Australia

Description

Railway Reserve Heritage Trail: John Forest NP

Bushwalking is Australian for hiking and more. In this incredibly vast and wild continent (6th largest country in the world, and 31 x the United Kingdom), any European spoilt with luxurious mountain huts and meticulously marked trails, is bound to encounter his or her roughest alter ego. Bushwalking means finding your own way, knowing how to localise water, carrying food for a week, and putting up your tent in the wilderness among pestering flies, aggressive Dingoes and Kookaburras snatching the food from your mouth.

The Australian landmass has ancient origins, resulting in strongly eroded mountain massifs reaching no higher than Mount Kosciuszko at 2228 m. Nature is most varied, ranging from rain forests up north to vast inland deserts, from snowy mountains in Tasmania and Victoria to the more than 7000 beaches. Forests of beach and eucalyptus give the country colour and scent. Several trails lead to the most remarkable aboriginal rock paintings and sculptures, some of which are more than 1000 years old.

So varied is Australian nature, that the image of the hot continent really must be dismissed as a myth. Australian summers can in fact be very hot and dry in parts of the country. But summer is the best time to walk in the Australian Alps or on the island of Tasmania. Winter is excellent for hiking in humid Queensland and the dry central inland areas of Australia. Spring and autumn make for good hiking almost anywhere in the country.

Hiking is possible on all levels of difficulty and in all biotopes. The many national parks, sometimes the size of a full grown country, are good for both day hikes and long distance walks. Longest in the country (and allegedly in the world, but this is disputed) is the 5330 km Bicentennial National Trail. Walking “by the stars” is not unusual in Australia: the true bushwalker needs no map or path. Sections of some trails are unmarked, or absent altogether. You will need to find your way with a map only, or by following the course of a river. Some people venture across the entire continent on foot, like John Muir. He made a film about it, titled “Alone Across Australia”. In many national parks you will need a permit, and reservations for camp sites and huts.

The longest hiking or multi-use trails are:

  • Bicentennial National Trail (Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland), 5330 km
  • Heysen Trail (South Australia), 1144 km
  • Bibbulmun Track (Western Australia), 961 km
  • Australian Alps Walking Track (Victoria, New South Wales), 683 km
  • Tasmanian Trail (Tasmania), 477 km
  • Hume and Hovell Track (New South Wales), 440 km
  • Great North Walk (New South Wales), 250 km
  • Great South West Walk (Victoria), 250 km
  • Great Dividing Trail (Victoria), 240 km
  • Larapinta Trail (Northern Territory), 230 km
  • McMillans Track (Victoria), 220 km
  • Tops to Myall Heritage Trail (New South Wales), 220 km
  • Katoomba to Mittagong Trail (New South Wales), 132 km
  • Cape to Cape Track (Western Australia), 124 km

A number of Australian trails find their origins in the national parks, and are maintained by the national park authorities. Within these parks you will always find possibilities for shorter hikes. Other – often longer - trails are private initiatives and being maintained by foundations or non-profit community organisations. In some cases the state government is responsible for a trail. Over the past years for instance, Queensland has opened ten Great Walks, long distance walks through the most beautiful regions of the tropical northeast.

Camping is the rule, huts are an exception. On the Bibbulman Track and the popular Overland Track (Tasmania) it is possible to walk from hut to hut. But on other walks you will need to bring your own tent. Be prepared to carry all your food, and plan ahead carefully where to stock up on water, because summer in many parts of Australia is dry. Open fires are often prohibited due to forest fire risk, so carry your own stove for cooking.

Last but not least, one of Australia's top bushwalkers, John Chapman, is always ready to share all his know-how and experiences with you. His website www.john.chapman.name is the authority, so don't forget to check what he has to say before taking off.

Map

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Trails

Regions

States

Mountains

Books

Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Australia`s Best Walks
  • “Australia’s Best Walks” contains 20 walks covering all of the country’s states, each of varying degrees of difficulty and type, meaning it has at least one walk for every type of hiker.Each state has it’s own introduction, detailing the natural history of it and a brief idea of the terrain to expect; the walks themselves include information on... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Top Walks in Australia
  • Australia is mecca for bushwalkers - there are walks crossing every sort of landscape, from rocky deserts to the tropical coast, craggy mountains to verdant rainforest, as well as some shaped by colourful human history. Experienced travel writer Melanie Ball has hiked every track in this book for walkers of all levels of experience. Included... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2022
  • DK Eyewitness Road Trips Australia
  • With its ever-changing landscapes, Australia is the perfect destination for a leisurely road trip. It`s yours to explore with Road Trips Australia, our redesigned and newly updated guide containing 22 drives across the country, from the coastal roads of the southwest to the red-dirt tracks of the outback.Packed with insider tips and... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2019
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2022
  • Epic Hikes of Australia & New Zealand
  • Lace up your hiking boots for the next in Lonely Planet`s highly successful Epic Hikes series, this time exploring 50 of Australia and New Zealand`s most rewarding treks and trails. From the Routeburn Track in New Zealand`s South Island to the Cape to Cape walk in Western Australia`s Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, we cover a huge variety of... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
» Click to open
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2022
  • Lonely Planet Epic Hikes of Australia & New Zealand
  • Lace up your hiking boots for the next in Lonely Planet`s highly successful Epic Hikes series, this time exploring 50 of Australia and New Zealand`s most rewarding treks and trails. From the Routeburn Track in New Zealand`s South Island to the Cape to Cape walk in Western Australia`s Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, we cover a huge variety of... Read more
» Click to close
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Walks in Nature
  • Walks in Nature: Australia is a celebration of being outdoors. From coastal cliffs and crescents of sand, to iconic bush landscapes and wild offshore islands, this book offers more than 100 walking trails around the country, all within an easy distance of your capital city. This second edition has been completely updated and contains new walks... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2021
  • Lonely Planet Best Day Walks Australia
  • Lonely Planet`s Best Day Walks Australia is your passport to 60 escapes into nature. Stretch your legs outside the city by picking a hike that works for you, from a few hours to a full day, from easy to hard. Stroll verdant hillsides, discover hidden coastlines, or explore the Outback. Get to the heart of Australia and begin your journey... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
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Bol.com
Netherlands
  • An Idiot's Guide to
  • This is the original book by John Lockard, which has been edited to bring it in line with modern standards to provide an enjoyable and engaging account as set out by John Lockard. Complete with illustrations to bring the ideas on the page to life in full colour. This book is intended for both the beginners and the seasoned pros, and for those... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • An Idiot's Guide to
  • This is the original book by John Lockard, which has been edited to bring it in line with modern standards to provide an enjoyable and engaging account as set out by John Lockard. Complete with illustrations to bring the ideas on the page to life in full colour. This book is intended for both the beginners and the seasoned pros, and for those... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Campervan Kama Sutra
  • Campervan Kama SutraOutback Australia, with a camper trailer, three kids and a dog.*This true story tells of one family's hilarious journey through Australia's rugged outback countryside.Our intrepid adventurers work their way through numerous mishaps, including, but not limited to, an ill-advised river crossing, an inappropriately packed roof... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Campervan Kama Sutra
  • Campervan Kama SutraOutback Australia, with a camper trailer, three kids and a dog.*This true story tells of one family's hilarious journey through Australia's rugged outback countryside.Our intrepid adventurers work their way through numerous mishaps, including, but not limited to, an ill-advised river crossing, an inappropriately packed roof... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • With Every Step
  • "The story of my son, who made an epic solo trek around Australia in honour of a mate who died too young, only to lose his own life weeks later.' Neil Cadigan In late 2010 Andrew 'Cad' Cadigan quit his job, sold his home and set out to walk around Australia. He was doing it in honour of a mate, Chris Simpson, who had recently succumbed to a... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • With Every Step
  • "The story of my son, who made an epic solo trek around Australia in honour of a mate who died too young, only to lose his own life weeks later.' Neil Cadigan In late 2010 Andrew 'Cad' Cadigan quit his job, sold his home and set out to walk around Australia. He was doing it in honour of a mate, Chris Simpson, who had recently succumbed to a... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • 1920s Annandale
  • 1920s Annandale was a busy place. There was the retail strip along Parramatta Road, the timber businesses on the harbour. In between, there were builders, fibrous plasterers, stonemasons and the Pictures. Confectionery, Jam, Pianos and Radios were all being made in Annandale. Though change was coming, motor vehicles were crashing into... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • 1920s Annandale
  • 1920s Annandale was a busy place. There was the retail strip along Parramatta Road, the timber businesses on the harbour. In between, there were builders, fibrous plasterers, stonemasons and the Pictures. Confectionery, Jam, Pianos and Radios were all being made in Annandale. Though change was coming, motor vehicles were crashing into... Read more
» Click to close
More books…

Maps

Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • World & Flags Hema Political Pacific-Centred
  • The world at 1:40,850,000 presented with Pacific Ocean in the centre on a double-sided folded map from the Australian publishers Hema; political version on one side and a physical map on the reverse. Each side shows the land masses against the background of light blue oceans with bathymetric tints to reflect the depth of the ocean floor. Polar... Read more
More maps…

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