Kid Friendly Hikes
Kid Friendly Hikes
Starting kids on the trail early can spark a curiosity that sticks with them for life. It certainly did for us, and now that we’re grown up, we love encouraging families to get their kids out on the trails. These hikes are tried and tested with young hikers and each one is loved for its own special reason. When you take kids on a hike, the aim isn’t distance or difficulty, but creating positive experiences that foster a genuine love of nature.
Borenore Caves
New South Wales has some wonderful karst reserves. Places like Jenolan, Abercrombie, and Wombeyan are well-known and loved. But if your little ones aren’t able to hold still for a guided tour, consider a trip to Borenore Caves just 15 minutes outside of Orange.
While there are many caves at Borenore Karst Reserve that are better suited to experienced cavers, Arch Cave is kid-friendly and only a hundred metres walk from the car park. Bring a torch — kids love exploring the tunnel through the mountain with its stalactites and stalagmites.
There’s an additional short bushwalk loop between the car park and Arch Cave if you want the kids to experience a slightly longer adventure. There’s also a beautiful grassy picnic area that makes a great place for lunch. You can check out our last visit to Borenore Caves here.
Place of Winds
This short, beautiful section of the Great North Walk takes you through estuary wetlands on the banks of Berowra Creek. Boardwalks and bridges carry you over the water and through the trees, giving kids a front-row view of the tidal wetlands and all the life that comes with them.
High tide is a great time to visit because the wetlands really look their best. It does, however, mean getting wet feet as the ends of the boardwalks will be flooded.
There’s a large park area nearby with small wooden platforms to look over Berowra Creek. It’s not recommended to swim in Berowra Creek, but pull up a seat under a shady tree and enjoy an afternoon by the water. You can check out our last visit to Place of Winds here.
Mermaids Cave
This is a great hike to give kids that secluded, in-the-middle-of-the-bush kind of feeling — all the while being only a few hundred metres from the car. Like a lot of “caves” in the Blue Mountains, it’s really just a large sandstone overhang.
If you visit soon after a decent amount of rain, you might see water cascading over the wall — but most days it’s barely a trickle, if anything at all. It’s a great place to let kids run around and explore at their own pace — just be mindful that the road isn’t too far away.
Afterwards, why not head further into the Megalong Valley to explore Coachwood Glen, or stop in at the Megalong Valley Tea Rooms (trust us — their scones are amazing). You can check out our last visit to Mermaids Cave here.
The Drip
This one makes for a great spot to get out of the car and stretch your legs on a road trip through the Central West. The track has been upgraded in recent times, and we can tell you first-hand that it’s a beautiful walk.
The trail is wide and easy to follow — it’s mostly flat with only a few short staircases. There’s a couple of great spots to sit down on the sandy banks of the creek in the shade. There’s also a great picnic area at the trailhead.
The water at The Drip isn’t really deep enough to swim in, but it does make for a great place to cool off. There’s plenty of rocks to climb over and jump off — and just generally burn up energy before getting back in the car. You can check out our last visit to The Drip here.
Coxs Cave
This adventurous hike through picturesque temperate rainforest is made even more memorable by the long ladder climb to reach Coxs Cave. Kids may need help on the ladder, but even climbing partway up and back down again can be an exciting experience for them.
If you go all the way up to the cave, you’ll likely have it all to yourself as this isn’t an overly popular track. Just be aware that there is an exposed edge at one side of the opening, and care should be taken here.
If you choose to complete the circuit you also get a great view of the Kanimbla Valley, and wander past a small cascade. The track can be difficult to follow in places, so be sure to have an offline map of the area if you’re not confident. You can check out our last visit to Coxs Cave here.
Glow Worm Tunnel
No list of kid-friendly hikes in NSW would be complete without a mention of the Glow Worm Tunnel off the Newnes Plateau. This hike has been loved by many for a long time and to experience it is to know just why that is.
A well-marked, easy-to-follow track guides you through the bush to an old railway tunnel hidden behind ferns and wattle bushes — but inside is where the real magic lies. Thousands of glow worms cover the walls and ceiling, their pale blue lights creating living constellations around you.
What used to be a rough track — stumbling over rocks and holes in the dark — has now been upgraded to a new walking platform the whole way through the tunnel — as well as seats and picnic tables (outside the tunnel of course). You can check out our last visit to the Glow Worm Tunnel here.
Tips and Tricks
Get kids involved in preparing for the hike. Have them pack their snacks and drink bottles, and give them their own small backpack to carry.
Having an offline map is helpful if you’re hiking somewhere new, but it’s also a great way to show kids how far they’ve walked — and how far there is to go when the inevitable “How much longer?” questions start.
Let kids set the pace. Slowing down and exploring with curiosity can be just as rewarding for grown-ups as it is for young hikers.
If you’re looking for more tips on hiking with kids, we’ve written down some of our favourites in our Trail Tips and Tricks: