Walking Australia: The 4 Best Hiking Destinations in NSW

In this article, we’re going to let you in on the four best hiking destinations in NSW, and what makes them so special. Australia is a wonderful country to live in or even to just visit. The land is famed for its gorgeous beaches, crystal clear waters, beautiful coral reefs and lush forests.

Each state and territory in Australia has its own special locations, prized by locals and visited frequently by tourists. And in particular, New South Wales (NSW) is a brilliant location for those who love to hike.

So strap on your hiking boots and get ready to trek:

1. The Eastern Beaches Coastal Walk

We’ll begin with a walk that’s closer to Sydney than others. This walk is one of the most famous in the state – the Eastern Beaches Coastal Walk. It is otherwise known as the Bondi to Coogee walk. This hike offers great views of Sydney’s most famous sights, and lets you experience lots of different bays and inlets. You can drop in on any number of cafes for your morning coffee, and then choose a pub for an after-hike beer.

The only small negative to this walk is that it is crowded, so if you like to power walk you might become frustrated getting stuck behind some dawdlers.

You’ll find plenty of spaces to park, and if you’re on a budget there’s free parking at Waverley Cemetery on Trafalgar Street.

2. Eagles Nest

Next up is an entry-level bushwalk. Eagles Nest walking track is situated in the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest. Spreading across northern NSW and southern Queensland, this lush forest is the most extensive subtropical rainforest in the whole globe, offering hundreds of thousands of hectares of a pure thriving ecosystem.

This trail will let you see gorgeous forest vistas, mossy trees, incredible snow gums and beech trees and depending on the season you visit verdant wildflowers.

It’s a short walk too, topping out at two hours max at a slow pace.

3. Pierces Pass to Bluegum Forest Walking Track

This lesser-known Blue Mountains track is perfect for those who don’t like crowded hikes. It is a long walk too, with a six or so hour time, so it’s better for intermediate hikers who can stand a longer hike.

You’ll begin the walk descending the Grose Valley towards the river of the same name, with some scenic views on offer as you trek downwards. As you progress further the canopy will become denser and lusher.

While you could do this hike in a day if you pack camping gear the Acacia Flat campground is a perfect place to stop and put the billy on.

4. The Coast Track

Finally to top our list off is a multi-day hike called the Coast Track.

This is a coastal walk, and you’ll enter the trail from Bundeena in the Royal National Park an hour’s drive south from Sydney.

This hike offers spectacular lookouts, some tucked away beaches and gorgeous flowers.

We recommend this hike for experienced hikers, due to some steep descents and other obstacles. Avoid swimming unless you are confident and strong, as the beaches are unpatrolled and can have wicked currents and rips.

It’s best to divide this hike into two sections, with a camp overnight.

Summing Up: 4 Best Hiking Destinations in NSW

Here we’ve listed four of the best hikes in NSW, in descending order of challenge. That said, there are loads more great hiking locations in this wonderful state, so do some Googling and you’ll be able to add even more destinations to your list.