The top 10 long-distance hikes you need to experience in Australia

Location: Victoria; Length: 110 kilometres; Duration: Eight days; Difficulty: Moderate-challenging

Forget a drive along the Great Ocean Road. There's a more immersive way to slow down and smell the ... surf. Experience one of Australia's most remarkable coastlines on two feet by signing up for the epic Great Ocean Walk. Weave your way through scenic beaches (of course!), dense forests and coastal heathlands, and pass famous places of interest such as the historic Cape Otway Lighthouse. There are plenty of campsites, B&Bs, hotels and lodges along the way to break the journey. And if you don't want to tackle the entire stretch, you can break it down into shorter legs, such as the 10-kilometre-long Blanket Bay to Cape Otway walk. The ultimate reward, however, is at the end: the walk concludes at the world-famous 12 Apostles.

Location: Northern Territory; Length: 230 kilometres; Duration: 12-24 days; Difficulty: Moderate-challenging

Running along the spine of the West MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia, the Larapinta Trail has 12 sections, with walking grades that range from 3 (moderate level of challenge) to 5 (difficult). But the good news is: many sections can be accessed via 4WD, which means you can cherry-pick the best bits, taking in dramatic outback locations such as Simpsons Gap, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge and Mount Sonder. There are 26 designated campgrounds along the trail. But if you don't want to figure it all out yourself, stick with an experienced tourism operator, such as Intrepid Travel or Tasmanian Walking Company. Read more about the Larapinta Trail here.

Location: Western Australia; Length: 135 kilometres; Duration: Eight-10 days; Difficulty: Challenging

This iconic track kicks off at Cape Naturaliste, just minutes from the coastal town of Dunsborough in Western Australia's Margaret River wine region, then winds its way through showstopping coastal scenery along the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, before culminating at the imposing lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin. Tackle it on your own if you dare to, or sign up with a tour operator, such as Auswalk, which in addition to a number of six- to 10-day self-guided packages, also offers a guided eight-day group tour, taking care of all the logistics.

Location: South Australia; Length: 66 kilometres; Duration: Five days; Difficulty: Moderate-challenging

Over the years, The New York Times and Lonely Planet have highlighted Kangaroo Island as one of the best places to visit in the world. And for good reason: it truly is an astonishing reservoir of Australian flora and fauna, with dramatic scenery to match. Experienced bushwalkers can navigate this walk on their own, while beginners can book tours with a range of companies, from Life's an Adventure, which offers pack-free walking experiences, to Trektours Australia, which specialises in small-group excursions. Oh, and there's a women's only tour company, too, GirlsTrek, with hikes in this region.

Location: Queensland; Length: Up to 80 kilometres; Duration: Two-six days; Difficulty: Moderate-challenging

A collaboration between the Queensland Government and Spicers Retreats, this is the Nicole Kidman of Australian multi-day hikes - laidback, luxurious and hyper-boutique, with a maximum of 12 walkers in each group. Pick from two-, three-, four- or six-day packages and stay in beautiful accommodations along the way - from farmhouses and eco-cabins to luxurious tents. It's a great way to explore Australia's Great Dividing Range and UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest.

Location: Sydney; Length: 59 kilometres; Duration: Four days; Difficulty: Easy-moderate

Epic hikes don't all have to be about the rugged outback or dense forests; heart-racing walks can be experienced in Australia right in the middle of the big smoke. Like this four-day jaunt, which starts and ends in Sydney's Circular Quay and skirts around the city's magnificent harbour with sweeping views at every turn. In fact, so scenic is the walk it wins our vote for the most beautiful city walk in the world. Do it in one hit with nightly accommodation at different hotels and exciting meals in different parts of the city, or tackle one leg at a time.

Location: Tasmania; Length: 48 kilometres; Duration: Four days; Difficulty: Challenging

Remote, rugged and windswept ... Tasmania is home to some of the best tracks of Australia, with this iconic route along its south-eastern coastline appearing on most hikers bucket lists. Historic, scenic and somber in equal measures, Port Arthur is the place where this hike starts and ends, with the route taking in some challenging climbs: from Arthur's Peak on day two with panoramic views of Crescent Bay to the Blade at Cape Pillar, where you'll truly feel on top of the world. Read more about the Three Capes Track here.

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Location: NSW/ACT/Vic; Length: 65o kilometres; Duration: Five-eight weeks; Difficulty: Challenging

This one-way hike starts near the Victorian town of Walhalla and finishes in the village of Tharwa in ACT, winding along the way through some of Victoria's, NSW's and ACT's highest alpine peaks and deepest river valleys, meaning it's not for the faint-hearted. You'll pass through Alpine National Park, Kosciuszko National Park and Namadgi National Park, and conquer peaks such as Mount Kosciuszko, which at 2228 metres, is the Australian mainland's highest mountain.

Location: Tasmania; Length: Up to 43 kilometres; Duration: Up to four days; Difficulty: Easy

Flexibility is the name of the game on this island, with convict-settlement history, a thriving wombat population and dramatic red sandstone formations called Painted Cliffs. Arrive here on a ferry from Triabunna, a small coastal town on Tasmania's east coast, then explore its white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, rugged cliffs and lush forests at your own pace, bumping into wild creatures such as Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, wallabies and - of course - wombats, often with young ones in tow. Or for a more insightful experience, book a tour with an operator such as Great Walks of Australia, which offers a four-day package with just 10 guests and accommodation in wilderness camps close to the sea.

Location: Lord Howe Island; Length: 45 kilometres; Duration: Five days; Difficulty: Moderate-challenging

With mountains that rise like steep walls, Lord Howe Island - a mere two-hour flight from Sydney - is the Hawaii of Australia. And that only means one thing: outdoor adventures are aplenty, including this walk which you can experience as a guest of Pinetrees Lodge. Six nights of accommodation, all meals and five days of guided hiking though verdant forests, dramatic mountains and creamy beaches are part of the package.