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8 Best Coastal Walks

Originally published 24 March 2010

Some of the most exhilarating walks take place along stretches of the world's coastline. This list includes some of our favourite coastal walks that are just waiting to be explored.

Stewart Island is the most recent addition to New Zealand’s list of national parks.

Audley's Top 8 Coastal Walks

1 The Great Ocean Walk, Australia

Stretching 104 kilometres along Victoria’s spectacular west coast, The Great Ocean Walk offers some of the most remarkable scenery, along with a huge variety of bird and animal species, including kangaroos, koalas, king parrots and yellow-tailed black cockatoos to name just a few.

2 Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand

Probably best known for its incredible coastal track, Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand's smallest (and arguably most beautiful) area of protected wilderness. You can walk the Abel Tasman Track in full, choose a shorter section, or paddle the calm waters in a sea kayak.

3 Masoala National Park, Madagascar

Madagascar's largest and least-visited protected area, Masoala National Park offers travellers a unique natural landscape to explore. Walk the forested coastline, where untouched jungle grows down to the water's edge, and keep an eye out for the elusive tomato frog.

4 Coffee Bay, South Africa

Coffee Bay is a small settlement on South Africa's wild east coast. The surrounding hills and clifftop trails offer superb coastal walks and dramatic scenery. A steady half-day hike will bring you to The Hole In The Wall - a natural rock formation caused by centuries of wave erosion.

5 Fundy National Park, Canada

The best way to explore this beautiful stretch of coastline is to embark on a four hour guided hike from the Big Salmon River Suspension Bridge. Your informative guide will tell you about the flora, fauna, history and culture of the magnificent Bay of Fundy.

6 Hermanus, South Africa

Hermanus, a small fishing town on the Western Cape of South Africa, boasts some of the best shore-based whale watching in the world. Explore the neighbouring village of Betty's Bay before visiting False Bay to spot southern right whales and their calves resting in the calm waters.

7 The Skeleton Coast, Namibia

Take in the stunning, rugged scenery of Namibia's Skeleton Coast on a unique fly-in safari, which includes a breathtaking hike past mountainous sand dunes to view the native Cape fur seal colonies. These are often described as some of the best safaris in Africa.

8 Pico Bonito National Park, Honduras

Follow the Rio Zacate Trail, which descends into lush rainforest and leads up to high plateaus which offer breathtaking views of the Caribbean coast. Keep a look out for toucans and howler monkeys and don't miss the beautiful Zacate waterfall at the end of the trail.

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