No matter the season you will find plenty to do when visiting Australia. Australia is well known for it large selection of wildlife and diverse vegetation, or deserts depending on what area you are visiting.
If you are a fan of a good hike Australia has lots to offer in that department as well. In fact, there are tens of thousands of well maintained hiking trails throughout Australia.
We’ll discuss a few of the best trails to set your sites (and boots) on during your next trip to Australia.
1. The Overland Track
A beautiful 55 mile hike in Tasmania, the Overland Track is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Australia. So popular in fact that hikers have to book the trip many months or even years in advance. Again because of intense summer heat you can only walk the trail from north to south during the summer (November through May), and you’ll need a permit to do so.
The Cradle Mountains in Tasmania is rich with wildflowers in the summer between December to February or if you’d rather beat the summer rush an Autumn hike in March through May is nice as well.
2. The Larapinta Trail
If you are looking for a bigger challenge the Laripinta might be the hike for you. This desert trail located in the West MacDonnell Range is quite a doosey taking 16 to 20 days to complete.
Don’t let the arid landscape fool you, Temperatures can get pretty intense during peak summer hikes. Scorching winds and temperatures topping 104 degrees Fahrenheit can make this trip rather dangerous. Because of this most decide to make this 138 mile trek between April and September.
3. Australian Alps Walking Track
Another impressive hike at just over 400 miles through the Victorian and NSW high country, the Alps Walking Track is a not so leisurely jaunt through wild brumbies, alpine meadows, snow gum forests, windy plains and freezing temps at night.
Since this Walhalla Victoria trail is so long and arduous it is recommended for serious hikers only, and you’ll need food drops along the way. This 10 week trip will take you through Kosciuszko National Park and the Baw Baw Plateau.
4. Heysen Trail
Seven hundred and forty miles from Cape Jarvis on the Fleurieu Peninsula to Parachilna Gorge in the Flanders Ranges. The Haysen Trail as you would imagine is another trail for seasoned hikers. With beautiful stretches of trail along Victor Harbor, red rock beaches hikers on this trail have vast areas to explore with wondrous views around every turn.
In fact, there is such diverse habitats and geology along this trail you can experience all of what Australia has to offer including rolling hills of lush vineyards, tall pine forests and stunning river gorges.
Since the Heysen Trail is so vast it is broken up into about 60 stages which gives hikers plenty of options to experience all parts of the trail at some point.
The above four Australian hiking options are just a tip of the iceberg so to speak. With many many more miles to explore a trip to Australia will give you plenty of hiking options each and every visit.
