The Australian hiking directory
Explore 10 hiking experiences in New South Wales.
New South Wales packs extraordinary variety into its national parks: sandstone escarpments and canyons in the Blue Mountains, coastal clifftops in Sydney's Royal National Park, subtropical rainforest in the north and Australia's highest mountain in the Snowy Mountains. NSW has more than 900 parks and reserves, and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service publishes detailed track notes for hundreds of walks.
The Blue Mountains, a World Heritage Area two hours west of Sydney, are the state's best-known hiking destination. The Grand Canyon Track descends into a fern-filled gorge, the National Pass follows a ledge cut into the cliffs below Wentworth Falls (part of it is currently closed by rockfall, so check NPWS alerts), and the Prince Henry Cliff Walk links lookouts along the escarpment. The historic Six Foot Track runs 42 km from Katoomba towards Jenolan Caves (currently ending at Binda while the Jenolan reserve is closed).
On Sydney's doorstep, Royal National Park, established in 1879 and the world's second-oldest national park, has the 27 km Coast Track from Bundeena to Otford. The urban Bondi to Coogee walk and the Spit Bridge to Manly walk show off the harbour and ocean.
In the Snowy Mountains, the Kosciuszko summit walk and the Main Range Walk take you across Australia's highest country. They're best from December to March, once the snow has melted. On the South Coast, Pigeon House Mountain (Didthul) offers sweeping views, with ladders near the top. In the north, the Cape Byron walking track visits mainland Australia's most easterly point, and Barrington Tops has rainforest and high plateaus.
Many NSW parks are free to enter, but some popular parks charge daily vehicle fees, including Royal and Kosciuszko. Campsites usually need a booking. Some places, such as Figure Eight Pools, close or need extra caution in unsafe ocean conditions. Please respect cultural closures: the summit track at Wollumbin (Mount Warning) is permanently closed out of respect for Bundjalung culture.
Spring and autumn are ideal for most areas. Summer suits the alpine high country, while winter is great for the coast and the north.
How to use this page. Each NSW listing below shows the official track grade (AWTGS), distance, typical walking time, elevation gain, access and parking notes, fees or permits, the best season, whether dogs are allowed, and the facilities at the trailhead. Use the filters to narrow by region, time available or difficulty. You can also add walks to your favourites or compare up to three side by side. Every fact links back to the managing park agency, so you can check current conditions. If you know a well-loved NSW walk we've missed, or spot an out-of-date detail, tell us through the Contact page and we'll check it against the official source before updating. New to hiking? Start with our beginner, what-to-pack and safety guides before heading out.
Before you go: check NPWS park alerts, the BOM forecast and fire danger rating. Inclusion here doesn't mean a track is currently open or safe.
Choose your next adventure
Grand Canyon Track in Blue Mountains NP, New South Wales. Published distance: 6.3 loop km. Walking time: 3–4 h. Check the official source for current access and conditions.
Prince Henry Cliff Walk in Blue Mountains NP, New South Wales. Published distance: 7 one way km. Walking time: 3–4 h. Check the official source for current access and conditions.
Six Foot Track in Crown Land (NSW Govt) via Blue Mountains NP, Kanangra-Boyd NP & state forests, New South Wales. Published distance: 42 one way km. Walking time: 3 days. Check the official source for current access and conditions.
The Coast Track in Royal NP, New South Wales. Published distance: 27 one way km. Walking time: 2 days. Check the official source for current access and conditions.
Figure Eight Pools (via Burning Palms) in Royal NP, New South Wales. Published distance: 6 return km. Walking time: ~4 h (2 h each way). Check the official source for current access and conditions.
Spit Bridge to Manly in Sydney Harbour NP & councils, New South Wales. Published distance: 10 one way km. Walking time: 3.5–4.5 h. Check the official source for current access and conditions.
Mount Kosciuszko Summit walk (from Charlotte Pass) in Kosciuszko NP, New South Wales. Published distance: 18.6 return km. Walking time: 6–8 h. Check the official source for current access and conditions.
Main Range Walk in Kosciuszko NP, New South Wales. Published distance: 22 loop km. Walking time: 7–9 h. Check the official source for current access and conditions.
Pigeon House Mountain (Didthul) walking track in Morton NP, New South Wales. Published distance: 7.1 return km. Walking time: 2.5–3.5 h. Check the official source for current access and conditions.
Cape Byron walking track in Cape Byron State Conservation Area, New South Wales. Published distance: 3.7 loop km. Walking time: 1–3 h. Check the official source for current access and conditions.
From coast to high country
Start with the time you have, then consider terrain, fitness, experience and access needs. Compare official track grades alongside the walk’s distance and published conditions. A short walk can still be technically demanding.
Explore walks across all eight Australian states and territories. Free basic inclusion is available to eligible trails, operators and hiking groups.
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