Winter is a prime time to pull on the hiking boots and explore some truly spectacular bushwalks.
Forget about the sweat, dehydration and buzzing flies of summer – bushwalking in the cooler months is all about the crisp days and invigorating cold air.
Bushwalking is a proven way to get back to nature, clear your mind and ease stress, and the bonus of doing it in winter is there are usually less people about.
Here, we look at some of Australia’s best winter bushwalks.
Victoria
The George Bass Coastal Walk is a seven-kilometre trail from San Remo that takes in dramatic views of coastal cliffs and Bass Strait.
You may even spot whales on their winter or spring migration. Punchbowl Lookout is a prime lookout for views along the coast.
Located in the Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park, this track will soon be extended to a 32-kilometre trail all the way to Cape Paterson.
In central Victoria, there’s the mist-cloaked ranges of Mount Alexander Regional Park. Located in Harcourt North, just under two hours drive from Melbourne, this area has great cultural and spiritual significance for the Dja Dja Wurrung people.
Check out the massive granite boulders of Dog Rocks, which were given the name because dingoes were a common sight there.
The captivating Blue Mountains. Photo: Getty
New South Wales
The seven-kilometre Lockleys Pylon walking track, just near Leura in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, is one for nature photographers.
The views over Grose Valley combined with the gorgeous wildflowers will provide plenty of stunning shots.
Catch the brilliant ocean views from Basin and Mackerel tracks at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, which is home to some amazing Aboriginal art sites.
Once you reach the Basin campground you can either walk back to West Head Road via the Basin trail or catch a ferry to Pittwater.
The iconic Flinders Ranges, South Australia.
South Australia
You can’t miss the walking trails of Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park found 450 kilometres north of Adelaide.
There are four walking trails and 14 hiking paths to choose from and with the park closed during days of extreme fire danger, the cooler months between April and October are perfect.
The Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park encompasses ancient Aboriginal rock engravings, historic pastoral settlements and the ruins of an old copper mining town.
Queensland
Likewise, May to November is the best time to visit the beauty of the Thorsborne Trail.
From rocky outcrops to the unspoiled serenity of Zoe Bay, the trail offers a vast array of landscapes.
Thorsborne is not for the faint-hearted – it is a four-day walk found on Hinchinbrook Island, a World-Heritage-listed location off the coast of Townsville.
Sections of the walk are without facilities and hikers need to leave the trail just as they found it, so be prepared to take everything with you and everything home again.
Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain. Photo: Getty
Tasmania
We can’t talk about bushwalking without mentioning Cradle Mountain.
This pristine part of the world offers many different walks, but many serious hikers come for the Overland Track – a six-day, 65-kilometre one-way expedition.
Between October and May bookings are required and a fee of $285 applies, however all that is needed between June and September is an online registration.
Walking the Overland Track in winter is a serious undertaking and best for experienced bushwalkers.
Wherever you bushwalk, remember to be well prepared for the conditions. In winter it’s wise to take a waterproof rain jacket, comfortable and protective boots, and at least two litres of water.
Be alert to weather warnings in the area and always tell a friend where you’re going and what time you expect to return.