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Length: 5330km
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Duration: 1 Year
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Grade: 3-5
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Style: One Way
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Start: Healesville, Victoria
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End: Cooktown, Queensland
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Location: East Coast Australia
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Closest Town: Healesville
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Distance from CBD: 64km
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State: VIC, NSW, QLD
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Latitude: -37.656
Longitude: 145.514
Keep the Trail Access info current...

Select items to indicate conditions for access to the trail.


2WD Access


4WD Access


Public Transport


Bitumen Road


Gravel Road


Steep Road


Winding Road


Speed Bumps


Vehicle Ford


Entry Fee


Large Car Park


Small Car Park


Accessible Parking


Accessible Toilet


Public Toilets


Drinking Water


Untreated Water


Picnic Shelter


Picnic Table


BBQ Facilities


Campfire Pit


Camping Area
Keep the Trail Features current...

East Coast Australia...
Select items to indicate features found along the trail.


Concrete Path


Timber Boardwalk


Gravel Path


Sandy Trail


Rough Trail


Undefined Trail


Prams & Strollers


Manual Wheelchair


Motorised Wheelchair


Bicycle Trail


Mountain Bike Trail


Historic Rail Trail


Dog Friendly


Urban Walk


Coast & Beach


Historic Lighthouse


Waterfalls & Lakes


Rainforest Walk


Goldfields & Mining


Heritage Walk


Aboriginal Art


Alpine Region


Alpine Huts


Exposed Ledges


Rock Scrambling


Steep Terrain


Bush Bashing


River Crossings


Scenic Viewpoints


Well Marked


Drinking Water


Untreated Water


Fishing Spots


Swimming Spots


Overnight Campsites


Trail Running


Horse Riding
Hike Summary
The Bicentennial National Trail (BNT), originally known as the National Horse Trail, is one of the longest multi-use, non-motorised, self-reliant trails in the world, stretching 5,330 kilometres from Cooktown, Queensland, through New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory to Healesville, 60 km north-east of Melbourne, Victoria. This trail runs the length of the rugged Great Dividing Range through national parks, private property and alongside wilderness areas. The BNT follows old coach roads, stock routes, brumby tracks, rivers and fire trails. It was originally intended for horses, but is these days promoted also for cycling and walking, though it is not yet entirely suited to these two activities.
History
The trail was initiated and planned by the Australian Trail Horse Riders Association. They spent many years planning and negotiating a route. Horses are banned from all Wilderness Areas and many national park areas so they had to avoid these. For a long time, creation of the trail looked doubtful. When it was accepted as a bicentennial project in 1985, finance and official approval followed and by 1988 the trail was a reality. The trail has a large following amongst the horse riding community and has been very beneficial to them.
Access
A huge number of access points exist. Indeed, much of the trail follows public roads. Access by public transport exists where the trail crosses major highways - generally these are spaced at about one month walking intervals. Walkers usually chose to pre-place food at one to two week intervals and private transport must be used to do this.
Maps and Track Notes
The Trail links eighteen of Australia's national parks and more than 50 state forests, providing access to some of the wildest, most remote country in the world. The Trail is suitable for self-reliant horse riders, walkers and mountain bike riders. Parts of the Trail, such as some of the Jenolan Caves to Kosciuszko section, are suitable for horse-drawn vehicles. The Trail is not open to motorised vehicles or trail bikes, and pets are not permitted. The Trail is divided into 12 sections of 400 to 500 kilometres, each with a corresponding guide book.
A series of 12 guidebooks have been published for the trail. These use sketch maps to show the trails location - these maps are good for planning. It is also advised to obtain detailed contour maps as the sketch maps are inadequate for navigation. The guides contain very brief notes and are of limited help with planning a walk as most of the general advice is about horses - selecting them, feeding them, holding them etc.
Permits
Not needed. Local restrictions on camping and camp fires apply in some areas and in some seasons.
About the region
The track starts at Healesville on the outskirts of Melbourne in Victoria. It follows the mountain ranges along the eastern side of Australia through New South Wales to end at Cooktown in northern Queensland. The total length is 5330 km and would take most of 1 year to walk.
Hikes Nearby
246 thoughts on “Bicentennial National Trail (5330km)”
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Amanda Hua feel like challenge much? Lol
Angey fancy a year off?
Hell yes!
It is not one way. You can do it either way. It is also used by horse riders and mountain bikers ?♀️
Hahahaha. Very funny. One way means that it is not a return hike or a circuit. You walk it one way (starting at either end)
Trail Hiking Australia oh OK ?
Oh. I though you were just being funny.
Trail Hiking Australia or you could do out and back!!
Hi I don it both ways with 6 Horses it took two and a half years 1999 to 2002
Has anybody actually done the whole trail?
Yes some have ?
Check out FB page quite a few do it on horseback or mountain bike.
Yes thanks have been checking out it all out for few years 🙂
This would be so good
Got a spare 12 months Emily O’Brien?
Yes I’ve decided to retire
Tim Oxley a casual year long walk?
Only a year?
Yeah… unfortunately. I’ll find a longer one.
Carol Bevan ?
Bucket list!
Annette Doley Harrison Doley.
Steph Jensen lol let’s go
Oh HALLO
Yashinthinie. Yay or nay? ?
Yay!!!! Obviously ??
It’s something I long to achieve, the right time will come.
Alex Burgess do it over the weekend?
You won’t run 10km but you’ll hike over 5000km? Mate.
…but yes, let’s do it!
Alex Burgess easy, I’ll do it in a cracker.
Prove it.
Grant Lawrence why haven’t you done this yet
would be a tough hike
Alex Parton lets go
2021 is my year looking forward to it.
Suzie Sharp this is the big one that I want to do
Briony Browne.. are you busy in 2020?
?
OMG Briony, Do you think i;m ready.Love Mum.
Alison Friswell. Put this one on your bucket list.
Hurry up and retire!
Laura Waters
I read a magazine story about this. Sounds like water availability was a challenge which strikes me out
Laura Waters depending on time of the year maybe?
Tanya Marshall-Disher Lauren Fiona this is a real wild
Would be amazing. One day we might have the time to do this.
Tanya Marshall-Disher once we marry the kids off maybe??
Louise Stephenson Narelle Amos Sandra Hewson if we can do Kokoda we can do anything ???
A year ??
Kylie Robinson
I will throw the farewell party lol u will need a bigger backpack!
What? You’re not going to offer to do it with me like Joelene did?? ???
Sorry darling we all have our limitations, I’m afraid of the tantrums!
Holly Diggle
James Lukassen challange? ?
At my rate for running it would take me a decade ?
Beau Davis
That could be a lot of fun.
Jim Lawson
Tim Locke
Done some research on this one! It actually passes right by a mates farm near Glen Innes. Plenty of mindless miles but some amazing terrrain.
Definitely some mindless miles walking it
Some of the reports from people riding it are pretty epic. Listened to a girl one night who’d done it on horseback
Holy cow batman! Christine Grubb Anthony Kilpatrick Check this one out
I’m already planning to do this one in the future when the kids are older ?
What an amazing experience it would be.. ..just imagine being removed from society for a year then trying to come back into it.. .crazy stuff hey
Theres a girl doing it at the moment with brumbies. I love watching her adventures on fb
I love love love the idea of this one two just need someone to pay my bills while I do it https://www.trailhiking.com.au/australian-alps-walking-track/
Wow that one’s a toughy but would be amazing
Melissa Farrelly I know people do heaps of training before hand and heaps of planning would be cool tho
Matthew Laidlaw You up for this one?
Jodi Finn
We could ride it!
Greg McKay. A walk for you
Peter-Sue Leonard
Oliver
Jamie Robert maybe a project for next year?
Jonathon Almond
Fiona Merritt
Brody Usher just a little trail for you
Rianna Usher won’t be impressed if you put ideas in my head
Daniel Walker maybe YOU can do it!
If you do it from Cooktown to Healesville you might as well jump to Tassie and do their national trail that just opened up. I thinks it’s another couple of 100 km.
Natasha Van Nunen one way to spend a year??? ??
Something to do when we retire Bruce Mackay
Lock it in Eddie
Chris Bennetts-Cash Wendy Bruere any spare time to tackle this???
Kellie Michelle Tash next one sorted ?
Oh you’re hilarious Ginia!!
Won’t Craig miss you?
i’ll miss Virginia ?
Kellie Dickson pmsl
Aww I miss you guys ?
Virginia Cuthbert I miss you from my couch with heating & electronicsxx
Tash Hartmann Haha and how good is running water ?
Virginia Cuthbert I think water that tastes like shit is underrated
Janice Holzl ?? now, here’s a challenge
Dan Mopoke Williamson off you go ?
Was only just talking about this trail to my dad! Would love to do it.
Where’s my tag Kate Andrews don’t you want to do this ? now we’ve crossed Oxfam off the list!
We still have the BLW yet ??
Do you really want to walk 5500km? ??
Kate Andrews yeh don’t you lmao !!!! Hell no!
Goals William Rennes
Ali Morley.. ?
Kelly Campbell
Have done the section 12. Awesome
Rom Kenneth Justin Vick
Marg Harvey Penny Stevenson Nicola Misso
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to take a year out to ‘wander’ !
Nicola Misso sooo tempted… can I get NDIS funding to help support me to do this???
Nicola Misso can we?
Penny Stevenson let’s go
I’m in. I wanna start in Tassie first.
Penny Stevenson when?
2020?
Penny Stevenson goodie
What about 2019?
I’m not sure I’ll be ready to take a year off in 2019… we could start doing parts…
Penny Stevenson what about one month in Tassie? In 2019
Yep!
Penny yes you can!
Jessica Timmons I can but can I afford it?
Probably not for a year. But it’s nice to dream ?
Tahnia Mcdonald
Karen Malloch ?
Natalie Webb
Iain Muir are we taking a year off from life?! ?
Shane Johnstone, James Roberts, here’s your next FKT ?
Shaun Kaesler ? not a chance, I’ll leave that one for Shane ?
Shaun Kaesler it’s more of a horse trail than a hiking trail, I don’t think many if anyone has hiked the length, only a handful have done it on horseback. up until recently it was the longest trail in the world.
Shaun Kaesler definitely James Roberts name all over that one
Hunter Dodds you are correct, not many people have hiked it…. I think about 4-6? people have hiked it, about 12? mtbs and the rest were on horseback. About 50? people in total have completed the whole trail (including 3 kids). Lots more people have done sections. Check out the BNT website for more info. It’s a wonderful community and an amazing adventure ❤️
Jim Pollock Lucy Pollock closer to home
Barbara Bryant here’s an adventure for you!
Barbara Bryant here’s an adventure for you!
Kacie Crawford Already on the agenda Kace ?
Liam Anderson do you have a spare year?
Jaimi McNair ummm
See you next year dear Kara
Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Oliver
Yikes – I’m still thinking ?
Bec Roberts
Anna Drummond
Marlaina Russell lets do it take a year off !!!!
Hamish year off!??
Jackie Flaim …. here we go. Leave next week ?
Sharon Picking done ?
Tracy Corcoran how about this as a challenge?
Julia Hilke wow… that’s HUGE! A whole year of walking..don’t think my 60 year old legs could manage that distance..lol??
Krista Nieuwenhuizen, got a year to walk and talk? Xx
Wow!! Haha, that should be enough to catch up?
Faye one for the bucket list perhaps? ?
Ellen Rohde sure next time we have a year to spare!! ?
Hayley Maxfield
It starts just up the road from me. I’ve walked the first 15km a few times. I’d love to do the rest ! ?
Ricky Kelf now we are talking. One year to complete haha
Would take some serious logistical planning haha
Jess Robertson?
Kylie South here’s one for us buddy ?
Natasha Crawford we could complete it by the time we are 50!!!?
Kylie South ?
Zavra Bryant let’s do this peace from the boys ?
Here’s a hike you haven’t done before Shane Mervin
Matthew Duggan next year
Meh. Huge road slog. Where’s my horse ?
Short one boys Josh Apfel Cameron Balcombe
Justin Webb only a year
Maree Griffin we could take a year off ?
Stevette Greger I’m in!
Maree Griffin we would take 2 years little issue with maps and things ?
James Quinton I’m sure you already know about this, but here’s another trail to add to your list ?
one year? if you crawl
James Quinton that’s about all I could manage at the moment
weight of the world on your shoulders?
James Quinton back problems
Sure…I’ll check when is my next RDO and I’ll get back to you…
If I only had a spare year to do nothing else but wander ?
Marion Morrison
Tracy Blayney Worth investigating but asking Ace Buses got time off could be s problem! Also I don’t fancy carrying EVERYTHING!!???
For not got!! Bit excited!
Marion Morrison – We’d miss you too much
Has someone ridden the whole track by mtb?
Olzy, sure have ? not many though…. Only 12? mtbs I think.
Lots more people have done mtb sections. Sections vary greatly in terrain and remoteness, so there is something for everyone. It’s best to contact the BNT to find out more, they have a website.
Tegan Streeter they also have a Facebook page
Wait, hold my beer.. Rima Gayatri Sudrajat
Michelle Taylor
Pat Zautsen
Lucy Kelly Rachel Lucas shall we talk a year off and give it a crack?
Ashley Chandler yeah quick walk down the east coast, why not? ?
Andrew Corbett !
Phil Ryan on my bucket list. Just need to mimic your retirement plan
Bev – ha ha
Sally Hammond lol retirement activity maybe
For more information:
https://www.bicentennialnationaltrail.com.au
Linda Gleave adding this one to the list?
Brooke De Propertis are you trying to get rid of me for a year!! It would be good though!
Bicentennial National Trail also have a Facebook page that share updates of people currently on the ‘the trail’
Nick Jacomas
Lauren Hodson
Jeremy Cameron next weekend?
Margaux MP all 5000km?
Steven Laden here’s 1 for you
Keith Iseppi, this would count as a ‘retreat’
No phone, no business worry for a whole year!
Louise Iseppi? ?
Kate Southall fundraising hike ? ???
Janet Farr Mary Claire Firns there are some others I would prefer to do first.
Lots of road walking?
Awesome
Jake Thomas yeah or nah?
Karlee Bator Cherie Norwell Lewis
Oh if only we could take a year off…
Taryn Bilbija ?
Shane in under 24 hours?
Charlie Ward
Brooke Louisa Nolan
Gabby Griggs
WOT
Libby Mc now there’s a good walk
Permits are needed. To buy the guidebooks you need to be a member and often you have to ring a property owner to gain access. Also most of the guidebooks don’t have sketch maps but topographic maps with detailed instructions
But as Tanya Bosch says, it’s best to gain membership with the BNT so you have all the correct inside information on this tough trek. The guidebooks are in various qualities of publication, some sketched (30 years old), some quite detailed (published this year). Just as the maps go to print/published they will be ‘out of date’ to some degree, which is why the support of the organization through membership is so important. They are a very supportive not for profit organisation.
Ali wanna come for a walk ?
Marisa Caruso yeah we can smash that out in an arvo.
Tammy Shields Jovana Cvetković
Alexandra Ri Wright whoaa maybe one day we can take a year of from life and do it
I can see this happening in my middle age haha
Alexandra Ri Wright whoaa maybe one day we can take a year of from life and do it
I can see this happening in my middle age haha
Show this to Barry Kelsey Campbell ?
Sandy Petersen you love a challenge
I did look at this one…are you in?
I’m off on other adventures
Ah well…maybe 2021!
Derek Forbes?? For your next adventure!!
Being a member of the BNT ensures that prrivate property owners are covered for insurance when you travel through. Everyone that ever stayed with me was a member of the BNT as it should be.
Darcy Crudeli do this track instead?
Anne Kirby-Fahey your next challenge?
Griz Thomson I think I could do the last 30kms grizzy!
Laura Vining Kirsty Sims
Marnie Houghton I have about one year savings. When do we start ?
Sally Crispe interesting ?
Geoff Murray ????
Michele Murray we stayed in Healesville a couple of months ago right next to the start of the trail. 5330 is a big number ??
Tony Elvin ….did ypu walk some of the track?
Michele Murray unfortunately no, but it was 42C that day!
Tony Elvin eeek!!! Definitely not walking weather then ?
Is this the next big challenge???? Gran xxx
Anyone want to do a section of this trail starting from either end for a month or so in 2020/21?