Six awesome bushwalks on your doorstep in the Riverina

Spring has sprung and with summer still a few months away, it’s the perfect time to dust off your hiking boots and make the most of the great outdoors.

While there are plenty of fantastic everyday walks for those looking to keep active, we thought we’d explore a few more serious options for those looking to make a day of it.

Whether you’re a hardcore hiker or just looking to get the kids off their screens for a day, there are some fantastic trails that are just a short drive away that you really should check out.

Wiradjuri Walk
If you live in Wagga and don’t want to go far, the Wiradjuri Walking Track offers myriad options for walkers of all abilities throughout the 42-kilometre loop.

If you’re up for a challenge, you can take the day and go the whole distance around the city, covering riverbanks, wetlands, hilltops, paths and rocky trails, or you can just pick the section that appeals to you and walk as far as you feel comfortable.

The trail is multiuse, with walkers and cyclists sharing the paths. It is well marked and signposted with information on key locations and important Wiradjuri sites.

Livingstone National Park
This hidden gem is just 30 km south of Wagga and not far from Mangoplah, but as soon as you arrive it feels like you’re way out in the wilds!

There’s around 2000 hectares of bushland between the National Park and the Livingstone State Conservation Area with the chance to spot plenty of wildlife including swamp wallabies, wombats and endangered birds such as turquoise parrots and hooded robins.

The loop track is multiuse and there are several options for adventurers, including the 4.3 km ‘Glider’ loop and the more challenging 5.7 km ‘Daisy’ loop. If you’ve got time on your hands, you can also combine them and complete the full 10 km.

Coolamon Urban Trail
With the canola and cherry blossoms in bloom, Coolamon offers plenty of spectacular views and there are several great walks including through the Kindra State Forest and along the Gilgai Trail that stretches over the 16 km between Coolamon and Ganmain.

But if you’re looking for a great day outdoors that includes exploring a historic village, you can’t go past the Coolamon Urban Trail.

The 8 km loop starts at the Clock Tower and takes you around the outskirts of town through the surrounding bush with the option to extend your stroll by connecting to the Kindra Forest and Gilgai Trails.

The Rock
If you’re in the mood for a bit of an uphill challenge that pays off with a spectacular view, The Rock is an awesome spot to put your calves to work.

The Yerong walking track provides a moderate challenge for those up to tackling the region’s most dramatic geological formation.

The 6 km walk takes you to the top and back again and a sturdy pair of shoes and plenty of water are recommended.

Adelong Falls Walk
The Adelong Falls Walk is a great one for families as it follows the creek from the town to the Adelong Falls Gold Mill Ruins.

There are several ways to go, including a wheelchair and pram accessible path as well as a few more challenging tracks through the hills.

The old stone ruins themselves are pretty special and it’s worth taking some time to explore and have a splash in the icy pools.

Blowering cliffs walking track
If you venture a little further towards the Snowys, the Blowering Cliffs walking track takes you to the edge of the Kosciuszko National Park near Tumut.

While the half-day hike to Blowering Falls and back is challenging at times, there are spectacular views across Blowering Dam and some beautiful forests to explore.

For the more hard-core hikers, there are several connecting tracks that will test your stamina if you want to make a full day of it.

So there you have it – a short, incomplete list of great local walks to get you started!