and work by other local and regional artists, at Ross Creek Gallery, a light-filled space surrounded by serene bushland, across from the mudbrick house her parents built in the 1980s. A 10-minute drive from Ballarat, it’s a tangible link to the region’s well-established craft traditions.

How Ballarat is preserving the past

artisans making crafts at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades, Ballarat — The Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades holds workshops to preserve crafts and skills.

While tradition is ongoing, there’s a danger that many of these specific type of skills and knowledge are fading as an older generation passes on. Step forward the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades.

The seven purpose-built studios occupy a fabulous modern building adjacent to Sovereign Hill, with state-of-the-art facilities, enormous windows and landscape views across to Warrenheip and Wadawurrung Country.

artisanal works at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades, Ballarat — Check out artisanal works at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades.

Practising artisans run hands-on workshops. Fancy making your own medieval armour? Or trying your hand at blacksmithing, spinning wool, plaiting leather, weaving cane or craft a knife? Book a class and learn how. “It’s about creating awareness and also sharing knowledge and skills before they are lost,” explains Deborah Klein, the centre manager.

A city steeped in food and flavours

Chef José Fernandez preparing American streetfood at Pancho — Chef José Fernandez creates vibrant South American street food at Pancho. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

One skill that hasn’t been lost is that of cooking. Ballarat’s burgeoning gastronomy scene runs the gamut from an artisan bakery (the atmospheric 1816 Bakehouse) to cool coffee shops, speakeasy cocktail bars and distilleries to fine-dining venues. But I’m still surprised to find Pancho, José Fernandez’s South American street food restaurant, serving fried cheese tequeños, fiery fish tacos, Argentinian grilled chicken.

The room is as lively as the food – a whirl of colour filled with gifted and thrifted paintings, photos, tchotchkes (trinkets), plants. There’s a Mexican abuela aesthetic going on here. Even before the music and mezcal kick in, it’s fun. Heads up on the drinks menu – an authentic selection of mezcal, tequila, South American wines and Mexican cerveza.

a cocktail at Itinerant Spirits, Ballarat — Enjoy a cocktail at Itinerant Spirits. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

The spirit is willing, so after lunch we head towards the gold rush-era Ballarat train station and across the line to the old 1860s Goods Shed for Itinerant Spirits. At one end, a massive German copper still looms behind a wall of glass. The fit-out embraces deep olive-green tones, original bluestone walls, steamer trunks as coffee tables, heritage timber floors, oversized lamp shades and cognac-hued modernist leather seating.

the Itinerant Spirits Distillery & Cocktail Bar, Ballarat — The distillery operates from an old goods shed. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

Gallivanter Gin, Vansetter Vodka and Wayfarer Whiskey – the key spirits distilled – star at the bar. The spirits are crafted using grains from the Wimmera Mallee region, and native botanicals foraged in the Grampians. Seasonal cocktails are inspired by local people and places (I loved The Headland, inspired by Sovereign Hill and flavoured with old-fashioned raspberry drops). Sample the spirits, and join a cocktail masterclass or a distillery tour. It’s a seductive setting – you’ll likely find yourself ordering a charcuterie platter or pizza as the evening progresses.

The Ballarat stay combining history and luxury

one of the rooms at Hotel Vera, Ballarat — The rooms at Hotel Vera have a contemporary style. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

New lives for old buildings keeps history alive. Vera, Ballarat’s boutique five-star hotel, has taken it to the next level: it’s a palimpsest, a subtle layering of early 1900s and 1930s Art Deco architecture with a sleek new wing. There are seven spacious suites, each a dramatically different colour, with designer chairs, blissful bathrooms. High-end pottery and hand-picked artworks imbue the spaces with personality.

Vera’s intimate, award-winning restaurant, Babae, is subtly theatrical with sheer drapes and gallery lighting, its bespoke timber furniture and brass-edged marble bench setting the stage for food with a sharp regional focus. “We have goat’s cheese from a local supplier, handmade granola from local Vegas & Rose, truffles from nearby Black Cat Truffles, fresh food from our garden, and regional wines,” says joint owner David Cook-Doulton.

Celebrating the local makers, bakers, growers and producers, and the master chefs who work their magic is all part of the rich tapestry that links Ballarat’s history to its vibrant present.

A traveller’s checklist

Getting there

It’s 90 minutes from Melbourne, either on the Western Freeway, or hop on a V/Line train from Southern Cross Station.

Staying there

Hotel Vera is a centrally located Art Deco boutique hotel. Consider Hotel Provincial, which feels like a sleek country house, but with its own restaurant, Lola.

a contemporary room at Hotel Provincial, Ballarat — Hotel Provincial has country house vibes.

Eating there

dining at Mr Jones, Ballarat — The table is set at Mr Jones. (Image: Tony Evans/ Visit Victoria)

Culinary whiz Damien Jones helms Chef’s Hat winner Mr Jones Dining with quiet assurance. His modern Asian food is deceptively simple with deep, intense flavours. Low-key, laid-back ambience, lovely staff, thoughtful wine list.

Cocktails are definitely a thing in Ballarat. Reynard (fox in French) is foxy indeed, a clubby space with top-notch cocktails and small bites. Grainery Lane is extravagantly OTT with its massive 1880s bar, myriad chandeliers, brass gin still, Asian-inspired food and lavish cocktails.

dining at Grainery Lane, Ballarat — Dining at Grainery Lane.

Playing there

a laneway filled with artworks in Ballarat — An artful laneway in the city. (Image: Ballarat Tourism)

Check out local design legend Travis Price’s wall murals in Hop Lane with its colourful canopy of brollies, or in Main Street. The Art Gallery of Ballarat’s off-site Backspace Gallery showcases early-career artists in a stylish, contemporary space. First Nations-owned and run Perridak Arts connects people to place, bringing together art and crafts in this gallery/shop.

a woman admiring artworks at Perridak Arts Gallery — Perridak Arts is a First Nations-run gallery. (Image: Tony Evans)

The wineries of the Pyrenees are close at hand with their welcoming cellar doors and robust reds. Join a behind-the-scenes tour at the Centre for Gold Rush Collections.

Don’t forget the giant bluestone Kryal Castle, ‘the land of adventure’, for a little medieval magic, and not just for the kids: get ready for Highland-style feasting, jousting, even overnight stays.

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

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

The best ‘tent-to-trail’ holidays

Marvelling at nature is on the agenda

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Meet the makers shaping Ballarat’s new era of creativity

Makers, bakers, artists, chefs, crafters – Ballarat and its surrounds are overflowing with creative spirits. All dedicated to keeping traditional skills alive for a city that is humming with artful energy.

Modern makers: a new generation of artists and artisans

How Ballarat is preserving the past

A city steeped in food and flavours

The Ballarat stay combining history and luxury