Which State Capital Gives Access to the Best Bushwalking?

[Mark F]

NNW my comparison was meant to be between Canberra and Hobart for immediate access to walking opportunities - really very similar. Neither city though offers the same opportunities as Sydney to hop a regular and frequent train or bus for multiday (2 - 7 days) walks in the Blue Mountains etc.

In Canberra you only need to get out 10 km to access the start of the AAWT (6-8 weeks of walking) but I really don't want to suggest either is better - just a bit different.

[tas-man]

Brisbane is up there too with some great walks; Glasshouse mountains, Lamington NP, Springbrook NP, Moreton Island, Mt Barney NP and down to Mt Warning. All within a coupla hours of the big smoke Hobart is way out in front of the others though Mt Coot-tha V Mt Wellington, no contest really

As a born and bred Brisbanite growing up in Holland Park, my teenage playgrounds were Mt Gravatt 185m, and Mt Cootha 220m which I thought were BIG mountains to explore. I have now lived at a height of 180m overlooking the Tamar River and Mt's Arthur, Barrow, and Ben Lomond all over 1000m for eighteen years now, and am always taken aback when visiting Brisbane at how flat it all now seems! However walking along the Main Range and in Lamington NP are different types of experiences to Tassie, and each city has its unique character - but from Launceston I can escape to beaches or mountains within an hour or two.

[Turfa]

Probably Hobart. It troubles me what mainlanders will classify as a wilderness area e.g. a large camp ground with a river next to it 2mins from the road had a wilderness area sign in the Port Stephens area. You'd be luck to get 1km from a road in that particualr wilderness area Areas like Mt. Direction and the Meehan Range which are poor by Tasmanian standards quite easily trump this where wilderness is concerned and they're pretty much within the city limits.

Nice one............. But then again, it troubles me what Tasmanians will classify as a city !

[north-north-west]

Nice one............. But then again, it troubles me what Tasmanians will classify as a city !

They're in scale with the Island.

[NickD]

Hobart.
No matter which part of the city you live in (and its not exactly an effort to cross town) you have an advantage to areas. The areas near the mountain can begin their hike from their front door, Northern suburbs are that little bit closer to world class Mt Field & Styx Valley, the Eastern side is closer to Tasman NP and if you live closer to the Huon you can sneak off to the Snowy Range or Southern Range in less than an hour.
Not to mention Hobart sits underneath the Organ Pipes, fantastic for rock climbing, and if your too lazy for even that you can find a decent crag in half the suburbs. Mountain biking is solid around the mountain too and sea kayaking isnt a bad choice either, right from the city.

Not a capital but Launnie sits well placed too, especially for climbing with The Gorge literally 5 minutes from the CBD walking, Hillwood and Ben Lomond close by too.

The only big issue is that Tasmania really is along way behind the world in public transport. I´ve been to third world countries which much better public transport systems than Tassie!!

[gwynfa]

Anyone who lives in Hobart knows that the nearby hills & mountains offer a wide range of walking/bush experiences for young and old. Where else in Australia can you see a snow covered mountain inside the city boundary. The bigger cities may offer better transport but Hobart's walks are just minutes away by car, many Hobartians only need to walk out their front door to be literally on the track. Of course I am biased living at the base of the mountain.

[Strider]

Brisbane is up there too with some great walks; Glasshouse mountains, Lamington NP, Springbrook NP, Moreton Island, Mt Barney NP and down to Mt Warning. All within a coupla hours of the big smoke Hobart is way out in front of the others though Mt Coot-tha V Mt Wellington, no contest really

As a born and bred Brisbanite growing up in Holland Park, my teenage playgrounds were Mt Gravatt 185m, and Mt Cootha 220m which I thought were BIG mountains to explore. I have now lived at a height of 180m overlooking the Tamar River and Mt's Arthur, Barrow, and Ben Lomond all over 1000m for eighteen years now, and am always taken aback when visiting Brisbane at how flat it all now seems! However walking along the Main Range and in Lamington NP are different types of experiences to Tassie, and each city has its unique character - but from Launceston I can escape to beaches or mountains within an hour or two.

185m is hardly even a hill, let alone a mountain!

I grew up in NZ. Tassie mountains look small to me

[Mark F]

Doogs, in Hobart I lived in Battery Point so transport of some sort was needed or you added a hour or so to reach Wellington. Within the 5km I could have lived in many spots on the Eastern Shore which also would require transport to reach some good walking.

[tas-man]

185m is hardly even a hill, let alone a mountain!

I grew up in NZ. Tassie mountains look small to me

I can understand that When I walked the Hollyford many years ago, I got a sore neck looking up at the mountain peaks above the valley. The Milford tourist bus that took me to the start of the track had to have perspex panels in the roof so you could see the mountain peaks!

[stepbystep]

Doogs, in Hobart I lived in Battery Point so transport of some sort was needed or you added a hour or so to reach Wellington. Within the 5km I could have lived in many spots on the Eastern Shore which also would require transport to reach some good walking.

There's a reasonable bus service to Ferntree. I live in Lindisfarne and have previously caught a bus to the Ferntree tavern, walked various tracks and camoing out at Lenah Valley and caught the bus home.
There's plenty of access to the Meehan Range by bus also. I'd love it if the train line to Mt Field/Maydena was still operating...

[tas-man]

As a born and bred Brisbanite growing up in Holland Park, my teenage playgrounds were Mt Gravatt 185m, and Mt Cootha 220m which I thought were BIG mountains to explore. <snip>

185m is hardly even a hill, let alone a mountain!
I grew up in NZ. Tassie mountains look small to me

Well those Queensland banana benders who know no better make "mountains out of molehills."
http://www.weekendnotes.com/mount-gravatt-lookout/

[north-north-west]

I'd love it if the train line to Mt Field/Maydena was still operating...

Now you've really got the memories going. Annual high school trip down to Mt Field by the train. I think most of the kids got more out of the train trip than the time at the park, but any road it was a great day out.

[Strick]

Poor old Melbourne!

I don't see many people rushing to defend her honour in the face of some stiff bushwalking competition!

Is it really the poor relation to the other state capitals when it comes to accessing wild places?

Where do bushwalking Melbournites head to when they want to get out there?

I recently drove to Wilsons Prom and it was looking a little the worse for wear than on my precious visit 7 years ago on account of the bush fires. It was also by far the busiest bushland area that I've seen on my current trip. The world and his wife appeared to be down there, or maybe just half of Melbourne. And at 222 km or so, it's not that close to the city, though I realise many Australians would consider that close.

However, Melbourne is probably the best city in Australia (runs for cover...!)

[andrewbish]

Poor old Melbourne!

I don't see many people rushing to defend her honour in the face of some stiff bushwalking competition!

Is it really the poor relation to the other state capitals when it comes to accessing wild places?

Where do bushwalking Melbournites head to when they want to get out there?
...

However, Melbourne is probably the best city in Australia (runs for cover...!)

There are a terrific wild areas accessible from Melbourne - alps, Gramps, Western Gorges, the Prom, Croajingalong - but you have to be prepared to drive 2-4 hours to get to them. Fortunately, we have great roads here in Vic

As a slightly different perspective I would argue that for lovers of Winter hiking Melbourne and Canberra are tied in first place

[ryantmalone]

Where do bushwalking Melbournites head to when they want to get out there?

Where to begin... all depends on what your thing is.

If you want beach walks, there's Wilsons Prom, The Otways, and Croajinilong.

If you like climbing mountains, theres the Bogongs, Wonangatta, and the Grampians.

If you like a stolen weekend in the bush fairly close to Melbourne, there's Lerderderg Gorge, and Mt BawBaw.

There's some great off track routes in Wonangatta as well.

Most of the mountainous areas here in Victoria are around 3 - 5 hours drive, but easy drives though. The drive from Melbourne to Bogong is lovely, and passes by real fast.

There are many places close by though, within a few hours. Lerderderg, the Prom, BawBaw, the Otways, etc.

I'd say that some of the best hiking in Australia is here, but then I'd just be being biassed, and forgetting that Tasmania is an Australian state.