Great Walks of Australia

In north-eastern Tasmania, the magnificent coastline known as the Bay of Fires appears as it has for thousands of years. The white sand beaches and orange lichen-covered headlands provide dramatic landscapes, diversity and wildlife. From October to May, you can walk along beaches, explore coves and see wildlife on the guided Bay of Fires Lodge Walk. Rest at Forester Beach Camp for the first night, then enjoy the award-winning Bay of Fires Lodge. On the third day, the walk includes a half-day kayaking experience on the Ansons River. There’s time to relax, swim or treat yourself with a Signature Bath experience overlooking the ocean.

FREYCINET EXPERIENCE WALK

The Freycinet Experience Walk ventures into remote and rarely explored corners of Freycinet National Park. Walk through the pink granite Hazard Mountains and rich coastal forests to the white sand beaches of Wineglass Bay. Travel in the footsteps of the Oyster Bay Tribe, walking the same ancient tracks trod 30,000 years ago. Welcomed each evening to the award-winning and privately located Friendly Beaches Lodge, you’ll enjoy stunning architecture, works from some of Tasmania’s finest artists, food and wine from the freshest local ingredients and a relaxing bath. In your private room, you’ll fall asleep to the gentle sound of waves on Friendly Beach.

THE MARIA ISLAND WALK

Tasmania’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Maria Island is a blend of rare wildlife, diverse landscapes and convict heritage. On the Maria Island Walk, you’ll explore empty white sand beaches, enjoy gourmet food and wine, discover 300-million-year-old shell fossils and marvel at soaring dolerite columns. You’ll also spot wombats, kangaroos, penguins, dolphins and even Tasmanian devils. At night, stay in secluded wilderness camps and a heritage house in Darlington, a World Heritage convict site. There is an optional trip to climb through rare cloud rainforest to the peaks of Mount Maria or Bishop and Clerk.

THREE CAPES LODGE WALK

Tasmania’s dramatic Tasman Peninsula often feels like the edge of the world, with the wild Southern Ocean crashing on towering coastal cliffs and hidden sea caves. Take in the spectacularly wild Tasmanian scenery on the Three Capes Lodge Walk as you walk through forest and bush along the coast. You’ll experience a boat voyage, dolerite spires and fine Tasmanian food and drink before settling in each evening in simple yet sustainable in-park lodges. Tasmanian Walking Company is the only guided company authorised to offer the Three Capes Track and stay within the national park each night.

TWELVE APOSTLES LODGE WALK

Offered between September and May, the Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk covers the final portion of the Great Ocean Walk – an epic trail that follows the equally epic Great Ocean Road. Trek through cool-climate rainforest, walk along coastal clifftops and hear stories of shipwrecks and settlement. Visit remote beaches, spotting seals, wallabies, koalas and birds along the way. As a grand finale, you’ll walk up to the Twelve Apostles and enjoy a scenic helicopter flight over their heads. Nights are spent at the purpose-built walkers’ lodge at Johanna Beach, where guests sleep in eco-luxe villas with ensuite bathrooms.

MARGARET RIVER CAPE TO CAPE WALK

The Margaret River Cape to Cape Walk is a lodge-based, guided small group walk that combines the best parts of the Cape to Cape track with gourmet food and wine experiences. Walk through towering karri forests and along headlands and beaches where there are plenty of opportunities to swim in the ocean. The walk also features lunch with matched wines at Wills Domain, a private chef dinner showcasing local produce and a didgeridoo performance inside a magnificent cave. Stay all three nights in private villas with plunge pools overlooking the Indian Ocean at the luxurious Injidup Spa Retreat. Return transfers from and to Perth are included in the walk packages.

SEVEN PEAKS WALK

A two-hour flight from Sydney, Lord Howe Island is a true Australian paradise. The Seven Peaks Walk offered by Pinetrees Lodge allows you to explore the spectacular scenery of the island on foot, seeking out sheltered swimming coves, subtropical palm forests, freshwater creeks, rugged sea cliffs and volcanic peaks. With an expert guide, you’ll discover an exhilarating variety of marine and bird life, and test your limits with climbs to peaks and lookouts – a steady head for heights is required, but hikers keen for a more leisurely path can take alternate walks. Each night, guests return to their luxury boutique accommodation at Pinetrees to enjoy sunset drinks and a four-course dinner cooked by in-house chefs.

CLASSIC LARAPINTA TREK IN COMFORT

Soak up the ethereal scenery of vast flood plains, razorback rocky outcrops and ancient land on a guided walk along the high ridgelines of the Northern Territory’s West MacDonnell Ranges. The Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort is ideal for the experienced and ambitious walker, with some challenging terrain highlighting key sections of the epic Larapinta Trail. You’ll follow in the footsteps of the land’s traditional Aboriginal owners, early explorers and modern adventurers. Sleep under the stars or under canvas in exclusive wilderness camps, which offer shower facilities and two-person tents, while your hosts prepare gourmet meals in the splendid isolation of the Australian outback. Be sure to take the morning walk up Mt Sonder to watch the outback awake at sunrise.

THE ARKABA WALK

The Arkaba Walk crosses 600 million years of geological history in the Flinders Ranges and the Elder Range, located in the private Arkaba Conservancy in South Australia. You’ll spend two nights in luxury wilderness camps under the night sky (or within sheltered bush huts if you prefer) before indulging in one night in the gracious, fully restored 1850s Arkaba Homestead. Enjoy cold drinks and canapés as the ancient red rocks glow at sunset. The walk experience package includes a one-way flight from Adelaide to the Flinders Ranges, returning through the winery region on the final day.

MURRAY RIVER WALK

The Murray River Walk by Murray River Trails starts in Renmark and explores South Australia’s beautiful Murray River in the internationally recognised Riverland Ramsar Wetland. The easy walk operates between May and September. Expect to see ancient red gum forests, wetlands and red ochre cliffs lining the banks of Australia’s most famous river. The daily walking routes are on private property and in conservancy areas with exclusive access for Murray River Walk guests only. Stay on a modern ten-berth houseboat with a deck spa overlooking the river and enjoy gourmet dinners of Riverland food and wine. Have a final lunch at the award-winning Wilkadene Woolshed Brewery.

CRADLE MOUNTAIN HUTS WALK

Discover one of Australia’s most spectacular World Heritage areas while trekking the world-famous Overland Track, located in the peaceful terrain of Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. On the Cradle Mountain Huts Walk, you’ll wander through ancient rainforests, alpine meadows and button grass plains once covered by glaciers. There are craggy peaks, majestic waterfalls, stands of King Billy pines and more than a few wombats along the way. At the end of each day, enjoy hearty guide-prepared meals and sleep in the comfort of the private Cradle Mountain Huts. Guests can choose to add a worthwhile side trip to Mount Ossa, Tasmania’s highest peak.

SPICERS SCENIC RIM TRAIL

The Spicers Scenic Rim Trail offers a panoramic expedition across mountains, escarpments, rainforests and ancient volcanic plateaus in Queensland’s Main Range National Park. Along the way, guides show you plants and animals and talk about the traditions of the region’s Aboriginal inhabitants. Guests stay at a farm home perched on the edge of an escarpment and state-of-the-art cabins with awe-inspiring views. The second day is graded as hard.