Now that we’re able to leave our LGAs and head further afield, it’s a great time to explore a day walk in a national park and for those in NSW you’re in for a treat!
We’ve picked some of our favourite day walks that will get the legs going and the heart pumping, but are achievable for your average level of fitness (that’s anyone who has been pounding the pavement of their local suburb for the past few months).
A good day walk means getting out on the track early and having somewhere comfy to retire to at the end of the day, so these walks are conveniently close to some of our best national park campgrounds or cabins too.
Camp Blackman and Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk
Warrumbungle National Park, 14.5km loop, 5 – 6 hours
Featuring one of the most iconic natural sights in NSW, this challenging walk ascends the rugged volcanic Warrumbungle peaks to the Grand High Tops summit, rewarding you with jaw-dropping, panoramic views. Camp Blackman is just 5 minutes’ drive from the track’s start point and offers spacious spots to pitch your tent, as well as hot showers and BBQs. This national park is also a Dark Sky Park, so turn off your torches and lanterns once night falls for unforgettable stargazing.
Blue Gum Flat campground and Pigeon House Mountain Didthul walking track
Morton National Park, 5km return, 3.5 hours
This popular mountain hike, near Ulladulla, takes you through forest and heathland before a series of vertical steps and ladders leads up to the summit, offering sprawling views out over the cliffs and gorges of the Budawang wilderness. You’ll find Blue Gum Flat campground an easy 20 minutes’ drive from the carpark along an unsealed dirt road. This remote and beautiful riverside campsite is quite basic, so remember to come prepared and BYO all supplies, including drinking water.
Creel Bay Cottages and Dead Horse Gap and Thredbo River track
Kosciuszko National Park, 10km loop, 5 hours
Tackle two popular Snowy Mountains tracks for a day of alpine walking at its finest. At almost 600m elevation, Dead Horse Gap track has showstopping views of Ramshead Range, Crackenback Mountain and Thredbo Valley. Once it joins up with the Thredbo River track, you’ll see snow gums, granite boulders, sub-alpine wildflowers and, if you’re lucky, even trout and platypus in the flowing river. A short drive away, Creel Bay Cottages provide some alpine luxury after a day of exploring, with beautiful views across Lake Jindabyne.
The Residence and Lyrebird walking track and Wrights lookout walking track
New England National Park, 8.9 km circuit, 3.5 - 4.5 hours
This day walk starts right from the front door of rainforest cabin The Residence, which sleeps 10 so you can invite the whole crew along. The Lyrebird track meanders through a range of incredible Gondwana Rainforest environments including eucalypt forest, lush ferns, moss and waterfalls, with the track’s namesake, the lyrebird, heard echoing in the valleys. This trail links up with Wrights lookout track which leads out to a spectacular rocky plateau. The best bit? At the end of a big day, you can walk straight back to your cabin and kick back around The Residence’s outdoor firepit.