Best Summit Day-Hikes in South-East Australia

There’s nothing more satisfying to me than climbing a mountain from the bottom in a day. It’s my favourite form of hiking, combining the best views with a sense of achievement. It seems I’m built for short but steep hikes. The steeper they are the more of an adrenaline fuelled high I get, and rugged mountainous landscapes add to this natural high. And by completing the walk in a day I can then return to the comforts of civilisation, such as indoor plumbing.

Perhaps it’s a little unfortunate then that I live on the world’s flattest continent, Australia. Nevertheless, when you have a whole continent at your disposal there are bound to be some good mountains to climb. I can’t claim to have climbed all but a small portion of them, however I’ve done quite a few of the best in the south-eastern corner.

My selection

I’ve only included walks to a peak or summit of sorts, and especially those with a decent change in elevation to get there. That way I think you can claim to have ‘climbed’ the mountain. Consequently Australia’s highest peaks do not appear on the list, because they are not easily climbed in a day from anywhere near the bottom. Nevertheless, I’ve thrown in a few bonus walks that don’t quite fit this pattern, because they still satisfied the beak-bagger in me.

My choices for this article are easy enough to get to and have tracks, or at least an easy to navigate route. And they can all be climbed in a day. So let’s have a look at 20 of my favourite mountains to climb, starting with those in Tassie, then Victoria, and finally NSW. Click on the pictures below for more detail on each walk, or click here to jump straight to the walk descriptions. You can also jump to a map of the mountain locations.

The Mountains

Tasmania (10)

Victoria (4)

New South Wales (6)

Details of the walks

You can click on the titles or pictures to view my original blog post for each walk. If you have any questions or comments then you can contact me via a form, or else leave a comment below. This includes passionately agreeing or disagreeing with my selections 🙂

Tasmania

Our most mountainous state, Tasmania offers some of the best hiking in the country, particularly if you like mountains. Many of the walks ascend first to alpine plateaus, then climb again to take in a rocky summit. None of the mountains are particularly high, but despite this the scenery is often quite dramatic. And for those willing to do multi-day walks there are many more classic peaks to climb. If you are interested in learning more then check out the official list of Tasmania’s mountain peaks with elevation above 1100m, called The Abels.

Mt Anne (1423m)

South-West National Park

The climb: from 330m asl to 1423m, with 1420m ascent & descent

This is probably the most spectacular Australian walk I’ve done to date. There are knock your hiking socks off views all the way along the track to the summit of Mt Anne (1423m) in Tasmania’s remote Southwest National Park. Huge lakes, rugged cliffs, mountain peaks, alpine plants, and more boulders than you can shake your walking poles at.

With a 1420m change in elevation it’s also a good work out. The final climb to the summit is through shear cliffs and not for those afraid of heights. Even if you don’t do this last bit though it’s well worth walking to their base across a large expanse of boulders. Really good walking.

Cradle Mountain (1545m)

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

The climb: from 870m asl (Ronnie Creek) or 940m asl (Dove Lake) to 1545m

Climbing Cradle Mountain (1545m) is one of the best day walks in Australia, and making a circuit of it by returning along the Face Track and by the Twisted Lakes maximises your scenery. There are excellent views pretty much the whole way. These include views of the mountain from various angles, of numerous lakes, and extensive views from the rocky summit.

The walk is justifiably popular, but not so much as to ruin the experience. Also, the crowds really thinned once we set off on the return portion of the walk along the Face Track. So get on out there!

Barn Bluff (1559m)

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

The climb: from 870m asl (Ronnie Creek) or 940m asl (Dove Lake) to 1559m

The rocky summit of Barn Bluff (1559m) pops up out of an alpine plateau and cuts a striking figure. I first saw it from the summit of Cradle Mountain on a trip to Tasmania in 2008, and although it looks quite remote, it can in fact be climbed on a longish day walk: one of Tasmania’s best. 

Most of the route follows the first section of the world famous Overland Track, so you can be sure there’s quality scenery on offer. It’s a great option if you want a spectacular walk with less people than Cradle Mountain, which you pass along the way.

Solomons Throne (1470m)

Walls of Jerusalem National Park

The climb: from 720m asl to 1470m

You can only experience the top class scenery of the Walls of Jerusalem by walking in, so it’s a lot quieter than nearby Cradle Mountain. Once you have ascended up through eucalypt forest the alpine scenery starts with numerous tarns, Richea Scoparia (past flowering stage when we visited, but still nice), pencil pines, cliffs, and the cutest, fluffiest wallabies you could ever hope to meet.

We chose to walk up the peak known as Solomons Throne (1470m), but if you have time you can also ascend The Temple (1446m) and Mount Jerusalem (1459m). Nearby King Davids Peak (1499m) provides some good photo opportunities. It’s all very biblical.

Mt Roland 1223m (& Mt Van Dyke 1084m)

Mt Roland Regional Reserve

The climb: from 310m asl to 1223m

This was another lesser known Tasmanian walk to exceed expectations. Mt Roland is an impressively rocky and quite prominent mountain range, and the circuit taking in Mt Vandyke is varied. It starts in lush forest and then rises onto an alpine plateau, passes boulder fields, and visits two rocky peaks which both require a bit of a scramble. The return track is very steep but this adds to the sense of adventure. There are excellent 360 degree views from the summit of Mt Roland, so plan to do this walk on a clear day.

Collinsvale Peaks (1264m, 1160m, 1098m)

Wellington Park

The climb: from 590m asl to 1264m, with 1200m ascent & descent for all 3 peaks

The area west of Hobart known as Wellington Park is an alpine plateau that contains a number of accessible peaks over 1000m of elevation. It’s possible to climb three of these peaks in one day – Collins Bonnet (1246m), Trestle Mountain (1160m), and Collins Cap (1098m). And you may have these peaks all to yourself.

Mt Wellington (1271m)

Wellington Park

The climb: from 440m asl to 1271m

Climbing Mt Wellington (1271m) is a must-do for any hiker visiting Hobart. It’s just a 15 minute drive to the foot of the mountain, and is also accessible by public transport. The summit provides great views over the city and Derwent Estuary. You can drive to these views, but there’s a network of good walking tracks allowing for a few different circuits. So I recommend strapping your boots on and doing it the hard (but fun) way.

Quamby Bluff (1227m)

Great Western Tiers

The climb: from 730m asl to 1227m

The straightforward but steep climb up to Quamby Bluff (1228m) passes through myrtle beech forest and boulder fields, finishing in heath on the summit plateau, where there are extensive views of the surrounding area, including the Great Western Tiers. Not as epic as some of the other Tasmanian climbs in this list, but still a good walk.

Hartz Peak (1254m) and Mount Snowy (1160m)

Hartz Mountains National Park

The climb: from 850m asl to 1254m (approx 520m ascent & descent)

The weather put on a bit of a show for us when we climbed to Hartz Peak and Mount Snowy. Starting off in sleet, we ascended through a thin layer of snow into thick mist, which then cleared to reveal excellent views of the surrounding area. A classic Tasmanian alpine day walk. 

Not so much change in elevation to summit these mountains, but they both have pointy peaks and there are great views, so they made the cut.

Mt Amos (454m)

Freycinet National Park

The climb: from 40m asl to 454m

Wineglass Bay in Tasmania is one of Australia’s most photographed beaches, and the best views are from the summit of Mt Amos (454m). We did this walk on our first trip to Tasmania in 2008, so I don’t remember it very well. Nevertheless, after reviewing my old photos I realise it’s an excellent walk. Not a tall mountain by any means, but there are large rocky sections, great views, and it’s steep enough to feel a bit adventurous. 

If you want more information on walking in Tasmania’s wild places then check out the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service website.

Victoria

The Victorian Alps contain some of Australia’s highest ground, and climbing the two highest peaks involves the two biggest ascents in this list. There are other mountainous regions outside of the Victorian High Country, and I’ve included two other great peaks to climb from elsewhere in the state.

Mt Bogong (1986m)

Alpine National Park

The climb: from 600m asl to 1986m

Mt Bogong is Victoria’s highest mountain at 1986m of elevation, and is apparently Australia’s highest freestanding mountain. There’s no road to the top, so if you want to summit the mountain and see the excellent views you have to climb it from the bottom, a satisfying 1500m ascent along a well marked track. Definitely one of the best Australian walks I’ve done, for the combination of views, variety of vegetation, and peak bagging gratification.

The initial section of the walk from Mountain Creek camping area passes through attractive tall forest. Once above the treeline there are extensive views over distant hills, and the alpine and sub-alpine scenery of the mountain itself is also very nice. This includes some fire damaged areas on Eskdale Spur that have their own interesting aesthetic. I found climbing Staircase Spur and descending via Eskdale Spur to be a very worthwhile circuit.

Mt Feathertop (1920m)

Alpine National Park

The climb: from 570m asl to 1920m

I find climbing steeply up 1000+ vertical metres to the top of a pointy mountain very satisfying. So when I read that climbing Victoria’s second highest mountain involved a 1440m vertical climb over 11km I thought it justified our first bushwalking trip to Victoria.

You steadily climb up through lush forest at first, into mountain ash woodland, then snow gums, and finish in alpine meadows. The views extend over the Victorian high country, and inspired me to visit Mt Buffalo* on that same trip.

(*The peaks on Mt Buffalo are definitely worth a visit, and that mountain’s big walk, (the so called “Big Walk“), is a very satisfying 1000m climb. However, the peaks are just short walks from the large alpine plateau on top, and the Big Walk does not visit a peak. So these excellent walks don’t get into this list).

Cathedral Range / Sugarloaf Peak (920m)

Cathedral Range State Park

The climb: from 380m asl to 920m

The Cathedral Range is a small but prominent mountain range in Victoria, about two hours north-east of Melbourne. It comprises a seven kilometre ridge of upturned rock, and climbing onto and then along this ridge makes for a fun day walk. A circuit at the southern end takes in the highest peak in the range – Sugarloaf Peak at 920m of elevation. And climbing this can be made more adventurous by taking the Wells Cave Track option. There are extensive views from the top, and for much of the way as you walk north along the range, descending back down to the start at about half way.

Mt Stapylton (469m)

Grampians National Park

The climb: from 260m asl to 469m

Mount Stapylton (469m) was a great introduction to the rugged Grampians National Park in Central West Victoria. It felt more remote than it was, and looked quite arid, with plenty of weathered rock and impressive cliffs. The surrounding Wimmera Plains are flat as a pancake farmland that stretch as far as the eye can see. So although this is a small mountain, it nevertheless makes for a great peak to climb.

And you can easily fit in an even smaller bonus peak on the same day: Mt Zero, where there are good views back to Mt Stapylton.

For more information on walking in Victoria have a look at the Parks Victoria website.

New South Wales

Although NSW has some great hiking and wonderful scenery, we are a bit short of pointy mountains to climb in my home state. The Warrumbungles are one exception, and I’ve included two peaks from that mountain range. The Castle is a big hunk of rock just inland of the NSW South Coast near Ulladulla, and climbing this was one of my hiking highlights to date. You don’t climb my three other selections from anywhere near the bottom, but they are still great peaks to visit.

The Castle (847m)

Morton National Park

The climb: from 100m asl to 847m

The Castle (847m), one of NSW’s most challenging and spectacular day walks, is situated in Morton National Park on the South Coast of NSW near Ulladulla. The views are possibly the best I’ve seen in NSW, and with just enough exposure near the top to get the adrenaline flowing, it makes a memorable walk for any fit bushwalker.

You don’t walk all that far (11 or 12 kms) but the terrain slows you down in some sections, and there’s a decent change in elevation of about 800m. Starting in rainforest, you’ll soon ascend into dryer forest, then skirt the western edge of the Castle’s lower walls with views of Mt Nibelung and Mt Owen. It’s then up through cliffs with progressively more expansive views of the Budawangs, until you reach the summit plateau. Make sure you walk to the southern end for the best views of Byangee Walls.

Bluff Mountain (1200m) via Grand High Tops

Warrumbungle National Park

The climb: from 500m asl to 1200m

The Grand High Tops Circuit with an added side trip to Bluff Mountain (1200m) is arguably the best walk in the Warrumbungles, especially for views. From Grand High Tops there are classic views of the pleasingly named rock formation, The Breadknife, which is a tall, thin and sheer slice of rock that you pass on the way up. There are also great views of nearby Crater Bluff, and of Belougery Spire, both prominent and striking hunks of rock.

Climbing Bluff Mountain gets you away from the crowds somewhat, and feels more remote then the rest of the walk, so it’s well worth bagging this peak.

Mount Exmouth (1206m)

Warrumbungle National Park

The climb: from 440m asl to 1206m

Mt Exmouth (1206m) is the highest point in Warrumbungle National Park, and I’ll admit to a spot of peak bagging in doing this walk. Nevertheless, I’d read that the views from the summit were excellent, and they were, although a bit hazy on an overcast day. Unexpectedly though another feature of this walk stole the show, and that was the preponderance of fabulous grass trees on the final ascent to the summit. I’ve never seen so many in my life, and they were fine specimens indeed. So I’d recommend this walk even just for these, but the views will be an added bonus.

Mt Tate (2068m)

Kosciuszko National Park

The climb: from 1570m asl to 2068m

I didn’t really know what to expect on this circuit walk up Mt Tate (2068m) in Kosciuszko National Park, but it turned out to be one of the better walks I’ve done on mainland Australia. The views from the summit of Mt Tate are particularly good, and include looking over the rocky plateau of the Main Range towards some of Australia’s other highest peaks.

There isn’t a big ascent to summit the mountain, but the route through colourful and varied alpine scenery is off track and feels remote, so this is a quality walking experience away from the crowds.

Mount Sentinel (1917m)

Koscuiuszko National Park

The climb: roughly 700m – 800m of ascent and descent from Charlotte Pass (1830m)

The landscapes of Kosciuszko National Park are uniquely attractive, if not always particularly dramatic. But that impression changed rather after climbing the isolated peak of Mount Sentinel (1917m), which provides excellent views of the so called Western Fall of the Main Range. Mostly out of reach for the casual day hiker, I hadn’t seen these rugged and sometimes near vertical drop offs before. But the Sentinel happens to stick out in the middle of it all, and hence provides some of the best views on all of the mainland.

And while you’re there you may as well walk on over to Mt Twynam (2196m), Australia’s third highest mountain. There’s not much of a climb to get there, but you get to bag an extra peak so why not!

Mt Solitary (950m)

Blue Mountains National Park

The climb: a down then up walk – roughly 700m of ascent & descent

When Sophia and I first started regular bushwalking we did the first half of this walk as far as the Ruined Castle. This is already a classic Sydney bushwalk. But continuing on to the summit plateau of the stately looking Mt Solitary provides more great views, and the added satisfaction of a big day’s walking in fairly isolated country.

There’s actually no net change in elevation on this walk, but you drop off the cliffs on Narrow Neck Plateau (well, walk carefully down them), and then ascend a few hundred metres to the summit plateau of Mt Solitary. As the name suggests, Mt Solitary stands alone, so it does feel like you’ve climbed a mountain. And this is about the only mountain-like walk in the whole of the Sydney area, so it made my list.

If you want more information on bushwalking in NSW then go to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) website.

And for hiking information Australia-wide have a look at Trail Hiking Australia. But not before you check out the rest of my blog! 🙂

The Mountain Locations