Exploring the scenic beauty and geographical diversity of Australia on foot was one of my wildest dreams. The experience was calming, and I was rejoicing throughout the duration of my trip. From the top of each hike, I could see the stretches of blue sky and look down at the diverse pieces of land.
The Brew
Australia has one of the most diverse landscapes in the world. From tropical beaches to rugged deserts and lush forests, there’s beauty to be found all over the vast island. Hiking enthusiasts will be in heaven in Australia; with so many hikes from coast to coast, you’ll likely struggle to decide where to go first. Out of the many that I’ve explored, I’ll be sharing the three most exciting ones below.
Jatbula Trail
Located north of Nitmiluk National Park, the Jatbula Trail spreads over 62 km. It is undoubtedly one of the best hikes in Australia. Here you’ll be able to absorb nature’s scenic beauty and explore the culture of the Jawoyn Aboriginal people along the ancient Song Line. This challenging trek isn’t for everyone, but will be more than suitable for full-time hikers who are comfortable carrying their packs and crossing rivers for extra adventure.
The trail takes around six days to complete. I was extremely delighted to walk through the bushes and sandstone cliffs, enjoying magnificent waterfalls, remote water holes, and other stunning geographical diversities. Plan your trip from June to September, as it is the best time to visit Jatbula Trails in terms of weather and trail conditions.
Heysen Trail
Heysen Trail is among the best and longest hikes in Australia, attracting many national and international hikers. I was too excited to complete the trail as it offered beautiful sights of diversified wildlife and passed through vivid landscapes, coastal plains, wine regions, historic towns, and pine forests. The trail also passes through forests, national parks, and famous tourist destinations in the state, allowing you to enjoy changing landscapes quite often.
If you can’t walk for days, you can take the small one-day routes on the same trek, or complete the whole trail in 6-8 days. If you are a beginner hiker, or someone who wants to enjoy trekking with family and kids, you can always take the easy trek.
It’s more suitable to explore the Heysen Trail from April to October, but some parts are closed due to the fire danger season.
Larapinta Trail
With its countless opportunities to view and enjoy nature’s splendid beauty, the Larapinta trail is the one best trails to see the sunrise at the top of Mount Sonder. Along the way you’ll also find refreshing waterholes, steep terrains, and red rock escarpments. It is located in the northern territory’s west MacDonnell Ranges and is 223 km long, which was okay for me, but you might find it hard to cover the distance if it’s your first trek. Owing to its immense biodiversity and geographical versatility, Larapinta Trail was named by National Geographic in “100 Hikes For Lifetime.”
I found the trek moderately challenging. If you feel the same, you can take a 3-day short trip to the top highlights instead of a 15-17 day complete hiking experience. You can move alone while exploring the hike on your own, or move with tour groups.
The Long Pour
Now that you know the three best Australian hikes, which one will be your next hiking destination?
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