A COUNTRY MADE
Six states; two territories; 24 adventures. Discover these exciting Australian walks to get the blood pumping and your jaw dropping, writes Grace Ellis.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
CAPE LE GRAND COASTAL TRAIL Where: Cape Le Grand National Park Time: Nine hours one way Details: australiasgoldenoutback.com
Trekking across white-sand beaches and rolling heathlands, this 15km walk sweeps along idyllic coastlines of the Cape Le Grand National Park. Starting from Le Grand beach, a trek three hours through boundless granite outcrops, leads to Hellfire Bay, and the turquoise waters of the Great Australian Bight. After hiking a further two hours, the beautifully isolated Thistle Cove is the perfect shelter for a bite to eat. A wide variety of flora and fauna will distract you from your exhaustion — from kangaroos sunbathing at Lucky Bay to legless lizards and bandicoots at Rossiter Bay. This walk takes up to nine hours one way — complete the walks in sections over multiple days and make use of the campgrounds along the way.
MT AUGUSTUS SUMMIT TRAIL
Where: Mt Augustus National Park Time: Eight hours return Details: parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au
Two and a half times bigger than Uluru (Ayers Rock) and rising 860m above the surrounding plains, Burringurrah, as it’s known by the local Wadjari people, is 852km north of Perth. This tramp can take up to eight hours return, so head up just before daylight to witness the everchanging colours of Mt Augustus. During spring, the surrounding flatland turns into a magnificent carpet of purple wildflowers. This is one just for experienced hikers and should be attempted only over the cooler months of April to October — but there are a variety of easier trails, lookouts, swimming holes and picnic spots in the park for those looking for something a bit more relaxed. With the nearest town an 11-hour drive away, the national park’s detachment from the rest of the world only adds to its allure. Be sure to top up your supplies and unwind after your descent at the Mt Augustus Tourist Park.
WA easy option: The Pinnacles Desert View Trail takes less than an hour but gets you up close to unusual limestone formations that rise up from the ground like misshapen termite mounds.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
BARRK MARLAM BUSHWALKS Where: Kakadu National Park Time: Five hours return Details: parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu
Renowned for its bodies of water, Kakadu National Park offers a wide range of walks and sites, from historic Aboriginal rock art to mesmerising wetlands and waterfalls. The Barrk Marlam bushwalk takes you through enchanting monsoon forests for a breathtaking 2km before arriving below the cliffs of the colossal 200m Jim Jim waterfall. Although this first section may be a walk in the park for some, only the experienced bushwalker will be able to reap the rewards of the astonishing plateau above. Branching off into the rugged stone country of Arnhem Land Plateau, you’ll endure steep and uneven terrain, but the views from above will undeniably be worth every calf-burning minute. Organise this one ahead of time however, as visitors require a permit to explore the surrounding Arnhem Land.
KINGS CANYON RIM WALK Where: Watarrka National Park
Time: Four hours return
Details: kingscanyonresort.com.au
Just three-hours drive from the infamous Uluru, the magnificent Kings Canyon Rim Walk features 300m-high sandstone walls and ascends 1000 steps up on to the cliffs of the canyon. Watarrka National Park has been home to the Luritja people for more than 30,000 years. As well as vast views across the Red Centre and into the abundant valley below, sites also include a peaceful waterhole known as the Garden of Eden. (Don’t let temptation get the best of you — swimming is not allowed for cultural and environmental reasons.) The walk finally passes through Priscilla’s Crack — famous for featuring in the 1994 movie, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
NT easy option: Uluru Base Walk is a long, flat 10km trail that takes you around this famous monolith. Time your walk for sunrise to get the best perspective.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
DEEP CREEK CIRCUIT HIKE Where: Deep Creek Conservation Park Time: Seven hours return Details: environment.sa.gov.au/parks
From a patchwork of green hills, to waterholes and beaches galore, Deep Creek Conservation Park provides an abundance of awe-inspiring views for both the beginner and experienced hiker. The most challenging trail in the park is the seven-hour Deep Creek Circuit hike. Meet your match by descending bluffs to Deep Creek Cove, scrambling over steep rocks and enduring river crossings and sharp inclines, before arriving at waterfalls and waterholes where you can relish in