Anna Kaminski - Lonely Planet Best Day Hikes Australia 1 (Travel Guide)

PLAN YOUR TRIP

BY REGION

Is Australia a continent? Or just a country? Maybe one big island with a lot of little ones floating offshore? Whichever way you spin it, Australia is a colossus the worlds sixth-biggest nation and the largest in the southern hemisphere with enough distinct climate zones to keep your wardrobe guessing. It follows that Australias landscapes, and the many brilliant day walks that take you into them, are both beautiful and beautifully diverse. From Tasmanias alpine highlands to the Northern Territorys desert canyons; from Queenslands tropical waterfalls to Sydneys clifftops; from South Australias vine-striped hillsides to Victorias high country and Western Australias remote coastlines, theres a short walk here to suit your mood, your energy levels and your sense of adventure...not to mention your wardrobe. So lace up your boots, slap on a hat and take a big gulp of water Australias best day walks are waiting!

MMARTIN/SHUTTERSTOCK

The third cape on Tasmanias famous Three Capes Track, beautiful Cape Hauy is sheer-sided and cinematic. Walk out and back from the white sands of Fortescue Bay.

In the Northern Territory, Uluru gets all the press...but Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park is an absolute stunner. Discover the lush secrets of this deep desert cleft.

In Western Australias tropical Kimberley region, the multi-tiered Mitchell Falls (Punamii-Unpuu) are truly spectacular. Getting here (by 4WD or plane) is part of the adventure.

Get out of bed early and trek up to Cape Byron, Australias most easterly point. En route youll see rainforests, cliffs, beaches, shaggy surfers and passing dolphins.

From the pretty mountain town of Halls Gap, explore Grampians National Park and scan the scene from atop the epic Pinnacle Lookout. What a wonderland!

Explore this ancient sandstone landscape in tropical Far North Queensland, with tracts of hidden jungle, centuries-old Aboriginal art and the cooling spray from waterfalls.

Dipping into Royal National Park, Australias oldest, this windswept coastal encounter takes you past cliff edges, surf beaches, swim spots and hillsides clad with wildflowers.

Everyone comes to Lorne to eat, swim and chill out...but retreat into the hinterland and youll discover dense forests, waterfalls and wildlife.

Rising from the plains in South Australias southern Flinders Ranges, this remarkable peak delivers sweeping views, slow-motion rivers of rock and some thought-provoking surprises.

Within Western Australias dramatic Torndirrup National Park, the walk to Bald Head clings to the Flinders Peninsulas narrow ridgeline, with amazing ocean views on all sides.

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V Wildlife Encounters

Youre almost guaranteed to see some locals as you wander along Australias trails: wombats, kangaroos, lizards, parrots, kookaburras, wallabies, dolphins...and maybe even whales!

Snakes, lizards, birds, humpback whales...This part of WAs southwest coast hosts a real menagerie!

Bounding roos, fast lizards, healthy-looking gulls and pods of dolphins SA delivers.

In WAs northwest, spy lizards, goshawks, rock wallabies...maybe even crocs (no swimming!).

Play Lets Count Koalas as you wander through the tall timber behind Lorne: 27, 28, 29...

Ever seen a platypus in the wild? Keep quiet along these creeks and you might be in luck.

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g AMAZING VIEWS

Australias best day walks are a photogenic bunch. Heres where the word Wow! will almost certainly escape your lips.

Soak up the Victorian High Country views along the Razorback ridge, en route to the summit of Mt Feathertop.

Gaze down across the rooftops of Hobart from the flanks of kunanyi/Mt Wellington.

Breathtaking canopy-to-coast views across the Daintree Rainforest in tropical Far North Queensland.

No irritating trees to get in the way here: just an eye-popping ocean outlook, south of Albany in WA.

Views into the void and across the surrounding sand-scapes at this astonishing desert canyon.

CHRISTIAN_B/SHUTTERSTOCK

> SOLITUDE

Sometimes all you need is a little peace and quiet. Heres where to find it.

Hike to Tasmanias remote south coast: next stop, Antarctica.

Lose yourself on Victorias treacherous Shipwreck Coast.

Find tranquility at this beautiful hinterland waterfall.

Beat the Kakadu crowds with a walk to this remote cascade.

Leave Sydneys busy streets behind: the serene Hawkesbury River awaits.