From short walks to multi-day treks, New South Wales is full of incredible wild walks. Here are five terrific tramps in the state's north to get you started. Prepare for your adventure by familiarising yourself with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service's bushwalking safety tips and Australia's Walking Track Grading System, and remember to pre-book to camp in NSW national parks.  

Solitary Islands Coastal Walk, Coffs Coast  

• Distance: 60km one-way 
• Time: 3–4 days 
• Track grade: 4 

Cross golden beaches, hike up rocky headlands and stroll through lush rainforest on one of the most beautiful walks on Australia's east coast. The Solitary Islands Coastal Walk takes you from Red Rock, at the northern end of the Coffs Coast, down to Sawtell, passing through Coffs Coast Regional Park, Moonee Beach Nature Reserve and Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve along the way.  

Meet the resident kangaroos on the Look At Me Now Headland and bring your binoculars for a closer look at humpback whales from May to November. You can camp along the way or, if you prefer more comfort, Solitary Islands Coastal Walk Experiences offers transfers to local accommodations. 

Minyon Falls Walking Track, Byron Bay Hinterland  

• Distance: 13km return 
• Time: 3–4 hours 
• Track grade: 3 

Walk among waterfalls, wildlife and wildflowers as you wind your way through UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforest in Nightcap National Park, 90 minutes' drive northwest of Byron Bay on the far North Coast. The Minyon Falls Walking Track leads you past the base of the 100m-high waterfall and, if you're comfortable scrambling over some rocks, you can cool off with a swim at the base before heading back to the car park. Keep your camera ready for possible sightings of koalas, wallabies and goannas en route. 

Minyon Falls is also set to become the end point of a four-day walk linking Nightcap National Park and neighbouring Mount Jerusalem National Park, which is expected to be completed in 2022. Known as the Tweed Byron Hinterland Trails project, the new network of tracks will also include areas for cyclists. 

Eagles Nest Walking Track, Northern Tablelands 

• Distance: 2.2km loop 
• Time: 1–2 hours 
• Track grade: 3 

The Eagles Nest Walking Track in New England National Park starts 1,563m above sea level at Point Lookout (around 2.5 hours east of Armidale). Enjoy panoramic views over the verdant forest to the Pacific Ocean before climbing down into the Gondwana Rainforest.  

See delicate ice sculptures created by water trickling over freezing rocks in winter, colourful wildflowers mingling with snow grass tussocks in spring, and orchids in Antarctic beech trees covered in moss throughout the year. Also keep your eyes peeled for spotted quolls, kangaroos, wallabies, gliders and possums, and when you reach Banksia Point be sure to look for the resident lyrebird. Twitchers will be pleased to know that the park is home to more than 100 other bird species.  

Yuraygir Coastal Walk, Clarence Coast 

• Distance: 65km one-way 
• Time: 4–5 days 
• Track grade: 4 

Yuraygir National Park, a 70-minute drive north of Coffs Harbour on the Mid North Coast, has the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in NSW, and the Yuraygir coastal walk guides you on a 65km trek inspired by the path of the coastal emu.  

Keep an eye out for some of Australia's most vulnerable wildlife, including the rufous bettong, a rabbit-sized marsupial also known as a rufous rat-kangaroo, as well as coastal emus.  

With seven camping spots along the way you could do the whole walk in one stretch — north to south to keep the sun at your back is best — or you could simply choose one section for a day out.

Bald Rock Summit Walking Track, Tenterfield 

• Distance: 3.2km loop 
• Time: 1–2 hours 
• Track grade: 3 

Just outside of Tenterfield in the New England region, you can climb the largest exposed granite monolith in the southern hemisphere the easy way or the hard way in Bald Rock National Park. The Bungoona Walk is the slower, more gradual way and includes walking through huge boulders and up staircases made of stone. The Rockface Walk does what the name suggests — it involves a steep climb from the base to the summit, and is best for confident and fit walkers.  

Both Bald Rock Summit Walking Track options lead to the same spot on the top of the rock that's about 200m tall, with sweeping views of the countryside below.  

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