Great Coastal Walks Australia showcases each state’s best coastal tracks. Photo: Supplied.
Get motivated and lace up your hiking boots as you embark on a walking adventure to conquer Australia’s most spectacular coastal scenery.
Great Coastal Walks Australia features a range of unique locations, from Sydney’s iconic beaches to remote wilderness destinations. It showcases each state’s best coastal tracks to explore on foot.
This coffee table hardback is the answer if you are looking for a walk that might include pristine beaches, Aboriginal and European history, dramatic tales of shipwrecks, stunning flora and fauna and ocean views as far as the eye can see.
Selected by Great Walks magazine’s editor Brent McKean, the stunning colour images encourage you to start planning your next trek! For something spectacular, each walk outlines a history and must-see features along with tips for exploring the standout spots.
In his introduction to the book, McKean tells us that Australia ranks in the top 10 of countries with the longest coastline in the world.
“According to The World Factbook, Australia has the sixth longest coastline in the world, at 25,760 km, so you’d expect there’d be plenty to see and do walking parts of our continent’s mighty coastline – and you’d be right!”
What was the inspiration? “The stories within this book have been previously published in the Great Walks magazine – which is in its 18th year and we have been featuring the best day, overnight, multi-day, guided and independent walks in the country and all over the world.
“We’ve reviewed every piece of outdoor gear you can imagine and interviewed some of the most interesting and inspiring people who work in the great outdoors.”
Discover 40 of Australia’s most remarkable coastal walking tracks, with chapters penned by top bushwalking writers. McKean has contributed about 10 of the 40 stories, and every one of those walks was amazing and special.
With a passion for exploring Australia’s diverse landscapes, he loves to share his experiences and knowledge. He specialises in hiking, camping and other activities, providing valuable information and inspiration for outdoor adventures.
“From the Murramarang South Coast Walk in southern NSW that I walked just before it officially opened in 2022 to the Three Capes guided walk I did, with a tour operator in the Tasman National Park, I have been really impressed with the work that has gone into building and maintaining many of the country’s walking trails.
“Each state’s parks authority has spent millions of dollars on track upgrades, viewing platforms, building ecofriendly huts and shelters and creating clear signage so you can have a safe and fulfilling coastal walk. Try any of the coastal walks in this book and you’ll see the amount of work that has gone on to make them the best they can be.”
Journey with leading Australian authors specialising in bushwalking as they explore Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast, the Whitsundays, South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, Tasmania’s Bay of Fires, the iconic Cape to Cape Track in Western Australia and many more.
Featured are independent and guided day and multi-day walks of all grades, from the easy, half-day Bouddi Coastal Walk to the NSW Central Coast, Cape Hillsborough National Park in Queensland or day walks along Western Australia’s Bibbulmun Track to the challenging week-long South West Cape look at the bottom of Tasmania – and everything in between.
Also showcased is our own Aussie Camino, also known as Mary MacKillop Way in Victoria. The Australian Camino is a 250 km pilgrimage walk from Portland in Victoria to Penola in South Australia, inspired by the life and journeys of Australia’s only saint: Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, and her mentor Fr Julian Tenison Woods.
Each walk includes a basic map as well as a need-to-know box that offers particulars on where the walk is, where it starts and finishes, how long it is, the degree of difficulty and weblinks for further information. These panoramic and scenic routes will captivate. Happy walking!
Great Coastal Walks Australia, by Brent McKean, Gelding Street Press, $39.99
