There’s so much more to hiking in Western Australia than the world-renowned Bibbulmun Track. From the stunning Margaret River in the South West to the beautiful Pilbara further north, there’s plenty to explore in a day in WA.


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.

Western Australia is home to some of the most breathtaking and diverse hiking trails in the country. From rugged coastal cliffs and granite skywalks to ancient karri forests and wildflower-filled peaks, there’s an adventure for every type of hiker.

Whether you’re chasing epic summit views, a stroll through heritage trails, or a challenge that’ll leave your legs burning and your heart full, this guide will help you plan your next day hike in WA.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

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South West Region

1. Mount Frankland Wilderness Lookout Walk

Location: Mount Frankland National Park
Distance: 1.2km loop
Duration: 30 minutes
Nearest Town: Walpole
Skill Level: Beginner
Dog-Friendly: No

Mount Frankland, in the Walpole region of Western Australia, is home to many walks of various difficulties.

Read more: Forest Adventures in Mount Frankland National Park

The Mount Frankland Wilderness Lookout walk is a short Grade 1 trail that’s 600m return. Its sealed track makes this walk suitable for all fitness levels and abilities.

 

 

The main attraction of Mount Frankland Wilderness Lookout is the impressive, wheelchair-friendly lookout structure that takes you right to the end of the viewing platform. This free walk is very short, but you could spend all day admiring the magnificent views.

Mount Frankland National Park is 28km north of Walpole. It can be accessed by car via North Walpole Road. This road is partly unsealed but is suitable for a 2WD.

If you’re visiting from Perth, it’s a five-hour drive south, so ideally, you’d want to stay a few days to make the most of this awesome area.

Read more: WA’s Mount Frankland Wilderness Lookout Walk Offers a Short Hike & a View For Everyone

 

2. Caldyanup Trail

Location: Mount Frankland National Park
Distance: 1.6km loop
Duration: 1 hour
Nearest Town: Walpole
Skill Level: Intermediate
Dog-Friendly: No

Don’t feel like climbing a mountain? Go around it instead! The Caldyanup Trail, located in Walpole WA, goes around Mt Frankland and is the perfect way to take in the serene views of the forest without the steep incline.

If taken slowly (to soak in the goodness of the forest) this walk is pretty easy, but there are a couple of scrambles up rocky parts, so a decent level of fitness is required.

The circuit walk joins the main track up the summit, so if you’re still feeling fit and well towards the top, you can carry on up, or just head back down past the picnic area to the car park.

Read more: Around Mount Frankland On The Caldyanup Trail

 

Great Southern Region

3. Mount Trio

Location: Stirling Range National Park
Distance: 3.5km return
Duration: 2 hours
Nearest Town: Borden
Skill Level: Intermediate
Dog-Friendly: No

Mount Trio is the northernmost mountain of the Stirling Ranges and is often overlooked by tourists as it’s off the main roads. It’s located 90km north of Albany or 391km south of Perth.

 

 

The car park is situated up a small track off Formby South Road which can be reached from Chester Pass Road if coming from Albany, or via Gnowangerup if coming from Perth.

The main peak of the three overlooks Bluff Knoll to the east and Toolbrunup to the southwest.

If you’re up for a sunrise hike, you’ll be treated to the sun rising over Bluff Knoll and might even be rewarded by the top-of-the-world feeling that comes with sitting above the clouds!

Read more: Explore Three Peaks in Mount Trio at Stirling Range National Park

 

4. Uredale Point Heritage Trail

Location: Vancouver Peninsula
Distance: 5km return
Duration: 2 hours
Nearest Town: Albany City
Skill Level: Beginner
Dog-Friendly? No

The Uredale Point Heritage Trail is a 5km, Grade 3 hike, located 20 minutes from Albany City in Western Australia. The track takes one to two hours to complete.

Read more: What to Pack in Your Hiking First Aid Kit

 

 

At just 20 minutes from the centre of Albany, it’s a pretty convenient day hike for locals. If you’re coming from Perth, it’s almost a five-hour drive to the trailhead along the Albany Highway.

At the car park there’s a picnic area, drop toilet, and path to a small beach. The trailhead is easy to locate from here.

The Uredale Trail is a Grade 3 track and suited to most ages and fitness levels. There’s uneven terrain, rocks that get slippery when wet, some elevation including steps, and soft sand walking.

Take it slow and you’ll enjoy looping around an isthmus showcasing stunning views of King George Sound.

Read more: Uredale Point Heritage Trail – A Beachside Stroll in Albany, WA

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5. Mount Toolbrunup

Location: Stirling Range National Park
Distance: 4km return
Duration: 3-4 hours
Nearest Town: Borden
Skill Level: Intermediate
Dog-Friendly: No

Mt Toolbrunup is the perfect cheeky weekend microadventure for peak baggers and rock scramblers living in Perth. Mt Toolbrunup is the second highest peak in the Stirling Range (Bluff Knoll is the highest!) but it’s one of the scrambliest, which adds an extra dimension of fun!

 

 

Stirling Range National Park is about 4.5 hours southeast of Perth via Albany Hwy. Mt Toolbrunup is a two-minute drive from the Stirling Range National Park’s campsite, Moingup Springs, and about 20 minutes from the Bluff Knoll car park.

As an intermediate trail, hikers should be prepared for loose rocks and unstable ground. You should have a decent level of fitness and experience and be up for an adventure.

Read more: Scrambling To The Top Of Mt Toolbrunup in Stirling Range National Park

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@cedrictang_

6. Granite Skywalk (Castle Rock)

Location: Porongurup National Park
Distance: 4.7km return
Duration: 2 hours
Nearest Town: Mount Barker
Skill Level: Intermediate
Dog-Friendly: No

The Granite Skywalk in Porongurup National Park is a must-do trail if you’re a lover of nature and breathtaking views. From Perth, it’s a 4.5-hour drive to get there, so this is best saved for a weekend getaway.

 

 

Once you arrive, you’ll enjoy a beautiful adventure through ancient forests to reach the Granite Skywalk on top of Castle Rock. With sunlight shining through the trees, the walk can become quite hot, so water, a cap, and sunscreen are essential.

Although not super challenging, the track requires at least a moderate level of fitness and the ability to step up onto knee-high boulders and steps. You’ll be rewarded with a stunning 270° view at the top.

Read more: Granite Skywalk – Climb This Massive Boulder in WA’s South West

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Nearby Accommodation

Busselton Holiday & Caravan Park – Discovery Parks

 , @ 583-585 Bussell Highway, Busselton, WA 6280
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Djindarup Retreat – Tiny Away

 @ 410 Roxburgh Road, 6285 Margaret River, WA
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Tiny Matilda – Into The Wild Escapes

 @ 25060 S Western Hwy, Bridgetown WA 6255, Australia
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7. Bald Head Walking Trail

Location: Torndirrup National Park
Distance: 12.5km return
Duration: 6-8 hours
Nearest Town: Albany
Skill Level: Advanced
Dog-Friendly: No

Feel the spray of the Southern Ocean as you scramble along Bald Head Walking Trail, near Albany in WA (about 450km south of Perth). Your rewards for braving the elements are panoramic views off the coast and the historic King George Sound, with a good chance of a whale sighting too.

 

 

The Bald Head Walking Trail in the Torndirrup National Park is a challenging ridge track along the Flinders Peninsula. What starts as a classic hike, soon turns into a scramble up huge rock faces, with the reward of panoramic views of the roaring Southern Ocean and the peaceful King George Sound.

The trail is 12km return covering steep elevation changes in ascent and descent. The coastal track is not maintained regularly. Directions are very limited and it’s recommended for advanced hikers only.

Read more: Bald Head Walking Trail Near Albany

 

Bald Head Walking Trail // Torndirrup National Park, Albany (WA), Callum Hey, hike, boardwalk, woman, cliff, ocean, headand

Photo by Callum Hey

8. Nancy Peak Circuit

Location: Porongurup National Park
Distance: 5.5km loop
Duration: 2-3 hours
Nearest Town: Mount Barker
Skill Level: Intermediate
Dog-Friendly: No

Nancy Peak is a 5.5km circuit trail located in Porongurup National Park, only 30 minutes south of Western Australia’s popular Stirling Ranges. The trail starts from the Tree-in-the-Rock picnic area, located approximately 4.5 hours’ drive south of Perth or 45 minutes north of Albany. Driving is the only option at the moment, as there’s no public transport in the area.

Read more: Packing List for a Day Hike

 

Nancy Peak: A Guide to Hiking This South West WA Mountain, Joelle Barallon, oath, bush, trees

Shot by Joelle Barallon

 

The ever-changing terrain of this Grade 4 track will take you through the shelter of moss-covered karri forest, shrubs, and wildflowers, to the exposed granite rock lookouts.

While the hike is well marked, it’s a heart pumper that’s steep and exposed to the wind in areas and can be quite slippery. Though short, it’s a challenging trail that offers plenty of terrain variety through its harsh switchbacks, stairs, narrow paths, rocky scrambles, mossy karri forest, and bald granite boulders.

Read more: Nancy Peak – A Guide to This Stirling Ranges Trail in WA’s South West

 

9. Talyuberlup Peak

Location: Stirling Range National Park
Distance: 2.5km return
Duration: 1.5-2 hours
Nearest Town: Borden
Skill Level: Moderate
Dog-Friendly: No

Hiking to the summit of Talyuberlup Peak makes for a perfect little microadventure, with views that are out of this world, even for experienced Explorers.

The track starts in a lovely grove of mallee trees and if you look up the track you can see the peak jutting out of the landscape like a dagger in the night. It’s an epic track for embarking on a sunrise mission so make sure you bring headtorches. At one point you’ll pass through a cave taking you from one side of the mountain to the other – it makes it feel like a real mission.

Talyuberlup Peak is 100km north of Albany, which has heaps of adventures of its own, or 380km south of Perth.

The car park and picnic area are situated on Stirling Range Drive which can be reached from Chester Pass Road or Albany Highway (via Cranbrook or Kendenup).

Read more: Hike To Another World of Talyuberlup Peak

 

Golden Outback Region

10. Mount Augustus Summit Trail

Location: Mount Augustus National Park
Distance: 12km return
Duration: 6-8 hours
Nearest Town: Gascoyne Junction
Skill Level: Advanced
Dog-Friendly: No

Mt Augustus is a super impressive rock in the middle of a flat desert landscape. In fact, it’s the biggest rock in the world, two and a half times larger than Uluru. The rock is almost halfway between Meekatharra and Carnarvon in the Gascoyne Region of Western Australia.

 

 

The Mount Augustus Summit Trail is a challenging, steep-climbing, rocky trail with a 654m elevation gain. It’s a marked 12km return hike that usually takes about six hours to complete.

As well as the exceptional summit trail, there’s also a variety of short walks and easier trails making it a perfect day out for groups with different hiking appetites.

Read more: Mt Augustus: A Guide to The Summit Trail of the Biggest Rock in The World

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Featured Event

Belangoloopy – Paddy Pallin Intro Rogain

  • Start Date: Jun 15, 2025
  • Venue: Belanglo State Forest

Come enjoy a classic 6 hour Paddy Pallin rogaine that is only a short drive from Sydney or Canberra! We’ll be using our navigation skills to explore stunning native forest. There will be plenty of route options for all ages,...

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Belangoloopy – Paddy Pallin Intro Rogain, NSW Rogaining

Kimberley Region

11. Emma Gorge Walk

Location: El Questro Wilderness Park
Distance: 3.2km return
Duration: 1-2 hours
Nearest Town: Kununurra
Skill Level: Advanced
Dog-Friendly: No

Emma Gorge is a beautiful gorge, waterfall, and waterhole located within El Questro Wilderness Park along the Gibb River Road in WA’s Kimberley region.

Read more: El Questro is an Outback Oasis Along The Gibb River Run

The gorge is an hour’s drive from Kununurra, WA, along the Victoria Highway and Gibb River Road. Along the way, you’ll need to navigate unsealed roads and multiple water crossings so taking a 4WD is the easiest option.

 

 

The bushwalking trail isn’t particularly difficult to navigate – it simply follows a creek deeper into the gorge with trail markers to guide you. Grab a paper map from the El Questro Emma Gorge Resort reception (where the hike starts) before heading out to find out key points of interest along the way.

Although the hike is relatively short, the trail can be narrow, with some steep and slippery sections, and a fair amount of rock scrambling. If you’re not steady on your feet, give this one a miss. But if you can manage, don’t forget your togs!

Read more: Emma Gorge – A Guide to Visiting One of The Kimberley’s Most Stunning Gorges

Shot by Dakota Gow

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Coral Coast Region

12. Nature’s Window Loop Trail

Location: Kalbarri National Park
Distance: 8km loop
Duration: 3-4 hours
Nearest Town: Kalbarri
Skill Level: Moderate
Dog-Friendly: No

Mother nature can be such an exhibitionist, with her audacious sunsets, dazzling lakeside light shows, and bolshy wildflower displays. At Nature’s Window in WA’s Kalbarri National Park, she takes it one step further by literally framing her artwork for visitors.

Read more: Kalbarri National Park Guide

The Nature’s Window Loop trail is an 8km, Grade 4 hike, located in Kalbarri National Park in Western Australia. The hike should take around three hours to complete.

 

 

It gets extremely busy with tourists, so timing your walk for sunrise or sunset, better yet, on a weekday, is the best bet for a peaceful hiking experience.

The drive to Nature’s Window Loop Trail will take approximately 6.5 hours from Perth.

Read more: Sunrise At Nature’s Window in Kalbarri National Park

 

13. Z Bend River Trail

Location: Kalbarri National Park
Distance: 2.6km return
Duration: 1-2 hours
Nearest Town: Kalbarri
Skill Level: Moderate
Dog-Friendly: No

Tucked away in Western Australia’s Kalbarri National Park, Z Bend is fittingly named after the tight bends carved into the sandstone gorge, making way for Murchison River. Grab your swimmers and bushwalking gear and enjoy the gorgeous landscape.

Read more: Kalbarri Isn’t Just a Stop on a Road Trip – It’s a Destination

You can find Z Bend nestled in Kalbarri National Park, around 6.5 hours north of Perth. It’s a perfect spot to explore if you’ve only got a few hours to kill.

Wearing shoes with good grip is recommended for this one, as a lot of the time you’ll be climbing down large rocks and stairs to get down to the river.

Read more: Z Bend is a Hiker’s Oasis Hidden Within the Sandstone

 

Pilbara Region

14. Mount Bruce Summit Trail

Location: Karijini National Park
Distance: 10km return
Duration: 6 hours
Nearest Town: Tom Price
Skill Level: Advanced

Karijini National Park is an absolute goldmine of gorges, waterholes, and one very spectacular hike. As the second-highest mountain in the state, Punurrunha/Mount Bruce is regarded as one of WA’s most scenic and rewarding walks.

 

 

Located about 1400km north of Perth, it’s going to take a fair whack of time to get there from WA’s capital, but it’s the kind of exceptional trail that’ll lodge itself in your memory forever.

The first half of the walk is relatively easy. It’s the second half that’ll have you clambering and climbing over rocks, making it a little more strenuous.

Once you’ve descended from the summit there are several breathtaking waterholes nearby for a post-adventure swim!

Read more: Hiking Up at Mt Bruce

 

FAQs Hikes in Western Australia

What safety precautions should I take when hiking in WA?

Always carry plenty of water, check the weather, wear sun protection, and let someone know your hiking plans. Some trails also require navigation skills.

Read more: How To Hike in Hot Weather

Do any of these national park hikes involve white sandy beaches?

The Bald Head Walk Trail takes you along the coast, by stunning white sandy beaches with pause-worthy views of the Southern Ocean.

Can you see whales from hiking trails in WA?

Yes! The Bald Head Walking Trail and sections of the Cape to Cape Track offer great vantage points for whale watching from June to October.

Read more: Remote Surf and Whale Watching Red Bluff, Perth, WA

What’s the best time of year to go hiking in Western Australia?

Spring (September to November) is the best time to hike in WA, with cooler temperatures and wildflowers to enjoy.

What multi-day hikes are in WA?

The most popular multi-day hikes in WA are the Bibbulmun Track, Cape to Cape, and Wiilman Bilya Trail.

 

Hiking the Bibbulmun Track: A Thousand Emotions in 1000km, Photos by Steve Willems and Caroline Grandjean-Thomsen, jump, woman, happy, sign, crossing the mid point

Shot by Steve Willems

Put Your Foot Down On Your Next Hike

 

Table of contents image by @marine.t.yan

Featured image by @jclwrites

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