Hiker’s calendar: the best places to walk in Australia, every month of the year

Australia is a walking paradise all year round, but the best places to hike are highly dependent on the season. In the summer, walking is not possible anywhere but in the coldest areas or at the highest altitudes. As the temperatures drop in the south from June to August, the tropical regions become more accessible due to the warmer, drier climate.

You can also time your hiking trip to coincide with wildflower blooms, bird migrations, or even whales passing by.

January

Cradle Mount National Park in Tasmania

The Overland Track traverses the alpine wilderness in the heart of Tasmania. It is one of Australia’s most popular multi-day hikes. You don’t have to walk the whole trail to experience the beauty of the mountains. You can do it in a week with a self-guided or if you join a group.

There are many day walks to suit all fitness levels. They lead to peaty moors with button grass, ancient forests covered in moss, and a deep glacial lake surrounded by jagged peaks. Even during the height of summer, snow storms can occur.

February

Kosciuszko National Park Thredbo and Perisher, NSW

These two resorts are home to the ten highest peaks on Australia’s mainland. In summer, it is possible to reach all ten peaks with a four-day hike. There are also shorter options, such as a 400-meter boardwalk that offers expansive views of Australia’s rooftop or a four-day walk through meadows with summer flowers and babbling mountain streams.

March

Namadgi National Park

This wilderness area, which covers almost half of the Australian Capital Territory, provides habitat for dingoes, rock wallabies, and lyrebirds. These species are depicted in the Ngunnawal art that can be found all over the park. More than half the walking trails are now open again after last year’s bushfires.

Victoria Alpine National Park

The sunsets only enhance the beauty, making overnight hikes like the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing particularly enjoyable. The sunsets are spectacular, and overnight hikes such as the Falls – Hotham Alpine Crossing are particularly rewarding.

April

Blue Mountains National Park, NSW

The Blue Mountains are best visited in autumn. Cooler temperatures, less rain, and a splash of crimson leaves around the towns all make it a great time to visit. In the national park, the dizzying variety of tracks includes a wheelchair-accessible trail to the region’s most famous rock formations, as well as strenuous hikes to the valley floor.

Green Gully Track in NSW

This 65km trail in the northern tablelands of NSW is a great option for hikers who don’t want to carry a tent. The trail passes through fern-filled canyons, waterfalls that tumble, and the heritage-listed Gondwana forest. The trail is well-suited to early autumn’s cooler temperatures and lower water levels because it has several steep climbs and follows a flowing stream.

May

Victoria Grampians National Park

The 160km Grampians Peaks Trail, which will be launched in April this year, will run the entire length of the Grampians National Park (Gariwerd). The trail will also focus on Jardwadjali’s and Djab-Wurrung’s long connection with the country, which includes rugged mountain scenery and the migration of birds.

Mount Remarkable National Park, SA

The southern Flinders ranges are a summer paradise for reptiles, but the first rains bring cooler weather and the beginning of the walking season. There are trails ranging from 15 minutes up to seven hours long that explore creek beds lined by red gums, which shelter native wildlife in the Mambray Creek area. Alligator Gorge has near-vertical orange walls and a hidden, peaceful world.

June

Uluru-Kata Tjuta national park, NT

This is a great year to visit Uluru because there are no international tourists. The 10.3km base hike offers many insights into both the natural history of the region and the culture of the Anangu. The Valley of the Winds Track winds through Kata Tjuta and is a stunningly peaceful experience.

Thorsborne Trail in Queensland

Hinchinbrook Island is located between Townsville, Queensland and Cairns. Its steeply rising peaks offer a stunning view of the dense rainforests, mangrove estuaries, and beaches with white sand. The natural infinity pools that surround Zoe Falls are a great reward for the 32km trail’s potentially ankle-breaking roots and rocks.

July

The 231km West MacDonnell Ranges Trail stretches from Alice Springs to (or back) Alice Springs. Walls of red rock, ghost gums, and ultramarine skies punctuate it. The swimming holes are refreshing on warm winter days, but it can get cold at night. This trail is only for experienced hikers because of its length. Several operators offer shorter guided walks.

August

Few destinations can soothe the winter blues like a tropical waterhole. This 58km trail links six of these oases, from burbling waterfalls to lily-filled billabongs, in the Nitmiluk National Park just outside Katherine. The trail is dotted with rich rock art sites that confirm its importance to Jawoyn Traditional Owners. Short days and flat terrain make it a great hike for beginners.

Kalbarri national Park, WA

Spring is a great time to visit the park in Western Australia’s Coral Coast. The mild temperatures and the blooming wildflowers are a perfect combination. The park offers a variety of short to long walks that take you past red sandstone cliffs and a natural ” Window.” There are also beautiful swimming spots in the ocean and rivers.

September

This park, which is almost 1,000 meters above sea level, is particularly beautiful during the warm, dry spring months. The Green Mountains section and Binna Burra section are both awash with waterfalls. The 21.4km border track links these sections. Shorter walks can also be taken to access dense rainforests, hidden pools, and magnificent clifftop views.

The Margaret River region of Western Australia is known for its wine. But there are two more “Ws” that make spring a great time to tackle the 123km coastal trail. The Cape to Cape is a 123km coastal track that traverses between Cape Naturaliste, Cape Leeuwin, and the squeaky white beaches of Western Australia’s Margaret River region.

October

The Stirling Range is home to the only major mountains in southern Western Australia. It towers so high above the plains that it receives regular snowfalls during winter. Six of the highest peaks can be reached by day walks ranging from 1.3km to 3km. They offer panoramic views over the landscape, where 123 different orchids bloom every spring.

This 250km walk between Sydney and Newcastle can be done in a single day or as part of a series. With a bit of planning, it is possible to stay at B&Bs each night. However, it’s worth doing before summer.

November

Visit before the school holidays to avoid the crowds. Parks Victoria offers shorter tracks and boardwalks for people with limited mobility.

Deep Creek Conservation Park, SA

If the heat is getting to you, take a dip in the park… Take a swim in the park’s single waterfall or on one of the beaches near the Southern Ocean.

December

 

The island sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife, including Tassie Devils and wombats. Birdwatchers will also find migratory species, such as the swift parrots, which are critically endangered. They arrive each summer. From one-hour hikes to multi-day excursions, trails lead to convict ruins and clifftop lookouts, as well as beaches where fur seals and dolphins play.