NSW‘s 7 ‘Great Walks’ revealed: How many have you ticked off?

Elizabeth Whitehead Elizabeth Whitehead
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Australia has some incredible multi-day hikes. But this list is putting NSW front-and-centre a hiking destination.

Australians love a hike, and we’re certainly spoiled for choice with an abundance of epic trails in each state. But Parks NSW is bringing the state front-and-centre with a new, official list of NSW’s ‘Great Walks’ . The list consists of the state’s best multi-day hikes, and comprises diverse landscapes from mighty alpine peaks to coastlines abundant with opportunities for spotting marine life. So, how many have you done? We break down the list below (from easiest to most difficult).

1. Grand Cliff Top Walk

The Grand Cliff Top Walk in the Blue Mountains has made a bit of a splash since it officially opened in March 2024, immediately topping AllTrails’ round up of the most popular hikes of the year. Indeed, the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains are known for its excellent hiking. Immerse yourself in this multi-day walk, which traces the clifftop taking in splendid views over two days. Best of all, the walk never strays far from mountain villages, so walkers have plenty of food and accommodation options.

  • 2 days, 1 night
  • 19 kilometres
The Grand Cliff Top Walk Undercliff Track in the Blue Mountains
Ditch the crowded lookouts on the new Grand Cliff Top Walk. (Image: R Brand/DCCEEW)

2. Tomaree Coastal Walk

Meander along the coast of Tomaree National Park in Port Stephens. Keep your eyes on the ocean – you’ll likely spot dolphins and whales here. Finish at Anna Bay and witness the fantastic Stockton sand dunes – the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. You also don’t have to rough it on this hike, as there are local villages and cafes along the way to cover all your accommodation and food needs.

  • 2-3 days, 1-2 nights
  • 27 kilometres
Spot whales on the Tomaree Coastal Walk.

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3. Murramarang South Coast Walk

Take some time out on the glorious South Coast with this walk that traverses the coast between Ulladulla and Batemans Bay. Start at Pretty Beach and make your way to Maloneys Beach over 3-4 days, passing through forests of towering spotted gums. There are plenty of campsites and cabins for ease.

  • 3-4 days, 2-3 nights
  • 34 kilometres
an aerial view of NSW’s Murramarang South Coast Walk
Enjoy the scenery while following the Murramarang South Coast Walk. (Image: John Spencer/Department of Planning and Environment)

4. Light to Light Walk

Connect the coast along Beowa National Park between two heritage lighthouses that bookend the start and end of the hike. This walk in the far south of the state is close to the whale-watching town of Eden, so keep your eyes peeled for the marine wildlife that can often be seen from the shore.

  • 3 days, 2 nights
  • 32 kilometres
aerial views overlooking Bittangabee Bay in Beowa National Park, Green Cape
The beaches on the Light to Light Walk are lapped by turquoise waters. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Snowies Alpine Walk

The Snowies Alpine Walk connects pre-existing trails to create a one-of-a-kind multi-day hike that takes walkers through wildflower meadows and snow gum forests before summiting Mount Kosciuszko. There are accommodation options in historic towns like Thredbo (the off-season for skiiers is on-season for hikers).

  • 4 days, 3 nights
  • 56 kilometres
snowies alpine walk
The Snowies Alpine Walk takes walkers through idyllic alpine landscapes before ascending the highest peak tin Australia. (Image: RBrand/DCCEEW)

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6. Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk

This hike in the Northern Rivers feels like being encased in a giant emerald. On the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk, you’ll pass through World Heritage Gondwana rainforest and across ancient volcanic landscapes. There are secluded and beautiful campsites to stay at, but you’ll need to book them in advance to secure a spot .

  • 4 days, 3 nights
  • 42 kilometres
Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk Minyon Falls
The trail follows the rim of an ancient shield volcano and culminates at the spectacular Minyon Falls. (Image: D Parsons/DCCEEW)

7. The Green Gully Track

This remote loop in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park is for experienced hikers only. But it more than makes up for the challenge with breathtaking scenery, pristine wilderness, dramatic gorges and rivers. There are even heritage-listed stockmans huts to offer some reprieve: you don’t need a tent, just book a spot in a hut .

  • 4 days, 5 nights
  • 65 kilometres
Elizabeth Whitehead
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.
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How a $1 deal saved Bendigo’s historic tramways

    Megan Arkinstall Megan Arkinstall
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    The passionate community that saved Bendigo Tramways has kept the story of this city alive for generations.

    It was an absolute steal: a fleet of 23 trams for just $1. But such a fortunate purchase didn’t happen easily. It was 1972 when the Bendigo Trust handed over a single buck for the city’s historic collection of battery, steam and electric trams, which had transported locals since 1890.

    inside the historic Bendigo Tram
    Bendigo Tramways is a historic transport line turned tourist service. (Image: Bendigo Heritage)

    The city’s tram network had been declared defunct since 1970 due to post-war shortages in materials to upkeep the trams and declining passenger numbers as motor vehicles were increasing. However, determined locals would not hear of their beloved trams being sold off around the world.

    The Bendigo Trust was enlisted to preserve this heritage, by converting the trams into a tourist service. The Victorian government approved a trial, however news spread that the Australian Electric Tramways Museum in Adelaide had acquired one of the streetcars for its collection.

    a tram heading to Quarry Hill in 1957
    A tram on its way to Quarry Hill in 1957. (Image: Bendigo Heritage)

    An impassioned group rallied together to make this physically impossible. Breaking into the tram sheds, they welded iron pipes to the rails, removed carbon brushes from the motors, and formed a blockade at the depot. The community response was extraordinary, and a $1 deal was sealed.

    A new chapter for the city’s fleet

    the old Tramways Depot and Workshop
    The old Tramways Depot and Workshop is one of the stops on the hop-on, hop-off service. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Today, Bendigo Tramways welcomes some 40,000 passengers annually, operating as a hop-on, hop-off touring service aboard the restored trams. Fifteen of the now 45-strong fleet are dubbed ‘Talking Trams’ because of the taped commentary that is played along the route. The trams loop between Central Deborah Gold Mine and the Bendigo Joss House Temple, which has been a place of Chinese worship since 1871, via other sites including the old Tramways Depot and Workshop.

    a Gold Mine Bendigo Tram
    The fleet comprises 45 trams that have been restored. (Image: Visit Victoria/Robert Blackburn)

    Keeping things interesting, throughout the year visitors can step aboard different themed trams. Tram No. 302 becomes the Yarn Bomb Tram, decorated both inside and out with colourful crochet by an anonymous group of locals.

    During the festive season, Tram No. 15 operates as a tinsel-festooned Santa Tram, and the big man himself hides out somewhere along the route for excited children to find. And on selected dates, the adults-only Groove Tram runs nighttime tours of the city, accompanied by local musicians playing live tunes and a pop-up bar.

    the historic post office turned visitor centre in Bendigo
    Visitors can hop on and off to see the city’s sites such as the historic post office turned visitor centre. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    As well as preserving the city’s history, however, the continuation of the tram service has kept the skills of tram building and craftsmanship alive in a practical sense. Bendigo’s Heritage Rail Workshop is world-renowned for restoring heritage trams and repurposing vehicles in creative ways.

    Locally, for example, Tram No. 918 was transformed into the Dja Dja Wurrung Tram with original Aboriginal artworks by emerging artist Natasha Carter, with special commentary and music that shares the stories and traditions of Bendigo’s first people. You can’t put a price on preserving history. Nonetheless, it was a dollar very well spent.