Great Walks of Australia – Uluru and Kata Tjuta Signature Walk – Image: Desert Trails/Michael Peters
As travellers worldwide seek deeper, more meaningful escapes from the relentless pace of modern life, a guided hiking holiday in nature – one that truly disconnects you from stress and restores your nervous system – has never been more sought after, say Great Walks of Australia in a new release.
Travellers are increasingly looking to incorporate the outdoors into their well-being routines, with nature hikes and eco-retreats among the fastest-growing travel categories worldwide. With the global wellness tourism industry projected to be worth US$1.4 trillion by 2027, travellers in droves are substituting the traditional ‘fly & flop’ for a ‘disconnect & reset’ experience – and the 15 iconic hikes in the Great Walks of Australia collection tick every box.
Launched in 2013 as one of Tourism Australia’s inaugural Signature Experiences, Great Walks of Australia is a collective of the nation’s premier guided, multi-day walking experiences, showcasing Australia’s most extraordinary landscapes through eco-certified, small-group adventures. Each walk pairs world-class natural settings with expert guides, exceptional hospitality and a strong commitment to sustainability and conservation. The collection spans coastlines, alpine wilderness, outback ranges, rainforests and remote bush environments – offering restorative, low-impact walking experiences for both seasoned hikers and first-time multi-day walkers.
Great Walks is not a holiday – it’s a reset
The wellness benefits of taking a hike in nature are undeniable. Walking outdoors lowers cortisol, reduces blood pressure, boosts serotonin and endorphins, improves sleep quality, and restores attentional capacity depleted by screens and constant connectivity. A guided multi-day walk free from digital devices, decision fatigue, and domestic routine, amplifies every one of these effects.
Great Walks of Australia Executive Officer Genevieve Matthews said that now more than ever, travellers are seeking a holiday that helps them to reset and restore from the huge pressures of modern life.
Scenic Rim Great Walks of Australia – Image: Spicers Scenic Rim/Great Walks of Australia
“So often, guests arrive at our walks on the brink of burnt out from the relentless pace of the daily grind,” Matthews said.
“The traditional fly and flop no longer offers the depth of physical, mental and emotional restoration that many travellers are seeking from their holidays.
“A multi-day walk in Australia’s wilderness offers something increasingly rare – the space to genuinely slow down. Within a day or two on trail, we watch guests physically decompress, their rhythm slows, their conversation deepens, their sleep improves dramatically. That’s not a holiday. That’s a reset.”
What makes Great Walks of Australia great?
In order for a hike to be included in Great Walks of Australia collection, they must meet rigorous criteria: multi-day, all-inclusive experiences in National Parks or World Heritage Listed Areas; small-group departures led by expert guides with deep environmental and cultural knowledge; eco-certified, low-impact accommodation (from remote eco-lodges and safari-style camps to historic homesteads); gourmet food celebrating local produce; and sustainability practices. The result is a collection where quality assurance is built in, and guests often leave already planning their next walk.
In April 2026, Great Walks of Australia got even greater with the launch of the highly anticipated Uluru–Kata Tjuta Signature Walk (operated by Tasmanian Walking Company), developed in deep collaboration with Anangu Traditional Owners. It offers the first and only opportunity to sleep overnight inside the World Heritage-listed national park, guided by ancient stories, red desert trails, and a connection to Country that spans tens of thousands of years. Guests stay in architecturally designed eco-camps and a private lodge set within the park, waking to desert light and moving through one of the most sacred and visually extraordinary landscapes on Earth. The walk has quickly become one of the most sought-after new travel experiences in the world.
“There is no other experience like it in the world. To walk in that ancient landscape and experience the scale, the silence, and the stories grounds you deeply into the environment. Guests return fundamentally changed by it and it’s an experience that everyone should add to their Bucket List.” Matthews said.
NAN/GWOA 26-06-26
You might also like:
TRAVEL: Escape to the Turkish Summer – sustainably
Framed buy three seas and a unique geography, Turkiye offers a summer experience unlike any other. From the turquoise shores of Antalya in the Turkish Riviera to Aegean favorites like Cesme, Bodrum, Marmaris and Goecek, golden beaches, hidden coves, vibrant nightlife and luxury yacht cruises come together to create the perfect coastal escape to travel more…
