All the best information to go Australia-hiking

Go Australia-hiking, take the Big Walk Downunder!

Australia is a big country and there are some seriously big hikes and walks available, for all grades and levels of experience.

Hikes include the vast mainland of Australia from the long coastline to the red center of the outback. Australia has many spectacular National Parks, State Forests and Reserves that also offer great hikes and bushwalks.

Along the way you may see kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, emus, possums, echidna and many other mammal species unique to Australia and in coastal regions even the koala.

Of course you might not see everything that Steve Irwin shows and the crocodiles however you may see also goannas, and a variety of other unique reptiles. Australia has everything from mountains, forests and vast deserts to challenge you. Accept the challenge and go Australia-hiking. Australia-hiking around Sydney and New South Wales

Those that arrive in Sydney can choose the majestic Blue Mountains in the Great Dividing Range just a 80km west of Sydney for a warm-up and they are challenging. This also includes the World Heritage Blue Mountains National Park, the Snowy Mountains (Australia’s Alpine region), Wollemi National Park, the Royal National Park (which is the second oldest National Park in the world), Barrington Tops National Park, Morton National Park, Kanangra Boyd National Park and there are many more to choose from.

The Blue Mountains are essentially a high sandstone plateau that are part of the Great Dividing Range and this is dissected by deep ravines, dense forested valleys, steep canyons, magnificent waterfalls and some very high and sheer cliffs. The name Blue Mountains comes from the blue haze that is created from the eucalyptus forests.

It took many years for early explorers to find a way through and over the mountains and open up the west and it’s still the only route west. One very popular and accessible walk is the Blackheath walk, which is a 10 mile (16km) hike that takes around six hours. Charles Darwin even visited the area in the 1930’s. Another popular walk are the Warrumbungle’s that are a very spectacular group of volcanic peaks that offers great hiking. Go Australia-hiking for a great adventure

To the South and in the Snowy Mountains lies the Kosciusko National Park that consist of high rolling plains, mountain summits, and deep river valleys. You can undertake 3-4 day hikes that take you to the main mountain peaks and some beautiful lakes. Accept the challenge and go Australia-hiking

Australia-hiking around Victoria

For the adventurous hikers with time on their hands then you can traverse the Alpine Walking Track that stretches over 765km (475miles). This track has its start in the small Victorian ghost town of Walhalla just out of Melbourne, then up to the Australian capital of Canberra. It will take you through six major alpine parks, and traverse the summits of Australia's highest mountains and it will take you anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks to complete the journey. Accept the challenge and go Australia-hiking

The Bogong National Park is located in the north-eastern Victorian Alps, which also have Victoria's highest mountains with one of the most popular trails ending in an the ascent of the tallest peak of Mount Bogong. You can complete the circuit in around 5-6 days or terminate it earlier at the alpine village of Falls Creek. Best times are the late spring, summer and early autumn (October-April). In winter very severe weather conditions that include heavy snowfalls and strong winds are possible.

Another popular trail is the ascent of Mount Feathertop, which is Victoria's second highest summit. This gives great views of Razorback Ridge and the alps. Again it can be dangerous in winter and summer can experience rapid and violent weather changes. The circuit will take you around 2 days to complete and is best between December and February, however snow is always possible.

Gariwerd (Grampians) is a series of sandstone ranges the state’s west some 260km (161 miles) west of Melbourne. The landscape comprises high cliff faces, saw-tooth ridges, dense forests, some very deep valleys and heathlands. It is also renowned for the magnificent spring display of wildflowers (August to November) with more than 800 plant species. The trail will take 2 days to cover to the Major Mitchell Plateau while Mount William is also very popular and you will see abundant wildlife that includes kangaroos, wallabies and koalas. Spring is the best time and summer has water shortages.

Wilsons Promontory This is located at the very southern point of the Australian mainland some 250km (155miles) southeast of Melbourne. The “Prom” is it is affectionately known as, is acclaimed as possibly one of the wildest and most majestic stretches of Australia's coastline. It has spectacular granite outcrops, dense forested slopes, sand dunes, and some of the best beaches in Australia. The trail will take 2-3 days to traverse and camping permits are required. Go Australia-hiking for a great adventure

Australia-hiking around Tropical Queensland

Superb hikes through tropical rainforests and along endless miles of deserted beaches. Lamington National Park, lies in the McPherson Range some 100km (61 miles) south of Brisbane close to the New South Wales border. The park has tall rainforests, high plunging waterfalls, and deep gorges which is best during the dry season when snakes and ticks are less common.

Just 300km (186miles) north of Brisbane lies Fraser Island which is the largest sand island in the world and is also a World Heritage site. It is a hiking paradise comprising towering rainforests, large sand dunes, prolific native wildlife, and some beautiful lakes.

The most popular trail will take about 3 days. Some 467km (289miles) south-west of Rockhampton lies the spectacular Carnarvon Gorge. It has caves, Aboriginal art and spring wildflowers. Further north and just 61km (38miles) south of Cairns is the Bellenden Ker National Park, which also has the highest mountain in the state, Mount Bartle Frere.

While up there don’t forget to go to the Great Barrier Reef and hike around some of the tropical resort islands including Dunk Island, Green Island and Hinchinbrook Island. Go Australia-hiking for a great adventure

Australia-hiking then hike Tasmania

Tasmania is Australia’s island state and spectacular it is. With world heritage listed wilderness areas hiking is an absolute must. Tasmania is also one of the most mountainous islands in the world. The most common trails in Tasmania's World Heritage Area are the The Overland Track This trail runs for around 80km (50 miles) and has some of the most spectacular alpine scenery including the highest peak of Mount Ossa. This hike will take you between 5 – 10 days to complete. Most hikers start the trek at Cradle Mountain. Note that campfires are not permitted within the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. All hikers must be prepared for severe and rapid weather changes.

The South Coast World Heritage Track is renowned for superb beaches and spectacular coastal scenery, and it will take you around 5-10 days to traverse. This tail is located in the Southwest National Park, and can be hiked from Cockle Creek to Melaleuca or the reverse. If you have lots of extra time combine this hike with the Port Davey Track for a 10 - 16 day adventure.

Frenchman's Cap lies some 40 km (25miles) south west of Queenstown. This is a sheer quartzite mountain that looms over the Franklin River valley and is accessed a rather arduous trail that includes very steep climbs, some challenging and extensive sections of mud, and the round trip will take 3-5 days to.

Other well known hiking trails include the Walls of Jerusalem some 109km (68miles) west of Launceston; the Federation Peak renowned as the most spectacular in Australia and the Western Arthurs. Go Australia-hiking for a great adventure

Our Camping Site Our Camping Site contains information and experience gained from hundreds of camping trips over 40 years in every State in Australia.

Australia-hiking then hike South Australia

One of the best hiking destinations is the Flinders Ranges that stand above some of the planets oldest landscapes. They lie on the southern perimeter of the vast plains and deserts that make up the Red Centre of Australia and are some 450km (280miles) north of Adelaide, the state capital, and the Flinders Ranges are the gateway to great outback of Australia. The landscape is characterized by razor sharp ridges that extend hundreds of miles north into the desert. The most hiking area is the Wilpena Pound, which is a large natural amphitheatre, some 16km (10miles) long and 6km (4miles) wide. The standard trail hike will take 2 days following well tracks. The most popular hike is the 1 day climb to St Mary's Peak, and is a 17.5km (11mile) circuit that traverses through Wilpena Pound. Note that hikers need to carry drinking water and there is a complete fire ban during summer. A large camping site exists within the pound and has all the creature comforts including toilets, showers and a kiosk. You can get permits from an onsite ranger.

The Gammon Ranges National Park, lies some 679km (422miles) north of Adelaide, and is a rugged wilderness that has hot springs and great wild birdwatching and is for experienced hiker. Flinders Chase National Park is located on Kangaroo Island with superb coastal views and wildlife observation. Go Australia-hiking for a great adventure

Australia-hiking then hike the Northern Territory

It is called the top end and the Northern Territory's best bushwalking areas include the magnificent Katherine Gorge and the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. South some thousand miles in the red center is the iconic and sacred Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (also known as the Olgas), and the Macdonnell Ranges.

The Top End has 2 seasons, the wet and the dry. The dry season runs from May through to September when the temperatures are lower and road access is relatively easy. The wet runs from October through April, when it can be extremely hot and humid. During the wet many hiking and bushwalking areas are inaccessible.

If you are headed for the Red Centre it is best during the cooler months of April to September. On walking tours around Uluru, Aboriginal guides will explain the very ancient and sacred cave paintings that adorn the cave walls. From Kata Tjuta, the desert extends north to the Top End to the Katherine River, which is a breathtaking gorge full of thick tropical vegetation and native wildlife that includes freshwater crocodiles. The gorge has some 110km (68miles) of existing hiking trails.

Located on the northern coast, Kakadu National Park has many hiking and bushwalking areas that also include the beautiful and remote Arnhem Land Plateau. Access is relatively difficult with no established trails, and the payoff for the effort is a vast quantity of wildlife including giant crocodiles. This area also possesses Australia's greatest concentration of Aboriginal cave paintings, such as Nourlangie Rock and Ubirr. Go Australia-hiking for a great adventure

Are you going Australia-hiking?