1. Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory

223km/12–18 days

If you think Australia’s Red Centre is a barren desert, think again. Stretching between Alice Springs and Mt Sonder, the Larapinta winds alongside and over the top of the West MacDonnell Ranges. From one hour to the next you could be scrambling up orange rocky mountains offering panoramic views, following dry creek beds dotted with gnarled red gums, resting next to water holes or delving between the cool walls of countless red rock gorges. It may be the rough route, the lack of people or just the land itself, but there’s a real energy in Australia’s central heart. larapintatrail.com.au

2. Fraser Island Great Walk, Queensland

90km/6 days

The world’s largest sand island is surprisingly diverse. Yes, it’s made entirely of sand, but apart from having pristine beaches it also sustains moss-filled rainforest, pockets of towering piccabeen palms, crystal clear streams and an abundance of lakes. Lake McKenzie is a stunner, lined with soft white silica sand and water so blue it could be a Tahitian lagoon. A few vast sandblows – encroaching sands that swallow forests whole – offer surreal views. There are dingoes but you’d be lucky to see one. Just keep food stored in the metal bins provided at every camp. parks.des.qld.gov.au

3. Overland Track, Tasmania

65km/6 days (plus side trips)

Almost 20 per cent of Tassie is World Heritage wilderness, and the state’s most iconic track takes a rugged route right through it, from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. Aussies often think Tassie is like a little piece of New Zealand, and certainly you’ll be tramping past craggy dolerite mountains, waterfalls, alpine tarns, mossy beech forests and buttongrass plains. What you might not be used to, however, are the pademelons, wombats, echidnas and, if you’re lucky, maybe even a Tasmanian devil. Camp or stay in huts. parks.tas.gov.au

4. Bibbulmun Track, Western Australia

1000km/40–60 days

If you want a long-distance trail, few could be nicer than the Bibb. Three-sided shelters, toilets and water tanks are spaced roughly a day apart and the terrain is not too challenging. The track starts at Perth and goes down to Albany on the south coast. It shifts through the Perth Hills granite mounds to towering cool forests of karri and marri, and along stunning coastline (WA has some of the best beaches in Oz). It’s a diverse region with rare giant tingle trees and an array of weird and wonderful orchids. In spring you’ll be drowning in wildflowers. bibbulmuntrack.org.au

5. Jatbula Trail, Northern Territory

62km/5 days

The trail follows the Songlines (ancient routes) of the Jawoyn people along the Arnhem Land escarpment. It goes across sandstone plateaux, through savannah woodland scattered with termite mounds, and past abundant rock art. One of the trail’s biggest draws is its beautiful campsites. The far north of Australia gets hot – even in winter you’ll be walking early – but every afternoon you’ll be lolling in pounding waterfalls that spill over red rock and pristine water holes fringed with lilies and palms. nt.gov.au

6. Great Ocean Walk, Victoria

104km/6–8 days

This walk is one of Victoria’s tourism icons; it offers a backstage pass without the crowds. It wanders past Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles (those famous ocean-bound rock stacks), along clifftop paths, through coastal forest and along remote beaches dotted with rock pools and the odd rusted shipwreck anchor. Kangaroos and wallabies are common. There are campsites, but also local operators who will meet you at the end of each day and whisk you to cosy lodgings. If you do camp, don’t be alarmed if you hear a bloodcurdling growl/screech in the night – it’ll just be one of the many koalas. greatoceanwalk.com.au

Laura Waters chronicled her journey of walking Te Araroa Trail in her book Bewildered. Subscribers get a 10% discount.