The great outdoors is central to Australia’s attraction, with stunning landscapes ranging from volcanic plateaux, rainforests and glorious coastline to the vast swathes of the Outback. A luxury walking tour in Australia is the most immersive way to explore the stunning scenery and its heritage. There are many multi-day walking tour options to embark on, ranging from the Great Coastal Walk in Victoria and the Bay of Fires Lodge Walk in Tasmania to challenging treks such as the Larapinta Trail in Northern Territory or the Overland Trek across Cradle Mountain and the Lake St Clair National Park.
Below are just some of the best Australian walking tours recommended by our Australasian specialist.
HIKING TRAILS IN AUSTRALIA’S BLUE MOUNTAINS
Just an hour outside Sydney, Australia’s Blue Mountains play host to numerous exhilarating hiking trails. Meet with your private guide in the morning, who will drive you out of buzzing Sydney and into the wilderness for which the country is so renowned. One of the best hikes in Australia’s Blue Mountains is the Wentworth Falls hike. Start at the top of the trail amidst the sandstone escarpments and gum trees, steadily making the hour-long descent to the valley floor. Listen for the sound of cascading water as you approach the base of the waterfall which crashes into the lagoon below. The walk can be entirely tailored to suit you, meaning you can even stop for lunch on your way down if you want to linger and really take in the sights. There are also more challenging Blue Mountains hiking trails for those seeking a touch more adventure.
KANGAROO ISLAND WILDERNESS TRAIL
The combination of dramatic landscapes and abundant wildlife make Kangaroo Island walking tours simply unbeatable. We recommend walking the 8-mile Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail to truly relish the magnificent flora and fauna to be found here. Alongside your private guide, begin your journey at the unearthly Remarkable Rocks in Flinders Chase National Park. You’ll then climb the gently undulating hills along the coastline before arriving at Cape Younghusband. The cape provides a fantastic opportunity to glimpse the fur seals who bask on the rocks here, as well as the vibrant birdlife which resides in the canopies of the inland eucalyptus forests. Your guide will share fascinating insights about the region's wildlife – and maybe even point out an elusive echidna if you’re lucky enough. Amble back along the coastline to complete your tour of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.
We recommend staying at Southern Ocean Lodge, where you can soothe your tired muscles at the Southern Spa, before indulging in some locally-sourced cuisine and regional wines.
ARKABA CONSERVANCY WALK – SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Exploring the outback of Flinders Ranges and the private Arkaba Conservancy, the Arkaba Conservancy Walk extends some 28 miles over four days and covers a varied terrain. A great introduction to Australia’s great outback, its wildlife and pioneering heritage, the trail explores the stunning topography of the Wilpena Pound and the Elder Range. Field guides translate the landscape of the bush pointing out kangaroos, emus and wallaroos as well as recounting stories of the early pioneers who tried, and often failed, to settle the land.
Two nights are spent out in the bush in ‘star beds’ – raised wooden platforms with a comfortable mattress and bedding where guests can watch the night sky before falling asleep. Despite the bush camp’s simplicity, you can expect canapés followed by a three-course meal, fine South Australian wines and a hot water bottle to snuggle up to. The final night is spent in Arkaba Homestead, a beautifully restored 1850s sheep station, now a private conservancy.
MARIA ISLAND WALK – TASMANIA
One of the best walking holidays in Tasmania, the Maria Island walk showcases some of the country’s most remote landscapes, rare wildlife, astounding sandy beaches, and even some of its fascinating convict heritage. The pace is reasonably gentle, covering 15 miles along beaches and bush tracks over four days (with the option of extending if you wish). The first day involves sailing across the Mercury Passage to Maria Island and exploring eucalyptus forests en route to Haunted Bay. Your Maria Island walk continues the next day along five beaches, spotting sea eagles and dolphins before settling in at White Gums Camp. Heading inland the trail winds through mountain peaks and Tasmanian blue gum forests to the World Heritage Site of Darlington on Maria Island’s northernmost point. Now a small settlement of historic buildings, Darlington was once a penal station accommodating over 600 convicts.
Two nights are spent in secluded simple wilderness camps on the edge of splendid white beaches which invite shell hunting and swimming in the pure seawater. Fine Tasmanian wine accompanies candlelit three course dinners. The final night is at a heritage house in Darlington where a gourmet dinner awaits.
KIMBERLEY WALKING TOURS – WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Some of the most beautiful walking trails in Western Australia can be found in Kimberley, home to El Questro Wilderness Park. El Questro’s 700,000 acres of wilderness boast an impressive and diverse topography, including deep gorges, simmering hot springs, tumbling waterfalls, and bubbling springs. Many of the trails here meander through the region’s gorges, and each El Questro gorge walk is distinct. The Amalia Gorge Trail is especially enchanting during the wet season when waterfalls cascade down the escarpments from pool to pool. Meanwhile, the Emma Gorge trail winds through the park, revealing a glimmering waterhole at the end – perfect for a quick dip to cool off. The El Questro Gorge Trail follows a winding creek through palms and ferns before also reaching a swimming hole, this time surrounded by lush rainforest. The Champagne Springs walk is a fairly new route and one of the more intrepid walking trails in Western Australia, but provides the right challenge for explorers up to the task.
