SIX OF AUSTRALIA’S BEST WALKING LOCATIONS
Sick of walking on the treadmill? Explore the great outdoors and keep yourself super fit while you’re at it, by going on one of Australia’s most scenic walks. From rainforests to deserts, canyons, beaches and mountains, our island home has it all. Here are five of our favourite Aussie outdoor walks!
Make sure you always walk with water, a hat, sunscreen and active footwear – and plenty of warm clothes!
Grand Canyon Track, Blue Mountains, NSW
Starting from Blackheath in the Blue Mountains, this 3-hour, 6.3km loop is so beautiful you’ll probably want to do it twice! Sandstone walls, waterfalls and the native vegetation mean there’s plenty of scenery to admire, and you’re totally enclosed in shade most of the way! The landscape is world-heritage listed, but make sure you check the weather – the area is prone to flash flooding and can be dangerous when it’s wet!
Cradle Mountain, TAS
This national park is an absolute beauty, with walks of different lengths to suit your fitness levels and the amount of time you’ve got! If you’re feeling super daring and you’re an experienced walker, the 12.8km trek to the summit of Cradle Mountain will take you about 8 hours, but it’s worth the time and effort it on a clear day! The views encompass most of western Tasmania!
On the shorter side, the 5.7km Dove Lake Circuit takes you through beautiful rainforests underneath the mountain peak. Or, if you fancy something a bit steeper, try walking to Marions Lookout, which is a three-hour return trip.
Kings Canyon, NT
A 6km circuit, the Kings Canyon Rim Walk showcases the best of Australia’s red centre. Your best bet is to be up and walking well before sunrise. The morning light reflecting off the sandstone turns the landscape a breathtaking array of oranges and reds. Depending on your pace, the circuit is a 3-4 hour walk, with an optional trek down into the Garden of Eden. Sadly, you can’t swim in the watering hole in the garden for environmental and cultural reasons, but the desert scenery makes it worth the walk anyway!
Sealer’s Cove, VIC
Inaccessible by road, Sealer’s Cove on Wilson’s Promontory is a stunning expanse of untouched coastline. The walk from the nearest car park is just over 10kms. If you’re heading in for just a day, the walk is about three hours each way. But if you fancy camping, there’s an array of walk-in campsites available. Because of the lack of car access, Sealer’s Cove is one of the promontory’s quieter spots, so it’s the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Wineglass Bay, TAS
Wineglass Bay in Freycinet is one of Tasmania’s most beautiful coastal spots, and the area has several amazing day and half-day walks. You can walk up Mt Amos for amazing views over the coast, or take a 4-5 hour trek along Wineglass Bay Beach, and Hazards Beach! Pay close attention to the weather. You’ll need to rug up in winter, but in summer, there’s no excuse not to take a dip in the sea.
