10 MIN READ | 14 DECEMBER 2015
Take the time this summer to pack adventure into your days. What better way to explore new terrain than with your own two feet, and everything you need on your back. Find your trail, pack your essentials and make an escape to find the wonder in your local parks and trails. We've got a list of trails to hit for day-hikes or multi-day missions so you'll never be short of ideas this summer. Hear from team explorer James Castrission about his packing essentials for a day or a mutli-day mission on the trails. Tie those laces on your hiking shoes, and find the peace and invigoration that comes with putting one foot in front of the other.
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Day-Hikes Multi-Day Hikes Hiking Essentials Camping
THE COAST TRACK
ROYAL NATIONAL PARK
DISTANCE: 26KM
The 26km track runs from Bundeena to Otford. You can tackle it in sections or in a single day. If you're making it a two-day trek, you can camp overnight in North Era Campground. Perfect for hiking in summertime, you can cool off with a swim at Little Marley, Wattamolla, Garie, North Era or Burning Palms Beach. Learn more.
SIX FOOT TRACK
BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
DISTANCE: 44KM
This track starts near Katoomba, passing waterfalls and wild rivers into the Megalong Valley, before crossing a suspension bridge, climbing the range, and arriving at Jenolan Caves. Camp overnight, or do a shorter section of the walk in a day. Learn more.
MOUNT SOLITARY TRAVERSE
BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
DISTANCE: 29KM
For a more rugged multi-day trip in the Blue Mountains, check out the Mount Solitary traverse, starting from Scenic World in Katoomba, and finishing at Queen Victoria Hospital in Wentworth Falls. Learn more.
MAIN RANGE TRACK
KOSCIUZSCKO NATIONAL PARK
DISTANCE: 22KM
The Main Range walking track spans 22km, crossing the Snowy River, fields, scenic lookouts, and climbing Mount Kosciuszko, before returning via the Summit trail to Charlotte Pass. Explore the Snowy Mountains when they're not snow-covered for a completely new adventure. Learn more.
For quick hikes and tackle in a day at Kosciuzscko National Park, find more options here.
FRASER ISLAND GREAT WALK
GREAT SANDY NATIONAL PARK
DISTANCE: 90KM
Fraser Island offers a number of half-day, full-day or multi-day hikes to tick off. With rainforest, lakes and sand dunes, the walks offer varied landscapes to explore. Choose a shorter trek, camp overnight, or complete the entire 90km from Dilli Village to Happy Valley, approximately over six to eight days. Learn more.
GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
DISTANCE: 2KM - 6KM TRACKS
For adventurous day-trips, head out to the Glass House Mountains National Park, north of Brisbane, QLD. The landscape features volcanic peaks that have been listed on the Queensland and National Heritage Register as a landscape of national significance. There are a number of walking tracks with varying difficulty, that lead from forest trails to lookouts. There are opportunities for rock climbing and abseiling, and challenging summit routes as well. Learn more.
THE WILDERNESS COAST WALK
CROAJINGOLONG NATIONAL PARK
DISTANCE: 100KM
Explore the coastline of Croajingolong National Park on the far eastern coast of Victoria on the Wilderness Coast Walk which extends 100km from Sydenham Inlet in to Wonboyn in the Nadgee Nature Reserve, NSW. The trail offers beachwalking sections, coastal heathlands, and rock sections and can be accessed from a number of locations along the coastline to adjust the length as required. Learn more.
FALLS TO HOTHAM ALPINE CROSSING
ALPINE NATIONAL PARK
DISTANCE: 37KM
Located in the Alpine National Park, this track links Falls Creek and Mount Hotham resorts, crossing 37km of snow gums, grassy plains and rocky summits. Achieveable in a three day, two night walk. There are two campsites including Cope Hut Campsite, 14km from the trailhead and Dibbins Hut Campsite near Cobungra River at the 28km mark. Learn more.
HEYSON TRAIL
Running 1,200 kilometers from Cape Jervis to Parachilna Gorge, the Heyson Trail passes through national parks, and state forests from the Fleurieu Peninsula to the Flinders Ranges. While the majority of the Heysen Trial is closed during Fire Danger Season, there are a number of sections that will stay open. To find sections that are open year round, check out the list here to start planning your day trip on the Heyson Trail.
CAPE TO CAPE TRACK
MARGARET RIVER
DISTANCE: 135KM
With cliffs, caves, and headlands, the Cape to Cape Track offers 135km of varied terrain with coastal and inland views. Starting from one lighthouse in Cape Naturaliste, and ending with another in Cape Leeuwin, the track has four wild campsites at Mt Duckworth, Moses Rock, Ellensbrook and Deepdene. The walk can be tackled in 5 to 7 days, but can be broken down into smaller segments for half-day and full-day hikes as well. Learn more.
BIBBULMUN TRACK
WALPOLE TO DENMARK, 127KM
DENMARK TO ALBANY, 85KM
Stretching 1000km from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills, to Albany on the south coast, The Bibbulmun Track will introduce you to the South West of Western Australia. You can choose sections to complete, but Walpole to Albany will give a mix of forest and coastline, and allow for quick dips to keep you cool along the way.
Walpole to Denmark involves a few big days, of 20km and more in the rugged south coast of WA. These are followed by trails spanning through long beaches, sand dunes, heathland and forest. Denmark to Albany is an easier coastal section to walk. This section offers sheltered swimming spots and beautiful landscapes of the south coast. Explore the Bibbulmun Track Section by Section Guide.
LARAPINTA TRAIL
CENTRAL AUSTRALIA
DISTANCE: 223KM
The Larapinta Trail offers a number of options for day-walks, overnight walks and multi-day trips through Central Australia in the Northern Territory. It's highest point reaches 1379m at Mount Sonder, and the trail passes through MacDonnell Ranges, Chewings Range and Heavitree Range. The Larapinta Trail begins at the old Alice Springs Telegraph Station, and over the long distnace passes through gorges, rugged climbs, and spectacular landscapes before finishing atop Mt Sonder – the highest point and end of the Trail.
To make the trail more manageable, divide the twelve trail sections and take on a section as a day trip. Learn more.
OVERLAND TRACK
CRADLE MOUNTAIN-LAKE ST CLAIR NATIONAL PARK
DISTANCE: 65KM
The Overland Track starts at Ronny Creek in Cradle Valley, beside Cradle Mountain. Over six days, walkers encounter valleys, rainforest, eucalypt forest and alpine meadows, with the option for sidetrips along the way. The walk finishes at Lake St Clair, where walkers can finish at Narcissus Hut at the head of Lake St Clair and board a ferry to Cynthia Bay. There is also the option to walk the length of the lake through the rainforest, adding 17.5km and another day to the trek. Learn more.
WALLS OF JERUSALEM
WALLS OF JERUSALEM NATIONAL PARK
DISTANCE: UP TO 30KM
Located in a remote area of the Tasmanian highlands, the Walls of Jerusalem hike offers experienced bushwalkers a remote wilderness experience with summit options of Mount Jerusalem or Solomons Throne. Starting near the Lake Rowallan car park, the hike begins with a mission to Wild Dog Creek, and the following day the return ascent of Mount Jerusalem (1459 m). Be prepared for radidly changing weather. Learn more.
MILFORD TRACK
FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK
DISTANCE: 53KM
Wander through glacially-carved valleys, rainforests and waterfalls on the iconic Milford Track, on route through the Fiordland National Park. The final destination is Milford Sound/Piopiotahi on this four-day, one-way scenic track. Busy in peak season, bookings are required. Learn more.
TONGARIRO NORTHERN CIRCUIT
TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK
DISTANCE: 43KM
This three to four day loup track, moves through active volcanoes Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe, featuring the dramatic volcanic terrain of the central North Island. Active volcanic craters, blue lakes and glacial valleys will keep you captivated on the trails. Bookings are required for huts and campsites, and huts have gas cooking stoves. Learn more.
Not sure what to pack? James Castrission lays out some key pieces for a day-hike or multi-day mission.
DAY-HIKE ESSENTIALS
PACK: Diad Pro 22
RAINWEAR: FuseForm Dot Matrix Jacket See Mens | Womens
FOOTWEAR: Hedgehog Fastpack GTX See Mens | Womens
OTHER GEAR: First Aid Kit, Map, Compass - it's fun on a day trip to leave the GPS behind and go old school nav!
TRAIL SNACKS: Scroggin mix (salty nuts, dried fruit), chocolate, apple
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DIAD PRO 22 |
FUSEFORM DOT MATRIX JACKET |
HEDGEHOG FASTPACK GTX $240 |
MUTLI-DAY ESSENTIALS
PACK: Banchee 50
SLEEPING BAG: Furnace 40/4
FOOTWEAR: Ultra Fastpack Mid GTX See Mens | Womens
CAMP FOOD: Back Country Cuisine dehydrated food & coffee
OTHER SUPPLIES: Dry Bags, Camp Stove & ThermoBall (see Mens | Womens)
GPS: Suunto Core
BOOK: Mountains of the Mind, Robert McFarlane or Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv
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BANCHEE 50 |
FURNACE 40/4 |
THERMOBALL FULL ZIP JACKET $330 |
ULTRA FASTPACK MID GTX $260 |
TIPS FROM JAMES: Have a GPS as a backup, but only pull it out and use it if you have to. If you feel inexperienced on the trails, or you don't know where to start, learning orienteering skills is a great way to gain confidence.
Make the most of your summer days. Share this with a friend and choose the trails you'll tackle this summer. Share your stories and photos with us through Facebook and Instagram, using #NeverStopExploring. Happy trails.
