The hiking trend in NSW is on the up and up. Last year, AllTrails data shows that Australians navigated an impressive 11-million kilometres of hiking trails – and that’s just based on people using the app to guide their adventures, and the most popular hike in the country is just outside of Sydney. For us at Time Out Sydney, the state’s obsession with hiking is evident through the clicks – whenever we publish a story about a new hike or a gruelling multi-day trail, our readers jump to read it. To help feed the collective appetite, NSW National Parks and Wildlife launched the NSW Great Walks: a collection of spectacular multi-day walking trails showcasing the best of the state. Keen to get amongst it, but not ready yet to tackle a multi-day trail? We’re here to help.
With guidance from the team at NSW National Parks, we’ve rounded up six short(ish) hiking trails from around the state that will give you a taste of the NSW Great Walks in under five hours. Keen? Read on.
These are the six best day hikes to give you a sample of the NSW Great Walks:
- Gordon Falls to Katoomba (Grand Cliff Top Walk, Blue Mountains)
Don’t have time to take on the full two day Grand Cliff Top Walk? The Gordon Falls to Katoomba walk is a scenic eight kilometre hike through the stunning Blue Mountains National Park, the second day of trails if you’re hiking the full route. The beautiful mountain trail takes in impressive views of Three Sisters Aboriginal Place and Mount Solitary, and you can stop off in nearby Katoomba afterwards for a cosy pub feed.
Distance: 8 kilometres one-way
Time: 3-4 hours
Grade: Grade 3 - Birubi Point to One Mile Beach walking track (Tomaree Coastal Walk, Port Stephens)
If you’re up in the Port Stephens area, this coastal hike is an excellent option. The 7.5 kilometre one-way walk from Birubi Point to One Mile Beach offers far-reaching ocean views and fascinating insights into Aboriginal culture. Located in Tomaree National Park near Port Stephens, it winds through several coastal villages so you can stop off for coffees and ice creams along the way.
Distance - 7.5km one-way
Time - 4 hours - 4 hours 30min
Grade - Grade 3
![Tomaree coastal walk]()
Photograph: Supplied | NSW National Parks and Wildlife - Burrawang walking track (Murramarang South Coast Walk, South Coast)
The beautiful Burrawang walking track stretch of the Murramarang South Coast Walk takes hikers across Depot Beach Headland, with scenic coastal views, lush forests and lots of birdwatching options in Murramarang National Park. (Note: this walk is currently closed due to storm damage, but will reopen soon – you can check in here).
Distance – 2 kilometre return route
Time - 1 hour 30min - 2 hours 30min
Grade - Grade 4 - Boyds Tower to Saltwater Creek walking track (Light to Light Walk, Sapphire Coast)
The Light to Light Walk on the NSW Sapphire coast recently re-opened after a mega $14.9 million upgrade, and it’s topping the bucket list for a lot of serious walkers in NSW. Not up for taking on the full 30 kilometres? The Boyds Tower to Saltwater Creek walk covers 13.2 kilometres of scenic coastal forest, with opportunities for swimming, fishing and birdwatching along the way.
Distance: 13.2 kilometres one-way
Time: 4 hours 30min - 5 hours 30min
Grade: Grade 4
![Light to Light walk]()
Photograph: Supplied | NSW National Parks and Wildlife
- Perisher Valley to Bullocks Flat walk (Snowies Alpine Walk, Snowy Mountains)
The spectacular Snowies Alpine Walk opened around this time last year, taking hikers on an incredible journey through beautiful valleys and up to the top of Australia’s tallest peak. Can’t face a four day ramble? The 12 kilometre route from Perisher Valley to Bullocks Flat in Kosciuszko National Park gives you a taste – weaving through tangled snow gums and tracing the Thredbo River through a magical mountain valley.
Distance: 12 kilometres one-way
Time: 4-5 hours
Grade: Grade 3 - Byan Yangala loop walk (Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk, Tweed-Byron Hinterland)
In full, the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk takes four days to complete – weaving through magnificent ancient rainforests in the Tweed-Byron hinterland. Want to try a shorter sample? The Byan Yangala loop is a 6.5 kilometre hike that’s less than an hour’s drive from Byron Bay. Our tip? Hike it out, then head to a bath house (Banya and Navia are our favourites in the area).
Distance: 6.5 kilometre loop
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Grade: Grade 3
