When it comes to epic multi-day hiking adventures, Australia has a ton of options. From trekking through remote deserts to climbing mist-covered tropical mountains, any hiker will find the outdoor hiking mission of their dreams down under. That’s why we’ve put together this list of our favourite multi-day Australian hiking missions to help you get started.
Great Ocean Walk
Starting at the picturesque Apollo Bay and ending at the world-famous 12 Apostles, this 100km one-way walk takes you to some of Victoria’s most scenic views. Passing through the Otway National Park, the Great Ocean Walk takes hikers through lush cold-weather rainforests, over stunning limestone cliffs and through roaring river mouths. But don’t let the scenery fool you. You’ll need a durable and reliable hiking wind jacket; the winds of the Southern Ocean can cause even the most experienced hiker to shiver in their boots. There are plenty of accommodation options along the Great Ocean Walk. However, if you want a truly amazing hiking experience, then you need to pack some lightweight cooking gear and hiking mess kit and stay at the many seaside campsites on the trail.
Larapinta Trail
The Larapinta Trail is one of Australia’s most iconic, yet harshest, long-distance bushwalking trails. Crossing over 200km of Central Australia’s dusty red desert and mountain ranges, this outdoor hiking mission is sure to test your endurance and will require a sturdy water bladder. For extra water security, we’d also recommend a reliable trekking drinking system that stops dust and dirt entering your water bladder. You don’t want to take any risks on the Larapinta. Long distances and hot days are a worthy price though for stunning views of Mount Sonder, the Northern Territory’s highest mountain. The Larapinta is also scattered with sacred sites of the local Arrernte Aboriginal people, making this a genuinely unique hiking experience.
Thorsborne Trail
If you go to the outdoors to get away from it all, then you can’t look past the ancient and wild Hinchinbrook Island’s Thorsborne Trail. A World Heritage-listed site, Hinchinbrook Island is just off the coast of Townsville, but it feels like you are stepping into a lost world. Shrouded in mist and rainforest, this tropical hiking trail takes hikers on a four-day exploration of Hinchinbrook and is seen as one of the most beautiful hikes in the world. If you’ve never attempted a long-distance tropical hike, then you’ll have to get some specialised gear, like a lightweight summer sleeping bag and extra-wicking hiking socks, to make sure you don’t suffer in the humidity.
Walls of Jerusalem
No list of outdoor hiking missions in Australia would be complete without at least one Tasmanian hiking trail. There is the beauty of the Overland Track, but if you want something a bit different, then the four-day trek to the Walls of Jerusalem is your go-to Tassie hiking trail. Located in a remote part of the Tasmanian highland, these dolerite peaks experience all four seasons in a day and require some navigational skills, so a sturdy pair of waterproof hiking boots are essential. But with hard work comes the reward of seclusion while walking through some of the world’s most rugged and ancient landscapes.
Bibbulmun Track
Forget the Appalachian trail. One of the world’s best long-distance hiking trails is right here in Australia. Sitting at over 1000km, the Bibbulmun Track stretches from the hills around Perth all the way to Albany on Western Australia’s south coast. Designed for walkers only, the Bibbulmun takes hikers through towering karri forests, sweeping coast shrubland and even the occasional iconic small-town Australian pub. Don’t expect any coffee roasters along the way; you’ll need your own personal hiking cooking system to make a campfire coffee. Distances between towns can be long – up to 12 days – so you’ll need a long-range hiking backpack to keep you going. But if you are looking for an adventure of epic scale, then you have to get your boots on the Bibbulmun Track.
Do you need new boots or a new backpack for your next outdoor hiking mission? Let the experts at Valhalla Tactical help you gear up for your next adventure. Contact us or browse our range of high-quality outdoor gear today.
