What Is It Like for an American to Hike in Australia?

Planning your next hiking adventure a little further afield? Here’s why Australia should be on your bucket list—and what you need to know before you lace up your boots Down Under.

If you’ve trekked through Zion, explored the Rockies, or tackled the Grand Canyon, Australia’s wild places might feel surprisingly familiar—but with a unique twist. From the red heart of the outback to lush rainforests, pristine beaches and dramatic coastal cliffs, Australia offers a spectrum of landscapes that rival any in the U.S.—just with kangaroos, wombats, and echidnas in the mix.

At Tasmanian Walking Company, we guide small groups through Australia’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Here are our top tips—and some insider knowledge—for Americans looking to walk in Australia.

Keep reading this article or EXPLORE OUR WALKS →

^{Photo: Hiking the Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory, Australia}

Landscapes That Feel Familiar

Larapinta Trail = Arizona Vibes, Aussie Soul

Red earth, rugged ranges, ancient culture. If you’ve hiked in Arizona or Utah, the Larapinta Trail will feel like home—until you realise you're tracing sacred Aboriginal songlines, looking out over ghost gums instead of junipers, and soaking your feet in crystal-clear gorges under a southern sky. 

Cradle Mountain = Pacific Northwest Meets Alpine Fantasy

The Overland Track is quickly becoming Australia’s most iconic hiking destination. Cool, misty forests. Button grass plains. Glacier-carved valleys. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed area is a dream for hikers who love Olympic National Park or the Sierra Nevadas—with a touch more solitude and a lot more wombats. 

Bay of Fires & Three Capes = California Coastline Meets Jurassic Drama

Think Big Sur, but with blazing orange lichen-covered rocks, white sand beaches at Bay of Fires and dramatic dolerite cliffs plunging into the sea on the Three Capes. Add luxurious eco-accommodation and it’s a coastal walk like nowhere else on Earth.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta = Monument Valley Meets Sacred Stillness

The spiritual heart of Australia. Towering red domes, vast skies, and ancient stories. If you’ve felt the energy of Monument Valley or Canyonlands, Uluru-Kata Tjuta offers that same awe—with 60,000 years of cultural depth and a deep sense of place.  

Kangaroo Island = California’s Coast + Galápagos Vibes

Imagine Big Sur’s cliffs mixed with birdlife and the biodiversity of the Galápagos. With rugged coastlines, quiet beaches, and wildlife around every bend, Kangaroo Island feels like a parallel planet.

^{Photo: Our private eco-lodge at Bay of Fires.}

How Australian Hikes Differ from the U.S.

You might not see a bear, but…

Australia’s wildlife is more curious than dangerous. You might spot a snake (they want nothing to do with you), but you’re far more likely to be enchanted by echidnas, wallabies, or a cheeky possum stealing your toast. Our guides will brief you on wildlife etiquette and help you admire our native species respectfully and safely.

The Sun is Serious

The UV levels in Australia are intense—even on cloudy days. A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential. Don’t worry—we’ve got plenty of SPF on hand just in case.

Trail Signs Speak Aussie

“Track” means trail. “Bushwalking” is hiking. A “cuppa” is tea. And a “billy” isn’t a goat—it’s a kettle for boiling water. It might take a few days to click, but our guides will keep you laughing (and learning) along the way.

^{Photo: Extra touches iat our lodges nside the national park on the Three Capes Track.}

Ready to Walk Australia?

Whether you’re planning a solo trip, a couple’s escape, or a group getaway, walking with us means more than seeing the landscape—it means understanding it, connecting with it, and being changed by it.

EXPLORE OUR WALKS →

Book now, walk later. Adventure awaits Down Under.

Where to Walk Based on Your Flight Path

Flying into Sydney?

Hop on a short flight to Tasmania (just 90 minutes). From there, you’re close to:

• Three Capes Signature Walk – Fly to Hobart. Rugged sea cliffs, boat access, breathtaking coastal ils.
• Bay of Fires Signature Walk – Fly to Launceston. Remote beaches, fiery granite boulders, beachside eco-lodges.
• Cradle Mountain Signature Walk – Fly to Launceston. Alpine wilds, glacier lakes, Tasmania’s iconic Overland Track.

Or fly inland to Australia’s ancient Red Centre (approx. 3 hours from Sydney or Melbourne):

• Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk – Fly to Yulara. Sacred landscapes, cultural connection, star-filled skies.
• Larapinta Signature Walk – Fly to Alice Springs. Outback ridges, desert beauty, deep silence.

Landing in Melbourne?

You can fly direct to Tasmania (60 minute flight), or depart on one of our Melbourne-based adventures:

• Twelve Apostles Signature Walk – Depart from Melbourne. Gourmet coastal walking on Victoria’s Great Ocean Walk. Cliffside views, rainforest paths, luxury eco-lodge.
• Great Ocean Road Long Weekend – Depart from Melbourne A perfect intro to Australia’s most scenic stretch of road and trail. Big impact, short timeline.

Stopping off in Adelaide?

Kangaroo Island was named one of Lonely Planet’s top destinations for 2024. Departing from Adelaide, our Kangaroo Island Signature Walk showcases the island’s best: sea cliffs, secret beaches, and rare wildlife.

Keep reading this article or EXPLORE OUR WALKS →

^{Photo: Landscapes to amaze of Cradle Mountain on the Overland Track}

Australian Wildlife You Won't See Anywhere Else

From wallabies to wedge-tailed eagles, every walk offers a chance to encounter Australia’s one-of-a-kind creatures in the wild. You might even meet a pademelon (look it up—you’ll smile).

Our guides are passionate naturalists who help you spot elusive wildlife and understand the ecosystems you’re walking through. Whether it’s a platypus in a mountain stream or an ancient fossil by the sea, there’s always something wild to discover.

Top animals to spot—and where to find them:

1. Wombats – Cradle Mountain / Overland Track
2. Koalas – Great Ocean Walk & Kangaroo Island
3. Birdlife – Bruny Island & Kangaroo Island
4. Dolphins & Sealife – Bay of Fires
5. White Wallabies – Bruny Island
6. Echidnas – Three Capes Track
7. Goannas – Kangaroo Island
8. Perentie Lizards & Dingoes – Uluru-Kata Tjuta & Larapinta

^{Photo: Wombats on the Overland Track}

Why Choose Tasmanian Walking Company?

We hike differently (in our award-winning style). Here’s some reasons to book us for your Australian hiking adventure.

1. Accommodation with Style (and Hot Showers)
   

   This isn’t backcountry camping. Think private eco-lodges often inside the national park, comfortable beds, hot showers, foot spas, and large dining spaces where our guides or hosts serve up chef-designed meals using local produce.

   Many guests are surprised just how luxurious a multi-day hike can be—especially when you’re sipping a glass of local wine under the stars after a big day on the trail.

   Looking for an example? View our Three Capes accomodation here →
   
   
2. More Than a Hike: Learn & Connect With Nature
   

   Our expert guides are not only experts in navigation and safety, but also passionate interpreters of geology, wildlife, botany, and history. Their knowledge adds depth and richness to every step.

   Get to know our guides a little better in this video →

3. We Take Care of Everything
   

   Just bring your clothes—we’ll handle the rest. From light packs to rain jackets, bedding, sunscreen, first aid, food, and wine—we’ve thought of everything so you don’t have to. All you need to do is walk, breathe, and take it all in.

4. Award-winning Ecotourism

   For nearly 40 years, we’ve been committed to protecting the wild places we walk—earning multiple awards along the way. Discover our story and the recognition we’ve received for our dedication to ecotourism through these links:

   Awards →
   Sustainability →
   Our Story →

^{Photo: Dinners with chef-inspired meals and Tasmanian wines on the Three Capes Signature Walk.}

Book now, walk later. Adventure awaits Down Under.