Trail Map of Great North Walk: Australia's best bushwalk

Moderate: 155.5 miles, Multiple days

Other Information: Family Friendly

Overview: The Great North Walk connects New South Wales’ two largest cities from the obelisk in Australia’s first planned town square to the wharf from which its oldest home-built steamship still sails in over 250 kilometres of history, mystery and fascination. The trail only just turned 21 in 2009 although some paths, originally made by indigenous people, are many tens of thousands of years old; it has been completed in 66 hours (fastest time yet!) and is walked over decades; its story impinges on diverse faiths passing Australia’s largest provincial Anglican cathedral while the walk’s highest peak – Mt Warrawolong (641 m) – is the site of Aboriginal ceremonies; be amazed to walk right beside examples of the oldest rock engravings in the world and modern street art; cross dramatic and beautiful waterways by means as diverse as the world’s widest steel-arch bridge to its oldest operating river postman’s boat; be puzzled by en route mysteries including more than a dozen murders, disappearances and inexplicable deaths; wind past the southern hemisphere’s largest salt-water swimming pool, the park dedicated to our longest-lived cartoon character, the site of the first coal mine and see where the first Brooklyn Railway Bridge (1890) was erected on the deepest pier then in Australia (49.4 m). Most of all enjoy Australia's social history and natural environment on a bush-hike that is accessible to virtually everyone. Join the Ozzie Bushies for a best-ever life experience!

Tips: Hike in one long walk (10 days to 2 weeks) and camp on track-based sites or walk in a series of day trips or weekend jaunts staying at local B&Bs, motels or hotels.
Buy current trail guides EZ downloadable e-trails http://tiny.cc/EZguideGNW
Companion to the walk - http://tiny.cc/buyGNWcompanion
Treasure Hunters: make the Great North Walk (http://www.thegreatnorthwalk.com ) an obelisk odyssey, a quest for the world's oldest rock art or not quite a ‘bridge too far’. Some parts are included in guided walks by local tour operators but all can be followed using official map and following the well-marked signs.