In Australia, we are blessed with amazing walking tracks across the country, from coastal walks to inland bushwalks. With so much on offer, it can be hard to know where to start. With this in mind, we asked our 12WBT experts and members for their tips on the best places to work up a sweat!
New South Wales
Bondi to Bronte
I’m lucky enough to have my local walk be the gorgeous Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk and let me tell you, it never gets boring! The walk is filled with stairs, inclines, and you can pit stop for a dip in the ocean at multiple points. Along the walk you’ll notice exercise bars that you can stop and do some weights at throughout. It really is the perfect place to work up a sweat and clear your mind.
Bather’s Way Coastal Walk – Newcastle
The Bathers Way coastal walk showcases the beautiful beaches of Newcastle. You can start from the Lighthouse at Nobby’s headland all along the coast. It’s a great place to walk, run, cycle, walk the dog or even have a dip. Along the walk you’ll see information signs that provide you with a little history about the culture and geography of Newcastle.
Victoria
The Grampian Halls Gap
Halls Gap is a great place to explore Victoria’s mountain ranges, flora, fauna and waterfalls. The Grampians have been said to have inspired many artists and writers with it’s stunning landscape. You can always stay overnight close by and spend the weekend exploring.
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Bayside Coastal Trail
The Bayside Coastal Trail in Victoria (pictured above) stretches along a distance of about 17km. The walk goes through some of Melbourne’s coastal suburbs of Sandringham, Hampton and Black Rock. This is a great track to cycle if you don’t feel like walking. Try to pit stop at Half Moon Bay, it’s too pretty to miss.
South Australia
Heysen Trail – Mount Lofty Circuit
The Heysen Trail is located in the Adelaide Hills. This walk can pass through the summit of Mount Lofty, small farms and little cottages. There is also a nice area of botanical gardens at Mount Lofty as well as Cleland Park. You can do this walk as a circuit too for a bit more structure.
Linear Park – Marie Stokie
Linear Park stretches out from Henley Beach to the River Torrens in the Adelaide CBD. It’s a great walk for families or if you need a place to jog. Although it passes smack bang through the city, it still manages to provide an oasis from the hustle and bustle.
Western Australia
Rotary Trail – Esperance
The Rotary Trail in Esperance is a beautiful 12km path in WA that goes from Esperance Bay to Twilight Beach. You should know that there is a slight transition from the bay to the ocean side which requires a climb up hill to Twilight beach road. The sights you don’t want to miss are Blue Haven and the tanker jetty. If you’re walking around June to November, you might catch a whale!
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Bold Park
Bold Park in Perth is also a great place for walks that doesn’t require you to drive to far out of Perth city. It’s a highly conserved area so they allow you to walk around the park or even join a guided walk. If you’re new to bushwalking this is great taster for it. It’s over 15km of walking trails, many of which are on fully formed surfaces. You can access the area via Ocean Drive in City Beach.
Tasmania
Pelverata Falls Track
The Pelverata Falls walk is around 6km return which can take you roughly 2 hours, depending on your pace. It’s full of mixed terrain and is not too hard, it can be challenging based on your fitness level. At the end of the track there is a stunning waterfall to check out.
Cape Hauy
Tasmania has some luscious landscape and Cape Hauy is just that. It’s location in the Tasmanian national park at the peninsula. The walk can stretch for 15km and you can begin at Fortescue Bay. You’ll walk through a varied area of woodlands before ending up at what will feel like the edge of the world. Here you’ll see pretty spectacular cliff views and rock formations.
ACT
Mount Ainslie Lookout
The Mount Ainslie lookout walk will give you a chance to see Canberra’s CBD and landscape. From the lookout you’ll see Lake Burley Griffin and many of the national attractions beside the mountain ranges. If you’re walking during autumn, you’ll be able to see why Red Hill got its name.
Lake Burley Griffin
Canberra’s most famous Lake Burley Griffin is centrally located and something locals walk around almost everyday. It’s the central basin of the lake. The Lake begins at the National Capital Exhibition and can also include the R.G. Menzies walk too.
Queensland
Mooloolaba to Cotton Tree – Sunshine Coast
Queensland is undoubtedly filled with beaches like no other. There’s a walk along the beach from Mooloolaba to Cotton Tree on the Sunshine Coast that is not to be missed. Make sure you don’t do it in the middle of the day in summer as it’ll be a scorcher. It’s situated along the coastline through beaches you can have a dip in too. If you get the chance to watch the sunset, do so.
Mount Tamborine Inland – Gold Coast
To give you a completely different vibe of the Gold Coast, Mt Tamborine is a walk that takes you over cool hanging bridges. There is something special about walking through mountainous ranges that isn’t overcrowded with tourists. It covers over 11 hectares of garden and rainforest, definitely worth exploring.
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A lovely bush walk in Goomburra National Park (found between Toowoomba and Warwick), is the Waterfall Circuit. Medium fitness required, several rocky based crossings of the shallow stream and many waterfalls to admire.
What about the NT?
Beautiful walks up there!