IMAGE: LUKE TSCHARKE


AUSTRALIA


Hikers on the Larapinta Trail, which


crosses the Northern Territory’s West MacDonnell Ranges for 142 miles


hiking


FOUR GREAT WALKS 2


1


THE LARAPINTA TRAIL Difficulty: Moderate The Larapinta Trail is a 142-


mile bushwalk across the Northern Territory’s sunbaked West MacDonnell Ranges, traversing arid outcrops before descending to swimming holes. Starting in Alice Springs/Mparntwe, it takes nearly three weeks to hike the length of the trail to its glorious sunrise climax at Mount Sonder, but the trail is divided into 12 sections to allow for day walks, overnight treks and multi-day hikes. World Expeditions off ers packages ranging from self-guided treks to all-inclusive guided tours with stays at tented eco-camps, from A$4,000 (£2,040) per person. larapintatrail.com.au worldexpeditions.com


CAPE TO CAPE WALK Difficulty: Moderate Western Australia’s


Margaret River draws surfi es and oenophiles thanks to its bountiful breaks and wineries. Weaving between them is the 77-mile Cape to Cape Track, a coastal trail that navigates karri forests and cliff s along the length of Leeuwin- Naturaliste National Park. The trail can take up to seven days to complete and is open year-round — plan your visit between June and December for the chance to spot humpback whales during their annual migration. Basic camping is allowed on the trail but a popular option is to stay in Margaret River and catch shuttles from there to the trailheads. capetocapetrack.com.au


3


SCENIC RIM TRAIL Difficulty: Moderate to hard Queensland’s four-day, 29-mile


Scenic Rim Trail starts with a heart-pumping climb 2,300ft up the Mistake Mountains. From here, you’re met with sections of easier, though sometimes steep, track that meander through ancient rainforest. Look out for koalas in the treetops and kangaroos bouncing across the path and spend the night camping beneath eucalypts. The challenging topography means independent hiking is best left to experienced navigators. Spicers Scenic Rim Trail off ers small group tours with stays in luxury tents and farmhouses, from A$1,750 (£900) per person. parks.desi.qld.gov.au scenicrimtrail.com


4


SOUTH COAST TRACK Difficulty: Hard Covering 52 miles of a


coastline that’s vulnerable to weather patterns coming in from Antarctica, Tasmania’s South Coast Track is not for the faint of heart. Those who brave the eight-day hike will see parts of the island that few locals do, crossing remote windswept beaches and tussocked plains to gaze on cloud- shrouded peaks. There are no huts on the trail and you’ll need to be self-suffi cient. For wilderness with a touch of luxury, On Board Expeditions runs all-inclusive walks along sections of the track, with nights spent aboard a catamaran, from A$11,600 (£6,000) per person. parks.tas.gov. au onboardexpeditions.com.au


NOVEMBER 2024 79


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156  |  Page 157  |  Page 158  |  Page 159  |  Page 160  |  Page 161  |  Page 162  |  Page 163  |  Page 164  |  Page 165  |  Page 166  |  Page 167  |  Page 168  |  Page 169  |  Page 170  |  Page 171  |  Page 172  |  Page 173  |  Page 174  |  Page 175  |  Page 176  |  Page 177  |  Page 178  |  Page 179  |  Page 180  |  Page 181  |  Page 182  |  Page 183  |  Page 184  |  Page 185  |  Page 186  |  Page 187  |  Page 188  |  Page 189  |  Page 190  |  Page 191  |  Page 192  |  Page 193  |  Page 194  |  Page 195  |  Page 196