20ten Walks

Walking in Australia can be dangerous due to the elements and native fauna. Always be prepared wearing appropriate clothing, sun protection and provisions including water. The Australian environment is fragile so follow the old adage of taking nothing but photographs and leave nothing but footprints.

1. HEYSEN TRAIL, SA
The Heysen Trail goes from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula through to Paranchila Gorge in South Australia’s north. There are numerous mapped walks that cater for all needs from the casual day trip to the serious bushwalker. There are accommodation and camping sites along the path.

The Heysen Trail is marked by red and white markers however they can be hard to see in some areas. It does close during summer due to the high fire danger.

Web
www.heysentrail.asn.au

2. MELBOURNE’S GOLDEN MILE, VIC
This walk will take visitors to all of the historic sites in Melbourne. Guided tours will explain the heritage and stories of each site. The trail is approximately 4km and can take 2-3hours to complete. Guided tours are 2hrs in duration. The trail focuses on the business and political districts of Melbourne’s CBD.

Web
www3.visitvictoria.com

Costs
Tour $20/$15
Tour book $8
Location
Tour starts in Federation Square, it is marked by gold medallions embedded into the footpath

3. JINDABYNE, NSW
Jindabyne is perhaps better known as a ski resort during the snow season however it offers spectacular bushwalking throughout spring and summer. The walks are through the outer edge of Kosciusko National Park, the wildflowers are spectacular and the wildlife unique. Walkers have the opportunity to see to of the Australian animal icons and the wombats if you see them are huge!

Even in the height of summer the average maximum temperature is 10 degrees Celsius. Maps of walking trails area available.

Web
www.walkthru-jindabyne.com
Cost
Park entry June to October $27/vehicle
Rest of the year $16/vehicle

4. INTERNATIONAL WALKING WEEKEND, ACT
This annual walking event raises funds to local community organizations, in 2010 the money raised will go to the Lions Club of Canberra. The program includes 5km, 10km, 30km, 30km and 42km routes that pass some of Canberra’s natural and built environment landmarks.

This organisation offers four other walks throughout the year around Capital Hill and each of Canberra’s three lakes.
Web
www.aussiewalk.com.au
Dates
27-28 March
Cost
Registration from $25/$20
Year round walks $5 per walk
Location
Cnr Kings Avenue and Blackall Street Barton

5. BIBBULMUN TRACK, WA
The track goes from Kalamunda near Perth to Albany, one of the most southern points of mainland Australia. The track has 48 campsites along its length and numerous lookouts. Boot cleaning stations are also located along the track to help prevent the spread of “die-black disease” carried by spores in the soil. The entire track is nearly 1000km in length and can take up to 8 weeks to traverse. However is it possible to undertake shorter walks including day trips.

A number of group walks of differing lengths are organised throughout the year.
Web
www.bibbulmuntrack.org,au

6. KAKADU NATIONAL PARK, NT
There are 25 different walking trails throughout Kakadu, all of them will take visitors to some of the most beautiful and rugged terrain in the world. Kakadu is somewhat of a tropical oasis in the northern outback. Choose your walk according to length and difficulty as well as preferred scenery; rain forest, wetlands, bushland, desert. Most of the walks are free.

Be sure to take your camera, and be aware of the wildlife that may not be as thrilled to see you as you are to see them.

Web
www.en.travelnt.com
Cost
Entry into Kakadu National Park $25/person

7. GREAT OCEAN WALK, VIC
The walk is designed to be step on-step off allowing visitors to walk as much as they want to along the 91km beach trail between Apollo Bay and Glenample Homestead near the 12 Apostles. There are 11 “decision points” along the trail, and the different sections are of different difficulty. There are seven hike in and four drive in campsites along the walk.

Web
www.greatoceanwalk.greatoceanroad.com.au

8. CRADLE MOUNTAIN, TAS
Simply put there are 60 walks mapped out across Tasmania, around its coastline, inland and Bass Strait islands. The most popular is arguable Cradle Mountain Summit. This walk is approximately 8hours return. It is graded as a level 3 walk meaning that a good level of fitness is required as the track is steep and has rough surfaces. The walk takes visitors from 900m to 1545m at the summit, the view are worth the effort. The weather conditions can change rapidly and in winter walkers may experience ice and snow on the track.

Web
www.parks.tas.gov.au
Cost
Park Entry $16.50/$8.25
Location
Lake Dove Road, Dove Lake

9. WALLAMAN FALLS, QLD
Wallaman Falls is part of Girringun National Park in Queenslands Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. There are eight different mapped walked within this area ranging from half to three days with campsites maintained along their length. These walks will take visitors into the heart of Australia’s tropiccal rain forests

Some walks ma be closed during the wet season, September to May

Web
www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/great_walks/wet_tropics/walks_from_wallaman_falls
Costs
Camping permit from $5/night
Walk entry $4.50
Location
Drive along Abergowrie Road 51km south west from Ingham then follow the signs from Trebonne, part of the road is unsealed.

10. WATERFALL GULLY, SA
The perfect walking trail for a family walk on a pleasant Sunday afternoon. It is a relatively easy walk with the reward of a picnic at the base of the falls. Chidlren will love exploring the falls themselves, under adult supervision - of course. There is also a tea room.

The walk starts just 8km east of Adelaide in Cleland National Park. The park consists of seen waterfalls. The walks are of varying difficulty but handrails have been installed.

Web
www.burnside.sa.gov.au
Location
Waterfall Gull Road, Waterfall Guly