New South Wales is the state I get the most questions about, probably because so many people live within striking distance of genuinely good overnight walking and don’t realise it. You can walk through ancient sandstone country an hour from Sydney, traverse Australia’s highest alpine terrain, or follow a coastal track that has been drawing walkers for generations. The five multi-day walks below span the state, from the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury sandstone country to the Kosciuszko high plains, and each one has earned its spot for a different reason.
Five overnight and multi-day hikes in New South Wales
Lockleys Pylon to Blackheath Station, Blue Mountains National Park
19km | 2 days | Grade 4
The Lockleys Pylon to Blackheath Station walk is a two-day Grade 4 route through the Blue Mountains National Park that earns its place on any overnight list. The first day starts on cliff-edge heath above the Grose Valley, descends to the Blue Gum Forest, and finishes with an overnight stay at Acacia Flats. Day two heads out via Govetts Leap and Pope’s Glen, passing a series of small cascades before reaching Bridal Falls and finishing at Blackheath Station.
Along the way the walk takes in views of Lockleys Pylon, the eucalypt forest of the Grose Valley, and the sandstone cliffs of Mount Hay and Mount Banks. It’s a solid two-day trip with genuine variety in terrain and scenery, and I’d point most walkers here first if they want an overnight in the Blue Mountains beyond the standard day walk circuit.
Australia’s Eleven Highest Peaks, Kosciuszko National Park
47km | 3-4 days | Grade 4
The Australia’s Eleven Highest Peaks route covers 47 kilometres over three to four days through the high country of Kosciuszko National Park. The walk largely follows the Main Range Track and Summit Road, both well-used alpine routes, but summiting each of the eleven peaks requires short cross-country detours away from defined trails. Basic map-to-ground navigation skills are enough for most of the route, but having someone in the group with more advanced navigation skills is worth planning for, particularly if the weather closes in. Alpine conditions on the Main Range can change quickly regardless of the season, and I’ve seen a clear morning turn to zero visibility on that range faster than most people expect.
The Coast Track, Royal National Park
27km | 2 days | Grade 4
The Coast Track runs 27 kilometres one way through Royal National Park, from Bundeena to Otford Lookout, following clifftops, headlands, open shoreline, and quiet beaches along one of the most accessible overnight walks in the state. The trailhead is 55 kilometres from Sydney’s CBD, which makes it a practical option for city-based walkers. Best done as a two-day backpacking trip with an overnight at North Era campground, though fit and experienced walkers do complete it in a single day.
Highlights include Wedding Cake Rock, Eagle Rock, and long ocean views from the exposed clifftop sections. Whales are a reasonable prospect during the cooler months. There is no reliable drinking water along the route, so carry what you need from the start. Campsite bookings are required in advance.
Western Commission Track to Dubbo Gully, Dharug National Park
28km | 2 days | Grade 3
The Western Commission Track to Dubbo Gully is a 28-kilometre Grade 3 walk through Dharug National Park that follows historic management trails and convict-built roads through the Hawkesbury sandstone country north of Sydney. The route takes in the views from the Western Commission Track, the sandstone craftsmanship of the Old Great North Road (a UNESCO World Heritage listed convict road), and the farming history of Ten Mile Hollow. A side trip to Clare’s Bridge is worth adding if time allows.
Camping is at the well-established Ten Mile Hollow campsite. At Grade 3 this is one of the more accessible walks on this list, and it’s the one I’d suggest to someone wanting an overnight with genuine historical interest alongside the bush scenery.
Womerah Range Trail, Parr State Conservation Area
48km | 2-3 days | Grade 4
The Womerah Range Trail runs 48 kilometres through Parr State Conservation Area along a ridgeline of Hawkesbury sandstone country, with views across McDonald Valley and into Yengo National Park. The track is steep in places and sandy in others, which makes it more demanding than the Grade 4 rating might suggest on paper. It’s a route for walkers who want something genuinely remote and less travelled, away from the more popular overnight circuits closer to Sydney. Allow two to three days and go well-prepared: this area sees far fewer walkers than the Blue Mountains or Royal National Park, which is exactly why I keep coming back to it.
