10 best Australian walks from Uluru to Tasmania for unforgettable hiking adventures
Some are iconic, some are brand new, some are self-guided and others more refined, but all offer an unforgettable way to immerse yourself in a unique slice of Australia while racking up a few serious steps.
Yuraygir Coastal Walk, NSW
Where: NSW North Coast, between Angourie and Red Rock
What to expect: 65km of beaches, rocky headlands, heath, lagoons and coastal wildlife over four to five days, with basic campground stays and a fair degree of self-sufficiency required. It’s simple, wild and self-guided rather than luxe, although guided trips are available. Do it for one of Australia’s great stretches of undeveloped coastline and the chance to walk through the traditional Country of the Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl peoples. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Where: Along the spine of the West MacDonnell Ranges, from Alice Springs Telegraph Station to Mt Sonder
What to expect: 230km of red-rock country, gorges, waterholes, quartzite ridges and enormous desert views, broken into 12 sections that can be tackled independently or combined into an end-to-end adventure. It’s fundamentally self-guided and fairly rugged, with camping and carrying your own gear the norm, although supported and guided options make the logistics considerably easier. Do it for the sheer scale and geological drama of central Australia. larapintatrail.com.au
Wukalina Walk, Tasmania
Where: Tasmania’s north-east, through Country around Mt William National Park and the Bay of Fires.
What to expect: Four days walking with Palawa guides, combining coastal landscapes and wildlife with storytelling, bush foods, cultural activities and luxury accommodation. This is firmly at the luxe end of the spectrum — 100 per cent Palawa-owned, operated and guided, with comfort built into the experience — and the reason to go is as much the cultural connection to Country as the spectacular beaches and mountains.
Seven Peaks Walk, Lord Howe Island
Where: The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island
What to expect: Five days and roughly 45km of volcanic peaks, subtropical forest, coral platforms, beaches and vertiginous coastal trails, with a boat/snorkelling day thrown in. This is luxury walking — guided, small group and lodge-based at Pinetrees, with gourmet meals, hot showers and your luggage staying put. The perfect choice if you want your adventure strenuous but your evenings relaxed.
Uluru–Kata Tjuta Signature Walk, NT
Where: Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park, travelling from the domes of Kata Tjuta towards Uluru
What to expect: A new 54km, five-day fully guided journey through remote desert country, with Anangu-led cultural interpretation, red dunes, ancient landscapes and the extraordinary privilege of sleeping inside the national park. This is high-end wilderness — architect-designed eco-camps, a private lodge, chef-prepared meals and wellness facilities — and you do it for the rare combination of serious landscape, living Indigenous culture and exclusive access.
Ngaro Track, Queensland
Where: Whitsunday Island, connecting Whitehaven Beach with Hill Inlet in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
What to expect: A 32km, three-day/two-night hike through forest, mangroves and rocky peaks, including Whitsunday Craig, with spectacular views over the islands and marine park. It is an unusual hybrid — premium hiking with bespoke camping, but you can choose fully guided and catered, guided or independent/self-sufficient. Do it to see the Whitsundays from the inside rather than the deck of a boat.
Overland Track, Tasmania
Where: Through the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair
What to expect: Six days through glacial valleys, ancient rainforest, buttongrass plains and alpine country, with side trips to waterfalls and peaks including Mt Ossa. The classic version is proper wilderness and self-guided, with public huts or camping and all your own food and equipment; guided operators offer a more comfortable, catered version. Do it for the feeling of disappearing properly into one of Australia’s great wildernesses.
Bibbulmun Track, WA
Where: 1000km from Kalamunda in Perth’s Hills to Albany on the south coast, through the forests and coastline of south-west WA
What to expect: Everything from a short walk to an epic six-to-eight-week end-to-end expedition, passing through karri and tingle forests, valleys, granite country and coastal heath. It has the great DIY option of basic campsites and self-guided backpacking at one end, guided and fully accommodated walking breaks at the other. Worth doing for the sheer variety of the south-west landscape and the satisfaction of choosing your own level of adventure.
Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk, NSW
Where: Through the ancient hinterland of northern NSW, from Mt Jerusalem National Park to Nightcap National Park
What to expect: A 48km, four-day journey through subtropical rainforest, waterfalls, volcanic country and ancient trees, with local Aboriginal guides and environmental scientists providing cultural and ecological insight. This is glamping rather than camping — you carry only a daypack while tents, beds, hot showers and chef-prepared meals await, making it one of the smartest options for anyone who likes their wilderness with considerably less suffering.
Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island
Where: Along the eastern side of Hinchinbrook Island, off the Queensland coast
What to expect: A remote 32km trail of rainforest, deserted beaches, crystal-clear creeks, waterfalls and rugged peaks, usually completed over four days. It’s properly wild and self-sufficient in its independent form, with basic tent camping and limited permits, although an all-inclusive four-day guided option exists. Go for the sense that you’ve briefly escaped civilisation altogether — and for Zoe Falls, beaches and rainforests that feel almost prehistoric.
