Explore the Great Southern region in all of its glory
The Great Southern region should be on every hiker's bucket list. This corner of Western Australia is home to the Stirling Ranges and the Porongurup, with over 1,000 species of rare wildflowers exclusive to the area. The state's highest peaks are here too, offering challenging trails and jaw-dropping views that will stay with you long after the drive home. For the parks these trails run through, our guide to the national parks of the Great Southern region is a good companion read.
10 hiking trails worth attempting in the Great Southern region
These ten trails are highly recommended by the team here at Cornwall House Accommodation, and they are all sure to make your trip a memorable one.
1. Bluff Knoll, Stirling Range National Park
First on our list is Bluff Knoll, the third highest peak in Western Australia. It is a five hour drive from Perth and about an hour from Albany.
This steep trail runs 6km and takes one to three hours to complete. After scaling the mountainside and reaching the summit, you will find rocky outcrops where you can sit and take in the spectacular 360-degree view. The trail is quite challenging, so make sure your fitness level is up for it. Do not forget to bring cold and wet gear, as the weather can be unpredictable with sudden rain and icy mist.
2. Bald Head Walk Trail, Torndirrup National Park
The Bald Head Walk Trail offers the most picturesque scenery of all the trails listed here. It is a 12km trail that can take up to seven hours to complete. Once you reach Flinders Peninsula, you will be treated to spectacular views of granite cliffs and the blue waters of the Southern Ocean and King George Sound.
Located 20 minutes from Albany and five hours from Perth, the Bald Head Walk can be challenging with steep and rocky sections. A good level of fitness is a must to tackle this trail. Bring plenty of food, water, and a reliable outdoor camera to capture the sights.
3. Nancy's Peak, Porongurup National Park
Nancy's Peak is a 5.5km loop that will test your hiking skills. One of the top trails in the Porongurup National Park, Nancy's Peak takes you through a lush karri forest set between giant boulders. If you can navigate the slippery granite outcrops, the payoff makes the effort worthwhile: beautiful views of the Stirling Ranges and Devil's Slide from the summit.
While you are at the park, check out the Granite Skywalk at Castle Rock. This suspended walkway gives you a climber's perspective of the surrounding views.
4. Point Possession Heritage Trail, Albany
The Point Possession Heritage Trail is a 5km hike rich in scenery. After following a narrow trail between Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound, you will emerge to a magnificent coastal view.
The trail takes you to the secluded Brambles Beach and Barker Beach. With its powder white sand and bright turquoise water, Barker Beach lets you enjoy a sweet paradise all to yourself.
5. Mt Lindesay Trail, Denmark
The 10km Mount Lindesay Trail is an excellent hike for those with intermediate skills. You will start with a gentle climb through jarrah forest and heathland, which puts on a rainbow of flowers in spring. As the trail picks up the pace, you will explore rocky sections and climb sheer granite slopes.
Welcoming you at the summit are orange-tinged granite rocks, where you can set up your camera for a panoramic view of the Walpole Wilderness Area and the Stirling and Porongurup ranges.
6. Bibbulmun Track, Walpole to Peaceful Bay
No list would be complete without the 1000km Bibbulmun Track, which attracts local and foreign trekkers alike.
The beauty of the Bibbulmun Track is that it offers so many options. Most walkers explore the trail on day walks, but there are also spots where you can head to a campsite or try a remote wilderness experience.
The 61km section from Walpole to Peaceful Bay can be completed in three to four days, taking trekkers through the Valley of the Giants and the spectacular coastline of Denmark. In 2015, the Bibbulmun Track registered 300,000 user days, with walkers spending $13 million on food and accommodation along the way.
7. Peak Head Track, Torndirrup National Park
Peak Head Track is a 5km loop that follows a sandy trail winding through native bushland and imposing granite boulders. All that effort is rewarded with stunning vistas of the Southern Ocean. The return walk takes around 2.5 hours and requires some climbing up granite walls and over granite rocks.
8. Cape to Cape Track, Margaret River
Another bucket list hike in Western Australia is the Cape to Cape Track in Margaret River. The trail runs for 123km along the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, passing the lighthouses of Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste.
You have plenty of options once you reach the track. Beginners can stroll for a few hours along the path to Meekadarabee Falls. For advanced walkers, you can complete the entire eight day trek along clifftops and loops through inland karri forests.
9. Piccaninny Creek, Bungle Bungles
Piccaninny Creek is a secluded trail that you will love if you are out there for some alone time. But there is a reason tourists avoid it: the trail is rocky and unmarked. The 7km boulder hop is easy to spot, but you will still need to navigate around dry river beds. Bring a compass and lots of water. The best time to visit Piccaninny Creek is springtime; if you are hiking between December and April, expect occasional flash floods.
10. Stirling Ridge Walk, Stirling Ranges
To the east of Bluff Knoll is Ellen Peak. This is your gateway to the Stirling Ridge Walk, one of the most popular multi-day hikes in Western Australia.
The Stirling Ridge Walk is another out-of-the-way trail, and you know the price for untouched paradise: rough tracks, no facilities, and three days of challenging hiking. Drop by the Stirling Range Retreat to sort out your itinerary and logistics.
If you are after something gentler close to town before you tackle the big peaks, our guide to beginner-friendly hikes near Kojonup covers the flat, well-marked walks in the district.
Rest and recharge for your next trail at Cornwall House
Cornwall House Accommodation sits at 72 Albany Highway in the heart of Kojonup, an easy drive north of the Stirling and Porongurup ranges. Our 12 air-conditioned rooms (queen, twin and family configurations) each have an ensuite, free WiFi, tea and coffee making facilities, a microwave and a refrigerator, with free onsite parking and a shared camp kitchen for guests. Contactless check-in from 2pm means a long day on the trail never leaves you locked out.
See our accommodation page for room details and what is included, then book ahead so a bed is waiting when you come down off the ridge.
Check availability and book Call us (08) 9831 0214
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hike in the Great Southern?
Bluff Knoll in Stirling Range National Park, the third highest peak in Western Australia, is the region's signature climb: a steep 6-kilometre trail rewarded with a 360-degree summit view. It sits about an hour from Albany and five hours from Perth.
Which trails suit beginners?
The 5-kilometre Point Possession Heritage Trail near Albany, and the gentle day-walk sections of the Bibbulmun Track and the Cape to Cape Track, are scenic and manageable. For flat local walks, see our guide to beginner-friendly hikes near Kojonup.
When is the best time to hike the Great Southern?
Spring, September to November, when the ranges carry over 1,000 species of wildflowers and the weather is mild. Pack cold and wet gear for exposed peaks like Bluff Knoll, where mist and rain can arrive suddenly at any time of year.
How far is the Great Southern from Kojonup?
Kojonup sits on the Albany Highway in the heart of the region, roughly an hour and a half north of Albany and the Stirling and Porongurup ranges, which makes the township a practical base for a hiking trip.
Where should I stay for a Great Southern hiking trip?
Cornwall House Accommodation is on the Albany Highway in Kojonup, an easy drive from the Stirling and Porongurup ranges, with air-conditioned rooms, free onsite parking and contactless check-in from 2pm for late returns off the trail.
