Top 5 Summer Walks in NSW

Top 5 summer walks in NSW

As the curtains open on what is likely to be another hot summer, don't put away the walking shoes. Here are some brilliant cool options in NSW, with waterholes, views, rainforests and isolated beaches.

Boulder hopping across the Snowy River

Mt Kossie via Blue Lake

The Snowy Mountains are brilliant in summer, particularly early in the season when the wildflowers are prolific and snowdrifts still blanket the ground in places. The alpine tarns, lakes and creeks are wonderfully refreshing if you feel inclined to cool off, and the air is often crisp in the mornings. Take care with sun protection though, as you have a higher risk of burning.
There are many brilliant walks to do in the Snowies over summer, but one of the best is to the highest point on mainland Australia via the splendrous Blue Lake. It's a 22km loop walk from Charlottes Pass (note, NOT from Thredbo), and will take you over glorious mountains, past tarns and across the headwaters of the Snowy River.

Angourie Coastal Walk

Yuraygir Coastal Walk, Angourie

This cracker of a walk is part of the four-day Yuraygir Coastal Walk along wonderfully undeveloped coast in northern NSW. Those keen to have a night out under the stars can sleep at the turnaround point of Shelley Head, where there is a campsite with no facilities - just a glorious beach that you'll have to yourselves at the ends of the day.
The recommended 12km return walk starts at Angourie, and heads down Back Beach, around the lovely Woody Bluff, over Dirrangan Lookout with views down the coast, then along Little Shelley Beach. Plenty of places to dive in for a dip, although obviously in unpatrolled areas. Wildlife, wildflowers, wilderness: this has it all.

Minnamurra Rainforest

Minnamurra Falls

When you ask people their favourite walk in NSW (as I often do) one of the most consistent answers is "Minnamurra Rainforest". On a well-defined path, suitable for wheelchairs along some of the way, this South Coast walk, less than two hours from Sydney, wanders through some lovely rainforest, with plenty of signs that point out fauna and flora, such as giant stinging trees, figs, beech, red cedar and coachwood. Get there early and you're bound to see lyrebirds.
The easy loop is just 1.6km, but make sure you do the excellent extension to Minnamurra Falls, which takes the total to a mere 4km stroll.

Mount Gower, Lord Howe Island

Guide Jack Shick, photo courtesy LHI Tourism

Almost as close to paradise as you can get this side of heaven, Lord Howe Island is a World Heritage listed wonderland. Not only does it have gorgeous coral reefs, with turtles and tropical fish galore, not only does it have thick green palm forests to plunge through, with more birds than you could poke a walking stick at, but it has brilliant bushwalks, including the solid 875m climb up Mt Gower. This exciting 10km walk can only be done with a guide, but either of the current guides are brilliant, and you won't regret paying for their services at all over the 9-hour day. In a couple of precarious places you'll even need to hang onto a rope. Simply awesome views over one of the most perfect islands in the world, mist forest and rare species, including the Lord Howe Island woodhen.
Plus, there are plenty of beaches awaiting you when you descend.

Bungonia Gorge

Now how nice is that? Swimming hole, Bungonia Gorge

Perhaps an odd choice, but the waterholes in the bottom of the gorge are some of the nicest I've found anywhere for a swim. Yes, you will get hot on the climb on the way out again, so my advice is to take a nice lunch and spend as much time down the bottom as possible. To find the waterholes, take the white track from David Reid Lookout all the way down to the Shoalhaven River, then head up the gorge.
This is not a walk for the faint-hearted, as the walk down is steep and slippery, and you will need some navigation skills as there is no track up the gorge. My recommendation to get back to the carpark is to follow the gorge until you see the red track marker on the left hand side, and take it back up the hill for a 7km loop. Be warned though, you could miss the red marker, so take care.


For complete track notes, photos and more information on all these walks, please see my book, Top walks in NSW. There is a cheaper e-version to download onto iPads etc.

See you on the track.
www.kensbigbackyard.com.au