Exploration
14 Victorian day hikes that are simply too epic to be ignored
The big smoke makes it easy to forget how much great Aussie nature is on our collective doorstep. Here are some of Victoria’s best wild bits.
Melbournians are an intrepid bunch. Head into the Dandenong Ranges on any given Sunday and you’ll find them trekking leafy trails in body-fit gear with the super-human energy that only smashed avocado and double-shot latte can provide.
When it comes to Victorian day hikes within easy driving distance of the suburbs, we’re pretty spoilt for choice. You can set off in most directions and find something to hike. Here are some of the best short(ish) walks in the state.
Quick disclaimer: this might be a #fun piece of #content, but please take every care when embarking on a hike of any length, anywhere in Victoria. Check the weather forecast, pack and prepare appropriately, and let people know where you’re going, and your planned route, before you head out.
And if you plan on tackling any of the below hikes, trailhiking.com.au is one of Australia’s best hiking resources, complete with detailed track information, maps and tips/tricks for each individual trail.
1. Cape Woolamai Walk
As far as Phillips’ go, Phillip Island is a handsome devil. But you knew that already. Probably best-known for its penguins, the shearwater rookery, and the Moto GP, Phillip Island is in fact home to a very swell (that’s a pun – we’ll get to it in a minute) cape. Cape Woolamai isn’t just home to a great surf beach (told you) either, it’s home to three very excellent walking tracks that’ll see your mind blown to metaphorical smithereens by its unrelenting beauty.
The full Cape Woolamai circuit is a 9.2 kilometre loop, and it’ll take around 3-4 hours. You’ll get to walk among pink granite cliffs, exceptional swimming spots, and loads and loads of sea birds. You’ll probably see some swamp wallabies too. Start and end this one a Cape Woolamai Surf Life Saving club, and we’ll see you in a few hours.
Distance: 8.5 kilometres
Walk: 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
2. The You Yangs loop/Flinders Peak Track
The You Yangs are Melbourne’s forgotten mountains. Even dyed-in-the-wool locals, when told you just conquered Flinders Peak, will probably say, “…huh?” Drive west from the CBD, over the West Gate on the road to Geelong, and about halfway there you’ll notice twin peaks on your right – these are the You Yangs.
The Flinders Peak track takes you to the range’s highest point. It’s a one-hour round trip from the Turntable Carpark, a pretty steep climb through dry scrub and weirdly alien bushland. For a longer walk that circumvents Flinders Peak, start out on the Flinders Peak Summit Track, then branch right onto the East-West Track. You’ll wind up doing a loop that takes in fascinating geological formations, some incredible views, and some massive rocks.
These aren’t the shady glens of the Dandenongs, the trees here are more like something out of Mordor in Lord of the Rings. Good views from the top of Flinders Peak though – you can see all the way to the bay.
Distance: 7.1 kilometres
Walk: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Medium
3. Burrowa-Pine Mountain and Rocky Knob Track
Keep your lol’s to yourself, children, this is an adults-only hike. It’s a 10 kilometre slog with more ups and downs than an episode of Love Island. That said, it’s worth every strenuous step, with some mind-boggling views of the Murray River valleys and more wildflowers, climbing vines, purple pea flowers, nodding greenhoods than you’ll know what to bloody do with. Not to mention the 180 different bird species that have been identified in the area.
The goal? Conquering Burrowa-Pine Mountain! So get out there, scale Burrowa-Pine Mountain, and stop whinging about how few mountains you’ve scaled this year! But please make sure you give yourself enough time – this is a long day hike, and one that needs to be planned properly and treated with respect.
Distance: 10 kilometres
Walk: 5-7 hours
Difficulty: Hard
4. Keppel Lookout Trail
Two words: Cathedral Ranges. Two more words: Steavenson Falls. Another word: spectacular. Another two words: stringybark forest. Three words: challenging and steep. Some more words: as far as day hikes go, this is a very very good one. A satisfying 11 kilometre loop will see you climb up through stunning forest, take in the views of not one, not two, not three, but FOUR of Marysville’s best lookouts, and tackle a very steep (though well-formed) track.
This isn’t the kind of trail where you go, “Yeah, just popping out for a stroll, back in a bit.” It’s the kind of trail where you go “This is going to be a bit of a mission, so I better make sure I wear some sensible footwear, pack heaps of food and water, and take it relatively seriously.” Anyway. Go forth and hike you sure-footed swine!
Distance: 11 kilometre loop
Walk: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Hard/steep
5. Werribee Gorge State Park Circuit
When Melburnians think of unspoiled wilderness, it’s fair to say Werribee (the suburb with the city’s biggest sewerage catchment) doesn’t leap to mind. Which is why the Werribee Gorge comes as such a surprise.
It’s a little slice of rugged beauty among the flat fields and suburban blandness of Melbourne’s far west, and the State Park Circuit track is probably the best way to see it. It’s an 8.5 kilometre trail with some steep climbs and great river views. Start at the Quarry and head anti-clockwise around the Gorge rim, it’ll take about 4.5 hours.
Distance: 8.5 kilometres
Walk: 3.5 hours
Difficulty: Medium
6. Hanging Rock
The legend of the picnic at Hanging Rock has done the National Park no harm when it comes to visitors – it’s still a popular day trip for Melburnians looking for a little fresh air and a chance to stretch their legs.
You can take a short walk of about 30-minutes up and down, or you can walk around the base for a slightly longer stroll. You get to scramble over some truly epic granite boulders and there are always the Macedon Ranges right next door when you’re ready for a pie and salad or a cup of tea. If you’re interested in some of the rock’s history, check out the weirdly huge visitors' centre just near the car park.
Distance: 4 kilometres
Walk: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
7. Bushrangers Bay Trail
With the kind of scenery that’ll make you go, “Are you actually joking?”, walking Cape Schanck’s Bushranger’s Bay trail is quite possibly the best way to spend 2-3 hours of your time on any given day. Start at Cape Schnanck lighthouse and make tracks east along the coast. You’ll stroll past coast banksias (Australian honeysuckles), get to spy a host of birdlife, and treat your eyeballs to some of Victoria’s finest coastal views.
You’ll also be sucking down the fresh air, feeling the wind in your hair, and whistling some type of jolly tune. It might even be the best day of your life. It’s 2-3 hours one way, mind, so unless you’re up for a longer trek there and back you’ll need to take a buddy and drop a car close to the finish point of Boneo Road.
Distance: 6 kilometres
Walk: 2-3 hours one way
Difficulty: Medium
8. Forest Ecotourism Walking Trail
You know what’s better than a city? A forest! You know what’s better than tourism? Ecotourism! You know what’s better than not walking? Walking! And that, friends, brings us to our latest day hike recommendation: Forest Ecotourism Walking Trail. It’s an easy hike, which makes it ideal for children and those who are a bit lazy but still want to spend some time in nature, and can be finished in an hour.
Strolling through the native forest of the Macedon Ranges, you can soak up heaps of knowledge via interpretative signs while keeping your eyes peeled for some of the 150 species of native birds. A lap of the VERY UNFORTUNATELY NAMED ‘Sanatorium Lake’, which was actually constructed to supply water to a nearby tuberculosis sanatorium in the 1900s, is a very peaceful way to spend an afternoon (or a morning). Do this, then stop somewhere nice for lunch, safe in the knowledge that nature is still there and you saw some of it.
Distance: 2.8 kilometres
Walk: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
9. O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail
We’re not allowed to swear on RedBull.com but this is one ******* serious day hike, kapeesh? It’s 34.5 kilometres of pure hiking; absolute walking; unbridled strolling; raw step-taking. You might actually even want to think twice about doing it, because you’ll be well knackered at the end.
There are no two ways about it. In fact, there are several – you can hop on and off the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail via multiple access points, meaning you can basically do as much or as little of it as you like. But where’s the fun in that? Following the O’Shannassy Aqueduct means this trail, which yawns through protected forest, creeks, gullies and lots of other nice, natural things, is actually relatively flat. So it’s not quite as tough as we made out, really. Still: prepare accordingly and hike responsibly.
Distance: 34.5 kilometres
Walk: 10 hours
Difficulty: Hard
10. George Bass Coastal Walk
Clifftops. Secluded beaches. History. This coastal walk has almost everything you could ask for from a coastal walk, except for giant manta rays launching themselves from the ocean in a puff of sea-spray in your peripheral vision. I don’t think there are many manta rays here.
Tracing the route of George Bass’ 200-year-old coastal discovery voyage, this two-hour one-way walk will give your eyeballs time to eat up all of those incredible Bass Coast views, and give your legs ample opportunity to walk. The trail links up with the Bass Coast Rail Trail too, so you can always push the proverbial boat out if you feel so inclined.
Distance: 7 kilometres
Walk: 2 hours (one way)
Difficulty: Medium
11. Thurra River Dunes Walk
Is this the real life? Or is this just fantasy? The Thurra River dunes, despite being unlike anything anywhere else in Victoria, are very much real life. These 30-metre high dunes tower over southeast Victoria’s Thurra River, and make for an ideal (if not surreal) 2-hour hiking mission.
Located in Croajingolong National Park, East Gippsland, the dune stroll kicks off from Thurra River Campground, and will give you a solid dose of sun, sea, sand, and sweat. The dunes have the unexpected side effect of making you feel like you’ve landed on some faraway planet. Or straight into the set of Jurassic Park. Enjoy.
Distance: 4 kilometre return
Walk: 2 hours
Difficult: Medium (walking on sand can be trying)
12. Daylesford Lake and Falls
More than just a refuge for wealthy, white-haired artists and weekend warriors, Daylesford is home to some of Victoria’s loveliest natural scenery. I actually saw a koala there once, just ambling across the path before me, not a care in the world. I wept then and I weep now for my koala; my handsome koala.
Anyway, this 18.5 kilometre track will take about six hours and you’ll love it. I did. What else do you want me to say? You’re only going to Google more information about it anyway.
Distance: 18.5 kilometres
Walk: 6 hours
Difficulty: Medium-Hard
13. Eastern Sherbrooke Forest Walk
Not to be mistaken for the Cher-book Forest Walk, which is entirely fictional, the Sherbrooke Forest Walk is to the nearby 1,000 Steps what The Stone Roses’ first album was to The Stone Roses’ second album: superior in every way.
You’ll get all the beauty of the Dandenong Ranges, minus the crowds. Kick it off at Grant’s Picnic Ground and make tracks for the Lyrebird Walk, then enjoy the serenity (and the complete and utter lack of anything Cher-related).
Distance: 6.6 kilometre return
Walk: 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Medium
14. The Coastal Walk
Let’s set the scene for listicle suggestion #13 with some timely insight from German philosopher Friedrich Nietzche. Nietzche said “god is dead”, and because god is dead, said Nietzche, we need to create a new set of values and look beyond good and evil.
Anyway, Nietzche thought we could escape a descent into nihilism (triggered by the death of god) by becoming ubermensch (super human). He said that to become ubermensch, we need to seek out hardship and pain, because that's how we'd find new values. Nietzche thought that it is only through hardship that we mere mortals can achieve something great.
He said things like: “He who climbs upon the highest mountain laughs at all tragedies, real or imaginary,” and “On the mountains of truth you can never climb in vain: either you will reach a point higher up today, or you will be training your powers so that you will be able to climb higher tomorrow.”
Right, so I know The Coastal Walk isn’t a mountain, but at 30 kilometre in length, it’s pretty hard yacka. The Mornington Peninsula is a dreamlike part of the world, and this hike offers one of the best ways to see it in all its wild and unbridled glory. The full walk incorporates a host of other, smaller tracks, and switches between rugged coast to verdant plant life and back again. Proper nice. It’ll take 8 hours to complete and you will not regret a single step. So go on – tackle your mountain (or coastal walk) of truth. Find those values. Become ubermensch this weekend.
Distance: 30 kilometres
Walk: 8 hours
Difficulty: Medium
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If you plan on tackling any of the below hikes, trailhiking.com.au is one of Australia’s best hiking resources, complete with detailed track information, maps and tips/tricks for each individual trail.
