Top 5 hikes and walks in Australia

Bondi to Bronte

It’s no wonder this walk has been rated as one of the world’s most picturesque walks, as it will have you gazing across beautiful beaches, parks and spectacular views. This unique walk includes Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte Beach plus a medium gradient cliff-top path from Bondi to Tamarama, with occasional seating and several staircases.

The beachside parks offer picnic shelters, coin-operated barbecues, play areas, kiosks, toilets and change-rooms. Good for short walks or a day trip, this walk will show you the best of Sydney’s coastline.

Ocean Baths - Bondi Beach

                                                                                           

Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

On a walk through Cradle Mountain you are able to witness the wild landscape of Australia’s natural beauty at its best. This area is one of the most popular natural areas in Tasmania, and for good reason. A part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Cradle Mountain’s jagged contours, ancient rainforest, alpine heathlands, buttongrass and the colours of the deciduous beech provide a range of environments to explore. 

The park contains an extensive network of walking tracks to suit everyone's tastes. Walks through Cradle Mountain are good for day trips and short walks (under 2 hours).

Cradle Mountain - Tasmania

Kimberley’s

If you want to explore the Kimberley’s, then head to Purnululu. This World Heritage listed park contains the famous Bungle Bungles, which is seen as one of the scenic jewels of outback Australia. Famous for its 45 000 hectare range, walks through the Purnululu will reveal natural formations that are millions of years old. You will see huge banded beehive structures, sandstone cliffs and towers. On the northern side of the Bungle Bungle range is Echidna Chasm. This unspoiled scenic area is considered as one of Australia’s most amazing walking destinations and is relatively easy going. 

Walks can be done in a day or you can camp overnight depending on the season.

Purunululu National Park - Bungle Bungles

Blue Mountains

There are so many amazing bushwalking tracks to explore throughout the stunning World Heritage listed Blue Mountains region. There are walks for all ages and fitness levels. The Blue Mountains boasts one of the most complex track systems of any national park in Australia. Dating from as early as 1825, many of the constructed tracks have national, state and regional significance, and several are named to commemorate significant periods or events in our history.

While walking the Blue Mountains you can hike down the Giant Stairway past the Three Sisters, retrace the route of early mountain explorers or check out the recent discovery of the prehistoric Wollemi Pine.

Three Sisters - Blue Mountains

Victoria

There is an extensive network of tracks and trails around Victoria’s High Country where you can admire the stunning scenery of Victoria’s highest peaks. Alpine National Park is Victorias largest National Park. One of the Parks most impressive features is Bryces Gorge, which is reached via a 7.5 km excellent family walking trail, providing good views of the gorge and also of two waterfalls along the route. 

When walking along the panoramic alpine plains around Falls Creek, or trek along Mount Buffalo’s walking tracks, make sure you keep an eye out for kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, possums or falcons.

Another fantastic day walk is around the coastline of Victoria - particularly Great Ocean Road. Short walks (under 1 hour) to day walk are available, along stunning coastline, rugged cliffs and sandy beaches.

Hiking in Victoria

4 Winter Family Activities

Ice skating

Australia’s favourite Winter Festival celebrating all things winter is back in 2012. Ice skate on Australia's largest outdoor ice skating rink, experience a multitude of Alpine inspired food, have a warming drink and some comfort food at the cozy alpine hut complete with warming fires. Bring the whole family along to watch the festivities including ice hockey and figure skating demonstrations. Locations of the festivals include Brisbane, Bondi Beach, Melbourne and Fremantle. Tickets can be purchased through the Winter Festival website.

Hiking

Why not take the family on a hike to warm up the body from those winter temperatures! Sydney siders only have to travel 50 minutes in order to reach the heavenly Blue Mountains. If you are in the Brisbane area why not take the family for a hike around the Mount Tamborine National Park. It’s only an hour’s drive and most tracks are short and relatively easy. If you’re in Melbourne and have a bit more time for driving, then why not venture to the Great Ocean Road. It’s a three hour drive but totally worth it! You can take the Great Ocean Walk where you will see the Twelve Apostles, then why not weave your way through beautiful National Parks.

London Bridge - Great Ocean Road

QLD winter weather

If you and your family are finding the winter weather unbearable, then why not consider a Queensland escape? Queensland’s climate is not as distinctive as the cooler climates of Australia’s southern states. In winter, Queensland has one of the world’s most delightful climates. The days are invariably mild, fine and sunny. If you head to Queensland’s coastal areas such as Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast or the Whitsundays you will experience warmer temperatures and rid of those winter blues!

Alexandra Headland - Sunshine Coast

Australia Zoo

Australia Zoo has great activities to entertain the family these winter school holidays. Watch Terri, Bindi and Robert feed their croc’s in the world famous Crocoseum during the 12noon Wildlife Warriors show. Don’t miss free wildlife shows, free kids rides, free face painting, free colouring competition and pony rides daily between 11am-3:30pm. Admission tickets can be purchased through the Sunlover Holiday website. Don’t miss the jaw snapping action!

Bindi Irwin - Australia Zoo

Outback Australia on Screen

Some of Australia's best known films have been set in our vast outback. From the edgy Priscilla to the epic Australia, we have found the small towns that appear on the big screen.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert 

The film featured the trios incredible journey between Sydney and Alice Springs The film crew hit some of the most well known outback towns in Australia to film, including Broken Hill, New South Wales and Coober Pedy, South Australia.

Coober Pedy hosts the world’s largest opal field in the world. The heat in summer is unbearable, so many residents have made their home underground. Take the chance to experience the local lifestyle yourself and stay at the Desert Cave Hotel, then take a tour of the Old Timers Mine. Not to be missed is the lovely Serbian Church, with its softly lit arched ceiling sculptured into the rock walls.

Serbian Church, Coober Pedy

In the film the trio fulfil one characters long life dream to climb Kings Canyon. You too can climb Kings Canyon or enjoy a jungle floor walk and stay overnight at Kings Canyon Resort or the luxury tents at Kings Canyon Wilderness Park. Alice Springs offers a range of basic to luxury accommodation and flights are available from almost all major cities in Australia. If you prefer to savour the journey, The Ghan travels to Alice Springs from Darwin and Adelaide.

The Kimberleys

Baz Luhrmann's Australia

This epic film was set in East Kimberley and Darwin during WWII. The fictional Faraway Downs (the working cattle station of Carlton Hill Station) is located 50 minutes north west of Kununurra. The hill that provided a dramatic backdrop to the cattle farm is House Roof Hill.

Home Valley Station

Kununurra is well known for it’s the world’s primary source pink diamonds, viewable at the Argyle Diamond Mine. It is also the gateway to the largest man-made lake in Australia, Lake Argyle. Immense in size, it is often called an inland sea. To get the best view of the rugged outback surrounds, dome shape Bungle Bungles and Ord River book a scenic flight.

Bungle Bungles, Purnulu National Park

The film made use of El Questro Wilderness Park to film the cattle stampede scene. The station offers a variety of accommodation options over 80kms. Emma Gorge Resort offers deluxe tented cabins close to swimming gorges and a local bar with restaurant. The Station offers fuel station, a bar, sundry shop and bungalow style accommodation. For travellers looking for the best country hospitality the Homestead set atop of Chamberlain Gorge offers all inclusive packages with selected tours daily.  

El Questro Wilderness Park

Do you Remember the romantic swimming scene between Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman beside the waterfall? That scene was filmed at King George River, located near Faraway Bay, The Bush Camp. The property’s name rings true – to get here you must fly for 70 minutes north west of Kununurra or drive 280km along the 4WD only Gibb River Road. When you arrive you are greeted with the sounds of isolation, of rare wildlife and water gently lapping the edge of the Timor Sea. The property aims to keep your stay tranquil, by setting guest limit to 16 people. Dine in the open air Eagle Lodge, fish the tidal creeks in a dinghy, or swim in the spring-fed plunge pool. Packages include all meals and beverages, daily tours plus scenic air transfers from Kununurra.

 Crocodile Dundee

‘That’s not a knife!’

If you are ready for a game of knifey-spoony then venture into the rugged Kadadu National Park. This World Heritage Listed area offers access to an abundance of wildlife, plunging gorges and unique wildlife. The tropical climate produces lush wetlands and cascading waterfalls such as the impressive Jim Jim and Twin Falls. Aboriginal history is best viewed here too with ancient rock art visible at Noulangie Rock and Ubirr Rock. ‘Spot a croc’ on a cruise along the scenic Yellow Water Billabong or East Alligator River. The cruise will be shared with a range of Australian bird and fresh fish species. Kakadu offers a variety of accommodation, from tented cabins to private resorts.  

Walkabout Creek was not filmed in Northern Territory, but north west Queensland at the tiny township of McKinlay. Set between the mining town of Mt Isa and Winton the town was named after the explorer John McKinlay, who organised the search for Burke and Wills in 1861. If you head into town you can’t miss a trip to the Walkabout Creek Hotel for a traditional counter pub meal. For assistance booking your Outback adventure, speak to the Australian experts at Sunlover Holidays on 13 88 33.