Hiking in Victoria, Australia is easy when you have a positive mindset and the proper information.
Whether you are heading out to trek through the popular Wilsons Promontory, Great Ocean Road or The Grampians, or love to follow waterfalls and wineries, there is something for every style of hiker in Victoria.
Victoria can have extreme changes in seasons, from freezing winters to dry, hot summers and everything in between. There are some really good hikes in Victoria, if you ensure to plan for all weather conditions and research your trails well ahead of time.
If you love nothing better than trekking the outdoors, here is my list of The Best Hikes in Victoria, Australia.
Best Day Hikes in Victoria, Australia
There are countless options for day hiking in Victoria, Australia, and plenty which are easy to access. Whether you’re into exploring the city trails or a more intense bush walk, these day hikes in Victoria will get you inspired and experience some of the best hikes Victoria has to offer.
Grampians National Park
There are many hikes in the Grampians, located 3.5 hours west of Melbourne, with trails for beginner hikers to the ultra experienced. You are likely to find a hike to suit you in this part of Australia.
The waterfalls in the Grampians are one of the biggest reasons people visit the area, and are some of the most spectacular in the country.
Some of the best, and well known day hikes in the Grampians include Lake Wartook Lookout and Halls Gap or the Mt Stapylton Loop. Parks Victoria have an extensive guide here.
Yarra Bend Park
Yarra Bend Park is a very easy 30 minute walk, through inner city Melbourne nature, and is one of the best hikes in Victoria. Yarra Bend Park is located in Clifton Hill, which is one of Melbourne’s sought after inner suburbs on the Yarra river.
This walk is perfect in Autumn or Spring, to really appreciate the greenery and quiet while only being 20 mins from Melbourne CBD. Yarra Bend Park is a part of the indigenous cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Wurundjeri people.
Cape Woolamai
Cape Woolamai is a 2 hour drive south from Melbourne, and has beautiful views and many different treks to choose from in the area.
To begin this walk, head onto the beach from the car park at Cape Woolamai, turn left and follow the coastline for a kilometer before climbing the stairs to the clifftop to access the loop paths.
Woolamai surf beach is one of the rougher beaches on the Bass Coast, but one of the most picturesque, with stunning views. The hiking track leads you past the pinnacles overlook for the ultimate, Instagram worthy scenes.
Hanging Rock, Mount Macedon
Hanging Rock is on Mount Macedon, an hour drive north of Melbourne. The Mount Macedon area is breathtakingly beautiful in Autumn. There is a spiritual history to the area, particularly Hanging Rock.
You can learn the history of this beautiful area at the Hanging Rock Discovery Centre, which provides in depth information about the Rock’s geology, history, and mystery.
The Pinnacle Trail, Base Trail, and Creek Trail are the three main walks within the Hanging Rock Reserve. Give yourself at least an hour for these day walks at Hanging Rock, Mount Macedon.
Mornington Peninsula National Park
The 100 km Mornington Peninsula Walk (1 hour drive south of Melbourne), which connects existing trails around the popular peninsula, passes through calm beaches, bush land and rugged ocean coastlines, and is a must for any hiker in Victoria.
The walking trails travel along most of the shoreline, and the tracks are indicated by arrow markers making this the perfect first timers day walk.
The Mornington Peninsula is a popular holiday spot for many Melbournians of all ages, due to the close proximity to the city, calm water and numerous wineries, breweries, restaurants and sights.
Best Overnight Hikes in Victoria, Australia
From the beautiful, wild and peaceful views of Wilsons Promontory to the rugged, lush wilderness of the Otways, overnight hikes in Victoria are popular for the beautiful scenery and trekking experiences.
Wilsons Promontory
Another top hike in Victoria, is the Southern Prom (3 hours from Melbourne) for the secluded, spectacular views. The three to five day Southern Prom Circuit within Wilsons Promontory, is an overnight trip which leads through rain forest to the magnificent eastern coast, where you will arrive at the white sand beaches and clear waters of Waterloo Bay and Sealers Cove.
The Otways National Park
The Great Ocean Walk is the best overnight hike in the Otways. This 100km long walk between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles (along the Great Ocean Road) is a one-way walk that could be completed in eight days or in smaller chunks. You can camp or stay along the way in one of many accommodation styles.
The Otways National Park is a full of lush rainforest, waterfalls and wildlife and walking through these tracks past tress more than a century old is an unforgettable experience.
Grand Stezlecki
Strezlecki is 1 hour from Melbourne CBD. You can begin this 2-3 day trip from either Tarra Bulga National Park or Morwell National Park and continue along the Grand Strzelecki Track, staying overnight at the Jumbuk Rest Area.
Some parts of this walk require a particular skill level and fitness and its best to research and prepare ahead of this semi difficult trek.
The Stezlecki area is well worth the visit, due to the winding roads aside farmland, forest and hills and painting-like views of country Victoria.
Best Winter Hikes in Victoria, Australia
You Yangs
The East-West Walk in the You Yangs is a 1 hour drive from the heart of Melbourne.
There are parts where you have to scramble over boulders, steep inclines, and there is not a lot of shade. It can become extremely hot in the summer and exposed to wind and rain in the autumn and winter.
Given the conditions, this trek is popular with families, and especially dog walkers (dogs are allowed on a leash), but it’s not something you should do lightly. Make sure you are prepared before you begin this trail.
Toorongo Falls, West Gippsland
This hike consists of a loop trail which travels through the Toorongo Falls Reserve and leads to the breathtaking Amphitheatre and Toorongo Falls observation platforms.
This stunning area of Victoria which is close to Mount Baw Baw, is worth exploring, with the Amphitheatre Falls and a lovely walking track through lush woodland in addition to the main falls.
Surrounded by forest, this walk is enjoyable in most seasons and is easily accessible by car, with a short walk to the Waterfalls if you don’t wish to do the loop trail. Perfect for a Sunday drive from inner Melbourne.
Yarra Ranges
The Yarra Ranges National Park is roughly 80 km north-east of Melbourne. It comprises a large forested area that surrounds the three main Yarra Valley towns of Marysville, Warburton, and Healesville.
The majority of the park’s walking paths are north of Warburton, around Mount Donna Buang, and north-east of Healesville, surrounding Mount St. Leonard, Dom Dom Saddle, and Fernshaw.
The views are grand in this park, located in the Central Highlands of southeastern Victoria.
Best Summer Hikes in Victoria, Australia
The best summer hikes in Victoria, Australia of course include swimming destinations. Victoria’s weather can be very unpredictable, but there is usually a hot spell in summer and unlike further north in Australia- when it gets hot it is dry.
Consider these places for top summer hiking experiences in Victoria. Please do your research ahead of time, especially before hiking overnight!
Sealers Cove, Wilsons Promontory
The Sealers Cove trek starts at Telegraph Saddle Car Park. This is an incredible hike for day or night, with the walk leading to the breathtaking Sealers Cove after winding through ferny valleys and beautiful rain forest.
This hike is a tough 10 km trek that takes three hours to complete, with steep sections. Ensure to factor in plenty time for exploring the beach and walking back, as the climb up the hill will add extra time.
Ensure you have enough water with you for your journey.
Great Ocean Road Walk
Beneath the famous Great Ocean Road is the Great Ocean Walk. The stunning seaside views, the beautiful skies and untamed surroundings are worth the visit to this area of Victoria.
There are seven small hike-in campsites available, which reservations are required before beginning your Great Ocean Road trek.
Bay of Islands Coastal Park
This almost 1 km trail is in the Victorian area of Peterborough, located on the Great Ocean road 3 hours from Melbourne.
This short walk takes 10 minutes to complete and is generally regarded as easy, and popular for bird watching.
This trail is lovely to explore at any time of year and is open year-round.
Best Easy Hikes in Victoria, Australia
Merri Creek Trail, Melbourne
The Merri Creek trail is a popular one among many inner city locals. Once I came across this trail, I loved it as a walk in Spring after work. Pretty trees line the path along the creek, and as a result of years of rebuilding native plants, the path has a large amount of birds.
The trail mostly follows the creek closely, and along the way there are many of places to stop and enjoy the greenery and take in the inner city tranquility.
The Tan Melbourne
With distance markers every 250 meters and full floodlighting until midnight, the Tan course is quite easy to navigate. This loop is popular with city walkers on lunch breaks or evening joggers.
A clockwise lap officially begins at the Pillars of Wisdom, which are close to the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Alexandra Avenue (across from the Swan Street bridge).
Running the Tan is mostly flat, with the exception of ‘Heart Break slope,’ a 30-meter slope that leads up Anderson Street.
Albert Park Lake
This almost 5 km trail circling the inner city Albert Park lake, takes an average of 1 hour to complete and is a fairly easy hike.
Albert Park Lake is a highly sought after location for hiking, mountain biking, and bird watching, and is considered by some the best hike Victoria has in the inner city. The Albert Park Lake walk is lovely at any time of year and is open year-round. Dogs are allowed, but need to be on a leash.
Arthurs Seat
Arthurs Seat rises over Mornington Peninsula and is accessed by foot or car. The 314 meter summit provides stunning views of the bay. When the sky is clear, you can sometimes see as far as Mount Macedon, the You Yangs, and the Melbourne city skyline.
The 1.8 km easy-to-follow circle walk within the Arthurs Seat Park leads to the main attractions at the top. To stay on track, follow the Crimson Rosella symbols.
Conclusion
Whether you are an experienced hiker looking for the best hike Victoria has to offer, or simply love a stroll by a creek, there are some good hikes, and endless options for hiking in Victoria, Australia for all.
Please ensure to research the trails before you begin to guarantee the best hiking experience in Victoria. Happy trekking!