Latest news with #GreatOceanWalk
Time Out
5 days ago
- Time Out
Revealed: The ten best things to do in Australia for 2025, according to Tripadvisor
You'll simply never run out of incredible things to do in Australia. Whether you're into gallery-hopping and museum-exploring, beach-lazing and bar-hopping, or hiking and even hurling yourself out of a plane, this country's got it all. But picking the absolute best thing to do? That's the hard part. Personally, I'd vote for cycling around Rottnest Island and swimming with whale sharks off the Ningaloo. Meanwhile, my mates reckon nothing beats ferrying from Sydney Harbour to Manly and hiking the Great Ocean Walk. However, if you're looking for the most universally loved attractions, Tripadvisor's annual Travellers' Choice Awards are a great place to start. Already this year, Tripadvisor has revealed the highly-anticipated winners for the world's best beaches, hotels and destinations. And now, they've just unveiled the Top Attractions for 2025, which celebrate tourism operators that have achieved the highest volume of above-and-beyond reviews over the past 12 months. With more than 8 million listings across their site, landing a spot in the top ten is a pretty epic achievement. In a twisted turn of events, the Hobart Penitentiary – one of Australia's most significant convict-era sites – has been named as the best attraction in the country for 2025. Built in 1821 as a prison barracks, this heritage-listed complex processed more than 75,000 convicts before sending them off to toil across the island. Over the next century, it served as a chapel, execution site and even a Supreme Court – today standing as a chilling time capsule of Tasmania's grim convict past. The Hobart Penitentiary boasts an impressive 4.7-star rating from more than 1,650 reviews on Tripadvisor, with travellers raving about the immersive guided tours. Led by passionate volunteers, these spine-chilling tours take you inside the historic courtrooms, subterranean tunnels, solitary confinement cells and the original gallows, where echoes of the past still linger. Last year's winner, Kings Park and Botanic Garden in Perth, came second this time around, boasting a stellar 4.8-star rating from more than 12,500 Tripadvisor reviews. While that's a touch higher than the Hobart Penitentiary, the convict site received more top-rated reviews over the past 12 months. It wasn't the only nature reserve to make the cut too, with Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria taking out fourth place. Iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House (third), Sydney Harbour Bridge (sixth), Uluru (eighth) and Sydney Harbour itself (ninth) also cracked the top ten. Meanwhile, other significant historic sites like Fremantle Prison (fifth), the Australian War Memorial (seventh) and the Qantas Founders Museum (tenth) rounded out the rankings. These are the 10 best attractions in Australia Hobart Penitentiary, TAS Kings Park and Botanic Garden, WA Sydney Opera House, NSW Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, VIC Fremantle Prison, WA Sydney Harbour Bridge, NSW Australian War Memorial, ACT Uluru, NT Sydney Harbour, NSW Qantas Founders Museum, NSW ⭐️ A surprising regional gem just claimed the title of Australia's best hotel for 2025
Time Out
16-06-2025
- Time Out
Regional Victoria is home to the best coastal walk in all of Australia, according to a hiking expert
Compared to other Australian states, we feel that Victoria's coastal regions don't get enough praise. Our shores have so much to offer, like world-class beaches, impeccable surfing spots and quaint towns. But there is one part of our coastline that has been getting plenty of attention lately – that is the epic multi-day hike, the Great Ocean Walk. This coastal walk has just been dubbed as the best in Australia, according to hiking enthusiast and author of Great Coastal Walks, Brent McKean – who's completed more than 20 of the country's biggest coastal treks. He's not alone in his assessment, as this hike was recently also named as one of the top 20 best hikes worldwide. While everyone's heard of the popular road trip that goes by the same name, this stunning 104-kilometre coastal walk is arguably more spectacular as you get to experience all the sights up close. McKean says, 'If you were in a car, you wouldn't even know the walk was there. And from the track, you can't see or hear the traffic above.' Just like the famous drive, the Great Ocean Walk hugs the coastline from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, and can be tackled as a series of day walks or as a multi-day hike that typically takes five to six days to complete. McKean advises, 'You can walk it independently using the public campsites along the way (they all include a dining shelter), or do it self-guided (using a map and an app), catching a shuttle bus to the start of each day's walk, then being dropped back at your accommodation. You can even do it fully guided, where you are dropped off at the start of each day's walk, then afterwards returned to luxury accommodation, where chef-prepared meals – washed down with local wines – await. It's up to you (and your budget!)' The Great Ocean Walk combines beach and bush trails, but one thing stays constant: breathtaking views of the mighty Southern Ocean. Along the way, you'll pass many of Victoria's most iconic sights – from the lush rainforests of Great Otway National Park to the rugged cliffs of Port Campbell – before finishing up at the world-famous limestone stacks known as the Twelve Apostles. McKean's favourite section of the Great Ocean Walk is the 13-kilometre track between Ryan's Den and Devil's Kitchen, which is typically the penultimate day if you're doing the whole route. This moderately challenging stretch winds through coastal scrub to Moonlight Head, then descends to The Gables Lookout – one of Australia's highest clifftop viewpoints – where you can take in sweeping views of the coastline. In winter, you might even spot southern right whales migrating through the waters on their way to Warrnambool. While you can walk the sea-swept stretch from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles year-round, McKean recommends spring (September to November). You won't work up too much of a sweat thanks to the mild temperatures, and you'll get the best chance to spot native wildlife, including kangaroos near Johanna Beach, koalas at Kennett River, and even penguins near the shore at the Twelve Apostles. If you're feeling inspired to hit the trails, you can find our favourite day hikes near Melbourne here, as well as our top walks in Melbourne here. See you on the tracks!
Time Out
15-06-2025
- Time Out
This is Australia's best coastal walk – according to someone who's done them all
In Australia, you're never more than 1,000 kilometres from the coast – so it's not rare to feel the sea calling you. Mother Nature might summon you for a swim in one of our nation's beautiful beaches. But she could also convince you to spend some time in nature, adventuring along seaside cliffs, across squeaky sands and over slippery rock pools. With so many epic coastal walks covering all three terrains, choosing the absolute best is no easy feat. That's why we passed the baton to one of Australia's top hiking pros – here's what they had to say. The best coastal walk in Australia is the Great Ocean Walk, according to hiking enthusiast and author of Great Coastal Walks, Brent McKean – who's completed more than 20 of the country's biggest coastal treks. While everyone's heard of the popular road trip that goes by the same name, this stunning 104-kilometre coastal walk is arguably more spectacular as you get to experience all the sights up close. McKean says, 'If you were in a car, you wouldn't even know the walk was there. And from the track, you can't see or hear the traffic above.' Just like the famous drive, the Great Ocean Walk hugs the coastline from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, and can be tackled as a series of day walks or as a multi-day hike that typically takes five to six days to complete. McKean advises, 'You can walk it independently using the public campsites along the way (they all include a dining shelter), or do it self-guided (using a map and an app), catching a shuttle bus to the start of each day's walk, then being dropped back at your accommodation. You can even do it fully guided, where you are dropped off at the start of each day's walk, then afterwards returned to luxury accommodation, where chef-prepared meals – washed down with local wines – await. It's up to you (and your budget!)' The Great Ocean Walk combines beach and bush trails, but one thing stays constant: breathtaking views of the mighty Southern Ocean. Along the way, you'll pass many of Victoria's most iconic sights – from the lush rainforests of Great Otway National Park to the rugged cliffs of Port Campbell – before finishing up at the world-famous limestone stacks known as the Twelve Apostles. McKean's favourite section of the Great Ocean Walk is the 13-kilometre track between Ryan's Den and Devil's Kitchen, which is typically the penultimate day if you're doing the whole route. This moderately challenging stretch winds through coastal scrub to Moonlight Head, then descends to The Gables Lookout – one of Australia's highest clifftop viewpoints – where you can take in sweeping views of the coastline. In winter, you might even spot southern right whales migrating through the waters on their way to Warrnambool. While you can walk the sea-swept stretch from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles year-round, McKean recommends spring (September to November). You won't work up too much of a sweat thanks to the mild temperatures, and you'll get the best chance to spot native wildlife, including kangaroos near Johanna Beach, koalas at Kennett River, and even penguins near the shore at the Twelve Apostles. If you're feeling inspired to hit the trails, you can find more of our favourite hikes and trails in Australia here. See you on the tracks!
Time Out
02-05-2025
- Time Out
A 104 km multi-day hike in coastal Victoria has been named the fifth best in the world
Mother Nature has blessed Victoria with countless spots with amazing trails, from adventurous multi-day treks to breathtaking day hikes. From the Grampians National Park to the Dandenong Ranges National Park – if you're looking for world-class hiking, you don't have to look far. Affirming that our state is home to the best of the best treks, Time Out's global team have compiled an ultimate list of the world's top 20 best hikes – and one in the top five is right here in Victoria. The list spans the globe, featuring everything from the historic Camino de Santiago in Spain to the breathtaking Tour du Mont Blanc in the Swiss Alps and the cliff-hugging Lycian Way in Turkey. It also happens to feature two Aussie gems, including Victoria's windswept Great Ocean Walk and Tasmania's secluded Maria Island Walk. The Great Ocean Walk was named fifth on the list, an impressive feat considering the high calibre of hikes among the rankings. While the Great Ocean Road is well-known as Australia's favourite road trip, many are surprised to discover that you can actually shadow the entire sea-swept stretch from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles on foot. Spanning 104 kilometres, the Great Ocean Walk takes up to eight days to complete in full, but there are plenty of pick-up points throughout the trail that are perfect for shorter overnight stretches. Along the way, you'll pass some of Victoria's most iconic sights, from the lush rainforests of Great Otway National Park to the rugged cliffs of Port Campbell, before finishing up at the world-famous limestone stacks known as the Twelve Apostles. Feeling inspired to take a hiking holiday? You can check out more of the most incredible walks around the world below. These are the 20 best hikes in the world, according to Time Out The French Way, Camino de Santiago The Lycian Way, Türkiye West Highland Way, Scotland The Nakahechi Route, Kumano Kodo, Japan The Great Ocean Walk, Australia Kungsleden, Sweden The Jordan Trail, Jordan Mount Snowdon, Wales Kalalau Trail, USA Dientes Circuit Trek, Chile Gotemba Trail, Japan Waitukubuli National Trail, Dominica Whale Trail, South Africa Wales Coast Path, Wales Mount Meru, Tanzania Ratikon High Trail Hut-to-Hut Circuit, Austria/Switzerland Coast-to-Coast Path, England Maria Island Walk, Australia Paria River Canyon, USA Tour du Mont Blanc, Switzerland/Italy/France
Time Out
01-05-2025
- Time Out
Trailblazing news: Two of the world's best hikes are in Australia
It's a little wild to consider the fact that people drop thousands of dollars or travel hundreds of kilometres just to go for a walk. But when you actually think about it – something to ponder on your next stroll, perhaps – it's one of the most rewarding ways to spend your money and time. From guided multi-day pilgrimages to calming coastal walks and backyard bush bashes, Mother Nature has blessed us with millions of epic trails. Picking the best of the best is about as challenging as summiting Mount Kilimanjaro. But lucky for you, Time Out's global team has done the hard yards to bring you the ultimate list of the world's top 20 best hikes – and two of them are right here in Australia. The list spans the globe, featuring everything from the historic Camino de Santiago in Spain to the breathtaking Tour du Mont Blanc in the Swiss Alps and the cliff-hugging Lycian Way in Turkey. It also happens to feature two Aussie gems, including Victoria's windswept Great Ocean Walk and Tasmania's secluded Maria Island Walk. The Great Ocean Walk, Victoria While the Great Ocean Road is well-known as Australia's favourite road trip, many are surprised to discover that you can actually shadow the entire sea-swept stretch from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles on foot. Spanning 104 kilometres, the Great Ocean Walk takes up to eight days to complete in full, but there are plenty of pick-up points throughout the trail that are perfect for shorter overnight stretches. Along the way, you'll pass some of Victoria's most iconic sights, from the lush rainforests of Great Otway National Park to the rugged cliffs of Port Campbell, before finishing up at the world-famous limestone stacks known as the Twelve Apostles. The Maria Island Walk, Tasmania Recently named one of the world's most beautiful destinations, Maria Island is a hiker's paradise, shaped by honeycomb-coloured cliffs, pristine white beaches and protected national park. The island's cross-country trek, The Maria Island Walk, stretches between 25 to 43 kilometres from Darlington to Robey's Farm and back. The full hike takes four days for the average Joe to finish, with plenty of wildlife encounters along the way, including Forester kangaroos, Bennett's wallabies, wombats and even fairy penguins. Feeling inspired to take a hiking holiday? You can check out more of the most incredible walks around the world below. These are the 20 best hikes in the world, according to Time Out The French Way, Camino de Santiago The Lycian Way, Türkiye West Highland Way, Scotland The Nakahechi Route, Kumano Kodo, Japan The Great Ocean Walk, Australia Kungsleden, Sweden The Jordan Trail, Jordan Mount Snowdon, Wales Kalalau Trail, USA Dientes Circuit Trek, Chile Gotemba Trail, Japan Waitukubuli National Trail, Dominica Whale Trail, South Africa Wales Coast Path, Wales Mount Meru, Tanzania Ratikon High Trail Hut-to-Hut Circuit, Austria/Switzerland Coast-to-Coast Path, England Maria Island Walk, Australia Paria River Canyon, USA Tour du Mont Blanc, Switzerland/Italy/France
