Bushwalk Australia

I have a friend coming over from the U.S within the next couple of months and he has enough time spare to do a 7-10 day hike, he's a very experienced hiker and would like to see kangaroos as well as, of course, our beautiful country side. Being from the west I don't know of the many hiking trails possible in the eastern states, could you please give some recommendations of a few of the best trails for that time frame?

Cheers!

Depending on how defined a track you want to be following, the Hume and Hovell walking track comes to mind. There's some info -http://www.takeawalk.com.au/HumeandHovell.htm. It's not really a remote wilderness walk, but enjoyable and due to it's length and many campsites, a section can be chosen to suit your requirements.

Another walk could be the Mittagong to Katoomba walk. Some sections can be a little hard to follow in places, but it's generally good and if you can use a map and compass you shouldn't run into any issues. My recommendation would be to start at Hilltop near where the starlights trail starts, and finish at either Dunphys carpark or Katoomba itself. It's probably only a 7 day walk, as some have dones it in a quicker time, but there's no reason why you couldn't spend a day exploring at the Kowmung or Kanangra, or you could even make a detour up onto the Blue Breaks. Some information can be found on this forum here - http://www.bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic ... ba#p129094 or here http://www.bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic ... mba#p96366

Also check out this topic for suggestions - http://www.bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic ... ba#p137619

Allchin09 wrote:Depending on how defined a track you want to be following, the Hume and Hovell walking track comes to mind. There's some info -http://www.takeawalk.com.au/HumeandHovell.htm. It's not really a remote wilderness walk, but enjoyable and due to it's length and many campsites, a section can be chosen to suit your requirements.

Another walk could be the Mittagong to Katoomba walk. Some sections can be a little hard to follow in places, but it's generally good and if you can use a map and compass you shouldn't run into any issues. My recommendation would be to start at Hilltop near where the starlights trail starts, and finish at either Dunphys carpark or Katoomba itself. It's probably only a 7 day walk, as some have dones it in a quicker time, but there's no reason why you couldn't spend a day exploring at the Kowmung or Kanangra, or you could even make a detour up onto the Blue Breaks. Some information can be found on this forum here - http://www.bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic ... ba#p129094 or here http://www.bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic ... mba#p96366

Also check out this topic for suggestions - http://www.bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic ... ba#p137619

Yeah those are great, I just passed them onto him as well as some links so he can explore them for himself. I particularly like the look of the Mittagong to Katoomba hike, something I'd like to do myself.

Cheers!

I really enjoyed M2K, and it's worth doing when you get the chance. Just make sure you spend the extra time and drop down into the Kowmung and come out via Kanangra. It's way more interesting that a boring firetrail bash along the whole of Scotts Main Range. The campsite at the Junction of Christys Ck and the Kowmung and lovely and grassy, and the climb up Cambage Spire is always fun, the view up the surrounding gorges just add to the experience.

Maybe also look at Tassie or Victoria? NSW isn't great for long hikes on track.

The Snowy Mountains is another option. Kosciuszko to Kiandra or something in that vicinity. John Siseman's Australian Alps Walking Track Book would cover that thoroughly.

By including some side tracks/exploration/off track there are various options in the southern Blue Mountains/Kanangra and also Morton/Budawangs that can easily fill in 7 days.

Clarence

In two months time it will be summer, and not pleasant walking for backpacking in the Blue Mountains. If transport can be arranged then the Kiandra to Kosciusko section of the Alpine Walking Track is excellent. If a loop is required then heading into the Jagungal area in a loop can be organised easily for a week. Other parts of the Alpine Walking Track are excellent. Also walks along the Victorian coast. Or why not the Overland Track, Tasmania is not that far away.

These are excellent suggestions, I'll pass them all on. What are the best months for hiking? How hot is hot in the warmer months? Which are the best months for hiking the Mitagong to Katoomba trail?
Thanks everyone!

In summer higher areas of the Blue Mountains would average low twenties, the lower areas high twenties, but temperatures can be a lot higher. Water can be a problem.

For Mittagong to Katoomba spring or autumn would usually be excellent. Winter can also be excellent but maybe a bit cold. It does snow occasionally on the higher parts.

kjbeath wrote:In summer higher areas of the Blue Mountains would average low twenties, the lower areas high twenties, but temperatures can be a lot higher. Water can be a problem.

For Mittagong to Katoomba spring or autumn would usually be excellent. Winter can also be excellent but maybe a bit cold. It does snow occasionally on the higher parts.

Thanks, which months correspond to the seasons?

Summer December to February, Autumn March to May, Winter June to August, Spring September to November. This year we don't seem to have had much spring, already inland parts of Sydney have had temperatures into the low to mid thirties (in Celsius).