Let’s be real. Sometimes a single day hike is just not enough time in nature. Explorer Kate Donald has dug up the best multi-day hikes in NSW (and tested out plenty of them herself as well) so you can have your fill of nature adventures. Check ’em out!

 

We acknowledge 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.

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Home to the highest mountains in Australia, endless pure white-sand beaches and rocky plateaus carved by deep gorges, it’s hard to look past NSW as the hiker’s dream. A multi-day hike is the ideal way to truly explore all that NSW National Parks have to offer. Whether it’s a weekend, a week, or even a month-long escape you’re after, this is your ultimate bucket-list of hikes in NSW.

Heads up! Always check local alerts, including the NSW National Parks alerts page for the most up to date information on track status and conditions before heading out.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace!

1. Light to Light Track – Ben Boyd National Park

Traditional Land Owners: Yuin People
Duration: 3 days
Distance: 30km one way

The little brother of ‘The Coast Track’, The Light to Light walk is equally as beautiful but a little more underdeveloped. The name comes from its beginning and ending location, from Green Cape Light station to Boyd’s Tower. 

 

 
Secluded Camping on the Light to Light Walk, Alice Wisse, Ben Boyd National Park, Hegartys Bay, ocean, cliffs, red rock, man, hike

Photo by Alice Wisse

 

It’s more than just a coastal hike and the landscape is constantly changing; from pebble beaches to red rock cliffs, farmland to forest, and plenty of pristine beaches to cool off between. Best walked during early spring to fall asleep to the sound of splashing whales just 50m away from your bed. 

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2. The Green Gully Track – Oxley Wild Rivers National Park

Traditional Land Owners: Dunghutti Aboriginal People & Anaiwain Tribal Group
Duration: 4 days
Distance: 65km loop

Whilst wet feet can be expected as the creek beds become the trail, don’t let that steer you away from one of the most unique trails in Australia. The Green Gully Track follows the Apsley-Macleay Gorges, with a number of cozy huts waiting for you at the end of each day. 

 

The Green Gully Track is NSW's Only Official Hut-to-Hut Multi-Day Hike, Emma Griffiths, friends, creek crossing, river, packs, hiking poles

Photo supplied by Emma Griffiths

 

Hikers stay in restored stockman huts, decked out with beds, rainwater, solar-lighting, (non-flush) toilets and cooking equipment (bookings essential). Not only does this mean warm feet, but a lighter pack can be carried as tents, sleeping mats, and camp kitchens can be left at home.

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3. Wog Wog to Long Gully – Budawang National Park

Traditional Land Owners: Wandandian & Walbanja People
Duration: 3 days
Distance: 30km one way or optional loop

Standing in the Budawangs, it feels like you’re the only person on earth. From Wog Wog Campground the untamed wilderness closes in, winding through the forest, sneaking views of the sand-stone giants in the distance. Emerging up onto the plateau your breath will be taken away (and not just from the climb in) by the sheer rock faces, and wind-carved formations, like Corang Arch. 

 

Bushwhacked in the Budawangs (NSW) daniel bos cliff path hike

Photo by Daniel Bos

 

Take the time to explore the huge boulders towering up as you arrive at the Monolith Valley, being sure to save some energy for your third and final day. The biggest climb ahead, not for the faint-hearted, the Castle requires hanging onto fixed ropes and chains in order to gain the best views of all.

If the time permits, turn this thru-hike into a loop, avoiding the hassle of a car shuffle by wandering back to Wog Wog Campground along the Yadboro River.

4. Nadgee Wilderness Walk – Nadgee Nature Reserve

Traditional Land Owners: Bidawal, Dtarwa, & Monaroo People
Duration: 3-4 days
Distance: 55km one way

Possibly the wildest coastline of all the NSW hikes, only 30 hikers may be on the Nadgee Wilderness Walk at a time, which means bookings are essential. Every serene lagoon, secluded beach and untracked sand dune is completely yours, as it’s uncommon to run into another person out here.

 

nadgee Wilderness Walk Nadgee Nature Reserve VIC NSW Lachie Thomas, hero, dunes, water, walker, hiker, ocean

Photo by Lachie Thomas

 

Walking from Merrica River to Mallacoota a highlight is crossing the border of NSW and VIC at Cape Howe, with the perfect photo opportunity on the trig point to commemorate the occasion. With an extensive beach walking section, keep an eye on the horizon for dolphins, seals and whales. 

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5. Kanangra to Katoomba (K2K) – Kanangra-Boyd National Park

Traditional Land Owners: Gandangarra People & Dharuk Tribe
Duration: 3 days
Distance: 45km one way

This may well be the best multi-day hike in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Whilst some like to tackle the ‘K2K in a Day,’ I’m more a ‘stop and smell the roses’ kind-of-girl.

 

Rob Mulally - ON THE EDGE OF KANANGRA WALLS, NSW

Photo by Rob Mulally

 

Enjoy the endless views as you traverse the high cliffs of Kanangra Walls, and take the time to splash around in Cox’s River. Best for expert hikers, strong navigational skills are required as some sections of the trail are a little indistinct. 

6. Gibraltar-Washpool World Heritage Walk – Gibraltar Range National Park

Traditional Land Owners: Bundjalung, Gumbaingirr, and Ngarrabul People
Duration: 3-4 days
Distance: 45km loop

Classed as a Gondwana World Heritage area, vegetation and wildflowers galore will make the nature-lovers heart soar. Linking Gibraltar Range and Washpool National Park, the trail meanders through varying terrain of rainforests, sub-alpine swamps, and dry sclerophyll forests.

 

The Best Of The New England Highlands // Road Trip (Northern NSW) Dan Parkes valley, Sunset from the Dandahra Crags // photo by @danno29.JPG

Photo by Dan Parkes

 

Unleash your inner child and climb around at Dandahra Crags and Haystack, one of the many granite tors along the way. With 100km of optional side-trips, and varying starting points, you can make a different adventure out of this track every time you walk it. 

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7. Yuraygir Coastal Walk – Yuraygir National Park

Traditional Land Owners: Gumbaynggirr & Yaegl Nations
Duration: 4-5 days
Distance: 65km one way

The only trail in the world that follows the wandering patterns of Australia’s coastal emus. Starting from the relaxed surf town of Yamba, the Yuraygir Coastal Walk traverses the coastline through rolling plains, rocky headlands and of course, a solid dose of beach hiking.

 

Hiking The Yuraygir Coastal Walk With A Boat On My Back (NSW), photo by Jospeh Faggion, hiking, coastal, packrafting, beach, nsw

The view from Dirragan Headland | Photo by Jospeh Faggion

 

Pack the snorkel to explore what’s under the water as you’ll camp on a marine park in a pristine coastal lagoon on the very first night! The trail ends at Red Rock, but if you’re not ready to return to reality continue straight onto the Solitary Island Coastal Walk a 60km 3-4 day hike that begins at Red Rock.

8. Kosciuszko to Kiandra (the other K2K) – Kosciuszko National Park

Traditional Land Owners: Walgal & Ngarigo People
Duration: 6-10 days
Distance: 130km approx. one way

Unofficially known as Australia’s only long-distance ski tour, the (other) K2K is a section of the legendary Australian Alps Walking Track. The hike starts in the historic town of Kiandra and runs all the way through to our country’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko, but be prepared for the further 6km trek required to get to the Alpine Way (the nearest pick-up location). 

 

 

During this time you’ll walk past dozens of backcountry huts, including the sweet, fire-engine-red Valentine Hut and a personal favourite, Grey Mare Hut. Did I mention this hike also takes you past Australia’s ten highest mountains? There’s no doubt, this is one of the best hikes in NSW, and a bucket-list trip for all hikers.

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9. The Great North Walk – Sydney to Newcastle

Duration: 12-18 days
Distance: 250km

The Great North Walk contrasts the urban and natural world. Starting from Macquarie Place in Central Sydney, relish the stares of intrigued city-slickers as you wander the city with your hiking boots and overnight pack.

Hiking the Great North Walk – Sydney's 250km Thru Hike, jason reeves, sydney to newcastle, nsw, lookout

@jaseinthewild

 

Leaving the suburbs behind, the ferry will take you from concrete jungle into your first woodland at Lane Cove River National Park. Through a number of parks, including Ku-ring-gai Chase, and Brisbane Water National Park, the trail takes you all the way up the coast, right to the centre of Newcastle at Queen’s Wharf, for a celebratory beer (or two).

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10. Hume and Hovell Track – Yass to Albury

Traditional Land Owners: Wiradjuri people
Duration: 20-30 days
Distance: 426km

Roughly following the route explorers Hume and Hovell took in 1824, this hike is for the historians among us. The trail begins at Cooma Cottage, Hume’s main residence during his lifetime, and ends at the Hovell Tree in Albury meandering through national parks, state forests, and even connecting through private property. 

 

Hume and Hovell Track, Daygin Prescott, Reflections, hike, friends, forest, bridge

@dayginprescott

 

Retrace their steps, and their thoughts as you read Hovell’s descriptive journal of the wild territory these pioneers walked. Relish in the now changed landscape, be it by human input or mother nature’s way.  

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11. Fingal Heads to Pottsville Walk

Walked and written by Sarah Tayler

Traditional Land Owners: Bundjalung people
Distance: 24km
Duration: 1-3 days

This multi-day beach walk from Fingal Heads to Pottsville in the Northern Rivers of NSW is both easy to walk and follow – as long as you keep the ocean on your left, you’re going the right way. More importantly, there are lots of places to stop for a picnic, coffee or a beer en route.

The walk can be done in one day or over several days. There’s road access, public transport, and campgrounds dotted along the route so ultimately, you can make it as long or short as you like.

 

This 24km Fingal Heads to Pottsville Walk Traverses NSW’s Most Northern Beaches, Photo by Sarah Tayler, northern rivers, northern nsw, multi-day hike, beach hike, beginner hike, kingscliff beach at sunset

@sarah.tayler.writer

 

Where to Stay

Camping on this stretch is on Crown Land and is managed by Tweed Holiday Parks. Established in 1997, they cover seven beachside campgrounds between Fingal and Pottsville: Fingal, Kingscliff North, Kingscliff South, Hastings Point, Pottsville South, Pottsville North, and Tweed. Each park has a choice of caravan/tent sites, cabins, and safari tents. There are also Airbnbs, apartments, and resorts to choose from if that’s more your thing.

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12. Solitary Islands Coastal Walk – Solitary Islands Marine Park

Walked and written by Vanessa Eagles

Traditional Land Owners: Gumbayngir people
Distance: 60km
Duration: 3-4 days

The Solitary Islands Coastal Walk covers the coastline of Solitary Islands Marine Park, which encompasses a string of islands called, you guessed it, the Solitary Islands. 

The 60km walk stretches from Red Rock in the north to Sawtell in the south, traversing beaches and headlands while passing through small towns along the Coffs Coast. 

You’ll be walking on Gumbayngir Country. There’s a lot of local Indigenous history to be discovered along the way, so make sure you stop and read the signs.

 

Why the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk is the Perfect Gateway into Multi-Day Hiking, Vanessa Eagles, NSW, Sand beach

Photo by Vanessa Eagles

 

Where to Stay

You can camp with all the associated conveniences in established caravan parks at Woolgoolga, Emerald Beach, Moonee Beach, Park Beach, and Sawtell. This’ll require you to carry your sleeping gear with you.

Hostels are a cheap alternative if you don’t want to carry any sleeping gear. This was the option that I chose for my first overnight walk. I stayed at Woopi Backpackers. For high-end Explorers, motels or Airbnb may be an option if you are doing the walk with mates and can split costs.

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13. Murramarang South Coast Walk – Murramarang National Park

Walked and written by Jon Harris

Traditional Land Owners: Yuin People
Distance: 34km
Duration: 3 days

The new Murramarang South Coast Walk is a complete 34km trail that’s linked up some previously existing trails along the coastline with some new sections.

Located two and a half hours’ drive from Canberra, and about four hours from Sydney, this hike takes three days to complete, with the option to camp the night before at Pretty Beach to extend your wilderness experience.

 

13 - Murramarang South Coast Walk - Jon Harris Photography

@jonharris_photography

 

Where to Stay

There are both campsites and cabins available to stay in overnight on the trail.

Booking this camping version of the hike through NSW National Parks website gives you the first night’s accommodation at Pretty Beach campground, before you set out on the trail.

Designated campsites for Murramarang South Coast Walkers are set in a lovely bushy area with spacious and flat sites and a covered shelter.

The next night will see you camping at Depot Beach campground, a lovely big area just a short stroll from a picturesque beach!

The final night’s rest is at Oaky Beach campground.

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14. Coffs Harbour to Yamba – Combining Solitary Islands & Yuraygir Coastal Walk

Walked and written by Wendy Bruere

Distance: 125km
Duration: 6 days

The hike combines the 60km Solitary Islands Coastal Walk (Sawtell to Red Rock) and the 65km Yuraygir Coastal Walk (Red Rock to Yamba). 

The track follows the coast, with the majority of walking being on the beach, a bit of easy rock scrambling, and a few sections of bush track. Beach walking means attention needs to be paid to the tides, as low tide means you have hard sand to walk on. 

 

Coffs Harbour to Yamba: 125km of Coastal Hiking, Wendy Bruere, sunset, ocean, river, tree

@wendy_bruere

 

Where to Stay

There are plenty of campsites and opportunities for wild camping along the way, though you should check which areas allow this. Many of the official campsites have water, but in some cases it’s untreated rainwater. So either be prepared to sterilise it, or take your chances (like we did). 

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15. Barrington Tops Circuit – Barrington Tops National Park

Walked and written by Matt Wiseman

Traditional Land Owners: Biripi, Worimi, Guringai, Geawegal, and Wonaruah
Distance: 29.5km
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights

This three-day, 30km loop offers just enough uphill to impress your colleagues after a long weekend, but is easy enough to give you plenty of time to enjoy the alpine air and ice-cold trout streams à la Wim Hof.

Given the size and altitudinal range of Barrington Tops National Park, there’s a seriously diverse amount of flora and fauna to be found here. Just 20 minutes into our hike, a lyrebird danced across the trail in front of us. Later, we encountered Swamp wallabies and, in the alpine grasses, a Bare-nosed wombat.

 

This 3-Day Barrington Tops Hike Brings Gondwana Rainforests, Leeches, and Icy River Crossings, Matt Wiseman, Barrington Tops Circuit, careys peak lookout, mountains, landscape, sunset

@mattwisemanmedia

 

Where to Stay

There are several designated campsites along this circuit where you can pitch your tent, and you can book them through NSW National Parks.

Popular picks include Careys Hut, which sits around 1,500m in elevation and is a short walk from Careys Peak Lookout.

Alternatively, there’s Wombat Creek Campground, which is 1.5km before Careys Hut.

Junction Pools Campground was our favourite of the bunch, but you should expect to share this campsite with day-trippers, trout fishers, and those accessing the park with 4WDs.

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16. Colo River Circuit – Wollemi National Park

Walked and written by Matt Wiseman

Traditional Land Owners: Darug and Darkinjung people
Distance: 29.1km
Duration: 3 days/2 nights

The Colo River Circuit is a 29.1km loop located in Wollemi National Park, NSW. It’s a hard route that begins and ends at Mountain Lagoon.

While it’s only 30km in length, it’s best to take three days to fully enjoy the circuit – a day getting down to the river, a day spent frolicking along the river, and a final day hiking back out. There are sections of river we had to swim, so dry bags and an inflatable to float your pack are a must.

It’s a beautiful hike to do any time of year. We made our trip at the start of January, when the crystal-clear water within the river offered a welcome respite from the 30-35°C days.

Despite being so close to Sydney and the Blue Mountains, the hike itself feels very remote.

 

Chasing Turtles on an Inflatable Through The Colo River: 3-Day Wollemi National Park Hike, Photo by Matt Wiseman, camping, tent

@mattwisemanmedia

 

Where to Stay

The beauty of this hike is that there’s no shortage of stunning natural campsites to spend your nights. You also don’t have to worry about sharing it with many (or any) other groups, as the hike is typically quiet.

On night one, you’d be hard pressed to find a better beach campsite than the one you drop down on top of after hiking along the T3 Trail.

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NSW Multi-Day Hikes FAQs

What is the hardest hiking trail in Australia?

The hardest hiking trail in Australia is generally considered to be the South Coast track in Tasmania due to its varied landscapes, numerous encounters with impassable bodies of water and length.

What is the most beautiful hike?

The most beautiful hike in NSW is widely agreed to be the Kosciuszko to Kiandra hike. A combination of the unique flora, high altitude rock formations and rolling hills make it a gorgeous place to hike.

Where is the most beautiful place to hike?

The most beautiful area to hike in NSW is the Blue Mountains area. It’s known for dramatic scenery, rugged terrain and distinctive eucalyptus forests.

What is the longest hike in Australia?

The Bicentennial National Trail (BNT) Australia’s longest hike. It is 5,330 km long and stretches from Cooktown in Queensland to Healesville Victoria.

What is the steepest mountain in Australia?

The highest mountain in Australia is Mt Kosciuszko, standing at 2,228 metres above sea level

What is the best walk in Australia?

The Larapinta trail continually shows up when talking about the best walk in Australia. It’s known for its rugged red mountain ranges and deep orange sand dunes.

 

Feature photo by @mattwisemanmedia

Want some more adventures in NSW?

We’ve shared these recommendations because we genuinely rate them and want you to enjoy them too. Our writers use a mix of personal experience and research to compile these lists, and they’re also encouraged to be honest when things aren’t up to scratch. For more information on our approach, check out our Editorial Standards.