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.
AI Prompt
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)
Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?
Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
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.
No matter your age and no matter your interests, Victoria’s coastal Bellarine region makes for a memorable getaway for the whole family.
Curving into Port Phillip Bay and extending south from Geelong, The Bellarine is a gorgeous coast-meets-country destination. It’s a captivating mix of beachside towns, rolling farms and vineyards, effortlessly cool eating and drinking spots and coastal vistas that seem to stretch beyond the horizon.
Among its many highlights is a plethora of family-friendly activities to suit all ages and all interests. Here’s your guide to the ultimate Bellarine getaway guaranteed to keep every generation happy.
1. Tuckerberry Hill Farm
Pick your own fruit at Tuckerberry Hill Farm.
There may be no better way to spend an early morning than by foraging and feasting on your own bounty of berries. At Tuckerberry Hill Farm, you can pick blueberries, strawberries and stone fruit from November through March. Take them home or enjoy on the farm’s sun-dappled grounds.
Tuckerberry also has a regular market selling farm-fresh produce, plus an inviting on-site cafe doing light lunches, drinks, home-baked treats and condiments – many of which incorporate the farm’s own harvest.
2. The Oxley Estate
Wake up to the neighbours.
A memorable holiday starts with a memorable place to stay, and The Oxley Estate delivers. Situated in the relaxed coastal town of Portarlington, the sprawling site offers thoughtfully styled rooms and activities that’ll keep both parents and kids entertained.
Wander the fragrant rose gardens, olive grove and fruit-laden orchards. Meet the resident alpacas, donkeys, goats, sheep, chickens and ducks. Challenge your crew to a round of giant chess or mini golf. Or cool off in the shimmering saltwater pool after a busy day of exploring.
Different room types cater to different groups, with the largest able to comfortably sleep eight.
3. Oneday Estate
Taste small batch wines at Oneday Estate.
Oneday Estate is a must-visit, featuring a restaurant, winery and bar. The winery lets you try small-batch, estate-grown shiraz, pinot noir and riesling. It’s also a vibrant and character-filled Sunday lunch spot in an eclectic stone-and-timber hall crafted from recycled materials and 100-year-old relics repurposed from the surrounding region.
The on-site eatery and bar hosts weekly Sunday Sessions accompanied by tunes from local musicians, a buzzy atmosphere and flavour-packed food and drink. Order a round of delicious woodfired pizzas with toppings to suit all tastes, alongside a glass of Oneday’s signature wine.
4. BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon
Kids will love BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon.
BIG4 holiday parks are renowned for their all-ages appeal, and BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon in the coastal enclave of Queenscliff is no different. The pool and gym are a given, but there’s also a playground, pickleball and basketball courts, a jumbo-sized jump pad, an interactive games arena and an indoor games room equipped with toys, activities and entertainment.
The diverse range of accommodation spans compact studios designed for three guests, all the way up to expansive beach houses accommodating up to 10, providing comfort and flexibility to suit every size of family.
5. Bellarine Railway
Take a journey aboard the Bellarine Railway.
If your entourage includes any locomotive enthusiasts, book a journey aboard the Bellarine Railway. The more than 100-year-old steam train transports you to a bygone era and takes you through the rolling farmland and windswept coastal landscapes that make The Bellarine so beautiful.
The Swan Bay Express is an easy 45-minute ride perfect for younger passengers (and even allows dogs on board), or you could opt for a themed trip. There are seasonal events like the Polar Express (a festive favourite in the lead-up to Christmas), along with the Blues Train (a high-energy experience of live music and dancing) and The Q Train (a roving fine-dining feast celebrating regional produce).
6. The Dunes
Save room for dessert. (Image: Visit Vic)
The Dunes offers the perfect balance of polished and playful, a breezy beachside bar and restaurant that appeals to adults and kids alike.
Feast on moreish snacks, share plates and mains from the Italian-inspired menu, or a selection of San Marzano-topped pizzas fresh from the wood-fired oven. Pair your meal with a classic cocktail, an ice-cold beer or a glass from the generous drinks menu, which brims with local drops. Little ones are well catered for with a line-up of kid-approved meals for breakfast and lunch.
If you’re simply swinging by en route to the family-friendly beach, grab a bite at The Dunes’ beachside kiosk before strolling down for a paddle or surf.
7. Sea All Dolphin Swims
Spot the locals with Sea All Dolphin Swims. (Image: Visit Vic)
The sparkling waters around The Bellarine are home to dolphins, fur seals, plus a flurry of seabirds. Sea All Dolphin Swims lets you see some of these magnificent animals up close aboard one of their small-group vessels.
Head out on a sightseeing tour and spot local wildlife darting around the boat, or dive right in with a swim adventure tour. You’ll be swimming alongside dolphins and seals in their natural habitat – a bucket-list experience you won’t forget fast.
Swimming and snorkelling gear is provided, and guides are trained to ensure a gentle, eco-friendly encounter for both swimmers and sea creatures.
8. Jack Rabbit
Everyone has a menu to enjoy at Jack Rabbit. (Image: Visit Vic)
If your mood leans laid-back, the House of Jack Rabbit is a lovely spot for brunch, lunch or dinner. The cafe serves a produce-driven all-day menu filled with seasonal mains, generous sharing platters and a playful kids menu to suit even the pickiest of eaters.
If you’re after something more elevated, Jack Rabbit Restaurant does plates that change with the seasons and incorporate plenty of local produce. Even younger guests are well catered to, with a considered yet familiar kids’ menu that’s just as vibrant as the grown-up one.
