Australia’s Triple Crown of Hiking Trails

Kate’s hiked the 655km Australian Alps Walking Track and has dreams to conquer the rest of Australia’s thru-hikes. She’s got all the info on the hikes that make up Australia’s Triple Crown, plus some honourable mentions.

We Are Explorers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Countries on which these adventures take place who have occupied and cared for these lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

What’s the Triple Crown?

If you’re a passionate hiker then you’ve probably heard of the ‘Triple Crown’ in America. A collection of three long-distance trails that traverse from the top of the States to the bottom.

On the western border is the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), the eastern border has the Appalachian Trail, and straight through the middle is the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). For most thru-hikers it’s a lifelong challenge to complete all three of the tracks and become royalty of the hiking world.

However, Australia actually has its own Triple Crown equivalent! Allow me to introduce you to Australia’s very own long-distance hikes; the Australian Alps Walking Track (east), The Bibbulmun Track (west), and the Heysen Trail (central).

Love multi-day hiking? Check out this list of thru hikes in Australia.

@doddlife_photography

Australia’s Triple Crown

Australia’s thru-hikes are a little different to their American counterparts. They’re built like the Australian people; unique and varying, full of culture and stories, beautiful yet a little rough around the edges and all end at a good pub.

All these tracks can be walked as multi-day hikes or in sections, but defeating a thru-hike to overcome the challenge of the mind, body and soul sings true accomplishment. All of these tracks can be walked northbound (NOBO) or southbound (SOBO), but avoid tackling them in summer due to the higher fire danger and lower amount of water available.

Read more: How To Hike in Hot Weather

The Heysen Trail | @doddlife_photography

The Hikes in Australia’s Triple Crown

1. Bibbulmun Track – The Coastal Wander

Distance: 1000km
Duration: 6-8 Weeks
States: Western Australia

Coastal views for days on end, wandering barefoot on the sand, falling asleep to the sound of the calming waves outside your tent, the Bibbulmun Track sounds more like a beach holiday than a thru-hike.

The long-distance hike spans the south-west coast of Western Australia; from Kalamunda (north) in Perth Hills to Albany (south), across wide open plains, deep forest floors, and up above the treetops for some breathtaking coastal views. 

Shot by Chris Mcdijon

The Bibbulmun Track is the most developed track of Australia’s Triple Crown, so is a great place to start your thru-hiking journey. With well-built shelters, pit toilets, rainwater tanks, and picnic tables at all 49 campsites, planning your hike’s a breeze. The main concern is what to eat each day. 

Read more: 5 Key Tips for Good Nutrition on a Big Adventure

Whilst food drops can be arranged, tiny towns along the way usually have general stores equipped with hiker’s needs. They’re also a great place to enjoy a calorie dense meals on a rest day. Many SOBO walkers typically walk the Cape to Cape Track after completing the Bibbulmun, as a last hoorah before saying goodbye to the trail life.

@thehikecollective

2. Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) –  The Mountain Traverse

Distance: 655km
Duration: 5 – 8 Weeks
States: Victoria, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory

Starting in Tharwa (ACT) and ending in the picturesque village of Walhalla (VIC), the Australian Alps Walking Track is an extension of the original Alpine Walking Track that spanned across the High Country of Victoria.

The only long-distance ski-touring trail in Australia, most hikers choose to walk in spring to frolic in the wildflowers after the winter thaw. Be warned, the snow melt will also cause rivers to rise, making crossings icy cold and at times waist deep, or higher. 

@katealiice

If you love peak-bagging, and bush-bashing, this is your hike. Summiting over 30 mountains, including VIC, NSW & ACT’s highest points, prepare for a little (read: a lot) of elevation gain. Whilst some areas of the track are very populated, it’s not rare to go days on end without seeing another person. 

Immense planning is required for this trip, including making food drops and finding water sources, as you only pass through throughout the entire journey; Thredbo and Mount Hotham alpine ski resorts. The recommendation is to walk SOBO, starting from ACT, in order to build up fitness and mental strength for the undulating and overgrown Victorian section.

3. Heysen Trail – The Countryside Experience

Distance: 1200km
Duration: 7 to 9 Weeks
States: South Australia

Travelling through semi-arid country of South Australia, starting at Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges into the Adelaide Hills, to Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula, this is arguably the most challenging of the three thru-hikes.

Extensive planning is required due to the little amount of water available along the track. Especially in drier years multiple water-drops may be necessary. For this very reason, and the high risk of fires during summer, the Heysen Trail is closed during fire danger season from November to April. 

Read more: Comparing Different Methods of Treating, Filtering, and Purifying Water on the Trail

@doddlife_photography

Don’t let a little hard work put you off, this is the true Australian experience. From rocky, scorched mountain ranges, to wide open pastures, dense native forests, cliff tops and coastal views, the trail is more than just the environment.

It’s the people you meet along the way; fellow hikers, charming townships and farming communities, not to mention the ‘Friends of the Heysen Trail’ who offer a network of support to get you to the end of the trail. It’s hard to avoid a quick trip to Kangaroo Island, visible from Cape Jervis at the end of the track, the perfect way to conclude an epic adventure.

@elishadonkin

The Future of Australia’s Triple Crown

Bicentennial National Trail (BNT) – The Long-Distance Pièce de Résistance

Distance: 5,330km
Duration: 6 to 7 Months
States: Victoria, NSW, ACT & Queensland

What began as a simple horse-trail is now Australia’s, and one of the world’s, longest multi-use, non-motorized, self-reliant trails.

Starting from Cooktown in Far North Queensland, to Healesville in Victoria, only few have completed the entire length of the trail by foot, with the entire ‘wall of fame’ of accomplished BNT hikers found on Wikipedia.

With many road sections, and avoidance of wilderness areas, particularly in Queensland, the trail reflects it’s horse-riding history. With a little imagination, and a lot of off-track skill, you can detour through the best national parks on the eastern side of Australia

Future development is underway to re-route and re-work the trail and make it the greatest thru-hike in Australia.

Are you wearing Australia’s Triple Crown?

What began as a personal dream to complete the three greatest thru-hikes in Australia quickly became a national icon. At the time of writing I am yet to meet someone who has completed all three of the hikes; the Bibbulmun, The Australian Alps Walking Track and The Heysen Trail.

My writing is always a way to communicate, reflect and reach out, so if you know of anyone who has dabbled in all three hikes or have yourself, please leave a comment below.

@katealiice

So you like challenges, huh?

Feature image via Steve Willems and Caroline Grandjean-Thomsen

Table of contents image by @elishadonkin