Key facts
- Tasmania has more than 2,000km of walking tracks and 18 National Parks. The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area covers 1.38 million hectares.
- Bibbulmun Track, one of the world’s great long distance walk trails, stretches nearly 1,000km from Perth to Albany on our south west coast. It is designed for foot traffic only; no bikes or horses allowed.
- Australia is the sixth largest country in the world, about the same size as mainland USA and twice the size of Europe, but we have the lowest population density in the world – only two people per sq km.
- The Heysen Trail, at 1200kms long, is one of the world’s longest continuous footpaths and one of its greatest long-distance walks.
- Australia has some of the longest bushwalks and trails in the world.
Full story
From ancient valleys to craggy peaks, from rugged deserts to tropical rainforests, our diverse landscape offers some of the best bushwalking in the world, whether you’re an experienced trekker looking for a challenge or just looking to get back to nature.
We have bushwalks, city walks, coastal walks and beach walks, and others that traverse our deserts or cross our vast mountain ranges. They range from the steep and difficult to the gentle and moderate.
Our National Parks and World Heritage Areas are usually well signposted, and even have information boards, toilet and barbecue facilities. We have treks and trails for the more serious bushwalkers and wldlife and wildflower enthusiasts will be blown away by the scenery on offer.
Most walks can be broken up into several days enabling you to stop and smell the wildflowers or admire the views along the way. On some of the more rugged and remote walks, you’ll want to camp overnight. On gentler walks through our cities, country or along our coast, you can do it at a leisurely stroll and stay in bed and breakfasts along the way, while the longer seven or 12 day walks can be divided up into sections.
There are desert and Outback walks, walks through our World Heritage Areas and National Parks, and even our cities have clearly marked harbour, beach coastal and bay walks. Some are guided; others are clearly signposted so you can find your own way. And, you can take it at a fast pace, or choose to walk just a part of the distance, and in your own good time.
Uniquely Australian
- Beginning at the old Alice Springs Telegraph Station, the Larapinta Trail winds its way through 223km of the West MacDonnell Ranges, in the Northern Territory, ending at Mount Sonder. This long-distance walking track is divided up into 12 manageable one to two-day walks, allowing you to stop along the way at key attractions, such as Redbank or Ormiston Gorge, and Standley Chasm.
- The Overland Track, Tasmania’s iconic bushwalking journey, runs for 75kms through the alpine rainforest of Tasmania. Explore Tasmania’s World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain on this walk through the Lake St Clair National Park, a spectacular, serene place to visit. Tread softly and you may catch a glimpse of an elusive platypus skimming beneath the water’s surface, or hear the faint rustling of wallabies and wombats roaming through the bushland. It takes 6 days 5 nights and you can stay in mountain huts along the way.
- The Heysen Trail, the longest dedicated walking trail in Australia, starts at Deep Creek Conservation Park’s wave-swept headlands and continues for 1200kms to finish deep in the Flinders Ranges. Suitable for both the casual walker and the serious trekker, the trail passes through a diverse range of landscapes, from farms to national parks, through two of Australia’s great wine regions and on to the Outback desert. Or you can just walk a section, say from Parachilna Gorge to Cape Jervis, (60km) or from the coast to Wilpena Pound.
- The Bibbulmun Track is another of the world’s great long distance walk trails, stretching nearly 1000kms through the heart of the scenic south west of Western Australia. Named after an Aboriginal tribe, its route is marked by yellow ‘waugal’ (mythical snake) arrows. Along the way are shelters, water tanks and picnic tables, never more than a day’s walk apart and all free of charge. Passing through peaceful rural and coastal towns, it’s the quintessential Australian bush experience. Camp out, join a guided group, or do it in comfort staying at accommodation in towns along the way.