If you’re not Australian, then Australia might not be the first country that comes to mind when you think about long-distance hiking. You probably conjure up images of pristine beaches, hot deserts and very long roads.
The unmistakable UluruBut ask any Australian, and they’ll tell you that they have some of the best long-distance trails on the planet. Or as the Australians call it – “Bushwalking“. Each Australian state offers a unique variety of landscapes, vegetation and wildlife. While some of the trails may be crossing an expansive desert, others are traversing huge mountain ridges and hugging cascading rivers.
Like with all of these lists, there are likely many others that are worthy of making the cut, This list is simply based on the interests and behaviours of users on HiiKER. If you don’t find the perfect long-distance hiking adventure in this article, you’ll be sure to find the right trail using HiiKER.
The Australian Alps Walking Track
Located in the Central Highlands and Alpine regions of Victoria, The Australian Alps Walking Track is a 655 km long trail that passes through spectacular landscapes. It crosses rugged and remote alpine terrain and requires a high degree of self-sufficiency and navigation skills. You can read a full guide to the trail on our blog here.
The Larapinta Trail
Starring in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, the Larapinta Trail stretches for 223 km along the backbone of the West MacDonnell Ranges. The trail showcases the region’s breathtaking desert landscapes, the abundant wildlife, and the rich Aboriginal culture.
Read our full guide to the Larapinta trail here.
The Bibbulmun Track
This iconic Western Australian trail stretches for almost 1,000 km from Perth to Albany. It winds through towering karri and tingle forests, down mist-shrouded valleys, over giant granite boulders, and along breathtaking coastal heathlands.
We have a more detailed guide to Hiking the Bibbulmun track which you can read here.
The Great North Walk
One of the Australian Great walks, The Great North Walk connects Sydney and Newcastle, covering a distance of 250 km. It passes through a diverse range of landscapes, from rugged bushland to coastal scenery.
Overland Track
Traversing the famously unpredictable Tasmania, the Overland Track is renowned for its stunning scenery, from the majestic Cradle Mountain to the serene Lake St Clair. This 65 km trail provides hikers with a true wilderness experience.
We have a much more detailed guide to hiking the Overland track which you can read here.
Thorsborne Trail
As featured in Australias best least popular trails, The Thorsborne trail has grown in popularity amongst HiiKER users in the past couple of years. This 32 km trail on Hinchinbrook Island in Queensland offers an adventurous hike through cloud-covered mountains, tropical rainforests, and stunning beaches. The island’s isolation adds an element of rugged beauty to the trail.
Cape to Cape Track
This 123 km trail in Western Australia offers stunning views of the Indian Ocean, towering karri forests, and the unique flora and fauna of the Margaret River region.
Heysen Trail
At over 1,200 km long, the Heysen Trail offers a remarkable journey through some of South Australia’s most diverse and breathtaking landscapes.
Check out our complete guide to hiking the Heysen trail here.
Six Foot Track
Another previously unpopular hiking route in Australia, the Six Foot track retraces the steps of the original 1884 horse track from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves, passing through the Blue Mountains of New South Wales.
Fraser Island Great Walk
A 90 km trail that traverses the world’s largest sand island, offering beautiful beaches, crystal-clear freshwater lakes, and remnants of tall rainforests.
You can find maps and much more information about these trails, plus thousands more like it over on HiiKER. Click below to install the free app and start exploring to day.
What do you think? Have we missed any major trails? Let us know in the comments
