Top 5 adventure walks

Australia really delivers on the adventure walk front. Which stands to reason when you think about it, because the country has plenty of space, plenty of scenery, and plenty of challenges. Here are our top five adventure walks for the more intrepid – and fit! – walker.

Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory

This epic walk extends for 223 kilometres along the West MacDonnell Ranges in central Australia, and takes you past some incredible sights, including Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge (you can also camp at both of these sights). The track starts at the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station and finishes at Mount Sonder.

There are enough campsites along this hike that you can complete the walk from start to finish without ever leaving the trail.

Split into 11 sections, the Larapinta Trail has varying degrees of difficulty. Undertaking the entire trek is only recommended for experienced walkers. You can also drive between many of the sections with a 4WD, which means you can leave and pick up the walk wherever you choose. You can also go on guided tours of the trail with companies, including Trek Larapinta.

Great North Walk, New South Wales

This 250-kilometre walk starts in the city of Sydney and finishes in Newcastle. The main challenge of this walk is the length – and finding enough space on your camera’s memory drive for all the scenic views.

The walk was only opened in 1988, but its integration into the surrounding landscape makes it seem like it has been around forever.

Passing through some of the most spectacular national parks in Sydney and along the north coast, including Ku-ring-gai Chase, Brisbane Water and Watagan Mountains, this walks offers a diverse range of sights.

Split into sections, the Great North Walk is well signposted and easy to navigate. You can easily hop on and hop off the track, which makes it a favourite with families.

Overland Track, Tasmania

The Overland Track is a 65-kilometre trek from the stunning Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest lake. While these well-known landmarks bookend the track, there’s plenty to see as you walk, including dolerite mountains and stunning flora and fauna.

Possibly Australia’s most famous walk, the Overland Track is recommended for experienced walkers. But while it may be challenging, undertaking this trek has huge scenic rewards, as you traverse Tasmania’s World Heritage Wilderness Area.

As well as campsites, there are simple wooden huts along the way (as Tasmania gets extremely chilly in winter) or luxury accommodation from Cradle Mountain Huts and the Cradle Mountain Huts. As the track is very popular, accommodation can get booked out quickly. Be prepared for all weather conditions – and bring a tent just in case you miss out on a spot in one of the huts.

Bibbulmun Track, Western Australia

Extending for almost 1000 kilometres from Perth to Albany, the Bibbulmun Track is Australia’s longest adventure walk. You can complete the trek in 6–8 weeks, staying overnight at some of the 48 campsites that dot the route. If you don’t feel like camping, you can stop off for the night in some of the many towns along the route, including Balingup and Pemberton, and finishing in historic Albany.

It’s a stunning trip that allows you to sample the best of Western Australia’s south-west coast. You’ll travel through spectacular karri forests near Pemberton, pass through the Valley of the Giants where you’re dwarfed by ancient trees, and journey in around 22 reserves and national parks.

If you undertake the walk between June and October, make sure to stop for some whale-spotting as you traverse the coast in the second half of the track.

Great Ocean Walk, Victoria

The Great Ocean Road may be one of Australia’s best scenic drives, but you can also discover Victoria’s south coast from a different perspective – on foot. This 104-kilometre walk takes you from the holiday town of Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, with much of the trail along the beach, and plenty of free camping sites along the way. Johanna Beach camping area, one of the most popular campsites on the Explore Australia website, is one of the free camping spots along the route.

If you don’t want to undertake the whole journey, there are recommended daytrips or abbreviated versions of the walk, including the Wreck Beach Walk.

As much of the route takes you along the string of beaches on Victoria’s south coast, the walk is susceptible to changing conditions like high tide, extreme sun and wind. There are designated points along the route where you can decide to continue walking along the coast, or take the inland route in case of adverse weather.

What’s your favourite adventure walk?