10 Unforgettable Walks And Hikes In Australia

These memorable walks and hikes offer stunning vistas, pristine beaches, and adorable wildlife.

From alpine peaks to red desert and rainforest, the walks and hikes here are a testament to the diversity of landscape in Australia. If you even manage to do half of what’s on this top 10, you can say that you’ve seen some of the most remote, spectacular and wild places on the planet, and some of this country’s pristine World Heritage areas.

1. Bridle Gap hike, Wilpena Pound, South Australia

While there are many walks you can do in and around the geological wonder that is Wilpena Pound , this one takes you right across its floor from the top of one side to the other. Part of the famous 1200-kilometre Heysen Trail, it’s a six-hour return hike across 19 kilometres. The floor of the Pound is a bird-lover’s dream with a variety of raptors and parrots, wrens and robins making their home among the native pines, eucalyptus and heath.

Walk highlight: The view of the mountain-ringed natural amphitheatre from Bridal Gap.
Distance: 19 kilometres
Level: Grade 3 (moderate)

2. Grand Canyon Track, Blue Mountains, New South Wales

The Blue Mountains National Park is an arresting wonderland of verdant forest surrounded by giant sandstone buttresses. A six-kilometre loop that leaves from near the quaint village of Blackheath at Evans Lookout, the Grand Canyon Track affords mind-blowing views of Grose Valley. The trail takes you along the clifftops of the Blue Mountains dropping down into sub-tropical forest, beautiful Beauchamp Falls and fern-filled prehistoric gullies. The Grand Canyon itself is a 180-metre deep cut through the sandstone and makes for a dramatic ascent out of it to complete this short four-hour, yet epic, journey.

Grand Canyon Walk — Walk along the clifftops of the Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

Walk highlight: Regular breaks in the bush along the top of the valley offer views of lush, forest-filled Grose Valley making it easy to see why this is a World Heritage Area.
Distance: 6.3 kilometres
Level: Grade 3 (moderate)

3. K’gari Great Walk, Queensland

The world’s largest sand island should be something of a pilgrimage for Australians. K’gari is a paradise of white beaches and over 100 freshwater lakes including the spectacular Lake McKenzie, mangroves and rainforest-lined creeks, all of which have given it World Heritage status. The six- to eight-day, 90-kilometre Great Walk takes in the best of the island, from the towering forest known as the Valley of the Giants to the famous swimming hole that is Lake Wabby.

Walk highlight: Keep an eye out for dingoes, one of the best places to spot this iconic animal.
Distance: 75 kilometres
Level: Grade 4 (moderate)

4. Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory

This route is fast becoming the must-do walk in the country, taking you into the remote desert from Alice Springs to Mt Sonder. You’ll stride out across vast flood plains, along the dramatic ridges of the West MacDonnell Ranges and through spectacular canyons. Walk the whole 223 kilometres of the Larapinta, which takes 15 to 16 days, or simply do a day section, like the Mount Sonder Return or Counts Point Return. Along the way, you’ll admire rare desert flora and spot black-footed rock wallabies.

Walk highlight: Simpsons Gap is a dramatic red-rock passage sheltering a welcome waterhole.
Distance: 75 kilometres
Level: Grade 5 (difficult)

5. Mount Bogong Ascent, Victorian Alps, Victoria

To witness perhaps Australia’s most unlikely landscape, that of its alpine wilderness, you have to get up into the mountains. Now you can walk the entire length of the 650-kilometre Australian Alps Walking Track to achieve this, or you can cheat and do a fairly arduous one-day walk that takes you up into the high plains and the summit of Mt Bogong (‘Big-fella’, in Aboriginal tongue), Victoria’s highest at 1986 metres. The trail starts at the Mountain Creek picnic area and follows a steep 16-kilometre route known as Staircase Spur. You’ll pass through beautiful peppermint and snow gums before reaching the top of Mt Bogong and some awesome views of the Alpine National Park.

Walk highlight: Since this is a steep climb, you’ll be thankful for the sight of the charming Bivouac Hut, great for a spot of lunch.
Distance: 21.5 kilometres
Level: Grade 4 (moderate)

6. Overland Track, Tasmania

Tasmania’s wilderness is a World Heritage Area, and there’s no better way to see it than on this 65-kilometre, six-day walk. A once-in-a-lifetime trek, in the walking season from October to May you make your way from the base of Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair passing through ancient rainforests, glacial valleys, meadows and a dramatic skyline of peaks. This walk is popular; you’ll need to book in advance to walk in the summer months (advisable!) staying at campsites and huts along the route.

Walk highlight: The Overland is ripe with side trips; take your time, go off the beaten track and make an ascent of Mt Ossa, Tasmania’s tallest at 1617 metres.
Distance: 65 kilometres
Level: Grade 4 (moderate)

7. Cape to Cape Walk, Margaret River, Western Australia

If you’ve ever wanted to experience the beauty of this iconic region in all its glory, the Cape to Cape Walk is the way to do it. This diverse walk takes you through undulating forests and along the picturesque coastline that features some of Australia’s most pristine beaches. Taking approximately five to seven days to complete, you’ll traverse the full length of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park following the coast from the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.

Walk highlight: The afternoon sunlight that streams through the towering Karri trees in Boranup Forest is something to behold.
Distance: 123 kilometres
Level: Grade 4 (moderate)

8. Great Ocean Road Walk, Victoria

The rugged coastline of the Great Ocean Road promises hikers untamed beaches, shipwrecks, spectacular ocean views, and an abundance of native flora and fauna. Stretching about 104 kilometres, you can pack a tent and choose to sleep under the stars, or give yourself a bit of luxury and stay at any of the many hotels along the route. If you prefer to join a guided tour, The Tas Walking Co ‘s Twelve Apostles Signature Walk is a fantastic four-day expedition where you will return each evening to their private eco-lodge.

Walk highlight: Unsurprisingly, the reward at the end is that you’ll get to marvel at the limestone monuments that are the Twelve Apostles.
Distance: 44 kilometres
Level: Grade 4 (moderate)

9. Wilsons Promontory Southern Circuit Walk, Victoria

Also known as the ‘Great Prom Walk’, the Wilsons Promontory Southern Circuit Walk in the idyllic Wilsons Promontory National Park is considered one of Australia’s most spectacular coast walks. The three to five-day hike ticks all the boxes with picturesque beaches, temperate rainforests, and wildlife spotting opportunities (emus, kangaroos, wombats). The beaches you will visit during this trail are as pristine as they come.

Walk highlight: The boulder-strewn beaches and turquoise waters of Sealers Cove and Waterloo Bay.
Distance: 35.5 to 52.8 kilometres depending on which route you take
Level: Grade 4 (moderate)

10. Snowies Alpine Walk, New South Wales

It might be mainland Australia’s tallest mountain, but Mount Kosciuszko is very achievable to summit. Later this year, the 55-kilometre Snowies Alpine Walk will open so you can extend your time hiking the breathtaking alpine landscape. Along the way, you’ll see the iconic Snowy River, historic settler huts, alpine vistas, weathered snow gums and wildflowers. The trail can be walked over four days, with a range of accommodation options available throughout.

Walk highlight: The marvellous views from Hanson’s Peak and Marion’s lookout.
Distance: 55 kilometres
Level: Grade 4 (moderate)

Check out more spectacular walks and hikes in Australia.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

10 of Australia’s most unforgettable walks and hikes