The best free bushwalks around Australia to try this Easter break

If you're looking for a cheap, fun outing this Easter break, why not go for a bushwalk?

It's a great way to get into nature and experience some of the natural beauty on our doorsteps.

Lucky for you, ABC reporters have written guides to some of the best bushwalks around the country.

If you'd like to skip ahead to find a walk near you, hit one of the links below.

• Sydney and the Blue Mountains
• Melbourne and surrounds
• Queensland
• Western Australia
• Darwin
• Launceston
• Mount Gambier
• Canberra

Sydney and the Blue Mountains

If you live in Sydney, you're spoiled for choice when it comes to beautiful coastal walks. 

If you're looking to try something a bit different, you could try the walk to Eagle Rock from Wattamolla.

Evi O, who recently co-authored a book of Sydney nature adventures, says you can see "waterfalls just streaming into the ocean" from the track.

Other suggestions include the track from Taronga to Balmoral, the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail, Bidjigal Reserve and the Clover Hill trail.

Just outside of Sydney is the Blue Mountains, another great spot for a hike in nature.

Former Aboriginal tour guide Kathleen Brown recommends the Six Foot track, the Leura Cascades walk and The Round Walking Track, which takes you past the Three Sisters and Katoomba Falls.

Melbourne and surrounds

Whether you're looking for a riverside family stroll or a day trip, there are plenty of nature walks in and around Melbourne.

Journalist Meg Watson has four recommendations:

• The Yarra Trail
• The bayside walk from Williamstown to Altona
• Serendip Sanctuary
• Kurth Kiln

The best walks in Queensland

There's so many beautiful walking spots in Queensland's south-east.

If you live in Brisbane, ABC Everyday's Yasmin Jeffery has seven excellent walks to recommend, covering everything from wetlands to mountain circuits. 

One special highlight is the four-kilometre Twin Falls Circuit at Springbrook National Park, which takes in rainforests, caves and waterfalls.

Moving to central Queensland, there are the magnificent sandstone cliffs of Carnarvon Gorge and Yeppoon's scenic coastal peaks.

Avid hiker Michael Pugh, who shared six of his favourite walks in the area, says there's something on offer for everyone.

The best walks and trails in Western Australia

Robbi Flynn loves to get into nature around Perth with her poodle Meep.

She shared five of the city's best wheelchair-accessible trails, including the track at Kuljak Island, a prime location for spotting black swans and other water birds.

In WA's South-West, there are undulating coastal walks, trails that wind through forests filled with native wildlife, and spectacular mountain climbs.

Here are the top suggestions from two experienced hikers who run a guided trekking company.

Walks in and around Darwin

Darwin is home to a number of picturesque walks, including Nightcliff Foreshore, East Point Reserve, Bicentennial Park, and George Brown Botanic Gardens.

For something a bit different why not check out one of these lesser-known trails recommend by Darwin locals.

Karunika Pemarathne's favourite spot for a walk is the Casuarina Coastal Reserve at Lee Point, about 16 kilometres north-east of Darwin.

It's full of mangroves, Casuarina trees, eucalypts and bird life.

The best walks in Launceston

Whether you're an experienced hiker or looking for a place to take the kids, there's plenty of tracks to explore around Launceston.

John Ralph, a local bushwalking expert and personal trainer, shared five of his favourites, including Cradle Mountain and the stunning Cataract Gorge trail.

The gorge is also home to the world's longest single-span chairlift, which can give you a birds-eye view of the surrounding area.

For a dog-friendly option, John recommends the boardwalk around the River Tamar.

Stunning walks near Mount Gambier

Located halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide, Mount Gambier is home to volcanic lakes, bird-filled forests and mountain trails.

Here are five walks to explore in the area, including the trail to the iconic Blue Lake (WarWar), which occupies an ancient volcanic crater.

ABC reporter Bec Whetham says the adjoining crater lakes are equally breathtaking. 

At little-known Leg of Mutton Lake, there is a shaded loop walk and a stunning sunken garden for walkers to enjoy a picnic.

Mountain walks in and around Canberra

If you live near Canberra, there are uphill walks on offer suiting both beginners and experienced hikers.

From Mt Ainslie, in Canberra's city centre, walkers can look down Anzac Parade to Parliament House and beyond.

For a more challenging outing, you can walk the track at Black Mountain Reserve. It's a great way to see the local wildlife — there are over 100 species of birds and 500 plants found in the park.

Hikers are also rewarded with stunning views over Belconnen and the city.