Australia's Best 100 Walks: Choose Your Next Hike
By Australian Geographic | Published: 2026-10-24
Category: Buying Guides
Discover how to pick the perfect trail from Australia's Best 100 Walks. This guide helps you match walks to your fitness, time, and scenery preferences.
Quick answer
To choose your next hike from Australia's Best 100 Walks, match your fitness level, available time, and preferred scenery to the trail descriptions and difficulty ratings in the book.
Why this book works for planning hikes
Australia's Best 100 Walks is compiled by the Australian Geographic team after decades of exploring the landscape. It features a hand-picked selection of 100 inspiring trails chosen for their beauty, diversity, and experience. The guide includes stunning photography and practical tips, making it a solid resource whether you are a seasoned hiker or a weekend walker.
Trade-offs to consider
While the book covers a wide range of walks across Australia, it does not include detailed topographic maps or GPS coordinates for every trail. If you need precise navigation data, you may want to supplement this guide with a dedicated mapping app or local park maps. Also, the book focuses on the best 100 walks—so if you are looking for a hyper-local trail in a specific suburb, you might not find it listed.
How to choose your next hike from this book
- Match your fitness level: Look at the difficulty rating for each walk. The book categorizes trails by effort—choose easy walks for a relaxed day out, moderate for a steady challenge, and hard for a full-day workout.
- Consider your available time: Check the estimated duration listed for each walk. Some trails take under two hours, while others require a full day. Pick a walk that fits your schedule without rushing. If you have only a morning, filter for walks under 3 hours.
- Pick your preferred scenery: Browse the photography and descriptions to find walks that match what you want to see—coastal cliffs, rainforest, desert gorges, or mountain ridges. The book groups walks by region, so you can also narrow by location.
- Check seasonal conditions: Read the practical tips for each walk, which often mention the best season to go and any hazards like heat, flooding, or icy tracks. Plan your hike for a safe window. Summer walks in northern Australia may be best done early morning.
- Prepare your gear: Use the book's tips to know what to bring—water, sun protection, sturdy shoes, and possibly a map. The guide does not replace proper preparation, so pack accordingly.
Product facts
- Australia's Best 100 Walks: After decades exploring the Australian landscape, the team at Australian Geographic has compiled this definitive guide to the very best walks across the country. You get a curated selection of trails vetted by experienced explorers, saving you hours of research.
Australia's Best 100 Walks
Who this guide is for
Best for
- Hikers who want a curated, photo-rich guide to Australia's top trails
- Weekend walkers looking for accessible day hikes with practical tips
Not for
- Hikers needing detailed topographic maps or GPS coordinates for every trail
