Take a walk on the wild side: The best regional walks across Australa

Here’s our pick of some of the best nature experiences, from walks in national parks to jaunts around manicured gardens, that might figure within five kilometres from home or, for NSW residents, in your LGA. And while you’re getting your exercise, pick up a bite on the go or to take home and support your local cafes.

Jump on the Wagirra Trail and enjoy a leisurely walk or energetic run along the banks of the Murray River. The 15-kilometre (return) pathway links the Wonga Wetlands with the South Albury Trail. Sculpture installations by local Aboriginal artists are the newest edition to this beautiful trail – they are scattered along a five-kilometre stretch between Kremur Street and the Wonga Wetlands. 

Takeaway: Pop by Ebden and Olive deli on Olive St in South Albury for a takeaway coffee and one of their mighty Reuben sandwiches or take home a delicious shepherd’s pie for dinner. 

If you want to get the heart rate going, take the kids for a hike up the hill of Mt Panorama-Wahluu. The 1.7-kilometre Mount Panorama Circuit Boardwalk opened in 2020, stretching inside the iconic race track from Griffins Bend to Forrest’s Elbow near the Bathurst Light Car Club. Two large viewing platforms offer sweeping vistas. 

Takeaway: Treat yourself to a double scoop at Annie’s Ice Cream Parlour on George Street. There are lots of flavours to try; Explore’s favourite is the Sofala Gold. 

If you live near Beaufort Lake, northwest of Ballarat, the Koori Art Trail features 12 installations depicting the traditional flora and fauna of the area. Enjoy a leisurely two-kilometre walk around the lake, and if you’re a twitcher, there are lots of opportunities to spy birds. 

Takeaway: Pop by the Pyrenees Pantry on Neill St, Beaufort for a coffee and a pastry. 

Heritage-rich Rosalind Park along Bendigo Creek is a lush refuge in the summer but in spring, the tulip bulbs flower in a showy floral display. Pop by the Yi Yuan Gardens to admire the ornate Chinese-style architecture and let the kids count the koi fish in the lovely pond.

Takeaway: Grab a bit to eat from PepperGreen Farm which is a not-for-profit social enterprise selling in-season fruit and vegetables with a cafe specialising in delicious house-made pastries and quiches.

While Tasmania is not in lockdown, Burnie is a natural wonderland, and its gardens are about to burst into life. The Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden is a stunning garden which comes in full bloom between late August and January every year. Here, there are platypus and echidnas wandering around the grounds. 

Takeaway: The Chapel serves some Insta-worthy breakfasts or try a harissa pulled-lamb flatbread for a tasty lunch-time treat. 

 The National Arboretum is open for nearby residents to enjoy its 94 forests of rare, endangered and symbolic trees from Australia and around the world. Walk, jog or cycle on more than 20 kilometres of walking tracks as they wind their way through the 250-hectare site. Each garden has a distinctive design with a variety of landscape features.

Takeaway: Pan-Asian restaurant Lazy-Su in Braddon is offering takeaway dinners of its delectable banquets featuring highlights from its menu such as wagyu cheesesteak spring rolls and Korean baked risotto. 

A hike in Mount Arthur Reserve, south of Dubbo, may be top of your lockdown list. Sprawled across 2000 hectares, even regular visitors can still find plenty of places to discover. Over 400 native plant species have been recorded here and the reserve is especially known for its diverse terrestrial orchids. 

Takeaway: Make a pitstop at Milky Daze on Lee St, Wellington for a 1950s-style hamburger or an Oreo cheesecake. 

Take the family out to Narawntapu National Park, a peaceful coastal refuge with inlets, small islands, wetlands and sand dunes. There’s an array of easily observed native animals – many come out in the evening to graze on the grasslands, including forester kangaroos, Bennett’s wallabies and wombats. 

Takeaway: Celebrate with a visit to Saint John Craft Beer Bar in central Launceston which has 17 taps of craft beer as well as robust range of bottled and canned beer. 

Grab the bike and head to the Glenrock State Conservation Area. There are 14 kilometres of bike trails and 20 kilometres to choose from. Glenrock embraces the last-surviving pocket of coastal rainforest in the region, home to a range of animals, including bandicoots, bats and gliders. It also protects a number of ancient Aboriginal sites.

Takeaway: Order ahead for a brunch box from Talulah Bar at The Junction. The curated selection of goodies makes a long lockdown breakfast. 

If you’re in the Goulburn Valley, you might be in reach of the Dookie Rail Trail. Set at the base of Mt Saddleback, it traverses some of the region’s most fertile farmland. If you’re lucky, you might pass by Willy the Wombat at the third intersection (Hooper’s Road).

Takeaway: When restrictions allow, head to Aangan Shepparton for tandoori platters and dosas, and orders over $100 receive a complimentary box of sweet treats.

If you’re part of the Tamworth Regional Council region, take the family out to Chaffey Dam for a bushwalk or even bring the fishing rods to see what you can catch. The dam is home to Murray cod, silver perch, catfish and rainbow trout. 

Takeaway: The South African-inspired Safari Club Bar & Grill in Tamworth is doing takeaways of their wood-fired ribs and char-grilled prawns – perfect for a meaty feast. 

Named one of Australia’s top 10 beaches, the sandy strip of Wagga Beach by the Murrumbidgee River is great for a swim. As daytime temperatures rise, take the kids here for a paddle. 

Takeaway: Just a five-minute drive from Wagga CBD, Magpies Nest Restaurant offers an at-home menu and an array of delicious cocktails (try the Grape Sherbet). 

It’s the last few weeks to catch the southern right whale season. The mothers head to Logans Beach to calve and you’ll often spot whales swimming within a hundred metres of the shore. View them from the specially constructed platform in the sand dunes or from the beach.

Takeaway: Afterwards, what’s more fitting than fish and chips? Head to Parker’s Fish & Chips to grab some takeaway. 

Threading through coastal bushland above Stanwell Park, the walking track to Mount Mitchell Lookout is a steady climb but you’ll be rewarded with stunning  views to the north, east and south. At its highest point, a large rock platform makes the perfect viewing spot. The cliff edges are not fenced so it’s unsuitable for young kids.

Takeaway: If you’re planning ahead to Father’s Day, order a platter from Harley and John’s Seafood on Daisy St, Fairy Meadow to spoil dad with an indulgent seafood platter filled with Moreton Bay bugs, prawns, oysters and cheese.