Best paved trails in Australia

Note: As of August 21, 2020, users have reported that part of the Iron Creek walking area is closed for maintenance cutting it a little shorter. This is a great circuit for those looking for some exercise. It's a paved path used by runners, cyclists, and everything in between. You won't find isolation here, but if you're looking for an easy exercise track, this is your spot. Accessibility: The trail surface is paved and typically at least six feet wide. It has some steep areas where the estimated grade is above 8% so wheelchair and stroller users may need assistance. Users have reported the steepest section is the hill up to Iron Cove Bridge.Show more

A nice family-friendly paved path to the Kedumba View. Accessibility: The trail surface is paved and typically at least four feet wide. The grade can be steep (over 8%) in some areas so wheelchair and stroller users may need assistance. There are also some pictures of stairs on the trail but it is unclear whether they are on the main trail or a side trail.Show more

This is one section of Australia's Highway 1, also referred to as the 'Big Lap', that circumnavigates coastal mainland Australia for roughly 14,500km (9,000mi) through each state capital, making this iconic national highway the longest in the world. Driving this entire lap of Australia is suggested to take roughly 6-12 months, but it is possible to complete in around 3 months, or it could take as long as a lifetime to complete in full. This is a beautiful drive of the Highway 1 showcasing the east coast of Australia from Brisbane up to tropical North Queensland in Cairns. Some great stops to make along the way might include a visit on Fraser Island (the world's largest sand island for a 4WD camping adventure), the Great Barrier Reef accessible from several towns along the coast, the Glass House Mountains, Noosa, the Whitsunday Islands from Airlie Beach, Mission Beach, and the Daintree Rainforest just north of Cairns.Show more

A nice paved loop through the park that passes by ponds and sports fields. There are also dirt trail running options. Accessibility: The main trail surface is paved and typically four to eight feet wide. The grade is mostly gentle with some moderately steep sections.Show more

Take the scenic detour away from Highway 1 through the world's second national park and Australia's first national park, established in 1879. The Dharawal people are the Traditional Owners of the land where Royal National Park is conserved today. This drive is a great way to glimpse several diverse natural features of Royal National Park in one day, including rugged sandstone cliffs, wetlands, coastal rainforest, heathland, and tall eucalypt forests that line the roads and multi-use trails. The route can be taken as one through-drive, or with two details as marked using Wattamolla Road to Wattamolla Beach, and second off Bundeena Drive out to the town of Bundeena. Expect these sealed roads inside the Royal National Park to be extremely busy with some traffic delays on weekends and public holidays, especially during summer. Most of the sites in the park are also accessible via public transport, this route is also ideal for road cycling. This is for experienced cyclists as many parts of the road do not have a shoulder so cars will be overtaking you constantly, and there are so steep climbs and windy descents. Show more

A paved but very steep walk leads 700 metres uphill through a small area of rainforest, then winds up through eucalyptus woodland to a fire tower. There is a 360 degree view of the Glass House Mountains and other parts of South East Queensland from the summit. On a clear day, Brisbane CBD is visible too. when decending the fire tower, go down backwards as you would with any ladder, several people have tried to go down forward and had very nasty accidents.Show more

This busy biking and walking trail is a nice way to see the city and waterfront. Accessibility: The trail surface is paved and typically between four and six feet wide. The estimated grade is moderately steep with some sections near the bridges estimated up to 15% grade. Wheelchair/mobility equipment and stroller users may need assistance in the steep sections.Show more

A nice peaceful paved walk along the river. Accessibility: The trail surface is paved and typically between four and eight feet wide. The estimated grade is mostly gentle for the first half-mile, but there are some steep sections past there where wheelchair/mobility equipment or stroller users may need assistance.Show more

This loop is an unofficial route for visiting Sydney's iconic sights, and can be started or finished in countless locations through the city, or visited in smaller segments.Show more