Best overnight and multi-day hikes in Western Australia

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Quick overview: The article highlights three of the best overnight and multi-day hikes in Western Australia: Murchison River Gorge Walk, Stirling Range Ridge Traverse, and Cape to Cape Track. The Murchison River Gorge Walk is a challenging, unmarked 38km trail, while the Stirling Range Ridge Traverse is a 19.5km hike that requires good navigation skills and steep rock and severe weather preparedness. Lastly, the Cape to Cape Track is a 135km trail in the Margaret River region.

With hundreds of trails crossing the spectacular state of Western Australia, discover this part of the world on a Trail – and find yourself in amazing places! From world-class long distance wilderness trails to jaw-dropping gorge walks, there’s an experience waiting for you.

Here’s my favourite overnight and multi-day hikes in Western Australia.

Murchison river gorge walk
Dramatic landscape of Kalbarri National Park.

Murchison River Gorge Walk (38km)

Duration: 2-3 days. Grade 5.

The Murchison River Gorge Walk is a 38km trail from Ross Graham Lookout to The Loop, through the dramatic landscape of Kalbarri National Park. With no marked trail or route this hike provides ample challenges to test experienced walkers. The Ross Graham Lookout provides excellent views of the Murchison River Gorge, a picnic shelter and toilet facilities.

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Stirling range ridge traverse
Stirling Range National Park, Western Australia

Stirling Range Ridge Traverse (19.5km)

Duration: 3 days. Grade 5.

Stirling Range Ridge Traverse is a 19.5km, grade 5 hike located in the Stirling Range National Park, Western Australia. The hike should take around 3 days to complete. The Stirling Ridge walk follows an ill defined trail over the spectacular mountain peaks between Bluff Knoll and Ellen’s Peak. Most walkers take three days to complete the walk, allowing themselves time to appreciate the natural beauty of this unique environment. Hikers should have good navigation skills and be prepared for steep rock and severe weather.

Cape to cape track
Margaret River region, Western Australia

Cape to Cape Track (135km)

Duration: 2-3 days. Grade 5.

Cape to Cape Track is a 135km, grade 4 hike located in the Margaret River region, Western Australia. The hike should take around 6-7 days to complete. The 130km Cape to Cape Track traverses the length of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park and overlooks the adjoining Ngari Capes Marine Park, alternating spectacular sweeping cliff-top views with stretches of pristine beach. At any time of the year there’s a good chance of seeing dolphins, and between June and September whales pass close to shore on their annual migration between the Southern Ocean and their breeding areas further north. Most are humpbacks, the species that breaches the surface more than any other, but you may also see southern right whales and, if you’re very lucky, a blue whale.

Coastal plain walk trail
Yanchep National Park, Western Australia

Coastal Plain Walk Trail (52km)

Duration: 3 days. Grade 4.

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Coastal Plain Walk Trail is a 52km, grade 4 hike located in the Yanchep National Park, Western Australia. The hike should take around 3 days to complete. This three day, 52 kilometre walk between Yanchep National Park and Neaves Road, in the Melaleuca Conservation Park, traverses the National Park as well as the inland coastal plain. There are three overnight campsites along the way.

Bibbulmun track
Located in South West, Western Australia

Bibbulmun Track (1000km)

Duration: 3 days. Grade 4.

Bibbulmun Track is a 1000km, grade 4 hike located in South West, Western Australia. The hike should take around 50 days to complete. The Bibbulmun Track is one of the world’s great long distance walk trails, stretching 1000km from Kalamunda, a suburb in the hills on the outskirts of Perth, to the historic town of Albany on the south coast. It passes through the heart of the scenic south west of Western Australia.

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Last updated: 20 December 2024

Darren edwards founder trail hiking australia

Darren Edwards is the founder of Trail Hiking Australia, a search and rescue volunteer, and the author of multiple books on hiking safety and decision-making in Australian conditions. He is also the creator of The Hiking Safety Systems Framework (HSSF).

With decades of field experience, Darren focuses on how incidents actually develop on the trail, where small errors compound under pressure. Through his writing, he provides practical, systems-based guidance to help hikers plan better, recognise early warning signs, and make sound decisions in changing conditions.

He has been interviewed on ABC Radio and ABC News Breakfast, contributing to national conversations on bushwalking safety and risk awareness across Australia.

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