Walking Trails, Paths and Groups in your area

Walking isn’t what it used to be. It’s so much more now than a stroll to the shops or walk in the park. There are new walking groups springing up everywhere, across cities, towns and regions. Some are a collection of friends or work colleagues, and other have formed around a specific interest. They’ve always been around, but now the variety and number of choices means most people can participate.

Old favourites include the Heysen Trial in the Adelaide Hills, a walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge (or climb for those of you who are game), or walk along the banks of the Yarra River in Melbourne.

Walking is popular among Baby Boomers because of the low impact nature and the opportunity to appreciate a break from the hectic life and enjoy a slower look at things, often with other people which is a bonus. It also means you are exercising and the more frequently you do it, the more likely it will be doing you a lot of good.

We have independently chosen to review information on the various walking trails, paths and groups around Australia through the various associations and government information websites. Follow the links in this article to get more details on the points and excerpts listed.

Walks and Trails by State and Territory

National

The Bicentennial National Trail - http://www.nationaltrail.com.au

Railtrails Australia, the conversion of abandoned railways across Australia into public use rail trails for walking, cycling and horse riding.

http://www.railtrails.org.au/

Bush walking Australia - http://www.bushwalkingaustralia.org/

Australian Alps http://www.australianalps.environment.gov.au/walktrack/index.html

NSW

Bushwalking - http://www.bushwalking.org.au/index.html

Highlights

Hume and Hovel Walking Track extends over 440 km between Yass and Albury. Follow in the famous footsteps of Hamilton Hume and William Hovell and walk the entire track, or simply enjoy a one or two day trip. Discover the natural attractions of the Southern Highlands, camp at Lake Burrinjuck or Blowering Reservoir, visit one of the many picnic and BBQ areas, or just experience the native flora and fauna.

The Great North Walk, from Sydney to Pokolbin, has many entry and exits points meaning you can enjoy the idyllic scenery for an hour, a day or even a week. With camp sites and changing scenery throughout, the 250km walk is a must do.

The Six Foot Track, linking Katoomba with Jenolan Caves, winds through some of the most stunning native bushland in NSW. Following the 45 km route of the original horse track in 1884, this walk is steeped in history and usually takes three days to walk. However, shorter walks can also be taken on selected sections of the track.

The Wiradjuri Walking Track, suitable for people of all ages follows a 30 km trail around the city of Wagga Wagga.

The Bicentennial National Trail traverses NSW on its passage between Cooktown in northern Queensland and Healesville near Melbourne in Victoria. The trail is a multi use (non-motorised) trail down the Great Dividing Range. Contact T: 1300 138 724.

The main link for these walks is : http://www.lands.nsw.gov.au/crown_land/walking_tracks

or Contact the Lands Recreational Trails Coordinator on T: 02 6332 8486.

QLD

Bushwalking - http://www.bushwalkingqueensland.org.au/

Highlights

On the Echo Creek Walking Trail, join Jirrbal guides will walk you along a forest track following a traditional Aboriginal trading route, identifying rainforest species and bush tucker.

The Kennedy Trails presents aspects of the historic Kennedy expedition through the Cardwell and Herberton Shires.

Palmerston Canopy Walk - investigation of the potential for a world-class canopy walkway in the Wet Tropics rainforest south of Cairns.

The Misty Mountains Walking Trails project is a network of medium and long distance walking tracks in the central sector of the Wet Tropics World Heritage area located between Tully, Innisfail, Malanda and Ravenshoe.

The main links for these walks are:

http://www.heritagetrails.qld.gov.au/attractions/tropics1.html

http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/natural-wonders/queensland-walks/useful-links.cfm

VIC

Bushwalking- http://www.bushwalkingvictoria.org.au

If you want to join a bushwalking club - http://www.bushwalkingvictoria.org.au/join_a_club.htm

Walking clubs of Victoria - http://www.vicwalk.org.au/join_a_club.htm

Highlights

Victoria has many trails which are close to Melbourne and most are within easy driving distance of the city: http://www.visitvictoria.com/displayobject.cfm/objectid.00023EBA-79DF-1A90-AABA80C476A90330/

The High Country in Victoria is a premier bushwalking destination with an extensive network of tracks and trails. Hike to the top of Victoria's highest peaks for breathtaking views over the stunning alpine landscape, or cross high plains carpeted in summer wildflowers, past snow gum woodlands to historic cattlemen's huts.

The main link for these walks is http://www.visitvictoria.com/displayobject.cfm/objectid.0005A0C4-77B5-1C46-AEE180C476A90000/

WA

Bushwalking - http://www.bushwalkingwa.org.au/

Highlights

Yanchep National Park is located within an hour of Perth city, and is famous for its koala sanctuary, limestone caves and Aboriginal tourism programs.

Stirling National Park near Albany boasts more than 1,500 species of plants and a hundred types of birds.

The majestic karri and marri forests of the Beedelup and Warren National Parks in the South West Region can be up to 300 years old. These lush green ecosystems are home to a large variety of native animals and wildflowers such as delicate orchids.

The remarkable Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk and the Ancient Empire grave near Walpole is 600 metres long and rises to almost 40 metres above the forest floor, giving the visitors a true bird's eye view of the forest. Colder to the ground, the Ancient Empire's walk way meanders through this stunning grove of veteran tingle trees.

Kings Park in Perth has its own tree top walk which will having you breathe in the rich bush land air while looking down on the majestic towering trees.

The award-winning Bibbulmun Track is one of the world's longest walk trails stretching almost 1,000 kilometres from Kalamunda in the Perth hills to the south coast of Western Australia. The track takes walkers through towering karri and tingle forests, down misty valleys, over giant granite boulders and along the stunning coastline headlands.

Munda Biddi is Noongar for 'path through the forest' and when complete will cover 900 kilometres from Mundaring to Albany making it a world class bike trail. The trail passes through some stunning natural settings. At present the first stage between Mundaring and Collie is complete.

The main link for these walks is http://www.westernaustralia.com/en/About_Western_Australia/WA_Flora_and_Fauna/Pages/National_Parks_and_Wildflowers.aspx

SA

Bushwalking - http://www.walkingsa.org.au/

Highlights

The Heysen Trail is a long distance walking trail in South Australia, maintained by volunteers from the Friends of the Heysen Trail and Other Walking groups.

http://www.heysentrail.asn.au

Walking Trails Support Group (WTSG) provides information on sustainable and low-risk walking access in interesting natural areas.

http://www.walkingtrailssupportgroup.org.au

The main link for these walks is http://www.southaustraliantrails.com/trail_experiences.asp?type=walking

NT

Bushwalking - http://www.bushwalking.org.au/dbc/

Highlights

Northern Territory has an extraordinary number of walking trails, from those that ramble through the rich tropics, to trekking rocky outcrops and chasms. http://en.travelnt.com/experience/walking-trekking.aspx?cid=sem-walk-aust

Walks, Talks and Trails

The Territory Parks Alive program offers free walks and talks from May to October each year. Activities range from Campfire Talks to Guided Walks and Slideshows.

Ranger Guided Walks and Talks

Territory parks and reserves are designed with walkers in mind, so there are lots of short walks to enjoy. See our short walks in Litchfield National Park, Trephina Gorge Nature Park and Watarrka National Park.

Short Walks

Some parks have hiking trails (or bushwalking tracks) within them suitable for groups of keen, experienced bushwalkers. See our walks in the Nitmuluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park, Watarrka National Park, West MacDonnell National Park (including the Larapinta Trail), Orminston Gorge and Pound, and Litchfield National Park.

The main link for these walks is http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/walks/index.html

TAS

North-West Walking Club - http://www.nwwc.org.au

Hobart Walking Club - http://www.hobartwalkingclub.org.au/

Launceston Walking Club -  http://www.launcestonwalkingclub.org.au

Federation of Tasmanian Bushwalking Clubs: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Highlights

Cradle Mountain forms the northern end of the wild Cradle Mt - Lake St Clair National Park, and is part of the Tasmanian wilderness world heritage area.The scenery is pectacular ranging from jagged contours of Cradle Mountain, ancient rainforest, alpine heathlands, buttongrass and stands of colourful deciduous beech, icy streams cascading out of rugged mountains, stands of ancient pines mirrored in the still waters of glacial lakes and a wealth of wildlife. The area is one of the most popular natural areas in Tasmania.

http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=3297

Cradle is the starting point for the world-famous Overland Track, a magnificent 6 day walk that will take you through the heart of some of the finest mountain terrain.

http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=7771

ACT

Canberra Bushwalking Club - http://www.canberrabushwalkingclub.org.au/

ACT Race and Fitness Walking Club - http://www.actwalkers.org.au/

Highlights

The Australian Alps Walking Track stretches from Walhalla to Canberra, ACT. It winds through the high country of Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT. It traverses rugged remote alpine country and bushwalkers must always be experienced, self reliant and have good navigation skills. On the Australian Alps Walking Track you will visit some of Australia's finest alpine national parks. The track climbs our highest mountains and crosses exposed high plains. It passes through magnificent tall forests and stunted snow gum woodlands, and discovers sites rich in history.

http://www.australianalps.environment.gov.au/caring/bushwalking.html

Namadgi National Park - Namadgi is the Aboriginal word for the mountains south-west of Canberra. The park was gazetted in 1984 and has an area of 106,095 hectares, making up 46% the ACT. The north-west section of the park lies just to the west of Canberra's suburbs. A popular day or overnight walk (with car drop offs) commences at the northern end of the Alps Track at the Namadgi Visitor Centre. From here the Australian Alps Walking Track climbs up 4km to Mount Tennent providing panoramic views extending from Canberra in the north, the Brindabellas in the west to the Alps in the south.

http://www.australianalps.environment.gov.au/walktrack/short-popular-sections.html#namadgi

Link for this review

Follow this link to the Bushwalking Australia Website for more information and details on the source of this review.

http://www.bushwalkingaustralia.org/

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Disclaimer: The information contained in this section should not be used for individual medical or professional advice. Please see your Doctor if you have concerns or specific questions relating to your health or seek professional advice as required.