AllTrails names the hottest hikes to have on your radar.
It’s no secret Aussies like to hike. But according to AllTrails , we’re the third most active country in the world! We’ve previously covered the most popular hikes in Australia, but here, we’re breaking down the top five hikes to have on your radar for the year ahead. AllTrails has crunched the data to reveal Australia’s trending hikes for 2025 – read on for the results.
1. Grand Cliff Top Walk (Blue Mountains, New South Wales)
Length: 19 kilometres
The Blue Mountains is a World Heritage Site and an ever-popular hiking destination. So it makes sense that 2025’s most trending track is the region’s newest blockbuster hike. The Grand Cliff Top Walk opened in 2024 as a scenic 19-kilometre, two-day walking spectacular that takes in waterfalls, wilderness and the best vistas in the Blue Mountains. We’ve broken down everything you need to know about the Grand Cliff Top Walk here.
You’ll see magnificent views of the historic Grand Stairway and more around every bend on the Grand Cliff Top Walk. (Image: Lauren De Sousa)
With its towering Mountain Ash gums, rushing streams and moss-covered rocks, this hike looks like a true storybook setting. Don’t miss the nearby Sherbrooke Falls Walk, part of a brand-new wellness walk series by Parks Victoria that’s complete with an audio guide accessed via a downloadable app.
Sherbrooke Forest Circuit is in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria)
3. Plenty Gorge Loop via Blue Lake (Melbourne, Victoria)
Length: 7.2 kilometres
You’ll likely encounter lots of Lycra on the Plenty Gorge Loop. Cyclists, joggers and hikers all head here to escape the city for their nature fix on this moderate track. The hike takes walkers through a gorge before leading out to the striking Blue Lake, the perfect place to pause and appreciate the peaceful surroundings.
The trail guides hikers to the peaceful shores of Blue Lake (Image: Flickr/woowoowoo)
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
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4. Purling Brook Falls (Springbrook, Queensland)
Length: 4 kilometres
Bring your swimmers on this stunning hike in the Gold Coast hinterland. This trail takes hikers through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gondwana rainforest to the base of a 100-metre-tall waterfall. Best of all, there’s a swimming hole to cool off in and take in the surroundings.
Purling Brook Falls is a great spot for a dip. (Image: Flickr/Tatters)
5. Mount Lofty Loop (Melbourne, Victoria)
Length: 5 kilometres
Another win for Melbournians – yet another local trail closes out the top five. This short loop immerses hikers in the rolling hills of the Yarra. The area is teeming with wildlife, so chances are you’ll spot plenty of kangaroos and wallabies along the way. Looking for more great hikes near Melbourne? We’ve got you covered.
Melburnians head to the Yarra to soak in the greenery. (Image: Wikimedia commons)
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 wild, otherworldly beauty of The Grampians offers a perfect place to unwind, slow down and relax.
Not all holidays yield the same result; some are bustling, with endless things to do, events to book and places to see. All great things, but they leave you feeling more tired than before. Then, there are destinations that help you slow down, making real connections and participating in self-care.
Destinations like The Grampians : surrounded by untouched nature, allowing a chance to reconnect with yourself and loved ones at a slower pace.
Discover six science-backed ways to enjoy a holiday and feel restored at the end of it.
1. Practice mindfulness
Be present at Hamilton Gallery. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Mindfulness – the practice of tuning into the present moment – has been found to help in reducing stress, anxiety and depression. One way to practice this art is by immersing yourself in art.
Hamilton Gallery has been in operation for over 60 years, and is not only home to many significant art pieces but also runs workshops and events for all ages to expand their awareness and understanding of art. The gallery is also the custodian of the largest collection of Gunditjmara artefacts held on country.
If you prefer to practice mindfulness through movement, visit Halls Gap Zoo to feed the meerkats – who wouldn’t feel better after focusing on these little guys? Or visit The Grampians Horse Riding Centre for an unforgettable morning ride through 10 kilometres of bushland. Enjoy the soothing movement of the horse and experience the bush anew.
2. Indulge in self-care
Take an immersive bath in nature on the Venus Baths loop walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)
While the term self-care might conjure up images of indulgent bubble baths or a soothing massage, there’s more to it than pampering. Self-care is any action that protects your physical, emotional and mental well-being.
Like taking an immersive ‘bath’ in nature. Do just that on the Venus Baths loop walk – ideal for less experienced hikers or those walking with kids – stopping at freshwater-filled rockpools to cool down along the way.
Serious hikers (we’re talking some rock hopping and traversing slippery tracks) can tackle the Wurgarri, or Mount Sturgeon walk, which rewards the effort with panoramic views from the summit.
For those whose idea of self-care leans more towards arts and culture, a visit to WAMA is a must. Australia’s first national centre for environmental art is home to exhibitions that explore the natural world through film, installation, painting, performance and more.
3. Embrace nature
Soak in incredible views over Halls Gap at Boroka Lookout. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Spending time in nature is the ultimate way to soothe your body and mind. It’s been proven to help with all manner of things, from reducing stress to boosting cognitive function. And there’s no better place to enjoy it than among the raw sandstone, wildflowers and native creatures of The Grampians.
Rocklands Reservoir, spanning 6700 hectares, is an ideal spot. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the view over Grampians National Park. Cast a line, hire a canoe or follow nature trails along the water’s perimeter. How’s the serenity?
To appreciate nature’s imposing power, head to Splitters Falls. Here, find unrivalled tranquillity. Spring is the best time to visit, when bouquets of native spring flowers greet visitors.
Those with limited mobility will appreciate Boroka Lookout, a viewing platform surrounded by breathtaking views over Halls Gap and the eastern Grampians. Come early to witness a sunrise you’ll never forget.
4. Prioritise Rest
Recharge at Nook on the Hill. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Above all else, a holiday should be an opportunity to recharge, and there’s no better way to do it than to get a good night’s sleep. We don’t need to tell you how essential sleep is, for everything from mental health to strengthening the immune system.
Try Wanderlust Glamping , where guests fall asleep to the soothing sounds of nature after an evening relaxing around the fire pit and wake to your very own green oasis.
For pure luxury in the foothills of the Grampians National Park, look no further than Nook on the Hill – a handcrafted tiny house surrounded by rewilded, lush native Australian bush. It might be small, but Nook on the Hill has everything needed to unwind in style, including an outdoor bath for balmy nights.
For a modern farm stay, book at Mount William Station in the foothills of The Grampians. The station combines old-world charm with modern amenities and easy access to everything this region has to offer.
5. Engage Your Senses
Indulge in a meal at Salingers. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Few human senses are as fun to indulge in as taste. A meal at Salingers in Great Western is the ultimate treat, and not only for the taste buds. The food is excellent, but Salingers’ really unique attraction is the bustling beehive that lives within the walls of the historic building.
For an expertly smoked burger, ribs, or beef brisket, head to Flame Brothers in Halls Gap. Tuck into delicious food while you enjoy the view.
If you prefer your senses heightened by the pump of adrenaline, Grampians Soaring Club offers an eagle-eye view of the Grampians National Park and Pyrenees Ranges from a glider. Take in the sights with a cross-country flight, ridge soar, or altitude wave flight.
6. Connect and reconnect
Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)
Making shared memories is a wonderful way to reconnect with old friends or make new ones. These unexpected finds make it easy to discover something new in The Grampians.
Amateur geologists will delight at the Kanawinka geotrail, which covers 60 sites over Australia’s most extensive volcanic province. Visit the Penshurst Volcano Discovery Centre to learn more about volcanic activity in The Grampians, or head to nearby Mount Napier State Park for a trip into the Byaduk lava caves.
Pop in to the Ros McArthur Art Studio to peruse the gardens full of native and exotic plants and flowers that serve as the subjects of Ros’s still life paintings.
For a shopping experience like no other, head to the Dimboola Imaginarium . Far more than a shop, the Dimboola Imaginarium is an immersive experience where you’ll find all manner of quirky bits and pieces. Expect the unexpected.
