Facebook-f Instagram Youtube

Top 5 Australian bushwalks for beginners

Getting into bushwalking has never been easier

Australia is a land of breathtaking natural beauty, offering a diverse range of landscapes that are perfect for exploring on foot. Whether you’re new to bushwalking or simply looking for an easy trail that showcases the country’s incredible scenery, there are plenty of beginner-friendly walks that provide the perfect introduction to the great outdoors. Here are the top five Australian bushwalks for beginners, each offering stunning views, accessible paths and a rewarding experience for walkers of all ages and fitness levels.

5. The Blue Lake Walk, Mount Gambier, South Australia

The Blue Lake Walk in Mount Gambier is a gentle, 3.6km loop that offers stunning views of one of Australia’s most unique natural wonders. The Blue Lake, which fills a volcanic crater, is famous for its vibrant blue colour, which changes with the seasons. This easy walk around the lake’s perimeter is perfect for beginners, with a well-maintained path and plenty of spots to stop and take in the scenery.

Highlights:

  • Scenic views: Enjoy panoramic views of the Blue Lake and its striking blue waters, especially vivid during the summer months.
  • Interpretive signage: Learn about the lake’s geological history and the local wildlife through informative signs along the trail.
  • Accessible path: The walk is mostly flat and paved, making it suitable for walkers of all abilities, including families with prams or those with mobility issues.

Why it’s great for beginners: The Blue Lake Walk is short, easy, and incredibly scenic, offering a relaxing introduction to bushwalking with the bonus of learning about the area’s natural history.

Australian bushwalks Blue Lake
The vivid water of Mount Gambier’s Blue Lake taken in from a track lookout.
Australian bushwalks Blue Lake trail
The Blue Lake Walk is a 3.6km loop around an ancient volcanic crater.

4. Cape Byron Walking Track, Byron Bay, New South Wales

The Cape Byron Walking Track is a 3.7km loop that takes you around the easternmost point of mainland Australia. This popular walk offers stunning coastal views, lush rainforest and the iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse. The track is well-marked and mostly paved, with a few gentle inclines, making it suitable for beginners who want to experience the beauty of Byron Bay’s coastline.

Highlights:

  • Cape Byron Lighthouse: Visit the historic lighthouse, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and spot dolphins, whales (in season) and sea birds.
  • Coastal views: The walk offers spectacular views of the coastline, with several lookout points perfect for photography.
  • Wildlife encounters: Keep an eye out for local wildlife, including wallabies, echidnas and a variety of bird species that inhabit the area.

Why it’s great for beginners: The Cape Byron Walking Track is easy to follow, with stunning views and plenty of opportunities to rest and take in the scenery. It’s a perfect introduction to coastal bushwalking.

Australian bushwalks Cape Byron
Cape Byron is the easternmost point of Australia’s mainland and offers vast views of the Pacific Ocean.

3. Kings Park Law Walk, Perth, Western Australia

Located just minutes from Perth’s city centre, Kings Park is one of the world’s largest inner-city parks, offering a variety of walking trails that showcase Western Australia’s unique flora. The Law Walk is a 2.5km loop that takes you through beautiful native bushland, offering views of the Swan River and the city skyline. This easy trail is ideal for beginners looking for a leisurely walk close to urban amenities.

Highlights:

  • Botanical Gardens: Explore the diverse plant life of Kings Park, with sections of the walk taking you through the Western Australian Botanic Garden.
  • Swan River views: Enjoy stunning views of the Swan River and Perth’s city skyline from various lookout points along the trail.
  • Cultural insights: Learn about the significance of the area to the local Noongar people through interpretive signs and art installations along the path.

Why it’s great for beginners: The Law Walk is short, flat, and accessible, offering a peaceful escape into nature without leaving the city. It’s perfect for a relaxing stroll with plenty of opportunities to learn about the local environment.

Australian bushwalks Kings Park
The stunning Federation Walkway in Kings Park.

2. Grand Canyon Track, Blue Mountains, New South Wales

Don’t let the name fool you – while the Grand Canyon Track in the Blue Mountains may sound daunting, it’s actually a beginner-friendly loop that offers a taste of this World Heritage-listed region’s stunning scenery. The 6.3km circuit takes you through lush rainforest, past waterfalls and along the cliffs of a deep, narrow canyon. The track has recently been upgraded and is well-maintained, with some stairs and short inclines, making it accessible for those new to bushwalking.

Highlights:

  • Lush rainforest: Walk through cool, temperate rainforest filled with ferns, mosses and towering eucalypts, providing a serene and shaded environment.
  • Waterfalls: The track passes several small waterfalls and creeks, offering picturesque spots to pause and enjoy the natural beauty.
  • Canyon views: Experience the dramatic scenery of the Blue Mountains as you walk along the edge of the canyon, with plenty of lookout points to take in the views.

Why it’s great for beginners: The Grand Canyon Track offers a slightly longer walk with varied terrain, but it’s still manageable for beginners. The well-maintained path and stunning scenery make it a rewarding experience for those looking to explore the Blue Mountains.

Australian bushwalks Grand Canyon
Take a moment to admire the beauty that surrounds you on the Grand Canyon Track.
Australian bushwalks Grand Canyon
Lush rainforest, mossy rocks and scenic cliff views all form part of Australia’s own Grand Canyon.

1. Liffey Falls, Tasmania

Liffey Falls is one of Tasmania’s most beautiful waterfalls, and the walk to reach it is equally enchanting. The Liffey Falls Walking Track is a short, 4km return walk through lush rainforest, leading to a series of cascading falls. The trail is well-graded and easy to follow, making it suitable for beginners and families. The tranquil atmosphere and stunning natural beauty make this walk a must-do for anyone visiting Tasmania.

Highlights:

  • Liffey Falls: The main attraction, Liffey Falls, is a series of tiered cascades set in a pristine rainforest environment, perfect for photography and relaxation.
  • Rainforest scenery: Walk through cool, dense rainforest filled with ferns, moss-covered trees and a variety of birdlife, creating a peaceful and immersive experience.
  • Picnic areas: The walk begins and ends at well-maintained picnic areas, where you can enjoy a meal surrounded by nature.

Why it’s great for beginners: The Liffey Falls Walking Track is short, gentle and incredibly scenic, making it an ideal introduction to bushwalking in Tasmania’s rainforest environments.

Australian bushwalks Liffey Falls
Sunlight filters through the rainforest canopy along the enchanting Liffey Falls Walking Track.
Australian bushwalks Liffey Falls
Liffey Falls are worthwhile motivation for tackling the 4km walk.

Get the most from your touring with Great Australian Outdoors

For more travel tips and guides to Australia’s best natural attractions, check out issue 5. We have a feature story on #2 – Grand Canyon Track and other stunning spots like the circuit walk around breathtaking Lake Eacham. Visit our shop page to purchase your copy and start planning your next outdoor adventure today!

HAVE YOU GOT YOUR COPY YET?

Our award-winning magazines and cookbooks celebrate our country’s rich biodiversity, highlighting how enjoying and protecting nature go hand in hand. As a non-profit, we proudly back the Conservation and Wildlife Research Trust (CWRT), funding environmental projects and supporting budding researchers in the field.

Get your copy today!