Hike Western Australia: Coastal Cliffs, Forests and Desert Gorges

Western Australia contains some of the most varied hiking landscapes in the country. Across the state, walkers can move from tall karri forests and coastal cliffs in the south-west to granite ranges, desert gorges and remote outback country further north. The scale is immense, and the walking experiences are just as broad, ranging from short coastal tracks and rewarding day hikes to major multi-day journeys through remote terrain.

For hikers willing to cover the distances, Western Australia offers a strong sense of space, isolation and geological diversity. Whether you are following the coast, climbing inland peaks or descending into ancient gorge systems, the state provides some of Australia’s most distinctive trails.

Long-distance trails

For hikers seeking a major multi-day objective, Western Australia is home to several outstanding multi-day hikes. The best known is the Bibbulmun Track, which stretches 1,000 kilometres from Kalamunda near Perth to Albany on the south coast. Along the way, it crosses the Darling Range, passes through towering karri forest, and reaches sections of windswept coastline and heathland in the state’s south-west. It is one of Australia’s classic long-distance walks and can be tackled in sections or as a full end-to-end journey.

The Stirling Range Ridge Traverse in the Stirling Range National Park offers another serious multi-day option. This route crosses one of Western Australia’s most dramatic mountain landscapes, with granite peaks, exposed ridgelines and strong wildflower displays in season.

Challenging day hikes

Western Australia also offers a strong selection of demanding day hikes for walkers who want a serious outing without committing to a multi-day trip.

The Bald Head Trail in Torndirrup National Park is one of the state’s best known coastal walks. The track follows a narrow headland above the Southern Ocean, with exposed sections, steep undulations and wide views across granite cliffs and open water.

In Karijini National Park, the path to the summit of Mount Bruce leads to Western Australia’s second-highest peak. The climb is steep and demanding, but the views from higher on the mountain reveal the scale of the Pilbara landscape and the deeply incised gorges that make Karijini one of the state’s most distinctive parks.

Coastal trails

Western Australia’s coastline supports some of the country’s finest coastal walking. Long beaches, granite headlands, sea cliffs and clear water define many of these routes, particularly in the south-west and along the southern coast.

The Cape to Cape Track in Margaret River is one of the state’s best known long walks. Stretching 135 kilometres along the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, it links cliffs, beaches, limestone headlands and sections of forest while passing through one of Western Australia’s most visited coastal regions.

Further east, the Coastal Trail in Cape Le Grand National Park follows white sand beaches, turquoise bays and granite headlands over 20 kilometres. Before or after walking the coast, hikers can also tackle the short but steep hike to the summit of Frenchman Peak for a broader view across the park and surrounding coastline.

Ranges and inland landscapes

Away from the coast, Western Australia’s inland ranges and forested hills offer a different kind of walking. These trails move through granite uplands, wildflower country and cooler forested environments that contrast strongly with the state’s drier interior.

Hike to the summit of Bluff Knoll in Stirling Range National Park for one of the state’s classic mountain ascents. The climb is steep and exposed in places, with broad views across the Stirling Range. In colder months, Bluff Knoll is one of the few places in Western Australia where snow can occasionally settle.

In Porongurup National Park, the Hayward and Nancy Peaks Circuit offers a rewarding route through granite country, forested slopes and elevated ridgelines. It is a good example of the more temperate landscapes found in the south of the state.

Remote and lesser-known walks

For experienced hikers seeking something more remote, Western Australia has many walks that feel far removed from the better known tracks of the south-west. The Whip Snake Gorge walk in Purnululu National Park is one example, following a rugged route through gorge country beneath the distinctive sandstone formations of the Bungle Bungle Range. Walks in places like this require sound preparation, comfort in remote terrain and a willingness to travel beyond the state’s more established hiking regions.

Walking across Western Australia

The strength of hiking in Western Australia lies in its variety. Families can find shorter tracks through coastal reserves, national parks and wildflower country, while more experienced walkers can take on exposed ridgelines, remote gorges and major multi-day routes. Some trails pass through forest, others along the ocean, and others into dry inland country shaped by ancient geology and vast distances.

Western Australia rewards those who are prepared to travel and explore. From the Bibbulmun Track in the south-west to the gorges of Karijini and Purnululu, the state offers walking experiences that are broad in scale and distinct in character.

Find the best hikes and walks in Western Australia here.