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The Best Hikes in NSW to Try This Year
From the multi-day Gidjuum Gulganyi walk to Mt Kosciuszko two-ways, these are the best hikes in NSW.
The best hikes in NSW are a diverse lot, ranging from the sometimes-snowy peaks of Australia’s highest point, Mt Kosciuszko, to the towering sandstone cliffs of the multi-day Coast Track. If you don’t have an entire weekend to spare, the Bouddi National Park Coast Walk, Pigeon House Mountain walking track, and Ruined Castle track take just a few hours each. Looking to maximise on views? These are the tried-and-tested NSW hikes our editors can’t get enough of.
Best Coastal Hikes in NSW
Kiama to Gerringong
This delightful coastal track is great if you’re a fan of shifting terrains. It’s reminiscent of the East Coast of England with plenty of lush green hills at every turn and rocky beaches aplenty. The 20km hike will take you past rock formations, hidden beaches and plenty of sweeping coastal vistas. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore multiple landmarks, including Kiama Blowhole, Cathedral Rocks and Little Blowhole. There are plenty of opportunities to take a dip at secluded beaches along the way, so be sure to pack your swimmers!
Where: Kiama to Gerringong
Cost: Free
Best For: Outdoor, Active, Nature lovers, Families
Need To Know: This hike is quite exposed so it is best to avoid really hot or windy days.
Explore more of the best hikes on the South Coast.
The Coast Track
The 26km Coast Track will take you past some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in the state. Winding along sandstone cliffs and dipping in and out of remnant rainforest, there are plenty of landmarks to spot along the way, including the famed Wedding Cake Rock, Wattamolla, and Figure Eight Pools. With so many beaches, coves and waterfalls, it’s worth taking your time to maximise your swimming ops.
You can tackle it in a day, but if you’re not quite confident in an 8.5 hour hike, you can settle in to camp overnight.
Where: Bundeena to Otford
Cost: Park use fees apply
Best For: Adventure, Nature lovers, Active
Need To Know: You can only stay overnight at Garie Beach campground if you’ve made a booking in advance.
Explore more of the best walks in the Royal National Park.
Bouddi National Park Coastal Walk
Stretching across eight kilometres of rugged coastline from Putty Beach to MacMasters Beach, the Bouddi Coastal Walk is the perfect snapshot of the scenic Central Coast. Traversing beaches, boardwalks, rainforests, and secluded bays, the moderate hike is known as one of the best coastal walks in Australia. Don’t miss a spectacular photo opportunity at Gerrin Point Lookout for the chance to spot some migrating whales and sweeping ocean views.
Where: Putty Beach to MacMasters Beach
Cost: Park entry fees (Putty Beach area only)
Best For: Families, Nature lovers, Outdoor
Need To Know: This walk is clearly signposted and a choice for new hikers looking for something longer.
Explore more of the best walks on the Central Coast.
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Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk
Linking Mount Jerusalem and Nightcap National Parks in the Tweed Byron Hinterland, the 42-kilometre Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk (which translates to ‘Old People’s Track’) takes hikers along the rim of an ancient caldera through Gondwanan rainforest and ends at the spectacular, 100-metre-high Minyon Falls.
Taking four days and three nights, the track winds through three different parks, where you’ll pass through subtropical rainforests, wet and dry sclerophyll forests and tea-tree rocky scrub. Traversing the traditional lands of the Widjabul Wia-bal and Minjungbal Peoples from the Bundjalung Nation, the track holds significant and deep spiritual meaning, with ceremonial areas, creation sites and traditional pathways and camps along the way.
Camping spots are limited, so you’ll need to book in advance to secure your spot. Buried deep in the forest, each carefully crafted campsite features 11 raised sleeping platforms offering a guaranteed comfy spot to set up camp for the night.
Where: Manns Road Track Head to Minyon Falls
Cost: From $173
Best For: Adventure, Visitors, Nature lovers
Need To Know: The Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk is designed to be walked north to south only.
Best Alpine Hikes in NSW
Mt Kosciuszko Two Ways
Mt Kosciuszko offers a lovely outlook (when clear), as well as the chance to enjoy alpine flora and fauna. The shorter option involves taking the scenic chairlift ride up to the Kosciuszko walk, which winds past granite outcrops and wildflowers, across the Snowy River’s headwaters and above Australia’s highest lake to Rawson Pass. From here it’s a gradual climb to the peak, standing at 2,228 metres.
The longer summit walk begins in Charlotte Pass and takes six to eight hours return. You’ll be treated to some of the most incredible views of alpine terrain so be sure to bring your phone fully charged!
Guided walking tours are available too, offering various levels of adventure. You can join a guided walk to the top of Mount Kosciuszko with K7 Adventures and Thredbo Guided Walks. If you’re feeling fancy, combine your wilderness walks with a stay in a luxury lakeside spa resort.
Where: Thredbo to Mt Kosciuszko or Charlottes Pass to Mt Kosciuszko
Cost: Park use fees apply, chairlift pass $45 return
Best For: Adventure, Nature lovers, Outdoor
Need To Know: The walk is snowbound in winter, between June and October.
The Yarrangobilly River Walk
Starting from Glory Hole car park, this walk links up with the Thermal Pool, making it a popular loop that can be walked in either direction. Head up the Caves Exit Road to the Thermal Pool car park, then descend into the valley to the pool and picnic area. Pack your swimsuit to enjoy a relaxing dip in the spring-fed natural waters, then when you’re ready, follow the track as it meanders upstream beside the Yarrangobilly River.
Where: Glory Hole carpark
Cost: Park use fees apply
Best For: Families, Nature lovers, Outdoor
Best Hikes in the Blue Mountains
Grand Clifftop Walk
The Grand Clifftop Walk is a top pick for a weekend or long day hike. Waterfalls and lookouts dot the route that skirts the rim of the Jamison Valley. Whilst you’ll be immersed in nature the whole way, you’re never too far from civilisation, meaning a quick detour to one of the Blue Mountains’ cosiest villages is easily achievable.
Where: Wilson Park Picnic area to Scenic World
Cost: None
Best For: Nature lovers, Adventure, Visitors
Need To Know: Be sure to check for any closures before you set out
Explore more of the best walks in the Blue Mountains.
Ruined Castle
Depending on whether the car park at Golden Stairs is open or not, you may need to start the hike at Narrowneck Lookout (add approximately another 8km for this). From the Golden Stairs car park, you’ll descend into Jamison Valley. On the way, you’ll score some great views of the Three Sisters. Be sure to take a moment in the valley to listen out for birdsong. After a steep upward climb, you’ll arrive at Ruined Castle. If you fancy taking in the sweeping views from the top, you’ll have to do a little bit of scrambling. From the top, you’ll be able to see all the way out to Wentworth Falls and Cedar Creek Valley. Be sure to bring a picnic so you can fuel up for the tough hike back!
Where: Golden Stairs car park
Cost: None
Best For: Adventure, Nature lovers, Active
Need To Know: This walk is best for experienced walkers and requires light scrambling at the end
Best Hikes Near Sydney
The Aboriginal Heritage Walk
Step back in time in World Heritage-listed Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, just 40 minutes’ drive north of the city centre, where forested bush trails afford epic views over the Hawkesbury River, Pittwater and Barrenjoey Head. At least 800 sacred Aboriginal art sites can be found within the park. The Aboriginal Heritage Walk, a 4.4km loop, is a great introduction to rock art and engravings, including the impressive Red Hands Cave. To learn more about these sacred sites and the Guringai Aboriginal people who created them, book a walk with Guringai Aboriginal Tours.
Where: Resolute Picnic Area
Cost: Park use fees apply
Best For: Cultural, Nature lovers, Families
Need To Know: There are toilets and picnic facilities located at Resolute Picnic Area
Explore more of the best walks on the Northern Beaches.
Best Hikes on the South Coast
Pigeon House Mountain Didthul Walking Track
If you’re short on time but are after some 10/10 views, this 3.5-hour hike will deliver. Not for the faint-hearted, the hike ends with some rather steep ladders. If you’re an adventure lover, they just add to the fun! It’s a sweaty hike to the top, passing through heathland, forest and sandstone, but you’ll be rewarded with incredible panoramic views and a 360-degree backdrop of sweeping vistas.
Where: Morton National Park
Cost: None
Best For: Adventure, Active, Nature lovers
Need To Know: Wet weather should be avoided due to the use of ladders throughout the walk
FAQs About the Best Hikes in NSW
It depends on what you are after, but a few stand out across categories. For lookouts and waterfalls in a single day, the Grand Clifftop Walk in the Blue Mountains is a strong pick. For a genuine multi-day trek, the four-day Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk near Byron Bay winds through Gondwanan rainforest to Minyon Falls. If you want to stand on Australia’s highest point, the summit walk to Mount Kosciuszko delivers alpine scenery the whole way. Coastal walkers gravitate to the Bouddi Coastal Walk on the Central Coast for its beaches and boardwalks.
NSW has several standout coastal tracks. The Bouddi Coastal Walk covers eight kilometres of Central Coast shoreline from Putty Beach to MacMasters Beach, passing beaches, boardwalks and rainforest, with whale-watching from Gerrin Point Lookout in season. The Coast Track in Royal National Park is a longer 26km option along cliff-top heath and secluded beaches, walkable in a day or split across two with an overnight camp. On the South Coast, the Kiama to Gerringong track takes in the Kiama Blowhole, Cathedral Rocks and green coastal hills over roughly 20km.
The Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk near Byron Bay is a 42km, four-day, three-night trek linking Mount Jerusalem and Nightcap National Parks, finishing at the 100-metre Minyon Falls, with limited raised-platform campsites that must be booked in advance. The Coast Track in Royal National Park (26km) can be walked over two days with an overnight camp. The Mount Kosciuszko summit walk from Charlotte Pass is a long day at six to eight hours return, and can be extended by pairing it with other walks in Kosciuszko National Park for a multi-day alpine trip.
For a hike within easy reach of the city, the Aboriginal Heritage Walk in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park sits about 40 minutes north of the CBD. The 4.4km loop takes in rock art and engravings, including Red Hands Cave, with views over the Hawkesbury River, Pittwater and Barrenjoey Head. The Coast Track in Royal National Park, to Sydney’s south, is a bigger 26km coastal undertaking for those wanting a full day out. Both give Sydneysiders a genuine wilderness experience without a long drive.
Yes, several NSW hikes can be walked with a guide. On Mount Kosciuszko, K7 Adventures and Thredbo Guided Walks both run guided summit walks with varying levels of difficulty, which is useful given the alpine terrain and the fact the Charlotte Pass route is snowbound and unmarked in winter. In Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Guringai Aboriginal Tours leads walks that explain the rock art, engravings and cultural significance of the sacred sites along the Aboriginal Heritage Walk. Guided options are worth booking in advance, particularly in peak season and for alpine routes.
Loved this edit of the best hikes in NSW? Check out more places to explore with our ultimate Sydney travel guide.
