Sometimes, you’ve just got to take a walk on the wild side. But with more than 15,000 trails in Australia, choosing where to start isn’t exactly a walk in the park. From epic outback treks to cruisy coastal circuits, Aussies have quite a (healthy) obsession with moving their legs. In fact, new data from AllTrails has revealed that Australia ranked third globally for the most time spent walking, hiking or running on trails in 2024. Want to know which tracks were the most popular? All will be revealed soon.
In 2024, Australians navigated an impressive 11 million kilometres on trails – but one breathtaking bushwalk claimed the crown as the nation’s favourite. The gold medal went to the Grand Canyon Track – a challenging yet short hike through the lush rainforest of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. The 6.3-kilometre circuit passes gently cascading waterfalls, giant ferns and moss-covered rocky overhangs that look straight out of a fairy tale.
NSW’s iconic Bondi to Coogee Beach Walk crossed the finish line in second place. This 12.4-kilometre out-and-back walk isn’t the toughest in Sydney, but it’s definitely one of the most spectacular. Starting at the famous Bondi Icebergs, the track hugs the coastline, passing many of the city’s most beloved swimming spots.
The third most popular trail in Australia for 2024 was the family-friendly Mount Lofty Loop in Melbourne’s Warrandyte State Park. There are plenty of uphills to get the blood pumping, but you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Yarra Valley stretching all the way to the Dandenong Ranges. Next up was the 6.8-kilometre Whistlepipe Gully and Lesmurdie Falls Loop, located just 30 minutes from Perth’s city centre. The dramatic waterfall steals the show, with its magical, almost New Zealand-like appearance and lush vegetation that grows from where the brook hits the base. Rounding out the top five was the peaceful Enoggera Reservoir Circuit near Brisbane. Despite some elevation, this 10.9-kilometre lakeside trail buzzes with hikers, runners and mountain bikers year-round.
Feeling the urge to stretch your legs now? We’ve found the most scenic hikes for you to tackle near Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.