We will be in Australia for 3 weeks during Feb/early March. Planning on visiting Sydney, Blue Mountains, Uhuru - my fiance won't be dissuaded despite the heat & flies! - Cairns & rainforest, Undara lava tubes, GBR etc.

Usually when I'm walking/hiking abroad in the summer I wear open walking sandals.
Not being familiar with Australian wildlife I'm not sure if it would be more sensible to wear closed-in walking shoes when wandering around any of the aforementioned places?

[This is might be a daft question so put it down to a Pom who knows no better!]

Wear whatever you like and whatever is the most comfortable is more important. Thongs are very inexpensive in Australia so if you don't have a pair an investment of 2 pounds will not go astray - not a great look for formal outings though. Just remember that in the warmer climates your feet will tend to swell a little so anything that is a bit tight stay away from.

Lisa,
Keep in mind that when you are at Uluru it will be very dusty and dirty so proper shoes would be an advantage.
There is also the thought that you might well be bitten by an ant or other unwelcome creepy crawly if your feet are not covered.
It certainly would not matter at any of the coastal areas if you just wore sandals.

Unless you are planning to really get off the beaten track, you should be mostly OK with "open walking sandals". All the places you mention have graded walking paths, not too difficult or overgrown. Except for the odd ant, most things that could bite you...in the rare instance that you should encounter such a thing....will be easily seen and avoided. The walk around Uluru is very level and open. However the climb is VERY steep (with chains), so you must be sure your shoes will not slip off and will grip rock well. The superb Valley of the Winds walk (Olgas, near Uluru) is fairly rocky and a bit steep in places. Walking around Undarra is mostly level, but you do have to walk over areas of lava flow...quite sharp rocks as I recall. There are also various rock outcroppings that require a bit of a climb. Many Blue Mts trails are graded, though they can be steep with switchbacks. So to be safe, I'd bring some closed walking shoes as well. Hiking boots would be overkill.

Thanks folks that was really useful.

3 1/2 weeks to go - can't wait!

Hi Lisa,

May I suggest that you bring a good comfortable pair of walking shoes for out here at Ayres Rock. One of the things we have out here are three corner jacks which are big nasty prickles. You soon know if you get one in your foot by crikey they hurt.

There are other ground prickles that seem to be attracted to socks out here so best to wear enclosed shoes.

You may be lucky with the heat as we are experiencing a pretty mild summer this year, in fact this morning it was only 18 degress celcius when I went to work. We are scheduled to get up to 41 degrees C today so it will be a hit and miss kind of thing when you are here.

The flies have been attrocious the last 2 weeks so as long as you come prepared with fly nets and wide brimmed hats you will be okay.

Cheers

Paul_S

Ditto Paul's response about wearing enclosed shoes at Uluru.

I became well acquainted with something called "spinifex." It's a needle like grass that grows in clumps. I had the misfortune of falling in it not once - but twice during a hike at Kings Canyon.

It's needle sharp and has tiny barb like structures that make removing it very painful. Once you do get it out, the stinging pain stays with you for several days.

When in Sydney just purchase a pair of ankle high trainers. They are cheap enough. They will be all you require.I had hiking boots but trainers would have sufficed. I was 4 months around Oz.
Never had problem with flies or bugs Cairns and Kuranda way. Outback was quite the thing regarding flies. A hat with bug mesh is a must if travelling Ayers rock or outback in my opinion.Get one before you visit in any discount shop.

Just a thought, if you don't want to stand out in a crowd then don't wear socks with your open sandles.

Oh yes Liz that always makes me smile, quite a look that.