Where are the 5 best hikes in Australia for kids?
When traveling with kids in Australia you’ll find that your travel options can be quite limited due to the physical limitations and safety concerns associated with bringing them along for outdoor adventures, so you often have to compromise and end up doing the same family-friendly activities all the time. What if there were hikes that were perfect for bringing the kids along to?
Here are some of the best hikes in Australia for kids so that you can plan your next family-friendly day trip!
Best hikes in Australia for kids: Bondi to Coogee Walk – Bondi, NSW
This walk is filled with pit stops here and there to keep the kids entertained. Follow the coastline and make stops at bays, beaches, and cafes. From Bondi to Coogee, you’ll pass Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly Beach. There’s a beach at every stop! If you’re visiting at the right time (generally end of October and early November), you’ll get to see the Sculpture by the Sea exhibit at Bondi which is an outdoor gallery showcasing local and international art.
Photo credit: Wendy Harman
Best hikes in Australia for kids: Short Heysen Trail Walk to the Fairy Garden – Bridgewater, SA
Located at Bridgewater near Adelaide is the Short Heysen Trail Walk which leads to the Bridgewater Fairy Garden. It’s a magical walk that ends at a garden that lives true to its name. It’s the perfect place for a picnic and you’ll find miniatures placed around the garden, such as little doors 5-15cm tall, animal statues, tiny mailboxes and more. Make sure to bring your own miniatures and decorations to add to the Fairy Garden.
Best hikes in Australia for kids: The Three Sisters Walk – Katoomba, NSW
Several stroller-friendly trails to choose from. The Three Sisters Walk starts at Echo Point and ends at Oreades Lookout. If you don’t have a stroller, you can head down the Giant Stairway at Echo Point to get to Honeymoon Bridge which connects to the first sister of the Three Sisters formation. The walk is only 30 minutes and is a 1km return walk, making it an easy hike for all. The temperature in the Blue Mountains is generally colder than in the city so do bring some warm clothes in case!
Photo credit: Jan Smith
Best hikes in Australia for kids: Hide’n’Seek Children’s Trail at Brisbane Botanic Gardens – Mt Coot-tha, QLD
Set in the heart of the Exotic Rainforest in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, this children’s trail is full of facts and surprises to keep the kids entertained the entire way. It’s a fantastic way for the kids to learn about the natural environment and get closer to nature. Along the trail, there’ll be plenty of flora and fauna to see.
Best hikes in Australia for kids: Kings Park and Botanic Garden – Perth, WA
Kings Park in Western Australia is great for an immersive experience with the flora of Australia. The kids will be amused by all the interesting things they’ll see while walking the many trails of Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Some highlights include the spiraling 101 step DNA Tower, 80 bird species in the area, and a 750 year old mighty yet ridiculously strange-looking boab tree that has been brought from the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Photo credit: Miran Rijavec
A day out hiking definitely beats a day walking around in a shopping center. Bushwalks, park and coastal walks are the easiest type of hikes for kids rather than the mountainous ones that have steep ascents and descents. It’s said that walking with kids is much easier if you set goals such as reaching a natural feature or picnic spot. Planned stops along the way will stop them from complaining about being too tired!
Author Bio
Olivia Bourke is a travel writer who loves exploring the great hidden gems of Australia and wandering around in other countries. She writes for Great Lost and other travel-related blogs to learn, inspire and inform others of the beauty of the world.
