One of Australia's best long distance hikes: Solo on the Great South Coast Walk - 700km in 25 days
In November 2016, I set out alone to hike the Great South Coast Walk - Sydney, NSW to Mallacoota, VIC - covering 700km over 25 days. Along the way I caught up with lots of old friends, some I hadn’t seen in years. It was a natural wonderland, with whales, an echidna up at tree, yellow-bellied gliders, a bush fire, a tumble down a small cliff, an epic storm that collapsed my tarp tent and sea caves in the remote Nadgee wilderness.
The south coast of NSW crosses some of the most spectacular coastline in Australia. With massive eucalypt spotted gum forest that meets crystal clear waters, superb fairy wrens as natures alarm clock, whales migrating south to keep you company, epic sea cliffs, folded rock formations and hidden beaches that make you feel like you are the only person on earth.
This walk links up many popular trails but it also requires a lot of navigation and imagination to find the best and most enjoyable track. I tried to avoid highways, walking along bush tracks, beaches and local trails. There are several river crossing to be navigated, I either paddled them at slack water, floating my pack on my air mattress or I waved down fishermen, boats and jet skis to help me cross. I’m also grateful to friends who put me up for the night, picking me up at some of the big river crossings and dropping me on the other side the next day.
The Great South Coast Walk includes the following formal trails:
Most of this coastline burnt during the 2019/2020 Australian bushfires, my thoughts are with all the people and unique wilderness impacted during these devastating fires.
If you enjoyed this video please check it out on YouTube and leave a comment to let me know what your favourite coastal hike is.
Music
Swoop by The Mini Vandals -YouTube Audio Library
Rolling With The Punches by Joshua Wellington
The Brumby by by Joshua Wellington
The south coast of NSW crosses some of the most spectacular coastline in Australia. With massive eucalypt spotted gum forest that meets crystal clear waters, superb fairy wrens as natures alarm clock, whales migrating south to keep you company, epic sea cliffs, folded rock formations and hidden beaches that make you feel like you are the only person on earth.
This walk links up many popular trails but it also requires a lot of navigation and imagination to find the best and most enjoyable track. I tried to avoid highways, walking along bush tracks, beaches and local trails. There are several river crossing to be navigated, I either paddled them at slack water, floating my pack on my air mattress or I waved down fishermen, boats and jet skis to help me cross. I’m also grateful to friends who put me up for the night, picking me up at some of the big river crossings and dropping me on the other side the next day.
The Great South Coast Walk includes the following formal trails:
- Royal National Park costal walk, NSW, 30km, 2 days
- Light to Light walk, NSW, 30km, 2 days
- Nadgee Howe wilderness walk, NSW/VIC, 55km, 3-5 days
Most of this coastline burnt during the 2019/2020 Australian bushfires, my thoughts are with all the people and unique wilderness impacted during these devastating fires.
If you enjoyed this video please check it out on YouTube and leave a comment to let me know what your favourite coastal hike is.
Music
Swoop by The Mini Vandals -YouTube Audio Library
Rolling With The Punches by Joshua Wellington
The Brumby by by Joshua Wellington
*Language warning on the video*