Park your RV at the road’s end and hoof it on these great day hikes in Australia

We take a look at some of the top day hikes in Australia including where to stay in your RV.

Australia was originally explored on foot and while we now get around in our RVs, there are still many amazing places that can and should only be explored by hoofing it. To be clear, I’m not talking about tramping for days on end…although you can if you want. I’m talking about setting up your RV somewhere comfortable and heading out for the day (or just the morning) to explore the best of Australia. 

So without further ado, here’s where to set up your RV and hoof it with some great day hikes in Australia. 

NSW – Bouddi Coastal Walk, Central Coast

Distance: 8.5 km one way

Start/finish: MacMasters Beach/Puttys Beach

Linking a string of beaches surrounded by the Bouddi National Park on the Central Coast, the Bouddi Coastal Walk is known for its beaches, rainforest, boardwalk and birdlife. Take in the wonderful coastal views and cool off in the water at Maitland Bay along the way. If you walk this one from May to November, there’s a good chance of spotting whales.

• Where to stay in your RV: NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Park
• Why? For the playground, pool, hot showers and powered sites in a beachside location.

NSW – Crystal Shower Falls Walk, Dorrigo 

Distance: 4.4km return

Start/finish: Dorrigo Rainforest Centre

The Crystal Shower Falls Walk is a beautiful hike with a mist-shrouded Gondwana rainforest that towers above you and a suspension bridge that gives you prime views of the Crystal Shower waterfall. For an even better view of this hike in Australia, take the trek down behind the actual waterfall where you can peek through the veil of falling water. 

• Where to stay in your RV: Dorrigo Mountain Holiday Park
• Why? Spread over three hectares of manicured gardens, grassy camp areas and shady trees, it’s a top location to explore Dorrigo National Park and the towns of Dorrigo and Bellingen.

VIC – Triplet Falls Walk, Great Otway National Park

Distance: 1.8km return

Start/finish: Triplet Falls car park

The Otways are blessed with many waterfalls but the Triplet Falls Walk is an easy one-hour loop boardwalk trail that’s hard to beat. Walk among eucalypt trees and down tree fern gullies to different vantage points of the three-tiered falls before heading up past rusty artifacts from a historic timber mill site.

• Where to stay in your RV: Bimbi Park
• Why? Camp under the koalas! Also, it has a rock climbing structure for kids and outdoor movies.

VIC – Three Bays Walk, Wilsons Promontory

Distance: 12.4km return

Start/finish: Tidal River

The Three Bays Walk in the spectacular Wilsons Prom National Park winds from Tidal River to Pillar Point before continuing on to the three bays of Squeaky Beach, Picnic Bay and Whisky Bay. From here you will retrace your steps back to Tidal River. Wilsons Prom is a top hiking location in Australia and there is plenty more opportunities to get your daily step count up here.

• Where to stay in your RV: Yanakie Tourist Park
• Why? It’s only five minutes to the national park entrance and the sunset/sunrise views from the premium oceanfront sites are spectacular.

QLD – Carnarvon Gorge, Carnarvon National Park

Distance: 19.4km return (much shorter sections available)

Start/finish: Carnarvon Gorge Visitor area

The track threads through the gorge all the way to Big Bend in the Carnarvon Gorge National Park with several short trails detouring along the way. Don’t miss the Art Gallery, which features a 60-metre line of cliffs covered in over 2000 Aboriginal paintings and ochre stencils, and the Cathedral Cave. I know, it’s a lot to walk in one day, right? If you’re not up to it, take one of the shorter return walks such as the Moss Garden (7km) or Amphitheatre (8.6km) walk. Both of these shorter walks are fantastic.

• Where to stay: Big4 Breeze Carnarvon Gorge (formerly known as Takarakka Bush Resort)
• Why? It’s set right beside the beautiful Carnarvon Creek. Also… there’s a bush bar.

QLD – Twin Falls Circuit, Gold Coast Hinterlands

Distance: 4km return

Start/finish: Tallanbana Trailhead or Canyon Lookout

The Twin Falls Circuit is an enjoyable hike that showcases a great example of the Gondwana Rainforests of the region. Signposted along the way to draw attention to the different forest types, the track passes behind two stunning waterfalls and meanders among ancient brush box trees. This is a popular hike in Australia and for good reason.

• Where to stay: Ocean Beach Tourist Park
• Why? For the great beachfront location smack in the middle of the fun on the Gold Coast

WA – Bluff Knoll, Stirling Range National Park

Distance: 6.8km return

Start/finish: Bluff Knoll car park 

The Bluff Knoll hike is a demanding walk that leads up to a flat granite summit. Once you make it to the top, it delivers 360-degree views of the hills of the Stirling Range National Park as well as the Porongurup range and Mt Manypeaks. 

• Where to stay: Mount Trio Bush Camp & Caravan Park
• Why? It’s a hot spot for self-drive adventures, wildflowers, flora and fauna.

WA – Bell Gorge, Wunaamin Conservation Park

Distance: 5km return

Start/finish: Bell Gorge (Dalmanyi) car park

No trip along the Gibb River Road in the Kimberleys is complete without cooling off in the soothing waters of Bell Gorge. The hike is up and down but eventually, you will descend into a steep gully featuring nature’s plunge pool. Allow plenty of time for a splash around here.

• Where to stay: Dulundi (Silent Grove) Campgrounds
• Why? It’s close to the gorge and both flush toilets and showers are appreciated in such a remote location.

SA – Elliston Coastal Trail, Elliston

Distance: 13.6km one way

Start/finish: Little Bay Surf Break/Cape Finniss

The Elliston Coastal Trail is an oceanside walk northwest of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula and features a rugged and scenic track that overlooks the beginning of the Great Australian Bight.

• Where to stay: Elliston Caravan Park
• Why? For the drive-through sites, jumping pillow and pool, and great location opposite the beach and historic jetty.

SA – Alligator Gorge Ring Route, Mr Remarkable National Park

Distance: 8.9km

Start/finish: Alligator Gorge car park

The Alligator Gorge Circuit is found in the heart of Mt Remarkable National Park and is arguably one of the most iconic hikes of the Flinders Rangers in Australia. Walking in spring means abundant wildflowers but regardless of the season, walkers will enjoy the Terraces, a series of platforms in which the creek flows down, and the Narrows, a several hundred-metre section of the gorge measuring only a couple of metres wide. 

• Where to stay: Mambray Creek Campground
• Why? It’s a conveniently located base to explore the Mt Remarkable National Park and it has level campsites, flushing toilets and showers

NT – Uluru Base Walk, Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park

Distance: 10.6km circuit

Start/finish: Various sections around Uluru

The flat trail skirts the circumference of Uluru, at times so close you can reach your hand out and trace the outline of the rock with your hand. This is definitely one of the most iconic day hikes in Australia. If you book in advance and start from the Uluru Cultural Centre, you can actually hire a pushbike to do this trek.

While you’re here in the Kata-Tjuta National Park, head over to Kata Tjuta for the Valley of the Winds Walk, a 7.4km trek departing from the Kata-Tjuta main car park. It snakes through the domes of Kata Tjuta (formerly known as the Olgas) for spectacular views. 

• Where to stay: Ayers Rock Resort Campground
• Why? It has everything you need for a stay in the Red Centre of Australia, including shops, fuel, tours, a pool, laundry, and nearby bars and restaurants.

NT – Kings Canyon Rim Walk, Watarrka National Park

Distance: 6km return

Start/finish: Kings Canyon main car park

The initial section of this hike is brutal but once you make it to the top of the canyon, it’s pretty smooth sailing. Enjoy a hike that circles the canyon rim with a hidden section down into the Garden of Eden, a tropical oasis with lush ferns and a shady pool in an otherwise harsh, alien landscape.

• Where to stay: Discovery Park Kings Canyon Campground
• Why? The viewing platform from the campground here is epic at sunset. Also, there’s a pool, which is a welcome relief from the heat.

TAS – Crescent Bay, Tasman Peninsula

Distance: 7.5km return

Start/finish: Remarkable Cave

This Crescent Bay hiking trail leads down to the lovely dune-lined beach at Crescent Bay. This spot is awesome for sandboarding so if you can be bothered, carry something in that you can slide down the dunes on.

• Where to stay: NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park
• Why? There’s a pump track for the kids, pizza ovens and cute little pademelons that visit the campsite every morning and evening.

TAS – Organ Pipes Circuit, Mt Wellington

Distance: 9.5km return

Start/finish: Springs car park

Most of the uphill to the Organ Pipes is done in your car but it’s still a stretch for tired legs. Featuring historic stone huts, spectacular rock formations in the organ pipes and amazing views of Hobart, this is a great hike through fragrant bushland on Mt Wellington.

• Where to stay: Discovery Parks Hobart
• Why? It has all the fun stuff for kids, a kiosk, WiFi and laundry. The best part? It’s only 15 minutes from the Saturday Salamanca Markets.

More information on all these hikes (plus many more), can be found in Lonely Planet’s Epic Hikes of Australia and New Zealand.