With the temperatures dropping and copper-hued leaves falling, autumn is the perfect season to lace up your hiking boots, get your steps in, and soak up some wilderness as you explore Australia’s finest trails. We’re spoilt for choice with thousands of kilometres of trails weaving through culturally significant sites, lush rainforests, rugged outback backdrops and breathtaking coastal scenery. Whether you’ve got a few hours to spare or a day or two, Mother Nature’s got your back. To help you plot your route, we’ve compiled 8 of the best hikes to tackle this autumn.

1. Grampians National Park, Victoria

Nestled in the highly spiritual Gariwerd mountain range, the Grampians National Park is home to some world-renowned hiking trails, and it’s easy to see why. The park has it all – vibrant flora and wildlife, rugged scenery, dramatic sandstone mountains, cascading falls, and heritage-listed Aboriginal rock art. There are plenty of ways to explore the area on foot, from gentle strolls on well-marked trails like the Venus Baths Loop, uphill battles to The Pinnacle Lookout, or full-day hikes around the 12 km Mount Rosea Loop Walk.

2. Kosciuszko Main Range, New South Wales

Conquering Australia’s highest peak is definitely one to add to your bucket list. As the centrepiece of the alpine range – the Snowy Mountains – Mount Kosciusko is so much more than a bleak mountain to traverse. There are two main routes – the more family-friendly, well-trodden 13km day walk aptly named the Kosciuszko Walk or leave the kids at home and tackle the challenging 19 km Mount Kosciuszko Summit walk. Either way, the panoramic alpine views at the top will leave you on a high!

3. Cape To Cape, Western Australia

If a mid-walk ocean dip is more your style, make a beeline for the spectacular southwestern Australian coastline and set your GPS for the Cape to Cape Track. Two lighthouses border this astounding 130km coastal track, and there are plenty of sections to choose from. If time and motivation allow, cross off one of Australian Geographic’s top-rated multi-day walks and get the whole thing under your belt in under a week. The trail is dripping in pristine beaches and towering karri forests, and there are also the nearby Margaret River wineries and gourmet restaurants to explore as a reward at the end. Autumn is the best time to visit and avoid the sometimes-fierce heat of WA.

4. Scenic Rim Trail, Queensland

For the more experienced hikers, the 47km Scenic Rim Trail has to be one of the most pristine and least traversed Great Walks in Australia. Located a short drive from Brisbane in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, you’ll need to either walk the track with a guide or ensure you’ve got the relevant topographic maps on hand to self-navigate the route. Your sense of adventure will be rewarded with sightings of endangered wildlife, boulder-fringed walkways, ancient eucalyptus, volcanic plateaus and the spectacular World-Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest. If you lack hiking experience but are reasonably fit, walking in a guided group is a great option – and you can even choose to do it in style!

5. Mount Remarkable National Park, South Australia

Beautiful any time of the year, but in autumn, the Mount Remarkable National Park native bushland comes to life with a kaleidoscope of colourful leaves adorning the treescapes. Nestled in the Southern Flinders Range, navigate rugged gorges with towering cliffs on the 9km circuit Alligator Gorge Loop, or take the high road above the Mambray Creek area on a shorter 2.5km Daveys Gully Hike and explore the park’s rich biodiversity.

6. Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory

Stretching an extensive 223 kilometres across the rocky spine of the West MacDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs, the iconic Larapinta Trail combines wild bush and raw, rugged outback landscapes like no other. The track's unique beauty draws trekkers, and hikers from around the globe (particularly between May and August). As it’s divided into 12 sections, you’ll find something for every adventurer here. Its deep-rooted cultural significance to the Arrente people is steeped in history, and understanding the traditional custodians of the land will serve you well.

7. Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

With over half of Tasmania protected within national parks (and an impressive 20% of them World Heritage-listed sites), most avid hikers have Tasmania on their ‘must visit’ lists, and it’s easy to see why. With a plethora of walks to choose from on the Apple Isle, our favourite autumn spot is Cradle Mountain. Choose from the intrepid 6-day Overland Track that promises to be physically and mentally demanding but abundantly rewarding, or skip your way down the 20-minute Enchanted Walk, which weaves through moss-covered trees, bubbling creeks, and magical tunnels. A world-class system of tracks traverses through rugged rainforests, sparkling glacial lakes, and epic mountain scenery. During autumn, you’ll be blessed with the opportunity to spot wombats, echidnas, and Tasmanian Devils, too!

8. Namadgi National Park, Australian Capital Territory

Just a short hop south-west of central Canberra, you’ll find yourself in the ACT’s only national park – the Namadgi National Park. Bordering New South Wales, the landscapes range from endless grassy plains to snow gum woodlands, waterfalls, alpine peaks, and sub-alpine meadows. The park comes to life in autumn with a show of vibrant golden flora and cooler climes that draw out the area’s unique wildlife, like rock wallabies, dingoes, pygmy possums, and lyrebirds. The area is of great cultural and historical significance with the Ngunnawal and Ngambri Aboriginal people, too, with at least 350 known sites, including rock art, ceremonial stone arrangements, and historic camp and quarry sites to pique your interest.

Follow a path less travelled this autumn

Experienced hikers and casual amblers alike are bound to enjoy exploring the walking trails weaving across our fair country. You’ll benefit from the physical activity, experience the tranquillity of being immersed in nature and be blown away by the sheer beauty of your backyard. And what better time to experience them than the season where you won’t catch frostbite or get seared by the sun? If you find it hard to leave and find yourself wishing the walk was in your backyard, pop into the local First National Real Estate office – they’ll be able to share local insights, knowledge and advice and might just have the perfect home for you.

Remember, before you embark on any walks, ensure it is within your realm of experience and check with local authorities for weather and track updates. Always be prepared for weather changes, and always tell someone where you’re going and when you plan to return.

DISCLAIMER

The following advice is of a general nature only and intended as a broad guide. The advice should not be regarded as legal, financial, or real estate advice. You should make your own inquiries and obtain independent professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances before making any legal, financial, or real estate decisions. Click here for full Terms of Use.