What Makes a Great Walk of Australia – Great?

Great Walks of Australia is a collective of premium, guided, multi-day walks run by reputable Australian operators in iconic locations, with a strong focus on sustainability, expert guiding, and thoughtful hospitality. Walks typically run 4 to 6 days, use lodge-based or point-to-point accommodation, and feature curated local food and wine that reflects the place you are walking through.

If you’re new to multi-day walking in Australia, you might have a few questions about “Greats”? There’s a TV show called Great Walks, a magazine called Great Walks, and you may have heard about Great Walks of Tasmania or NSW.

So what exactly makes a Great Walk of Australia truly great?

In Summary

The collective is a selected group of premium Australian guided walks united by high standards of sustainability, guiding, safety, and hospitality.

Some key core elements:

• Iconic and immersive locations
• Leave No Trace-aligned practices
• EcoTourism Australia certification appreciated
• Environmental governance and community responsibility
• Multi-day premium walking experiences, often 4 to 6 days
• Expert guides with deep knowledge and genuine care
• Lodge-based or point-to-point itineraries
• Meals and beverages that showcase local provenance

The Great Walks of Australia, a Tourism Australia Signature Experience’s collective brings together independently run, premium guided walks across the country. Each walk meets agreed standards around environmental care, quality guiding, safety, and highly thoughtful guest experience. While the magazine and TV show share stories and inspiration about walking, the collective refers to the collective and collaboration between actual operators and their guided, bookable multi-day experiences across Australia.

Why this matters for first-time walkers?

When you pick a walk inside this collective, you are choosing a trip designed with care for both the environment and the traveller. That means considered routes, trained guides, an emphasis on safety, and an experience that feels complete from the first briefing to the final shared meal.

Key Elements That Make a Great Walk of Australia – Great!

Iconic, immersive locations

The settings are the reason you lace your boots each morning. Expect landscapes that feel distinctly Australian: wild coastlines, ancient ranges, cool temperate forests, highland tarns, red desert light. These walks are designed to bring you into the rhythm of place. Think dawn birdsong as you shoulder your daypack, the soft give of sandy tracks, the scent of eucalyptus after rain. Routes are chosen to offer variety, quiet moments, and a sense of unfolding story.

Sustainability and Leave No Trace practices

Care for country is non-negotiable. Operators use Leave No Trace principles across daily operations, route planning, and guest briefings. You will likely notice clear guidance on staying on track, pack-in pack-out practices where appropriate, and thoughtful infrastructure that minimises impact. This is about walking well and leaving the landscape as you found it.

EcoTourism Australia certification

EcoTourism Australia certification that is relevant to member’s product is highly regarded. This independent certification signals ongoing commitment to environmental performance and continuous improvement. For travellers, it is a simple way to know the walk has been assessed against recognised sustainability criteria.

Environmental governance, conservation, and community responsibility

Behind the scenes are permits, partnerships, and policies that protect sensitive environments. Many operators contribute to conservation initiatives, respect cultural heritage, and prioritise local employment and training. You benefit from access that is carefully managed and relationships that have been built over time. It adds depth to what you see and learn on the track.

Multi-day premium walking experience, typically 4 to 6 days

Time matters. With four to six days, you settle into a comfortable pace. You feel your body adjust to steady movement. You sleep better. You notice more. The itinerary length allows for a complete arc: gentle introduction, a few big moments, a relaxed final day. For many travellers, especially those who prefer to plan with confidence, this structure supports fitness, comfort, and enjoyment.

Expert guides with knowledge and hospitality

Guides are the heart of the experience. They know the local geology, plant life, bird calls, weather patterns, and safety protocols. Just as important, they read the room. They set a pace that suits the group, create space for quiet, and bring warmth to shared meals. You get story-rich interpretation, patient coaching on tricky sections, and the kind of calm presence that builds trust.

Point-to-point or lodge-based experiential accommodation

Some Great Walks of Australia take you from point to point. Others return you to a private lodge or a series of eco-accommodation each night. Either way, the stays are intentionally designed for comfort and connection with place. Expect hot showers, a welcoming common area, and details like drying rooms and boot stations that make walking life easier. You rest well and begin each day refreshed.

Curated local produce and wine that reflect provenance

Meals matter, especially at the end of a full day on the track. Dinners may feature local meats or seafood, small-farm vegetables, or regionally roasted coffee, or wines that tell the story of the surrounding country. It is not about extravagance. It is about thoughtful, well-prepared food that tastes of where you are. The table becomes part of the experience, and conversations with guides and fellow walkers deepen what you have seen.

How to choose the right Great Walk of Australia for you

• Terrain and pace: Coastal paths, alpine trails, or arid country feel very different. Consider your comfort with steps, gradients, and daily distance.
• Accommodation style: Do you prefer the rhythm of a different location each night, or returning to a comfortable lodge base?
• Seasonality and weather: Check the typical conditions for your dates and plan layers accordingly.
• Sustainability values: Look for details about certification, local sourcing, and conservation efforts that align with your priorities.
• Group style and support: If you value personal attention, ask about group size and guide-to-guest ratios.

FAQs

What exactly is the Great Walks of Australia collective?
It’s a national collective of premium, guided, multi-day walks delivered by trusted Australian operators. It’s different from the TV show or magazine called Great Walks. Expect considered routes, expert guides, and hospitality that reflects the place you’re walking through.

How long are the walks and what does a typical day look like?
Most sit around 4 to 6 days. Days include steady walking with regular breaks, story-rich guiding, and time to pause for views and photos. You’ll usually carry a daypack unless on a point to point walk, with water, layers, and lunch; check your chosen itinerary for daily distances and what you’ll carry.

Do I need to be very fit, and how should I prepare?
A steady base helps. If you can comfortably walk for several hours with breaks, you’re well on your way. In the weeks before your trip, add a few longer walks even back to back on the weekend, on varied terrain and include some gentle strength for legs and core. Well-fitted shoes you’ve already worn in make a big difference.

Where do we sleep and what are meals like?
Walks are either point-to-point with eco-accommodation or return to a comfortable private lodge. anticipate hot showers, a welcoming common area, perhaps a foot bath and thoughtful details like a cool towel at the end of a walk or drying rooms. Evenings feature considered, locally sourced meals and regional wines that reflect the region you’re visiting. Note some walks provide alcoholic as an optional extra.

How do you care for the environment and local communities?
Behind the scenes are permits, conservation efforts, cultural respect, and local partnerships that guide how we operate. You’ll be briefed on low-impact walking so we leave places as we found them. Read more on sustainability here.

To understand more about our specific walks, head to Our Walks page here and explore each of the different walks in the collective. For any questions, please reach out via the Contact Us.

We look forward to seeing you on the trail!

To find our more about Tourism Australia’s Signature Experience Collectives watch here.