The Solo Traveller
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Hiking and Trekking
Three Capes Lodge Walk, Tasmania. Photographer: Luke Tscharke. Image courtesy Great Walks of Australia.
Great Walks of Australia
By Tiffany West
Briefly …
From alpine Tasmania to the red heart of the Northern Territory, Great Walks of Australia offers solo travellers a rare blend of challenge, comfort, and quiet transformation – where the real reward isn’t just the scenery, but the space to breathe, reflect, and feel genuinely restored.
Ask anyone what it is that draws them to Australia’s famous walking trails, and the answer usually starts with the landscapes – ancient peaks, endless beaches, red deserts, forests rich with scent and silence. These are the scenes you see in the brochures. Yet talk to any walker, months or years after their journey, and you’ll hear stories of something deeper – the small, unexpected moments that shift the soul and become the unforgettable heart of the adventure.
Great Walks of Australia is a collection of 15 of Australia’s most spectacular walking experiences, from Tasmania’s alpine wilderness and white-sand coastlines to Victoria’s rugged surf coast, the ancient landscapes of the Northern Territory, the volcanic highlands of Queensland, and the wild, remote ranges of South Australia and Western Australia. Each walk pairs world-class natural settings with expert guides, exceptional hospitality and a commitment to sustainability and conservation, offering restorative, low-impact walking experiences for seasoned hikers and first-time multi-day walkers.
Bay of Fires Lodge Walk, Tasmania. Image courtesy Great Walks of Australia.
Great Walks of Australia Executive Officer Genevieve Matthews told The Solo Traveller that there has never been a better time to rethink how we approach our health and wellbeing in the year ahead. “It’s common practice in countries such as Sweden and Japan for doctors to prescribe patients time out in nature for the multitude of mental health and wellness benefits, so taking part in a multi-day, deeply immersive nature experience such as doing a Great Walk of Australia isn’t just a holiday, it’s a wellness experience.”
“Walking in nature acts as a circuit breaker for mental overload, lowers stress hormones, supports healthy sleep patterns, and allows the mind to settle, even after just 20 to 30 minutes outdoors. Multi-day walks amplify these benefits, offering the rare chance to unplug from routines, digital devices, and decision fatigue. Whether someone is seeking a short escape from the everyday or an immersive multi-day adventure, our walks offer more than scenery, they offer time to breathe, reflect, reconnect and rediscover balance.”
Cradle Mountain Huts Walk, Tasmania. Image courtesy Great Walks of Australia.
Solo travellers are actively encouraged to journey on any of the Great Walks of Australia, with many solo adventurers joining the small group hikes and loving it. It’s an exhilarating experience and an awesome achievement to conquer these iconic walks solo while still having the comfort. care and company along the way with our guided experiences. Women of all ages in particular love being able to hike in the wilderness with us and still have the security of a small group with them.
For many solo travellers, a guided walk enables them to experience the trails with experts that know what they’re doing, who can answer questions, and share the stories behind the places you are immersed in. The walks take you through wilderness areas with rapidly changing weather conditions, and having a guide who knows the region and the weather makes a big difference, helps to keep you safe, and takes the stress out of going it alone. The other stress saver is that you won’t need to purchase specialist equipment and carry even heavier packs that include your food and sleeping gear.
Three Capes Lodge Walk, Tasmania. Photographer: Luke Tscharke. Image courtesy Great Walks of Australia.
Choosing to walk with a Great Walks of Australia operator as opposed to taking on the trails independently means everything is organised for you, including meeting you in the closest major town or city and dropping you back at the end of the walk. You experience the best accommodation on the walk, sample delicious things to eat along the way, and are provided with invaluable insights from experts. The only things you carry are essential clothing, personal items, water, your lunch, your camera and a sense of curiosity, allowing you to focus completely on the amazing environment around you and having a good time.
Cradle Mountain Huts Walk, Tasmania. Image courtesy Great Walks of Australia.
Scenic Rim Trail, Queensland. Image courtesy Great Walks of Australia.
Guaranteed single rooms can be booked for an additional single supplement on most walks, with some of the walks not incurring a single supplement and you will be guaranteed to have your own room/tent if requested. We recommend discussing the accommodation and any single bookings further with the operator of the walk you are interested in prior to booking as every walk is different.
To learn more, visit the Great Walks of Australia website here.
Tiffany West is The Solo Traveller’s Editorial and Pictorial Assistant Lead.