The best trails for every season, essential gear, and safety tips for exploring Australia's spectacular landscapes.
Shop Trail Guides →Australia contains more than half a million kilometres of walking tracks. From the iconic red rock landscapes of the Northern Territory to the cool rainforests of Tasmania's southwest, from Victorian alpine meadows to Western Australia's vast coastal heath, the country offers walking experiences found nowhere else on earth. The bush is unique — the sounds, the smells, the wildlife encounters — and it rewards those who explore it on foot.
Bushwalking in Australia is, however, genuinely different from hiking in Europe or North America. The sun is more intense, dehydration risk is higher, distances between water sources are often greater, and navigation in remote areas requires real competence. The good news is that most of Australia's best walking tracks are well-maintained, well-signposted, and suitable for walkers of varying fitness levels. This guide covers the best walks by season, what to carry, and how to stay safe in the Australian bush.
| Walk | State | Distance | Duration | Best Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overland Track | Tasmania | 65km | 6–8 days | Nov–Apr, Autumn for colours |
| Three Capes Track | Tasmania | 46km | 4 days | Oct–Apr |
| Larapinta Trail | NT | 223km | 14–21 days | May–September |
| Grampians Peaks Trail | Victoria | 160km | 13 days | Sep–Nov, Mar–May |
| Cape to Cape Track | WA | 135km | 6–10 days | Sep–Nov |
| Heysen Trail | SA | 1,200km | Section walks | May–Sep |
| Australian Alps Walking Track | VIC/NSW/ACT | 655km | Section walks | Dec–Mar |
| Bibbulmun Track | WA | 1,000km | Section walks | Apr–Oct |
Overland Track, TAS — Tasmania's iconic 6-day walk is arguably at its best in autumn when summer crowds thin dramatically and the fagus beech (Australia's only native deciduous tree) turns gold and orange — a sight found nowhere else in the southern hemisphere. Book well ahead even for the shoulder season.
Grampians Peaks Trail, VIC — Comfortable walking temperatures (12–22°C), lingering wildflowers, and the dramatic sandstone ranges at their most photogenic. The 160km trail opened in 2021 and is already one of Victoria's signature experiences.
Blue Mountains, NSW — Crisp mornings, clear views out to the escarpments, and stunning autumn light on the orange sandstone cliffs. The Grand Canyon Walk and Prince Henry Cliff Walk are both unmissable day walks.
Larapinta Trail, NT — Central Australia's semi-arid climate makes it genuinely dangerous in summer (45°C+), but perfect in winter. Cool days (18–25°C), cold clear nights, and the Red Centre landscape at its most walkable and dramatic. The West MacDonnell Ranges sections are particularly spectacular.
Scenic Rim Trail, QLD — South-east Queensland in winter means mild days and zero humidity — a revelation for anyone who visited in summer. The McPherson Range ridge walking offers panoramic views across to the Gold Coast and beyond.
Wilsons Promontory, VIC — Fewer crowds, whale-watching from the headlands (July–September), and moody coastal scenery. The Prom is beautiful year-round but winter has a dramatic, elemental quality.
A 30–40L hiking backpack with a rain cover, hip belt, and hydration sleeve handles most Australian day and overnight walks. Quality brands like Osprey, Deuter, and Macpac last many years.
Shop on Amazon AU →Cape to Cape Track, WA — Western Australia's wildflower season (September to November) is extraordinary — thousands of species in bloom from coastal heath to jarrah forest. The 135km walk between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin passes some of Australia's finest coastal scenery.
Three Capes Track, TAS — Longer daylight hours, warming temperatures, and the dramatic dolerite sea-cliffs of Cape Pillar (the highest in the Southern Hemisphere at 300m) at their best. A ballot system applies for peak months — book months in advance.
Stirling Range, WA — The September wildflower bloom on Bluff Knoll and surrounds rivals anything in the world. Bluff Knoll itself is a serious but rewarding day walk with hands-on scrambling in the upper sections.
Good boots change everything about a walking experience. Mid-cut waterproof hiking boots with ankle support are ideal for rough and rocky Australian terrain. Trail runners work well on maintained tracks in dry conditions. The critical rule: break boots in over several weeks of shorter walks before any multi-day route. Blisters can ruin a trip — and are entirely preventable with proper preparation and quality moisture-wicking socks.
Shop Hiking Boots →Hydration is the single most important safety factor in Australian walking. Always carry more water than you think you need — 1 litre per hour of walking in warm conditions is a reasonable minimum. Never drink untreated water from any Australian waterway, even in remote areas. Giardia and other pathogens are present in pristine-looking streams. A lightweight water filter like the Sawyer Squeeze (90g, filters 100,000+ litres) makes backcountry water safe.
Shop Water Filters →Always carry a paper map and compass as backup to your phone. Phone GPS works without mobile reception, but phones die, screens crack, and apps crash at the worst moments. A baseplate compass and a 1:50,000 topographic map cost under $30 and could save your life in an emergency. Learn to use them before you need to. The Avenza Maps app with downloaded topo maps is excellent for Australian parks.
Shop Navigation Gear →Trekking poles reduce knee stress by up to 30% on descents, improve balance on rough terrain, and can be used as tent poles for ultralight shelters. Carbon poles are lightest; aluminium poles are more durable and better value for most walkers.
Shop on Amazon AU →Mount Feathertop, Alpine NP — Victoria's second highest peak. The Razorback Ridge approach offers stunning alpine scenery. Summer and autumn only — snow-covered in winter. Wilsons Prom Circuit — The southern tip of mainland Australia, accessible by a 4-day circuit or day walks from Telegraph Saddle. Namadgi, ACT — Surprisingly wild landscape just 45 minutes from Canberra. The Yankee Hat rock art site is fascinating.
Valley of the Waters, Blue Mountains — A 9km circuit through one of the Blue Mountains' finest rainforest gullies, with multiple waterfalls. Bald Rock, Girraween NP — The largest exposed granite monolith in Australia, with a rewarding summit scramble. Carnarvon Gorge, QLD — Ancient sandstone gorge with significant Aboriginal rock art and extraordinary biodiversity. Best in dry season (May–September).
The Pinnacles, WA — Otherworldly limestone pillars rising from yellow sand in Nambung NP. Best visited at sunrise or sunset when the light turns the formations gold and red. Wilpena Pound, SA — Ancient rock ring formation in the Flinders Ranges. The view from Rawnsley Bluff Lookout is one of Australia's great panoramas. Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail — Five-day walk through KI's spectacular southern coastline with endemic wildlife.
The most comprehensive national collection available, covering major walks in every state with detailed route descriptions, maps, difficulty ratings, and seasonal advice. An essential starting point for any walker new to a region.
View on Amazon →Tyrone Thomas's long-running series for Victoria, Glenn Tempest's NSW guides, and John Chapman's essential Tasmania multi-day walking guides. Local knowledge from authors who walk these tracks regularly, updated with current conditions and permit requirements.
View on Amazon →1:25,000 and 1:50,000 topo maps remain the gold standard for off-track navigation. Available from state mapping agencies, outdoor shops, and MapWorld. Waterproof map cases or laminated versions are worth the small extra cost for multi-day walks.
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