Australia and Oceania Walking Tours
Australia, Hawaii, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tasmania & more
Local Choice and Trusted Walks for Australia and Oceania
The walking tour companies we think you should consider first, because we’ve personally worked with them for our own trips or they offer the best overall experience and price for their destination.
Australian Walking Holidays
Auswalk
Indigenous Kokoda Adventures
Life’s An Adventure
Walking tour companies that cover Australia and Oceania
Backroads
Country Walkers
HF Holidays
KE Adventure Travel
Macs Adventure
Responsible Travel
Walkabout Gourmet Adventures
What to expect for walking holidays near Australia
Walking holidays in Australia and the islands of Oceania can be a thrilling and memorable experience. You will find some tour operators offering easier luxury experiences, but most routes in this region are rugged, challenging and require backpacking.
Here’s what you can generally expect:
Challenging terrains
Australia and neighboring islands offer some of the most remote, technically challenging trails in the world and they are truly diverse in terms of climate and terrain. From thick tropical vegetation on Papua New Guinea’s Kokoda Track to the drier exposed trails of western Australia, there is something to suit everyone here. Just make sure to research the difficulty level of the trails you plan to explore and be prepared with proper gear and physical fitness.
Cultural experiences
Oceania is home to diverse indigenous cultures and several hiking trails pass through sacred sites or areas of cultural significance. For this reason, we recommend selecting GUIDED tours for this region. Better yet, use a company that is indigenous-owned and actively contributes to improving conditions for their land and communities.
Wildlife encounters
Be prepared to encounter various wildlife species, some of which are unique to this region. In Australia, you might come across kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and different bird species. In Oceania, there may be opportunities to spot exotic birds, marine life, and even endemic species like the kiwi bird in New Zealand. If exotic wildlife is of special interest to you, a walking holiday in Australia or this region is perfect!
Cost
Unfortunately, all of this natural beauty and untamed wilderness is going to cost you a pretty penny. Flights and accommodations will eat up your budget, even the backcountry camping expeditions get expensive. For those who live here, driving your own car and sleeping in tents is the most cost-effective option. For everyone else, save up your money and do it right by hiring a good company.
The experiences you’ll have while walking or hiking in Australia and Oceania will depend on the specific location and trail you choose. Do your research, plan accordingly, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of the region.
Walking guides and stories for Australia and beyond
Camino Alternatives to Santiago Everyone Should Know
Center-based Hiking Lodges around the World
Slackpacking Beyond the US
Join the Family
Subscribe today to receive a FREE copy of our Walking Holidays Guidebook! This 50-page ebook includes everything you need to know about walking holidays, including how to pick a company, find lodging, find flight deals, where to find trail maps, what to pack and more!
Monthly newsletter includes a recap of our trip suggestions, advice, inspirational quotes, new routes and more. That way you don’t have to stalk us on social media, unless you want to…which would be great!