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Wilderness Ocean Walk Trail

Wilderness Ocean Walk Trail

14.8 km return

4 h to 6 h

1 h 45 min to 3 h 15 min

Starting from the car park on Ocean Beach Road, Ocean Beach, this walk takes you past the Denmark Community Windfarm and Back Beach to Lights Beach and back via the Wilderness Ocean Walk Trail. This trail traverses the pristine coastal environment of Wilson Head Reserve, linking the Denmark Community Windfarm at Ocean Beach with Back Beach and Lights Beach. Along the trail you will experience panoramic views of the the Southern Ocean, Wilson Inlet, Monkey Rock and surrounding farmland. The trail has lookouts, seating and interpretive signage along the way, with amenities at both Ocean Beach and Lights Beach. The rugged coastline has many separate beaches ending in ancient granite rocks, dune cliffs, or stretches of hills rolling into the ocean, giving each beach its own character. The stunning coastal scenery and exposure to ever-changing weather provide a range of photographic opportunities on any given day. Watch out for the delicate shapes, hues and textures of various plants, as well as colourful displays of wildflowers in spring. The trail is a shared-use bitumen path. Please be respectful of others by keeping left and adhering to signposted speed limits. Although the gradient is mostly undulating, it can be quite steep in places. To protect the plants and animals and also for your own safety, stay on the formed trail and wear appropriate footwear. While the water might look inviting, swimming is not advised as the Wilson Head Reserve coastline is treacherous, with large waves, rips and unpredictable swell. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

Starting near the carpark at the end of Stormlea Road in Stormlea, Tasman National Park, this walk leads to Cape Raoul and back via the Cape Raoul Track. This walk takes you on a newly refurbished track through heath, woodland, and rainforest vegetation to stunning coastal seascapes that feature rock platforms, towering cliffs, offshore islands and swirling seas. Once out on Cape Raoul, enjoy the views of Cape Pillar, Hobart and Bruny Island. Keep a lookout for seals on the rocks and small islands below. The track is narrow and the hiking is tough at times, but the stunning cliff-top views along the way reward the effort. With a few steep sections, this hike is suitable for people of average fitness levels. Be aware that some parts of the trail are located along cliff edges, and the weather can be extremely hostile near the cliff edges and on the plateau, with very high winds and cold temperatures. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Cape Raoul

14.8 km return

5 h 30 min to 8 h

Environment

Mount Donna Buang via Mount Victoria Walking Track

Mount Donna Buang via Mount Victoria Walking Track

14.8 km return

6 h to 8 h 30 min

3 h 45 min to 5 h 30 min

Starting from the end of Martyr Road in Warburton, this walk takes you to the summit of Mount Donna Buang and back. Venture up into the mountains on this challenging shaded walk through alpine ash landscapes for panoramic views over the area. There are plenty of lookouts along the way where you can take a breather. The elevated walkway will guide you through the Rainforest Gallery for the chance to see ancient old trees from a different perspective. There is also a picnic area with gas barbecues, fireplaces, picnic tables, toilets and a lookout. This is considered one of the most challenging hikes around Melbourne, and one should be prepared for a steep, unrelenting ascent to the top, with some muddy and slippery parts. This track is recommended for people with endurance fitness. Please note that dogs are not permitted in Mount Donna Buang or the Yarra Ranges National Park. And watch out for leeches. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

Urban

Great North Walk: Heaton Gap to Teralba Station

Great North Walk: Heaton Gap to Teralba Station

14.8 km oneway

5 h to 6 h

This section of the Great North Walk starts from Heaton Gap near the Watagan Forest Motel, and winds east, towards Newcastle. The walk passes through the Awaba State Forest and past the Sugarloaf Range, down into Wakefield and on to Teralba, a pleasant town on the edge of Lake Macquarie. Accommodation is available at both ends of this day walk allowing you to join it onto other sections of the Great North Walk inn to inn style. Let us begin by acknowledging the Awabakal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Heritage

Environment

Starting from Lake Jualbup, Shenton Park, this walk takes you to Swanbourne Beach, traversing in-between urban and bush settings. The walk commences at Lake Jualbup before it enters the urban setting. After a small section of bushwalking through the Shenton Bushland, you can enjoy the serene environment of Bold Park Botanic parks and the wild variety of wildflowers there before you reach Swanbourne. There are informational signs along the track about the flora and indigenous cultural heritage (6 Noongar seasons and their connection with nature). You can follow the triangular marks along the trail. Additionally, dogs are welcomed, but they have to be on a leash. There are trains to Subiaco, and then you can take the bus 97 to stop 17520 or bus 950 from Wellington Street in Perth, alighting at stop 26201 near Rosalie Park. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Bush to Beach Trail

14.9 km oneway

4 h 30 min to 8 h

Environment

Thilba Thalba to Mapleton Cemetery

Thilba Thalba to Mapleton Cemetery

14.9 km oneway

9 h to 11 h

Starting from Thilba Thalba walkers’ camp, Gheerulla, this walk takes you to the Mapleton Cemetery (Delicia Road) via the fourth and last section of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk, visiting Gheerulla Falls and Ubajee viewpoint along the way. You’ll be met by exceptional views of Gheerulla Valley and the surrounding mountains as you walk out of Thilba Thalba. Take your time, enjoy the scenery and listen to the birds chirping by the water. Keep an eye out for signs of logging along the track and learn more about the history of the area. Both campsites have toilet facilities, although booking in advance is recommended. Look out for snakes and goannas. The creek can get dangerous after/during rainfall, so try to avoid those conditions. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

Great North Walk: Ourimbah Valley Trackhead to Greta Road

14.9 km oneway

5 h to 6 h

Great North Walk: Ourimbah Valley Trackhead to Greta Road

This pleasant walk explores the rural valleys and a beautiful section of Jilliby State Conservation Area. Starting at Ourimbah Valley Trackhead you walk into Hidden valley along the dirt road, to then follow a trail beside Ourimbah Creek to Stringy Bark Point. This is a pleasant mossy area with many ferns and near a wide sandy section of Ourimbah Creek. A bit further on you cross Ourimbah Creek then walk up the ridge to the dirt Tooheys Road. After turning off the old Tooheys Rd the Great North Walk leads along a narrow track and across the mossy and delightful Dead Horse Creek. The track then meanders through a heath and scribbly gum forest to Cherry Lane. After about a 1.5km road slog this walk leads you to a GNW trackhead on Great Rd. Let us begin by acknowledging the Awabakal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Environment

Heathcote to Engadine via Audley

Heathcote to Engadine via Audley

14.9 km oneway

5 h 15 min to 6 h 30 min

14.9 km

Oneway

Walk

5 h 15 min to 6 h 30 min

Covering a large section of central Royal National Park, this walk goes through the heath and scrub along a well managed and signposted track. The walk loops from Heathcote Railway Station around to Engadine Station. With public transport at both ends, toilets and water at both Uloola Falls and Reid's Park, this track has ample infrastructure to keep a walker out for a day, without losing the sense of getting away from it all. Let us begin by acknowledging the Dharawal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Swim

Waterfall

Environment

Mowlee Ridge to Garie Beach

Mowlee Ridge to Garie Beach

14.9 km oneway

4 h 30 min to 5 h

This is a long and scenic walk down to Garie Beach. The walk travels along the ridge and then the heath covered cliff edge, with views over the coast and far out to see, as it meanders along to the beautiful Garie Beach. The descent from the headland onto Garie Beach also gives magnificent views of the coast to the south. Let us begin by acknowledging the Dharawal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

Starting from the Ranger's Office just off Park Road, Hovea, this walk takes you on a circuit within John Forrest National Park, the oldest national park in WA. Taking in some of the park's less explored destinations, it takes you on a journey over undulating terrain through unparalleled scenery with great views over the area. The trail is a bushwalker's delight, covering various relatively pristine habitats and boasting spectacular wildflower displays in spring. The trail is well maintained and signposted with yellow triangles that have a black eagle on them. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Eagle View Walk

15 km circuit

4 h 30 min to 7 h

Environment

Middle Harbour Creek Loop

Middle Harbour Creek Loop

15 km circuit

5 h to 5 h 45 min

This walk explores the upper reaches of Middle Harbour Creek, starting and ending at the great parklands at Davidson Park, in Garigal National Park. There are plenty of nice spots along the way to rest and enjoy the views. There are several sandstone overhangs, plenty of water views and most of the walk enjoys shade from the surrounding bushland. This walk is graded so high because of a tricky creek crossing (Rocky Creek) and the faint section of track afterwards. Let us begin by acknowledging the Guringai people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Waterfall

Environment

Bus

Starting from Rotary Park on Bussell Highway, Margaret River, this walk takes you to 10 Mile Brook Dam and back via the 10 Mile Brook Trail. This is a pleasant 15km return walk along a shared-use trail that leads to 10 Mile Brook Dam. Mile Brook Dam got its name from the small brook that was dammed in the 1990s to supply the Margaret River and surrounding settlements with water. The walk starts at Rotary Park near 'Old Kate', a preserved steam engine at the northern edge of Margaret River. The trail follows one of the many old timber tramways in the area, meandering alongside the river with some wonderful views and scenery along the way. Keep a lookout out for the White-breasted Robin, Golden Whistler and other birds along the trail. This is also a great spot for seeing beautiful wildflowers in Spring. Upon reaching the dam, there's a nice picnic stop at Rusden Picnic Site before following the river back to Rotary Park. The picnic site has toilets, barbeque facilities and picnic tables. This is a moderately easy trail, suitable for most ages. The trail is a combination of compacted earth and coarse gravel, with a flat surface and little elevation change. The path is suitable for bicycles, prams, and possibly also for wheelchair users with assistance. There are summer and winter routes, so be sure to take the winter route during the wet months as the summer route gets very wet underfoot. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

10 Mile Brook Trail

15 km return

3 h to 4 h

Pets

Environment

Bus

Starting from the intersection of Gen Street and Railway Parade, Belmont, this walk takes you to Adamstown via the Fernleigh Track. This moderately easy walk follows the Fernleigh Track, a shared-use rail trail built along the former Belmont railway line between Adamstown and Belmont, with interpretive signage telling the story of the railway and the coal mines it serviced. Remnants of the original railway can be seen along the way, including the former stations' platforms, and there are shops and cafés available nearby at every stop, as well as drinking fountains and public toilets. From Belmont, near the picturesque Lake Macquarie harbour, the walk initially follows a boardwalk through the Belmont Wetland State Park, then heads through coastal heath past an ancient sand dune system before reaching Jewells Station. After passing Redhead, the walk climbs gently through native bushland to Whitebridge Station, then meanders along Tin Hare Creek past the Burwood Colliery Dam. From there, the walk heads through the Glenrock State Conservation Area past Kahibah, then passes through the 180m Fernleigh Tunnel beneath the Pacific Highway before reaching Adamstown. This walk consists of wide, mostly flat, shared-use bitumen paths with boardwalk sections. It is suitable for all ages and fitness levels, as well as prams and wheelchairs, and can be done in either direction. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Fernleigh Track

15 km oneway

4 h to 6 h

3 h 30 min to 6 h 30 min

Environment

Larapinta Trail, S12: Mount Sonder

Larapinta Trail, S12: Mount Sonder

15.1 km return

5 h to 7 h

Starting from Redbank Gorge Carpark, Mount Zeil, this walk takes you to Mount Sonder and back via the Larapinta Trail (Section 12), optionally visiting Redbank Gorge along the way. This is the twelfth and final section of the 223km long Larapinta Trail. A worthy finish for an epic hike, Mount Sonder offers you some of the best views in the whole Macdonnell Range. And you don’t even need to get to the top to get these looks as the track has 360-degree views throughout. The permanent waterhole in the gorge is worth a visit, especially on a warmer day as the waters of Davenport Creek stay cool no matter how hot it is outside. The campsite near the trailhead has toilets and water, requiring a fee of $5 per person. The Redbank Gorge Carpark is accessible with a conventional vehicle, but a high clearance is recommended nonetheless. Wear a hat and sunscreen as there’s almost no shade along the track. Let us begin by acknowledging the Arrernte people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Swim

Environment