Q: Are snakes and spiders a worry?

Less than many visitors fear. Snakes avoid people, and snake bites kill about two people a year in the whole country. 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 1

Do I need to hire a car?

Accepted Answer

No. Every move is by train, coach, ferry, shuttle or private transfer, so you never drive on the left after a long flight.

Each tour page says how to reach the start.

Question 2

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.

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 3

How fit do I need to be?

Accepted Answer

You should enjoy walking most of the day, several days in a row. 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. Unsure which suits you? Ask us.

Question 4

What are the rooms like?

Accepted Answer

Hotels, motels, guesthouses, lodges, cabins or cottages, never a tent. Rooms vary with the town, and each tour page says what to expect.

Several walks run from one or two bases, so you stay a few nights in the same room. Prefer twin beds or a double? Add it to your inquiry.

Question 5

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 6

When should I book?

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. Send us your dates and we'll tell you what is still open.

Question 7

What visa do I need, and what do I declare?

Accepted Answer

Everyone except New Zealanders applies before flying, ideally before booking flights:

British and EU citizens: the free eVisitor, from the Home Affairs website
US and Canadian passports: an ETA, through the Australian ETA app, for a small fee
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, on the arrival card or the digital declaration. Clean them before you pack. Declaring brings no penalty, even if an item is then refused.

Question 8

Do I need travel insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, bought before you fly. It is not compulsory, but Tourism Australia highly recommends it. 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. 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 9

Are snakes and spiders a worry?

Accepted Answer

Less than many visitors fear. Snakes avoid people, and snake bites kill about two people a year in the whole country.

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 10

What about heat, bushfires and closures?

Accepted Answer

Summer brings heat and fire danger, and the park agencies close tracks when it is high. The 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. Check the alerts before each walking day:

Question 11

Is there phone signal, and do cards work?

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.

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 12

What about meals and special diets?

Accepted Answer

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

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or an allergy? Mention it in your inquiry.

Question 13

Can I come on my own?

Accepted Answer

Yes, on most walks. A room to yourself costs a single supplement, which we quote with your dates. Tell us you are walking alone and we'll check the walk you have in mind.

Question 14

Do the walks suit children?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if long days on foot don't put them off. Tell us how old they are and we'll say which walks suit them.

Question 15

Can we pick our start date or add nights?

Accepted Answer

Start days depend on the trains, coaches and shuttles each walk uses. Extra nights before or after are easy to add, in the walk's towns or in the city where you land. Suggest a start date.

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. Tell your accommodation which way you are walking each day.

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