The app has just dropped its yearly wrap of Aussie hiking habits in 2024, including the most popular tracks. Here’s what the stats revealed.
It’s well-known that Aussies love getting outdoors. But new data from hiking app AllTrails has shown just how much we really enjoy hitting the trail. According to the app’s roundup, Aussie AllTrails users navigated 11 million kilometres on the app last year. For reference, that’s the equivalent of walking around the Earth over 30 times! And when it comes to the average Aussie hiker, we ranked third globally, both for the amount of time spent on the trail and for the most kilometres clocked per person. It’s no wonder we’re known as a sporting nation!
As for the most popular hikes in Austalia, here are the trails most trodden in 2024.
1. Grand Canyon Track (Blue Mountains, NSW)
Length: 6 kilometres
The Blue Mountains are a World Heritage Site, a gem of biodiversity just a stone’s throw from Sydney. So, it makes sense that AllTrails’s most popular track of the year hailed from this beloved region. The six-kilometre Grand Canyon Track takes in waterfalls, ferns and striking views over the valley. In the right light, the landscape almost shimmers blue, thanks to the haze emanating from the blue gums that lend the region its name. As an aside, we also recommend extending your trip to do the new Grand Clifftop Walk, too.
Explore the Blue Mountains Grand Canyon Walk. (Images: Getty/Katharina13)
2. Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach Walk (Sydney, NSW)
Length: 12.4 kilometres
New South Wales dominates the list with Sydney’s tried-and-true Bondi to Coogee Walk coming in at second place. Starting at Bondi’s photogenic Icebergs pool and taking in some of the city’s prettiest swimming spots, you’ll see plenty of activewear-clad walkers powering along the trail, oat latte in hand. But this a popular walk for good reason, showcasing Sydney’s coveted coastal lifestyle in a nutshell.
The Bondi to Coogee Walk showcases why Sydney’s Eastern suburbs are among the country’s most-desired locales. (Image: Destination NSW)
3. Mount Lofty Loop (Wonga Park, Vic)
Length: 5 kilometres
Rounding out the top three is the Mount Lofty Loop. This is a popular spot for Melbournians to get a dose of greenery, with the trail steering hikers around the beautiful Yarra Valley and taking in serene views of rolling hills. Best of all, wildlife is abundant here and you’ll likely spot plenty of kangaroos and wallabies as you hike. We’ve also rounded up more great hikes around Melbourne.
Melburnians head to Wonga Park to soak in the greenery.
4. Whistlepipe Gully and Lesmurdie Falls Loop (Perth, WA)
Length: 6.8 kilometres
This stunning track in Mundy Regional Park is a go-to for Perth locals. Best of all, your pooch can accompany you on this dog-friendly trail (as long as they are on a leash). As you walk on this waterfall-dotted trail, you’ll be accompanied by the croak of frogs and maybe even spot a kangaroo or two if you’re lucky.
Lesmurdie Falls Loop is a popular dog-friendly walk near Perth. (Image: Getty/Jonathan Carruthers)
Meander around this moderate track that encircles Enoggera Reservoir near Brisbane. Marvel as the glassy water budding with plant life. And don’t forget your swimmers so you can enjoy a post-hike dip, as this is a popular swimming spot for locals to cool off.
There are plenty of places to cool off on a hike around Enoggera Reservoir. (Image: Getty/ Marlon Trottmann)
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
The Mornington Peninsula blends vineyards, galleries, golf and delicious finds for an unforgettable getaway that indulges all penchants.
Just over an hour from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula blends coast and country in a way that feels effortlessly indulgent. It’s a region where vineyard views meet acclaimed dining, art and culture is never far from the sea, and where hot springs bubble alongside rolling fairways. Whether your escape is a long lunch, an immersive art trail or a round of golf, the Mornington Peninsula has an itinerary to match. And there’s always a glass of good local pinot waiting for you at the end of the day.
A creative trail through the Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula is a haven for artists and creatives. Its coastal views and rolling landscapes have long been a source of inspiration. Stay at the historical InterContinental Sorrento , a grand hotel established in 1875, recently renovated to blend heritage charm with contemporary elegance. With curated art lining the hotel’s corridors and rooms, you could spend hours simply wandering the halls, studying the walls.
Wander around Pt. Leo Estate’s outdoor gallery. (Image: Visit Victoria/Jesse Hisco)
If looking for an outdoor gallery with sea views, head to Pt. Leo Estate , a landscaped vineyard home to a sculpture park featuring more than 70 large-scale works by both local and international artists, all easily accessible by connecting paths. After strolling through the vineyards, there are three dining options: fine dining at Laura, a relaxed meal at Pt. Leo Restaurant or a vino at the Wine Terrace. For something more hands-on, sign up for the Sip & Sketch experience. And if you book directly into the elegant Lancemore at Lindenderry Red Hill , you’ll enjoy free access to the sculpture park.
Pt Leo Estate boasts three elegant dining venues. (Image: Visit Victoria/Two Palms/Arianna Harry)
For those who like their art framed by rolling hills, vines and wetlands, Montalto is the place. More than 30 sculptures are dotted throughout the property. The vineyard offers a formal restaurant and casual tables among the seasonal produce in a setting that feels like Mr. McGregor’s Garden from Peter Rabbit. And there’s always the option to picnic on the lawn.
Montalto Vineyard is an idyllic setting for afternoon wining and dining. (Image: Visit Victoria/Robyn Lea)
The Sorrento-Portsea Artists Trail offers a self-guided walk along bush paths and sea cliffs to see the same landscapes that once inspired brushstrokes of some of Australia’s most famous artists. Along the way, interpretive signs share insights into the area’s artistic past. And, if the peninsula’s weather turns a little wild, the region is brimming with galleries, particularly around Flinders, Sorrento and Red Hill. Artisan studios are open by appointment.
The perfect base for a culinary inclined trip is Cassis Red Hill , where luxury accommodation is tucked between grape vines and olive trees. A quiet nod to the fishing village of Cassis in the south of France, this retreat is all about contemporary elegance – crisp linen, sunlit interiors and a private mineral plunge pool.
Then, for a stand-out lunch, Green Olive at Red Hill offers a delicious way to enjoy the region. Graze on generous tasting plates with house-made relishes, lamb sausages, local cheese and just-picked garden produce. Pair it with a wine flight or order a picnic hamper to enjoy among the olive grove; there’s a picnic option for your dog, too. And for a playful twist, Green Olive is home to what is believed to be Australia’s only pickleball court set within a vineyard or orchard.
Amid the many wineries with open cellar doors, Main Ridge Dairy offers a delicious detour – a goat dairy where you can sample handcrafted cheeses and even meet the resident goats. For a more refined experience, Paringa Estate is one of the peninsula’s most awarded wineries, offering fine dining with sweeping vineyard views and a menu crafted from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
If you’re looking to step outdoors before a lingering lunch, during winter Flinders Truffles offer the chance to join their clever dogs and search for the black gold under oak trees. For an authentic taste of the region, time your visit with one of the Peninsula’s vibrant farmers’ markets.
From golf days to spa stays
Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club. (Image: Visit Victoria)
With its champion courses, the Peninsula is a dream destination not only for those who love to tee off but for those who enjoy the post-golf wind down. Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club draws keen golfers from around the world, while Peppers Moonah Links Resort is a course that has hosted both a PGA tournament and two Australian Opens. For a true test of skill, The Dunes Golf Links is one of Australia’s top public courses.Each golf course offers accommodation, and staying onsite means maximum convenience, especially at The Dunes, where premium rooms have you sleeping right next to the fairway. Off-course indulgence is close at hand, too.
Soaking at Alba Thermal Springs & Spa. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Peninsula Hot Springs and Alba Thermal Springs are just next door, where thermal waters drawn from geothermal mineral springs deep underground provide the ultimate recovery after a day of perfecting your swing. These award-winning wellness sanctuaries offer everything from bathing pools to private plunges and spa treatments.
Jetty Road Brewery.
After sinking the last ball, and the 19th hole beckons, the Peninsula serves up just as many dining options as it does golf courses. Just minutes away and right on the beach, Jetty Road Brewery is a laid-back spot perfect for a round of beers and typical pub fare. For something a little elevated, book a table at Epicurean . Here, a glass of local red pairs beautifully with handmade pastas and woodfired pizza, all served in a historical coolstore and packing shed dating back more than a century.
