I need a little push to get out at the moment so I am reviving my 12 hike challenge. The idea is to do one hike per month, each of them different according to a theme. I thoroughly enjoyed it last time I did it many years ago so why not start it up again?

Here are my thoughts on themes, in no particular order:

JANUARY HIKE COMPLETE! A hike to a view – I’d like to visit amount Wondabyne once again but this time with the kids along LINK: CLIMBING MT WONDABYNE

A volcanic landscape hike – Grand High Tops and Breadknife in NSW has alway interested me so this is a must do this year.

Explore some ruins – possibly the Newnes Industrial Ruins walk in NSW.

A coastal hike – I can do another section of the Great South West Walk.

Visit a waterfall – not sure but maybe helensburough area

An overnight hike – I’ll keep my options open here

A multi night walk – possibly the snowy alpine walk

An aboriginal history walk – I’ll need to research somewhere as I have seen many places locally.

A forest walk – a bit generic but maybe a trip to the blue mountains or Kangaroo Valley would fit the bill?

A river or lake hike – I see lot of possibilities but perhaps an urban hike might work, such as a loop around parramatta lakes?

Hike to or through a cave – perhaps a return to Wombeyan Caves to do one of the caves that I have not yet seen?

A military history hike – walk to some old forts – there are many ruins along the coast. I think I’d like to visit the one in Kuringai Chase National Park.

A long walk – over 20km. I’m thinking Shellharbour or perhaps the blue mountains.

Backup theme – Mount Fuji! Aspirational, but I really need to do this! Japan is awesome.

So there we have it. My plan for 2026. I’ve kept it flexible but varied. Hopefully I’ll get some nice little adventures out of it! Let me know if you decide to do something similar!