Skip to Content

The Australian Walking Track Grading System

Australia has some fantastic walking tracks all around the country.  Whether you’re tempted by a coastal hike, a day in the rainforest or an outback adventure, they all offer something unique.  We regularly recommend trying out various walks and immersing yourself in all the natural beauty that Australia has to offer.  It doesn’t matter whether you call Australia home or if you’re visiting for a week or two this is one of the best ways to experience the country.

Australian walking track grading system

Hiking tracks in Australia are generally well maintained, there’s good information available and they come in a wide variety of distances and difficulties to suit all walkers.  They range from 500-metre paths to multi-day trails and even the staggering 5,330-kilometre Bicentennial National Trail crossing four states and territories, the longest multi-use trail in the world.

To make selecting your walk easier and to ensure it’s within the abilities of all members of your party there’s a consistent rating system now used across Australia.  The system is voluntary but has been widely adopted for use within National Parks and many other tracks.  Known as the Australian Walking Track Grading System it gives a solid guide to the difficulty of the track.

Here’s what that grade means when you are planning your trip.

Australian Walking Track Grading System

Grade 1 – Suitable for the disabled with assistance

The trail will be under 5 kilometres and doesn’t require any bushwalking experience.  The track will be flat and even with no stairs or overly steep sections.  To be rated a grade 1 the track should be suitable for people in wheelchairs (with assistance) and childrens’ strollers.

Grade 2 – Suitable for families with young children

A grade 2 track will be under 10 kilometres and like the grade 1 tracks, it doesn’t require any prior bushwalking experience.  These are great tracks to get started on.  The track will have a hardened or compacted path and may include some gentle slopes and occasional steps.

Grade 3 – Recommended for people with some bush walking experience

These tracks may be up to 20km long but you’ll find many under 5km.  They are suitable for most ages and fitness levels but it’s suggested that you have some bushwalking experience.  The tracks are well-formed and marked but may have short steep hill sections, steps and uneven ground.  In parts there may be obstacles you need to go over or under.

Grade 4 – Recommended for experienced bush walkers

A grade 4 track is likely to be longer and includes rough ground and very steep sections.  These tracks are suggested for people with experience bushwalking.  They may be any length and directional signs and markers are likely to be more limited.  A reasonable level of fitness and unrestricted movement will be required.

Grade 5 – Recommended for very experienced bush walkers

These tracks are only for very experienced bushwalkers with specialised skills and equipment including navigation, emergency first aid and climbing.  The tracks are likely to be less defined, rough, steep and have very few directional signs or track markers.

Australian walking track grading system
Australian Walking track grading system

Safety First

For the sake of the environment and your own safety walkers should stay on the marked tracks.  It’s a huge country, the forest is very dense and it’s easy to become lost if you wander off the trail.  One of Australia’s biggest attractions in my eyes is that it’s home to so much beautiful and unique wildlife but along with the cute, feathered and fluffy we’re home to 20 of the 25 most venomous snakes in the world.  Then there’s the toxic insects and spiders, and various other wild animals that although generally harmless to humans will defend themselves if they feel threatened.

While some of that might sound a bit intimidating being informed is the best precaution and there really is no reason to be afraid.  Keep it in perspective.  On average 1-2 people die each year in Australia from snake bites but 30,000 people die from gunshot wounds in the USA each year.  I’m way more scared of people with guns than I am of snakes.

As part of your preparation make sure you are properly equipped and dressed for the hike you are doing.  A large part of Australia is very hot so make sure you carry adequate water, you’re body needs it even more while you’re exercising.  Comfortable footwear that supports the ankles is essential and thick socks.  Conventional wisdom is to always hike in long pants, this will give some level of protection from scratches, stings, ticks, leeches and yes, snake bites.  Unfortunately, I think I would pass out from the heat in the Queensland summer in long trousers, even lightweight hiking pants so I do wear shorts like many others.  Having said that we haven’t hiked grade 5 tracks at this stage.

Possibly the most important precaution is with insect repellent, not only can mosquitos make your hike quite unpleasant they’re also quite a risk in most parts of the world.  With a friend currently suffering the effects of a mosquito-born illness, from a bite obtained in a suburban area, I’m even more liberal with my application.  While I understand the possible risks of DEET and hate having it around my camera and binoculars, it’s the only thing that keeps the mosquitos and midges from coveting me during the rainy season.

Finally, as a precaution if you’re tackling a more remote or higher graded track it’s a good idea to let someone know where you’re going and when you’re expected back.  If you’re on holiday you can always leave details at your accommodation.

Now lets get out there

Having picked your location and having the information to choose the best walk for your experience and fitness level it’s time to get out there and experience some of this beautiful country.  To get you started here are a couple of grade 3 walks easily accessible from the Gold Coast in Queensland that is well worth a try.

  1. The Natural Bridge in the Springbrook National Park
  2. Twin Falls Circuit in the Springbrook National Park
  3. Witches Falls Circuit on Tamborine Mountain

We hope you enjoy exploring the best of Australia.  If you’ve tried some of the National Park walks we’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Laura

Thursday 15th of September 2016

I wish I had this guide when I was traveling Australia a few years ago - there are so many amazing trails and beautiful sights to see!

Ryan | Blogging From Paradise

Wednesday 14th of September 2016

Hi Toni,

The snake bites in Oz versus gun deaths in the US is a brilliant comparison.

We spent 6 weeks in a remote Costa Rican jungle late last year. Fer de lanzes, eyelash vipers and other potentially dangerous snakes littered the place. But I felt safer there versus walking through my home town at night. Because the snakes don't have a grudge, nor access to firearms ;) Just protecting themselves while gun toting folks usually have some nasty motivators to pulling the trigger.

Thanks for the cool read!

Ryan

2 Aussie Travellers

Wednesday 14th of September 2016

Thanks Ryan, Costa Rica must have been fabulous!

Shannon - SoleSeeking

Tuesday 13th of September 2016

Very useful post and great idea to have this system!

Megan Jerrard

Monday 12th of September 2016

I've learned something new today! I honestly had no idea about the walking track grading system, even though we've been hiking around Aus since I was born!! Thanks Toni!

2 Aussie Travellers

Wednesday 14th of September 2016

You're young, fit and familiar with the landscape and risks so it's much less of an issue but I do still find it useful especially as the length of the track and difficulty rating aren't always correlated.

Natalie Deduck

Monday 12th of September 2016

Great tips! Especially the types (grades) of the hikes and safety issues... Trekking and hiking are such an amazing way to discover the country, and Australia is so rich in fauna and flora. I'm not sure if I would have courage enough to go on the trails by myself, but I totally do a guided walking on a grade 3 trail. Cheers, Nat

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.