Bushwalking

With so much unique scenery and many rare animals and plants, it's not surprising that Australia is full of national parks crisscrossed with hiking trails. You're never far from a park with a bushwalk, whether it's an easy stroll or a 6-day odyssey on the Cape-to-Cape trail in Western Australia.

A good Australian bushwalking website is www.bushwalking.org.au. The best place to get information about bushwalking is the National Parks & Wildlife Service, or its equivalent in each state; sources include:

• Environmental Protection Agency (QLD Parks & Wildlife Service; tel. 1300/130 372 in Australia or 07/3227 8185; www.epa.qld.gov.au).
• NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, Cadmans Cottage, 110 George St., The Rocks, Sydney (tel. 02/9247 5033; www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks.htm.
• Parks & Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory (tel. 08/8999 4555; www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks).
• Parks Victoria (tel. 13 19 63; www.parkweb.vic.gov.au).
• South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage (tel. 08/8204 9010; www.environment.sa.gov.au).
• Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (tel. 1300/135 513 in Australia, or 03/6233 8011; www.parks.tas.gov.au).
• Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation (tel. 08/9334 0333; www.naturebase.net).

Some parks charge an entry fee, often ranging from A$6 to A$18 (US$5.40-US$16/£2.70-£8).