Hiking and bushwalking in Australia
Photo: Swongsy, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The large vast open areas of Australia make it a prime hiking destination, or bushwalking as it's known locally. With more than 3,200 trails throughout the country, the many different trails pass through different biomes including tropical rainforests, subtropical rainforests, estuarine, grassland, temperate rainforest, desert, coastal and alpine landscapes.
The term hiking and bushwalking can be used interchangeably, though bushwalking typically refers to what Australians call the bush.
UnderstandAustralia is huge – and the first thing you will need to understand is that it is next-to-impossible to give generalised information on bushwalking or hiking.
PrepareThe level of preparation you will need to do significantly depends on what hike or trail you are planning to do, and where you are planning to do it.
DestinationsMany of the national parks in Australia will have at least one trail, particularly the national parks closer to the coast, which will have at least five at the bare minimum.
Get inUnlike places such as Europe for example, buses rarely operate to hiking or bushwalking areas, as there are few bus services to national parks and conservation areas in general in the first place.
Fees and permitsSome, but by no means all, Australian national parks charge entry fees, typically only for visitors entering by car and/or camping overnight.
SleepIn many longer multi-day trails, you will have to find somewhere to sleep – after all, the human body is not designed to be working 24/7. If you are going to sleep alongside a trail, try to find a campground somewhere.
Stay safeWhile bushwalking and hiking may be an enjoyable way to experience the open spaces of Australia, it comes with many safety concerns, particularly if you are going in remote areas with few facilities.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Hiking and bushwalking in Australia" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Swongsy, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons