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| Blue Mountains, NSW |
With hundreds of epic hiking trails to choose from, Experience Oz has released a shortlist of Australia's must-experience walking and hiking hotspots for 2015.
From coastal scenery dotted with pristine lakes to red deserts scattered with rugged gorges and canyons, it's no surprise that hiking and day walks are increasing in popularity around the country.
Experience Oz Digital Marketing Manager Matt Hobbs said hikes and walks are not only for the professionals, but for any outdoor enthusiast who was keen to experience the stunning natural beauty Australia has to offer.
“As the saying goes, 'Everywhere is walking distance if you make the time', and Australia is renowned for having some truly incredible walking and hiking tracks, so we encourage all outdoor enthusiasts to discover the hidden treasures that are just waiting to be enjoyed,” Mr Hobbs said.
“The geographical diversity of Australia ensures there's something for everyone. Enthusiasts can really get out there and conquer the more challenging hikes, while there are great options for beginners too.”
Mr Hobbs said a growing number of Australians are taking up hiking or walking, and tourists are also keen to check out Australia's stunning world-renowned landscapes, whether it's to feel the sand between their toes on a deserted beach or enjoy uninterrupted views of rugged terrain.
“From families experiencing the great outdoors on easy bush walking trails to the more serious adventurer, walking and hiking appears to be an ever-growing trend – evident in the increased number of bookings we have been receiving for our guided tours,” he said.
“To make it easier for those who share a passion for exploring our great country, we've identified where to go and the best time to visit, so that people can easily make the time to walk and explore this magnificent land from a different perspective.”
Experience Oz offers a range of walking experiences, including multi-day and single-day tours, guided or non-guided, and some with food, beverage and accommodation options or inclusions. For more information, please visit http://www.experienceoz.com.au/australias-walking-hotspots.
For more media information please contact Chanelle Rodger at Ruby Public Relations on (07) 5514 8575 or chanelle@rubypublicrelations.com.au.
Australia's top walking and hiking hotspots FOR 2015:
Overland Track, TAS
Length: Extensive 6-day hiking trek. 65km.Route: Travel through Tasmania's World Heritage-listed wilderness from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair
Challenge Level: Beginner-friendly
When to go: Summer
Highlights: Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain, waterfalls, mossy forests, alpine planes
Widely considered one of the world's best bushwalks, Tasmania's Overland Track is stunning natural beauty exemplified to the fullest. Walkers can experience pristine mountain streams, radiant waterfalls, vibrant meadows and numerous other phenomena combined to make for a breathtaking spectacle awaiting around each bend. Featuring the option to stay in a series of high-grade huts, the Overland Track is undoubtedly Australia's most memorable adventure to be had on two feet.
Bay of Fires Lodge Walk, TAS
Length: Scenic 4-day coastal journey. 20km.Route: The full length of the track runs from Binalong Bay to Eddystone Point
Challenge Level: Easy to moderate; good for all levels
When to go: September –April
Highlights: Dramatic landscapes, empty pristine beaches, coves, native wildlife
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| Bay of Fires Lodge Walk |
The Bay of Fires Lodge Walk is perfect for anyone looking for a more leisurely introduction to the world of Australia's Great Walks – easily negotiable with spectacularly colourful terrain. Explore one of Australia's most picturesque destinations with an itinerary that incorporates some of Tasmania's most stunning scenery. Breathtaking white sandy beaches colliding with ruggedly beautiful rock formations, bright orange rocks contrasting brilliantly with blue waters, and a myriad of bird and animal life are just some of the highlights.
Route: Popular tracks include Katoomba to Jenolan Caves (3 days) and the Grand Canyon Track (4 hours return)
Challenge Level: Beginner
When to go: Summer
Highlights: Three Sisters rock formation, spectacular limestone caves, mountain ranges, rugged scenery
Perhaps Australia's most popular mountain range for travellers due to its close proximity to Sydney, the Blue Mountains feature massive cascading waterfalls, distinctively rugged peaks and nearly endless opportunities for exploration both on peak and in canyon. Boasting over 140km worth of trails and 12 separate sections to choose from, walkers can handpick whichever route most piques their interests, from rainforests, waterfalls and canyons to heathlands and wildlife.
Route: Apollo Bay through to the Twelve Apostles
Challenge Level: Easy to moderate; no steep slopes
When to go: Autumn
Highlights: Australia's most iconic coastline, Otway National Park, tall forests, striking sunsets
Featuring incredible coastal scenery, the iconic Twelve Apostles rock formations, rocky cliff faces and vast stretches of open beach, the vivid red hue of the sun dappling its colours and shadows over the craggy cliff faces and reflecting off the water below creates one of nature's most impressive sunsets. Spread out over the course of just over 100km, this track is suitable for walkers of any ability level and combines some of Australia's tallest coastal cliffs with the remnants of various historical shipwrecks.
Route: The track starts in Augusta (350km south of Perth) and finishes in Bunker Bay/ Dunsborough
Challenge Level: Easy to hard; differs in sections
When to go: Spring
Highlights: Rock-strewn blue ocean, unique rock formations, majestic cliffs, historic lighthouse
The wonderfully untouched coastline of South-West Australia is a tapestry of colours, running alongside the brilliantly blue waters of the Indian Ocean from Cape Naturaliste in the north to Cape Leeuwin in the south. Situated in the Margaret River wine region, this is the longest coastal track in the country and offers incredible coastal scenery from cliffs and limestone caves, to headlands, unique rock formations and lush Karri forest.
Route: The journey runs from Wilpena Pound Resort to the Arkaba Woolshed
Challenge Level: Moderate to challenging; flat plains mixed in with steep hills
When to go: September–October
Highlights: Black Gap, ancient rugged landscape, mountainous amphitheatres, native animals
What was once an ancient seabed is now a cavalcade of peaks surrounding craggy sandstone bluffs, dry creek beds and deep valleys lined with a variety of native vegetation that makes for one of Australia's best and relatively uncrowded hiking destinations – the Arkaba Trail. Reminiscent of the Northern Territory, the sheer scale and open spaces of the Australian outback are on full display during this walk, as the backdrop of the rocky Elder Range and Wilpena Pound in the distance makes for an impressive view.
Blue Mountains, NSW
Length: Leisurely 6-8 day full length journeyRoute: Popular tracks include Katoomba to Jenolan Caves (3 days) and the Grand Canyon Track (4 hours return)
Challenge Level: Beginner
When to go: Summer
Highlights: Three Sisters rock formation, spectacular limestone caves, mountain ranges, rugged scenery
Perhaps Australia's most popular mountain range for travellers due to its close proximity to Sydney, the Blue Mountains feature massive cascading waterfalls, distinctively rugged peaks and nearly endless opportunities for exploration both on peak and in canyon. Boasting over 140km worth of trails and 12 separate sections to choose from, walkers can handpick whichever route most piques their interests, from rainforests, waterfalls and canyons to heathlands and wildlife.
Twelve Apostles, VIC
Length: 8-day coastal journey. 104km.Route: Apollo Bay through to the Twelve Apostles
Challenge Level: Easy to moderate; no steep slopes
When to go: Autumn
Highlights: Australia's most iconic coastline, Otway National Park, tall forests, striking sunsets
Featuring incredible coastal scenery, the iconic Twelve Apostles rock formations, rocky cliff faces and vast stretches of open beach, the vivid red hue of the sun dappling its colours and shadows over the craggy cliff faces and reflecting off the water below creates one of nature's most impressive sunsets. Spread out over the course of just over 100km, this track is suitable for walkers of any ability level and combines some of Australia's tallest coastal cliffs with the remnants of various historical shipwrecks.
Cape to Cape Track, WA
Length: 5-7-day scenic coastal walk. 135km.Route: The track starts in Augusta (350km south of Perth) and finishes in Bunker Bay/ Dunsborough
Challenge Level: Easy to hard; differs in sections
When to go: Spring
Highlights: Rock-strewn blue ocean, unique rock formations, majestic cliffs, historic lighthouse
The wonderfully untouched coastline of South-West Australia is a tapestry of colours, running alongside the brilliantly blue waters of the Indian Ocean from Cape Naturaliste in the north to Cape Leeuwin in the south. Situated in the Margaret River wine region, this is the longest coastal track in the country and offers incredible coastal scenery from cliffs and limestone caves, to headlands, unique rock formations and lush Karri forest.
Flinders Ranges, SA
Length: 4-day hiking itinerary. Approx 42km.Route: The journey runs from Wilpena Pound Resort to the Arkaba Woolshed
Challenge Level: Moderate to challenging; flat plains mixed in with steep hills
When to go: September–October
Highlights: Black Gap, ancient rugged landscape, mountainous amphitheatres, native animals
What was once an ancient seabed is now a cavalcade of peaks surrounding craggy sandstone bluffs, dry creek beds and deep valleys lined with a variety of native vegetation that makes for one of Australia's best and relatively uncrowded hiking destinations – the Arkaba Trail. Reminiscent of the Northern Territory, the sheer scale and open spaces of the Australian outback are on full display during this walk, as the backdrop of the rocky Elder Range and Wilpena Pound in the distance makes for an impressive view.
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