Q: When is the best time to walk in Australia?

Spring and autumn suit most walks in the south : September to November and March to May. Tourism Australia rates them among the best times to travel anywhere in the country. Summer, from December to February, brings long days but also heat and fire danger on the mainland. On the Cape to Cape Track, the Western Australian parks agency advises avoiding the hottest months. Winter, from June to August, is cool and often wet in the south. The tropical north works the other way round: its dry season runs from May to September .

Q: Where do I sleep, and are meals included?

Always under a roof : hotels, motels, guesthouses, lodges, cabins or cottages, never a tent. Several walks run from one or two bases, so you stay a few nights in the same room. Meals change from walk to walk, and each tour page lists what is included. Some days pass no shop or café, so carry lunch and snacks.

Q: Are Australia's snakes and spiders dangerous for walkers?

Rarely. Snakes avoid people, and snake bites kill about two people a year in the whole country. Tasmania has just three snake species. On the track, wear boots, watch where you step and give any snake room to move off. If one bites, keep still and call 000. healthdirect , the government health service, explains the first aid. Spiders are a smaller worry still: Australia has had no deaths from confirmed spider bites since 1980 , when the funnel-web antivenom arrived.

Q: Is Australia safe for walkers, including solo walkers?

Yes. Tourism Australia calls it a very safe country to visit , and a safe one to travel alone. On the tracks, the usual bushwalking habits apply. Carry water and layers, stay on marked paths, and tell your accommodation where you are walking each day. Walking solo is possible on most walks. A room to yourself costs a single supplement, which we quote with your dates.

Q: What currency does Australia use, and do cards work?

The Australian dollar (AUD). You can pay by card or phone almost everywhere. Since 1 October 2026, shops may not add a surcharge on Visa, Mastercard or eftpos payments. Tipping is your choice, and not expected in most places.

Question 1

Do we walk with a guide?

Accepted Answer

No. You walk on your own, as a couple or with friends, using our digital guidebook. Most days follow official park tracks, with signs and waymarks at the junctions.

A few things run to a clock, such as the coach, train or boat on days you change base. Between them, you choose when to stop and for how long.

First time without a guide? See how self-guided walking works.

Question 2

When is the best time to walk in Australia?

Accepted Answer

Spring and autumn suit most walks in the south: September to November and March to May. Tourism Australia rates them among the best times to travel anywhere in the country.

Summer, from December to February, brings long days but also heat and fire danger on the mainland. On the Cape to Cape Track, the Western Australian parks agency advises avoiding the hottest months. Winter, from June to August, is cool and often wet in the south.

The tropical north works the other way round: its dry season runs from May to September.

Question 3

Do I need a car to get to the walks in Australia?

Accepted Answer

No. You reach each walk from the nearest city by train, coach, ferry or a short flight. Every move after that is by shuttle or private transfer, so nobody drives on the left after a long-haul flight.

Each tour page lists the connections to the start.

Question 4

Are the walks suitable for beginners?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you enjoy walking most of the day, several days in a row. There are no alpine passes. The effort comes from distance and soft sand on the beaches, and the mountains add long sandstone stairways.

Every tour page grades the walk from 1 to 5, once for fitness and once for technical difficulty. The Hiking Difficulty Guide describes each level. If you are unsure which walk suits you, tell us how you usually walk and we'll point you to one.

Question 5

Where do I sleep, and are meals included?

Accepted Answer

Always under a roof: hotels, motels, guesthouses, lodges, cabins or cottages, never a tent. Several walks run from one or two bases, so you stay a few nights in the same room.

Meals change from walk to walk, and each tour page lists what is included. Some days pass no shop or café, so carry lunch and snacks.

Question 6

What happens to my luggage?

Accepted Answer

You walk with a day pack: water, lunch, a rain jacket and a warm layer. Your main bag stays in your room, and on the days you change base it travels with you on the coach, shuttle or train.

So pack a bag you can lift into a luggage hold yourself. A soft, medium-sized bag is easier than a big hard case.

Question 7

Do I need a visa for Australia?

Accepted Answer

Yes, unless you hold a New Zealand passport. Apply before you book flights:

US and Canadian citizens: an ETA, through the Australian ETA app, for a small fee
British and EU citizens: the free eVisitor, from the Home Affairs website
New Zealand passports: nothing to apply for before you fly, as a visa is granted on entry

Both visas allow stays of up to three months per visit. On arrival, declare boots and kit that have touched soil or fresh water, and clean them before you pack. Declaring brings no penalty, even if an item is then refused.

Question 8

Are Australia's snakes and spiders dangerous for walkers?

Accepted Answer

Rarely. Snakes avoid people, and snake bites kill about two people a year in the whole country. Tasmania has just three snake species.

On the track, wear boots, watch where you step and give any snake room to move off. If one bites, keep still and call 000. healthdirect, the government health service, explains the first aid.

Spiders are a smaller worry still: Australia has had no deaths from confirmed spider bites since 1980, when the funnel-web antivenom arrived.

Question 9

Is Australia safe for walkers, including solo walkers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Tourism Australia calls it a very safe country to visit, and a safe one to travel alone. On the tracks, the usual bushwalking habits apply. Carry water and layers, stay on marked paths, and tell your accommodation where you are walking each day.

Walking solo is possible on most walks. A room to yourself costs a single supplement, which we quote with your dates.

Question 10

What currency does Australia use, and do cards work?

Accepted Answer

The Australian dollar (AUD). You can pay by card or phone almost everywhere. Since 1 October 2026, shops may not add a surcharge on Visa, Mastercard or eftpos payments.

Tipping is your choice, and not expected in most places.

Question 11

Do I need travel insurance for Australia?

Accepted Answer

Yes, bought before you fly. It is not compulsory, but Tourism Australia highly recommends it, and most visitors pay their own medical bills here.

Australia has health agreements with only 11 countries, among them the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands and New Zealand. The US and Canada are not on the list, and even these agreements cover only immediate, medically necessary treatment in the public system.

You can add insurance when you book: Redpoint Travel Protection is our insurance partner. Whatever you choose, check that it covers multi-day walking and cancellation.

Question 12

Are bushfires a risk when walking in Australia?

Accepted Answer

In summer, yes, and the park agencies close tracks when the danger is high. Fire danger is rated every day: stay off the tracks on Extreme or Catastrophic days. Victoria closes parks and forests on Catastrophic days.

On hot days, start early and carry at least a litre of water for every hour of walking. Tracks also close after storms or for repairs, so check the alerts before each walking day:

Question 13

When should I book a walking holiday in Australia?

Accepted Answer

Early, if your dates fall in the Australian summer holidays. From late December to the end of January, Australian families are on holiday too, and the coast gets busy. Small towns have only a few places to stay.

Easter and the school breaks around early October are busy as well. Outside those weeks, there is usually more choice of rooms.

Question 14

Will my phone work on the tracks?

Accepted Answer

In towns, yes. On the tracks, signal comes and goes, and some stretches have no coverage at all. Keep the guidebook and your bookings on your phone, not only in an email.

The free Emergency+ app gives your GPS location if you ever need to call for help.

Question 15

Can you plan around our dates, children or diet?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Start days depend on the trains, coaches and shuttles each walk uses, and extra nights before or after are easy to add.

Children are welcome if long days on foot don't put them off, and their ages help us suggest the right walk. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets or allergies go on your booking. Send us your dates and wishes.

Question 16

What if something goes wrong on the walk?

Accepted Answer

Our support number is in the guidebook we provide. Ring it if your plans change or something is not as booked.

For emergencies, use Australia's own numbers:

000 reaches police, fire and ambulance, free, and it works without credit
112 from a mobile, which reaches the same service
1800 022 222 for healthdirect, where a nurse answers day and night

With no signal at all, no number connects.

Australia Walking Tours

Self-guided walking holidays

Self-Guided Walks Across Australia

The Great Ocean Walk Highlights

Self-Guided Cape to Cape Walk

Grampians Peaks Trail: Halls Gap to Dunkeld

Three Capes Walk in Tasmania

The Great Ocean Walk: End to End

The Ultimate Blue Mountains Hiking Tour

Bay of Fires Walk: Freycinet & Maria Island