The 10 Best Walks & Hikes in Australia (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 10 picks

The best walks in Australia in 2026 are Tasmania's Overland Track and Three Capes Track for multi-day hikes, the Larapinta Trail in the Red Centre, the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, the Great Ocean Walk, the Wineglass Bay walk at Freycinet and, for a day, the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk in Sydney.

Australia's great walks run from alpine Tasmania to the red desert. Several multi-day walks, including the Overland Track and Three Capes, must be booked ahead and cap walker numbers in peak season. Season matters: walk the south (Tasmania, Victoria) from spring to autumn, and the Red Centre and the tropics from May to September. Carry plenty of water, tell someone your plans and check park alerts before you go. See also our best national parks in Australia.

The list at a glance

Overland Track Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
Three Capes Track Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania, Hobart
Larapinta Trail West MacDonnell Ranges, Northern Territory
Kings Canyon Rim Walk Watarrka National Park, Northern Territory, Uluru & the Red Centre
Great Ocean Walk Great Ocean Road, Victoria
Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach circuit Freycinet National Park, Tasmania
Cape to Cape Track Margaret River, Western Australia
Grand Canyon Track, Blue Mountains Blackheath, New South Wales, Sydney
Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales
Bibbulmun Track Western Australia, Perth

1. Overland Track — Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

Australia's most famous multi-day walk, through alpine wilderness.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Couples

The Overland Track runs about 65 km from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair, Australia's deepest lake, through alpine moorland, rainforest and past glacial lakes, with side trips to Cradle Mountain's summit and waterfalls.

Most walkers take six days, staying in public huts or tents. In the main season (October to May) you must book and walk north to south.

Good to know: Book as soon as bookings open for summer; departures fill quickly.

Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, 4057 Cradle Mountain Rd, Cradle Mountain TAS 7306

Google Maps Website

2. Three Capes Track — Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania, Hobart

Four days along the highest sea cliffs in Australia, with comfortable huts.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Couples · First-timers

The Three Capes Track is a 48 km, four-day walk on the Tasman Peninsula, starting with a boat trip from Port Arthur and following towering dolerite sea cliffs to Cape Pillar and Cape Hauy.

Purpose-built huts with mattresses and gas cooking mean you can carry a lighter pack.

Good to know: Book ahead; walker numbers are capped each day.

Port Arthur Historic Site, Arthur Hwy, Port Arthur TAS 7182

Google Maps Website

3. Larapinta Trail — West MacDonnell Ranges, Northern Territory

A 223 km desert ridge walk west of Alice Springs.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Couples

The Larapinta Trail follows the West MacDonnell Ranges for about 223 km from Alice Springs to Mount Sonder, past gorges, waterholes and ridgetop views. Most people walk sections, or join a guided trek with camps set up for them.

Walk between May and September, when the days are mild.

Good to know: Walk the Mount Sonder summit at sunrise for the trail's best view.

Alice Springs Telegraph Station, Herbert Heritage Dr, Alice Springs NT 0870

Google Maps

4. Kings Canyon Rim Walk — Watarrka National Park, Northern Territory, Uluru & the Red Centre

A 6 km loop around the rim of a sheer-walled canyon.

Best for First-timers · Couples

The Kings Canyon Rim Walk climbs steeply, then loops for about 6 km around the canyon's rim, past beehive domes and down to the Garden of Eden waterhole. Allow three to four hours.

On hot days the walk closes from mid-morning, so start at dawn.

Good to know: Start at sunrise; the walk closes early on hot days.

Kings Canyon, Watarrka National Park, Petermann NT 0872

Google Maps

5. Great Ocean Walk — Great Ocean Road, Victoria

A 100 km-plus coastal walk ending at the Twelve Apostles.

$ BudgetBest for Couples

The Great Ocean Walk runs from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, about 110 km over eight days, along clifftops, beaches and through the forests of Great Otway National Park, with walk-in campsites.

Shorter day sections are easy to do from Apollo Bay or Cape Otway.

Good to know: Book walk-in campsites ahead in summer.

Apollo Bay VIC 3233

Google Maps Website

6. Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach circuit — Freycinet National Park, Tasmania

Tasmania's most famous view, then a beach-to-beach loop.

$ BudgetBest for Couples · Families

The walk to the Wineglass Bay Lookout takes about an hour return. Continue down to the beach and around the Hazards Beach circuit for a full day, about 11 km.

Swim at Wineglass Bay on a warm day; the water is cold but clear.

Good to know: Start early; the car park fills by mid-morning in summer.

Freycinet National Park, Coles Bay TAS 7215

Google Maps Website

7. Cape to Cape Track — Margaret River, Western Australia

A 123 km coastal walk between two lighthouses.

Best for Couples

The Cape to Cape Track follows the coast of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park for about 123 km between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin lighthouses, past surf beaches, cliffs and karri forest.

Most people take five to seven days, but many sections make great day walks near Margaret River's wineries.

Good to know: Walk in spring for wildflowers and migrating whales.

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, Cape Naturaliste Rd, Naturaliste WA 6281

Google Maps Website

8. Grand Canyon Track, Blue Mountains — Blackheath, New South Wales, Sydney

A rainforest canyon walk in the Blue Mountains.

Best for Couples · First-timers

The Grand Canyon Track near Blackheath descends into a deep, ferny canyon with creeks and waterfalls, then climbs to Evans Lookout. It's about 6 km and takes three to four hours.

It's one of the best day walks within reach of Sydney.

Good to know: Wear shoes with good grip; the track is often wet.

Evans Lookout Rd, Blackheath NSW 2785

Google Maps Website

9. Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk — Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales

A gentle walk to the top of mainland Australia.

Best for Families · First-timers

From the top of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift at Thredbo, a raised walkway leads about 13 km return to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko, at 2,228 metres the highest point on mainland Australia.

Summer brings alpine wildflowers; in winter, the route is snow-covered.

Good to know: Check the chairlift's summer operating times before you set out.

Kosciuszko Express Chairlift, Thredbo NSW 2625

Google Maps Website

10. Bibbulmun Track — Western Australia, Perth

A 1,000 km walk from the Perth Hills to Albany, best done in sections.

Best for Couples

The Bibbulmun Track runs about 1,000 km from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to Albany on the south coast, through jarrah and karri forest and along the coast, with campsites and shelters along the way.

Day walkers can sample it close to Perth or in the forests around Pemberton and Walpole.

Good to know: Start with a day section near Kalamunda to get a taste of it.

Bibbulmun Track Northern Terminus, Kalamunda WA 6076

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

What is the most famous walk in Australia?

The Overland Track in Tasmania, a six-day, roughly 65 km walk from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair through World Heritage wilderness. Bookings and a fee are needed in the main season.

What is the best multi-day walk for beginners?

The Three Capes Track in Tasmania: four days on a well-built track with comfortable huts, gas cooking and mattresses, so you carry less.

When is the best time to hike in Central Australia?

May to September, when days are warm and nights cold. Summer heat makes long walks dangerous, and some trails close on very hot days.

Do I need a permit for Australian great walks?

For some. The Overland Track and Three Capes Track need bookings; others, such as the Larapinta and the Great Ocean Walk, need campsite bookings or park passes. Check the park authority's website.

What is the best day walk in Australia?

Contenders include the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, the Wineglass Bay walk, the Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta and the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. See our best walks in Sydney.

1. Overland Track — Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

2. Three Capes Track — Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania, Hobart

3. Larapinta Trail — West MacDonnell Ranges, Northern Territory

4. Kings Canyon Rim Walk — Watarrka National Park, Northern Territory, Uluru & the Red Centre

5. Great Ocean Walk — Great Ocean Road, Victoria

6. Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach circuit — Freycinet National Park, Tasmania

7. Cape to Cape Track — Margaret River, Western Australia

8. Grand Canyon Track, Blue Mountains — Blackheath, New South Wales, Sydney

9. Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk — Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales

10. Bibbulmun Track — Western Australia, Perth

Frequently asked questions

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