The 21 best hikes and walks to conquer in Australia

Nationally lauded for its incredible coastal views, stunning nature and wildly dramatic scenery, the Three Capes trek along the coast of the Southern Ocean in Tasmania is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of trip that people with moderate to high fitness levels can conquer. You can do bits of the hike as day walks, but if you want to complete the full, overnight hog and sleep in eco-cabins along the way, you'll have to book through the official Three Capes Track website. 

Distance: 48km

Duration: 4 days and 3 nights

Difficulty: Moderate

Wild, sea-swept and magnificent, this walk is arguably one of the most beautiful things to do in Victoria. Part of the Great Ocean Walk, a 104km trail that winds along its famous road counterpart, the Twelve Apostles is the final stretch – and possibly the prettiest. Walk through cool climate rainforest and along remote beaches, and end at the astounding natural wonders of the Twelve Apostles. You can choose to do the Signature Twelve Apostles trek with a guided group from September to May, or on your own – but you should be making that decision based off your fitness and hiking experience first. 

Distance: 49km

Duration: 4 days and 3 nights

Difficulty: Moderate

This one's not for the faint-hearted. Winding through the red desert rocks and valleys in the heart of the Northern Territory, the Larapinta is achingly beautiful – but also achingly challenging. People are drawn to this multi-day trek in Central Australia for its incredible colours, its sacred beauty, and its ancient landscape and Indigenous history that has to be seen to be believed. You can choose to walk the whole thing, or dip in for segments – whether that be for one day or several nights.

Where: Northern Territory's West Macdonnell Ranges, near Alice Springs.

Distance: 231km

Duration: 1–14 days

Difficulty: Moderate to highly challenging

Located on Gundungurra Country, this new 19km, two-day walk takes hikers along a route that hasn’t previously been safely accessible to the public. Winding its way along the escarpment from Wentworth Falls to Katoomba, the route takes in views over the Jamison Valley towards Mount Solitary, with elevated views of the Three Sisters, the Wentworth Falls and Katoomba Cascades, and unique access to hand-built historic and restored sandstone tracks and lookouts. Start with the 11km stretch from Wentworth Falls to Gordon Falls, refuel and rest in the historic village of Leura, then put your hiking boots back on and hike out the final 8km.

Distance: 19km

Duration: 2 days and 1 night

Difficulty: Medium

K'gari is a very special place. The world's largest sand island, this astoundingly beautiful place off the Queensland coast is full of all kinds of magic. The K'gari Great Walk is a spectacular multi-day hike that you can choose to tackle in sections if overnight hiking ain't your thing. Walk along sugar white sand beaches, swim in the crystal clear lake (but not the sea, it's not the safest), and explore the green serenity of the island. Watch out for dingoes, and if you're doing it alone, make sure you're prepared.

Distance: 90km

Duration: From a half-day hike to 6-8 day treks

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Kings Canyon is one of the most special places on Earth, and when you're walking around the shockingly crimson rim of this spellbinding desert oasis, you'll agree. Sheer and immense rock faces that are coloured a deep red surround you in this ancient moonscape-like place. You'll walk past plants that have seen dinosaurs, gaze at the huge, rainbow stretches of the desert, and see the Garden of Eden, a secret, sacred waterhole and self-sustaining fertile ecosystem in the heart of the desert. 

Distance: 6km loop

Duration: 3-4 hrs

Difficulty: Easy to moderate (the hardest bit is the initial steep staircase to get to the top)

The ridiculously picturesque lagoon, falls and beach at Wattamolla are a pretty big drawcard, as far as the Royal National Park’s natural wonders are concerned. But it also marks the start of a great stretch of the Royal Coast Track that takes you along coastal cliffs, through beautiful salt-blasted heaths and denser bush. You'll emerge at one of the park’s most striking lookouts: Eagle Rock and the neighbouring Curracurrong Falls. Look out for native wildflowers along this hike, such as the ruby-red trumpeted blooms of the prickly fuchsia heath.

Distance: 7.4km return

Duration: 3.5 hrs

Difficulty: Easy

For new and old hikers alike, the Cape to Cape is a spectacular walking odyssey that is bound to (at some point) take your breath away. You can choose to do this walk in small segments in a day-walk kinda way (there are a number of shorter, accessible paved walking tracks available), or you can go for the full week-long walking challenge. You can do this self-guided, or with a guided company, like Walk Into Luxury. You'll hike in tune with nature on this intimate and stunning walk on the rugged Western Australian coastline. Expect wild cliffs, remote beaches and sheltered woodlands, all in one. 

Distance: 123km

Duration: 1-7 days, depending on how you choose to do it

Difficulty: Moderate

If you so happen to venture to the rear of one of Canberra’s most highly sought after museums (AKA the Australian War Memorial), you’ll find yourself at the trailhead of the popular Kokoda Track up Mount Ainslie. Due to its location, the walk was named after the Australian wartime efforts in Papua New Guinea’s Kokoda Trail. Enjoy summit views that stretch right down the parade to Parliament House. 

Distance: 4.5km

Duration: 1.5 hrs

Difficulty: Easy

Saying you’ve conquered the Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty summit is kind of an Adelaidean rite of passage. The path on this walk is sealed, but don’t let that trick you into thinking you're in for an easy ride. The very steep hike will have you breaking a sweat, but the views at the top are worth it. To sweeten the deal, there’s also food and drink available at The Summit Café. It's not the city’s most popular hike for nothing. 

Distance: 7.8km return

Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins

Difficulty: Moderate

These picturesque Sunshine Coast volcanic plugs are must-dos for bushwalkers, but the choice of which mountain to hike up is important. First-timers or those a little unfit would be advised to try Mount Ngungun – it's a moderately easy hour or so walk to the top. You get fabulous views of the other mountains, especially Mounts Coonowrin and Beerwah, which are lined up from here. By the time you get back to your car, you may still feel like another easy walk. Luckily there are lots nearby, so try Wild Horse Mountain (700m up a fully concreted path for more great views) or do the circuit walk around the base of Mount Tibrogargan (3km through forests with mountain views) to fill your day. Those who are more capable could set their sights higher and go up Mount Tibrogargan or Mount Beerwah. 

Distance: 2.8km return

Duration: 1hr 30 mins

Difficulty: Easy to medium

If you’re spending a few days in Hobart, a trip to Bruny Island is a must-do. Leave early enough to catch one of the first ferries at Kettering and you’ll have plenty of time to tackle the Fluted Cape Circuit, shortlisted as one of Tasmania’s 60 Best Short Walks. The trailhead is located at the southern end of Adventure Bay Beach and is a steep but rewarding hike that gives you an unbeatable birds-eye view of spectacular ocean scenery from some of the highest sea cliffs in Australia. Budding bird-watchers will love being surrounded by native Tasmanian birdlife, and more animals come out to say “hi” as the day goes on. Make sure you take plenty of water for this challenging uphill climb.

Distance: 6.3km return

Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins

Difficulty: Medium to hard

This coastal clifftop walk in Mornington Peninsula National Park boasts picturesque vistas over the Bass Strait. To begin, set off from the Cape Schanck car park through sandy outcrops, adjacent farmland and banksia forest. Keep an eye out for whales, chatty birds and maybe the occasional kangaroo as it makes its way across the grassy clearings. Top it off with a dip in the cool waves at the trail’s namesake beach.

Distance: 2.7km one way

Duration: 45 mins

Difficulty: Easy to medium

Whether it’s your intention or not, you'll be taking a digital detox here: cell phone reception is limited. If anything, that marks the sign of a promising walk. The path is a steep one but it'll bring you from the lowest of creeks and waterfalls to the highest of perches for views out across blue waters as far as the eye can see. Rest assured that the Fleurieu Peninsula looks just as magical as it sounds. If you’re not feeling up to 12 whole kilometres of ups and downs, the track splits up into four smaller sections for your hiking pleasure. 

Drive time from CBD: 12km return

Duration (return): 5 hrs

Level of difficulty: Hard

Kitty’s Gorge Trail traces the Serpentine River and Gooralong Brook, with remarkable granite outcrops and waterfall views. The trail has loose sections, short steep hills, uneven ground and steps – lots of them, so it does require a degree of fitness. There are two access points: one is from the carpark opposite the cemetery in Jarrahdale, and the other is from the Serpentine National Park Falls carpark. The Serpentine Falls gates are open between 8.30am and 5pm, so be sure to allow enough time to get back to your car before they close. 

Distance: 17km return

Duration: 3–4 hrs

Difficulty: Moderate

The summit of this volcanic dome has stunning 360-degree vistas up and down the Sunshine Coast, over to the Glasshouse Mountains and west out to the Blackall Range. The uphill track is well-maintained with some natural and person-made steps. Start your hike from Mount Coolum Car Park on Tanah Street West, via David Low Way. Take water and sun protection, stay on designated tracks and don’t try this mountain in wet weather. Keep your eyes peeled for peregrine falcons too. The hike is a good workout, and in a great spot where you can easily pop over to the magnificent beaches to wash off the sweat.

Distance: 2km return

Duration: 1.5 hrs 

Level of difficulty: Medium

Love walking, discovering secret beaches and got a free day in Sydney? Hit up the Spit to Manly walk on the city's gorgeous Northern Beaches. A moderate day walk that you can choose to do as much (or as little) of as you'd like, this hike winds through green coastal rainforests, past ancient Indigenous rock carvings and onto four secret beaches – so make sure you pack your swimmers. Plus, you can reward yourself with some seriously delicious food along the way. 

Distance: 10km

Duration: 3-4 hrs

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

This neat hike coming in at just over eight kilometres is one of Canberra’s gems, and the carpark goes to show it. Arrive early to secure your spot. Make sure you have your eyes peeled at the start of the trail where you need to turn left towards the brown signpost for Gibraltar Peak. When you arrive at the top to extensive panoramas, it will be pretty easy to see why the walk is so acclaimed. 

Distance: 3-4 hrs

Duration: 8.2km

Difficulty: Medium

Bluff Knoll is located in the southwest region and is the most popular trail in the Stirling Range National Park. The trail is well signed and takes you 1,098 meters above sea level to simply spectacular views at the top of Bluff Knoll. You’ll start from the southern end of the Bluff Knoll carpark, where the trail drops down to a creek before venturing across a mountain offering amazing views over the ridge to the south coast. The trail turns left to follow the ridge to the summit, and you’ll be rewarded for your efforts with the 360-degree countryside views. The lower slopes are covered with eucalypt, banksia and grass trees, and more than 1,000 species of flowering plants, including mountain bells and the queen of sheba orchid. There is a $15 entry fee to enter the Stirling Range National Park. 

Distance: 6.8 km return

Duration: 3–4 hrs

Difficulty: Medium to hard

One of Tasmania’s 60 Best Short Walks is the Hartz Peak summit hike, just a 1.5-hour drive from Hobart. Located in the Hartz Mountains National Park, this hike is best tackled on a clear day to give you optimum views once you reach the top of this majestic dolerite peak. You’ll climb about 400m elevation, passing through alpine terrain carved by glaciers, and though most of the trail is well-made boardwalk, there’s a degree of rock scrambling at the end to reach the peak. Worth it though: you’ll be gifted an unforgettable panorama of Hartz Lake, Federation Peak and Precipitous Bluff. Take a jacket, as the weather up here can be wildly different to the weather 1,254 metres below.

Distance: 7.4km return

Duration: 3–5 hrs

Difficulty: Medium to hard

Don't like huge treks or carrying all your earthly possessions on your back for days at a time? Fair enough. If this is you, check out the short and sweet Crystal Showers Walk in the fertile, emerald rainforest of northern NSW. Lush in every sense of the word, this day walk takes you through towering green trees, ancient ferns and past thousands of colourful rainforest birds. Stand behind the waterfall, and then have the choice of making your walk longer or shorter, with Dorrigo having hundreds of gorgeous day hikes on offer. With a paved boardwalk and suspension bridge in the tree canopy, you'll feel like you're a fairy from Fern Gully. 

Distance: 4.4km return

Duration: 1.5-2 hrs

Difficulty: Easy to moderate