10 best Australian multi-day hikes

By AG Staff May 15, 2017
Reading Time: 3 Minutes Print this page
From mountain traverses to sand islands and outback tracks, here’s our pick of the best long-distance hiking trails in Australia.

SETTING OUT FOR THE day for a bushwalk is one thing – but committing to several days in the wilderness with everything you need to survive on your back is another experience altogether. 

Multi-day hiking opens up a world of adventure opportunities, unlocking parts of Australia’s wilderness often accessible by no other means. 

So lace up your boots, strap on your pack and don’t forget to pack the bandaids – here’s our list of 10 of Australia’s best long-distance hiking trails. 

1. Larapinta Trail, NT

Larapinta trail

Image: Tourism NT

Location: West MacDonnell Range, Northern Territory

Length: 16–20 days (including rest days)

Distance: 223 km

Difficulty: Hard

Access: One-way walk; good road access along track, including at ends

Info: Walking during the cooler months, from April–September, is recommended. Food drops required.

Read more.

2. Thorsborne Trail, QLD

Thorsborne trail

Image: Tourism Queensland

Location: Hinchinbrook Island, Far North Queensland

Length: 4–5 days

Distance: 32 km

Difficulty: Moderate

Access: One-way; boat transport required at both ends

Info: Walking during the cooler months, from April–September, recommended Permits required; need to be booked well in advance

Read more.

3. Australian Alps walking track, VIC/NSW/ACT

Larapinta trail

Location: High Country of ACT, NSW and Victoria

Length: 45–60 days (including rest days)

Distance: 655 km

Difficulty: Hard

Access: One-way; road access at both ends.

Info: Best done in the warmer months. Food drops required.

Read more.

4. Fraser Island Great Walk, QLD

Larapinta trail

Lake McKenzie (Boorangoora). One of Fraser’s most popular drawcards. (Image: Andrew Gregory)

Location: Queensland

Length: 5–7 days

Distance: 84 km

Difficulty: Easy

Access: One-way; boat transport required to island; both ends of the walk accessible by vehicle

Info: Walking during the cooler months, from April–September is recommended. Campsite bookings and permits required.

Read more.

5. Wilderness Coast Walk, VIC/NSW

wilderness coast walk

Image: Joanna Egan

Location: South coast of NSW and Victoria

Length: 4–5 days

Distance: 61 km

Difficulty: Medium

Access: One-way; boat transport required at one end, road access at other

Info: Permit required, book in advance 

Read more. 

6. Overland Track, TAS

wilderness coast walk

Location: Tasmanian highlands

Length: 5–8 days

Distance: 74 km, plus many side trips

Difficulty: Medium

Access: One-way; road access and public transport links at both ends

Info: Permits required from November to May; walk must be completed north to south during this time

Read more. 

7. Eastern Arthur Range, TAS

Location: Southwest Tasmania

Length: 7–9 days

Distance: 89 km

Difficulty: Hard

Access: Return walk; Trackhead accessible by road, with public transport links in summer

Info: Steep and dangerous climbing required; summer walking recommended

8. Western Arthur Range Traverse, TAS

western arthur range

Image: Dave Cauldwell

Location: Southwest Tasmania

Length: 8–11 days

Distance: 75 km

Difficulty: Hard

Access: Circuit walk; road access and public transport links in summer

Info: Follows a steep and tricky skyline traverse; summer walking recommended

Read more.

9. Cape to Cape Track, WA

western arthur range

Image: Andrew Gregory

Location: Southwest Western Australia

Length: 6–8 days

Distance: 135 km

Difficulty: Easy

Access: One-way; road access at both ends

Info: Spring wildflowers are a highlight; water may be hard to find

Read more. 

10. South Coast Track, TAS

south coast track

Image: Justin Walker

Location: Southwest Tasmania

Length: 6–9 days

Distance: 85 km

Difficulty: Medium

Access: One-way; charter flight or extra 70 km walk to one end, road access with public transport links at other

Info: Walking in the warmer months is recommended