Reviewed by Norrie Sanders
Australia is famously girt by sea, and a beautifully presented hardback on our 40 coastal tracks from across the nation has to be welcomed. The walks have previously featured in Great Walks magazine and, according to Brent McKean, this book is a little different because you really get to understand what the writer experienced and why you should put that walk on your to-do list [p2].
Because they are reliant on previous publication, it doesn’t claim to have the best walks, but the assemblage is certainly diverse and many of Australia’s best known coastal walks are there. There are day walks, multi-day and combinations of walks, including a few commercial tours. Every state is represented, but the territories miss out.
Each walk is given 4-6 pages, with generous photographs, a sketch map, succinct text and a summary including distance and difficulty. These are not meant to provide track notes or trail planning, but they do offer a taster of what a walker (new to the trail) might expect.
Because the walk selection is limited, there are some notable omissions. NSW and Victoria combined make up half the walks, which means that the other states have only a handful each. This is not helped when some locations get double entries – the Sunshine Coast, Victor Harbour/Cape Jervis and Wilson’s Promontory. Moreton Island and the Whitsundays are included as collections of walks, but other islands with better known walks – Fraser, Lord Howe, Flinders, Stradbroke and Kangaroo – missed out.
A handsome book that is a pleasure to browse. As an introduction to some striking locations, it may embellish many coffee tables and bookshelves.
Journalist Brent McKean is editor of Great Walks Australia magazine. Based on NSW’s South Coast he specialises in hiking, camping and other outdoor activities and has a passion for exploring Australia’s diverse landscapes. Brent loves to share his experiences and knowledge with readers, providing them with valuable information and inspiration for their own outdoor adventures. He is married with two children.
by Brent McKean
(March 2025)
Gelding Street Press
ISBN: 9781922662149
$39.99 (Hardback); 256pp