Australia's thriving hiking scene continues to grow, with new trails sprouting up across the country. According to recent data, almost 4 million Australians hit the trails each year, making it the third most popular form of physical activity in the nation.
For those looking for a challenge, Tasmania is set to unveil its newest iconic walk – a three-day trek through the rugged Tyndall Range on its west coast. Meanwhile, Victoria's new Great Ocean Road coastal trail will take walkers along the Otway coast from Fairhaven to Grey River over 76km.
In New South Wales, the Gidjuum Gulganyi walk has just launched, offering a four-day journey through subtropical rainforest and ancient volcano craters. This 42km track also features a cultural experience at its terminus, which is set to open later this year.
Queensland's Whitsunday Islands group is getting in on the action with its new 32km Ngaro trail. Traversing coastal landscapes, forests, and rocky peaks, walkers will enjoy breathtaking views of the island group. With just 15 walkers allowed per day, bookings have almost sold out for independent hikers.
The ACT has also seen significant additions to its hiking network, with a fresh 14km section added to the Tidbinbilla Mindjagari track network. Experienced bushwalkers can now tackle the Short 'n' Brutal loop and enjoy views over the Brindabellas and Kosciuszko national park.
South Australia's Adelaide 100 is nearing completion – hikers can follow a continuous section of more than 70km winding through koala-filled foothills, along gum-lined rivers, and past coastal dunes in the city.
Western Australia's Leeuwin Biddi trail offers an alternative to the Cape to Cape track, allowing walkers to appreciate this beautiful stretch of coastline over 3km. Designed for all ages and abilities, it connects with existing trails to link the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse with Augusta Boat Harbour.
New South Wales is also home to the Snowies Alpine walk – a four-day journey across alpine meadows filled with endemic wildflowers, historic mountain huts, and sinuous snow gums overlooking glacial lakes. The trail is part of NSW's growing collection of Great Walks.
Finally, international hiking enthusiasts can keep an eye out for several new trails set to launch this year. The Dongseo trail in South Korea promises a 850km coast-to-coast adventure featuring ancient Buddhist temples and village "base camps". In New Zealand, the Kawarau Gorge trail is scheduled to open later this summer, connecting Queenstown and Cromwell via swing bridges and cantilevered catwalks.
The Transcaucasian trail spans across Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, stretching 3,000km over mountains, scenic alpine landscapes, and secluded lakes. With diplomatic tensions in the region, it remains to be seen when – or if – this ambitious project will be completed.
For those looking for a challenge, Tasmania is set to unveil its newest iconic walk – a three-day trek through the rugged Tyndall Range on its west coast. Meanwhile, Victoria's new Great Ocean Road coastal trail will take walkers along the Otway coast from Fairhaven to Grey River over 76km.
In New South Wales, the Gidjuum Gulganyi walk has just launched, offering a four-day journey through subtropical rainforest and ancient volcano craters. This 42km track also features a cultural experience at its terminus, which is set to open later this year.
Queensland's Whitsunday Islands group is getting in on the action with its new 32km Ngaro trail. Traversing coastal landscapes, forests, and rocky peaks, walkers will enjoy breathtaking views of the island group. With just 15 walkers allowed per day, bookings have almost sold out for independent hikers.
The ACT has also seen significant additions to its hiking network, with a fresh 14km section added to the Tidbinbilla Mindjagari track network. Experienced bushwalkers can now tackle the Short 'n' Brutal loop and enjoy views over the Brindabellas and Kosciuszko national park.
South Australia's Adelaide 100 is nearing completion – hikers can follow a continuous section of more than 70km winding through koala-filled foothills, along gum-lined rivers, and past coastal dunes in the city.
Western Australia's Leeuwin Biddi trail offers an alternative to the Cape to Cape track, allowing walkers to appreciate this beautiful stretch of coastline over 3km. Designed for all ages and abilities, it connects with existing trails to link the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse with Augusta Boat Harbour.
New South Wales is also home to the Snowies Alpine walk – a four-day journey across alpine meadows filled with endemic wildflowers, historic mountain huts, and sinuous snow gums overlooking glacial lakes. The trail is part of NSW's growing collection of Great Walks.
Finally, international hiking enthusiasts can keep an eye out for several new trails set to launch this year. The Dongseo trail in South Korea promises a 850km coast-to-coast adventure featuring ancient Buddhist temples and village "base camps". In New Zealand, the Kawarau Gorge trail is scheduled to open later this summer, connecting Queenstown and Cromwell via swing bridges and cantilevered catwalks.
The Transcaucasian trail spans across Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, stretching 3,000km over mountains, scenic alpine landscapes, and secluded lakes. With diplomatic tensions in the region, it remains to be seen when – or if – this ambitious project will be completed.
. The fact that almost 4 million Aussies are hitting the trails each year is insane – it's no wonder they're calling it a thriving scene.
! I'm soooo stoked for all these new hikes popping up everywhere!!! 
! And in Victoria, they're doing this rad coastal trail along the Great Ocean Road that's like, whoa 
The Whitsunday Islands' new Ngaro trail is literally the perfect combo of coastal landscapes, forests, and rocky peaks 
. Almost sold out already?!?! Like, who even has time to book that far in advance? 
. An 850km coast-to-coast adventure featuring ancient Buddhist temples and village "base camps"?!?! 
.
It sounds super adventurous but also kinda... complicated 
i'm defo eyeing off tasmania's new tyndall range walk - 3 days and rugged west coast views sound like pure bliss 
also got to give a shout out to the ngaro trail in qld, whitsunday islands are calling my name 
what's going on with that one?
And what about the fact that most of these trails are being developed by private companies? That's just too suspicious for me, innit? I mean, who really benefits from all this hiking craze? 
Is it just a clever distraction from the real issues, like climate change and inequality? I'm not buying it, fam 
The thought of trekking through Tasmania's Tyndall Range or exploring Victoria's Great Ocean Road coastal trail sounds like a total adventure 
But overall, I think this is just fantastic news for anyone who loves hiking or just wants to get outside more.
after all those diplomatic tensions... i'm not sure about the current situation but 3000km is a looong time to trek, especially considering the terrain and cultural differences across three countries 
. I'm definitely adding Tasmania's Tyndall Range trek to my bucket list now – 3 days in the wilderness sounds like the ultimate school break 
.
. We've seen it happen before where a beautiful trail gets overused and ends up getting ruined.
). Who knows, maybe one day we'll have a more connected global hiking network that lets us explore all these incredible trails. A realist can dream, right? 
The more options we have, the merrier I say! 
Just make sure to bring your Akubra and zinc cream before heading out into the bush...