Australia boasts some of the most majestic coastal hikes in the world. But with more than 25,000km of glorious coastline to choose from, where should you start? Whether you like rainforests, mountains, historical routes or beachscapes, there’s something for everyone. Lace up your boots and take a hike – here are five beautiful stretches of coastline to explore in Oz:
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Pay no attention to its name: Hell’s Gate is actually rather heavenly. It’s one of the easier coastal walks on this list – and also one of the most beautiful and easy to access. Located in the Noosa National Park on Queensland’s magnificent Sunshine Coast, from here you can look out to Double Island Point in the north and Alexandria Bay in the south. Keep an eye out for wildlife as well as the spectacular scenery – this area is home to everything from dolphins and turtles to pied cormorants, osprey and sea eagles. And, from July to November, you also stand a very good chance of spotting migrating whales.
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Coastal hikes in Australia don’t get much better than the Tasman Coastal Trail, and the Apple Isle’s coastline is something everyone should see at least once. Take in the views of the 300-metre-tall dolerite cliffs and have your camera ready because not only are they incredible, but you’ll likely see seals, penguins, whales and dolphins as well. Doing the entire trail would take several days, or you can choose to do a part of the walk to fit in with your fitness level and time.
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A slightly more challenging coastal hike in Australia is the Bald Head Walk Trail, located in the spectacular Torndirrup National Park, about 400 kilometres southeast of Perth and 10 km south of Albany. This 12.5km return trek heads out to the Flinders Peninsula and includes incredible views out to the Southern Ocean and King George Sound. If you want to do the entire hike in one go, you’ll need to leave yourself around six-to-eight hours. Expect fantastic photo opportunities and a real workout – this is not for the faint-hearted, so make sure your fitness level is high so you can get the most out of the trek.
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The Coast track in Sydney’s Royal National Park – a challenging track that stretches for 26 kilometres between between Bundeena and Otford – is one of many multi-day coastal hikes in Australia. You can complete the walk at your own pace, and there are bush camping options available if you’d like to stay along the track overnight. Some key points of interest nearby include Captain Cook’s landing place, the views from Cape Solander and Towra Beach, plus there are brilliant opportunities for wildflower viewing, whale watching and gorgeous photos along the way.
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Another great coastal hike in Australia is the Heysen Trail, which extends for 1,200 spectacular kilometres through some of the best landscapes South Australia has to offer. (Don’t worry, you don’t have to do the entire trek! There are shorter sections of the trail that are perfect for day walks.) From from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula to Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges, the trail encompasses coastal areas as well as native forests, bushland, impressive gorges and even vineyards. If you’re a beginner hiker or are a bit out of practice, then the southern part of the hike, between Cape Jervis and Spalding, will be perfect for you. The more adventurous might like to head inland, to Parachilna Gorge.
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