From the wild Outback and dusty Red Centre to the tip of the Top End, all the way down to Tasmania, Australia is home to some of the world’s most unique landscapes. It’s one thing to see them from the sky or on an epic, Aussie road trip, but nothing beats exploring these regions on foot.
Hiking in Australia is a visceral experience – it’s all in the smell of eucalyptus, the touch of bottle brush, the sound of waves crashing on shorelines. It’s working up a sweat climbing through gorges, only to wash it all away in a secret swimming hole. And the best part about hiking down under? There is a trail to suit all trekking levels.
So leave your heavy, hardcore hiking boots at home. All you need here is a comfy pair of walking shoes, plenty of water, a bucket-load of sunscreen and a sense of adventure.
1. Litchfield National Park, NT
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Distance: 1-4 kilometres
- Hiking time: 30 minutes to 2 hours
Litchfield is 100 per cent a must-see if you’re in the Top End. You know all those tourism ads featuring happy people swimming in watering holes fed by cascading waterfalls? That’s Litchfield National Park.
One of the Northern Territory’s most best secrets, the hiking here is more of a relaxed walk through tropical rainforest groves to swimming pools. The 30-minute walk out to Florence Creek is the easiest option. Otherwise pack a picnic lunch and head out to Upper Cascades for some serious waterfall time.
Just a two-hour drive from Darwin, Litchfield is an easy-going day-tripper, just make sure you remember your waterproof sandals and read the crocodile warning signs: nothing would ruin a holiday more than a toothy encounter.
2. Karijini National Park, WA
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate/difficult
- Distance: 1-9 kilometres
- Hiking time: 1-5 hours
Formed over 2.5 billion years ago, Western Australia’s Karijini National Park is home to a multitude of red earth gorges, freshwater holes and some of the most unusual landforms on Earth.
The hike out to Hancock Gorge is a fun favourite featuring a little rock-scrambling and some swimming to get to the natural amphitheatre, where, on arrival, you’re rewarded with a narrow pool surrounded by cliff walls. Make sure you bring a good amount of drinking water when hiking in Karijini and a dry bag goes a long way in protecting your not-so-waterproof valuables.
3. Cradle Mountain, TAS
- Difficulty: Easy to difficult
- Distance: 1 kilometre to 14.9 kilometres (entire Cradle Mountain trail)
Welcome to Tasmania, travellers, the southernmost Australian state. The Cradle Mountain trail was originally forged by trappers, hunters and loggers of old, but today, is a hot spot for hikers.
There are many walking options here and all of them serve up a good dose of Cradle Valley beauty. If you’re after a view of Tasmania’s famous lakes and mountaintops, Marion’s Lookout is perfect for you. Otherwise, there is plenty of easy ambling around the Dove Lake Circuit. Expect wilderness and lots of it.
Read more: 6 of the best trails in Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain
4. Kings Canyon National Park, NT
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 6 kilometres
- Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Don your best walking shoes, lather up in sunscreen and take on one of the most famous walks at Watarrka National Park. The King’s Canyon Rim Walk runs to the top of the canyon walls via the steep stairs of Heartbreak Hill with view points along the way over the Garden of Eden, Priscilla’s Crack (a famous scene from the film Priscilla Queen of the Desert) and the Lost City.
5. Grampians National Park, VIC
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Distance: 5 kilometres
- Hiking time: 4 hours
There is a little something for every hiker at Victoria’s Grampians National Park. An area with extensive First Nations history, it’s well worth a visit to the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn a bit about the Creation and the spiritual significance of the area among the local Jardwadjali and Djab Wurrung peoples, before heading out into the bush.
A must-hike is the Pinnacles Lookout to see the many peaks of the Grampians Mountain Range or to Mackenzie Falls, one of Victoria’s largest waterfalls. If you’re a rock climber or boulderer, make sure to pack your climbing shoes because the Grampians are home to some of the best crags (steep rock face) in Australia.
6. Cape Le Grand National Park, WA
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Distance: 3 kilometres
- Hiking time: 1-3 hours
Western Australia’s Cape Le Grand NP boasts the best of both worlds, with mountains and white sand beachfronts. If you’re in Australia and looking for kangaroos, you’re definitely going to want to head down to the beach at some point to watch the western grey ‘roos sunbathe.
A hike up to Frenchman’s Peak, standing 262 metres, is a must-do for views all the way across the landscape to the over 100 seal, sea lion and eagle habitat islands that make up the Recherche Archipelago. It’s a fairly arduous trek, mainly because you’re climbing uphill, but if you take the pace slow and really enjoy the views, then it’s easily done.
7. Tjoritja/Western Macdonnell Ranges, NT
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 1-5 kilometres
- Hiking time: 1-4 hours
Tjoritja or the West Macs, stretch for over 200 kilometres west of Alice Springs. Made famous by Western Arrernte artist Albert Namatjira, this region is well known to trekkers as it boasts the award-winning Larapinta Trail.
However, for day hikers, a walk and a well-earned dip in the famous Ormiston Gorge watering hole is high on our list of West Macs’ attractions, as is Ellery Creek Big Hole, a naturally formed pool formed from thousands of years of flood erosion. Both sites are home to a range of short trail hikes, fit for every level of trekker. If you’ve got the time in your itinerary, definitely choose to spend a night under the stars in a proper Aussie bush camp here.
Read more: 6 of the best Northern Territory National Parks
8. The Great Ocean Road, VIC
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: Up to you
- Hiking time: Also up to you
Incredible to drive but well worth pulling over to wander, the Great Ocean Road offers plenty of fresh air and free views. And while many lookouts and viewing platforms line the route, those not afraid to get a little sandy can journey down the Gibson Steps to walk the Great Ocean shoreline. From here, you’ll be able to spot he far-off figures of two still-standing sea stacks, known as Gog and Magog.
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