Hiking in Victoria, Australia is easy when you have a positive mindset and the proper information.
If you are heading out to trek through Wilsons Promontory, Great Ocean Road or The Grampians or love to follow waterfalls and wineries, there is something for every hiker in Victoria.
Victoria often has extreme changes in seasons. From freezing winters to dry, hot summers and a whole spectrum in between. There are some really good hikes in Victoria. They are even better if you 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, and plenty which are easy to access. Whether you’re into exploring the city trails or an intense bush walk, these day hikes in Victoria will inspire you. Read below on how to experience some of the best hikes Victoria has to offer.
Grampians National Park
There are many hikes in the Grampians, which is located 3.5 hours west of Melbourne. Options include trails for beginners to the ultra experienced. The waterfalls in the Grampians are some of the most spectacular in Australia, and one of the biggest reasons people visit.
Some of the best day hikes in the Grampians are Lake Wartook Lookout, which provides an epic view of the lake, Halls Gap or the Mt Stapylton Loop, which is a forest walk great for families. For a complete list, Parks Victoria have an extensive guide here.
Yarra Bend Park
Yarra Bend Park is an easy 30 minute walk, through the nature of inner city Melbourne. This park is located in Clifton Hill, one of Melbourne’s sought after inner suburbs on the Yarra river.
This walk is ideal in Autumn or Spring to appreciate the quiet, while only being 20 mins from Melbourne CBD. Its astounding to be surrounded by trees and river, only a stones throw from the main shops in Clifton Hill.
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, with beautiful views and a sometimes wild surf beach.
Head onto the beach from the car park, turn left and follow the coastline, before climbing the stairs to the clifftop to access the paths.
Woolamai surf beach is a rough beach 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, especially 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 reserve. Give yourself at least an hour for each of these these day walks at Hanging Rock, Mount Macedon.
Mornington Peninsula National Park
The 100 km Mornington Peninsula Walk is 1 hour drive south of Melbourne, which connects existing trails around the popular Peninsula. As you hike along this trail, you pass through calm beaches, bush land and bushy ocean coastlines. The walking trails travel along most of the shoreline, with the tracks indicated by arrow markers, making this the perfect day walk for first timers.
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 wild views of Wilsons Promontory to the lush wilderness of the Otways, overnight hikes in Victoria are popular for the stunning, unspoiled scenery.
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 east coast, where you 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 options, from campgrounds to Airbnb rentals.
The Otways National Park is a full of beautiful rainforest, waterfalls and wildlife. Walking through these tracks past tress more than a century old is an unforgettable experience.
Grand Stezlecki
Strezlecki is 1 hour from Melbourne CBD. Begin this 2-3 day hike from either Tarra Bulga National Park or Morwell National Park and continue along the Grand Strzelecki Track, staying overnight at the Jumbuk Rest Area.
Parts of this walk require a high fitness level 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 beside farmland, forest and hills and painting-like sweeping 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.
Parts of this hike you have to scramble over large rocks, steep inclines, while in the direct sun. It can become extremely hot in the summer and then exposed to wind and rain in the autumn and winter.
Given these tough conditions, this trek is still popular with families, and especially dog walkers (dogs allowed on a leash). Not something you should plan lightly, make sure you are prepared before you begin this trail!
Toorongo Falls, West Gippsland
This short hike in the forest consists of a loop trail which travels through the Toorongo Falls Reserve and leads to the breathtaking Amphitheatre and Toorongo waterfalls observation platforms.
This lush area of Victoria which is close to Mount Baw Baw, is worth exploring, with the Amphitheatre Falls and a lovely walking track through dense woodland.
Surrounded by forest, this walk is enjoyable in most seasons and is easily accessible by car, with a short trek to the waterfalls if you don’t wish to do the complete loop trail. This hike is perfect for a Sunday drive from inner Melbourne.
Yarra Ranges
The Yarra Ranges National Park is roughly 80 km north-east of Melbourne and is located in the central highlands of southeastern Victoria. The park comprises a large forested area that surrounds the three main Yarra Valley towns of Marysville, Warburton, and Healesville.
The views are grand in this national park, with 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.
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 for safety 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 in Wilsons Promontory.
This hike is a tough 10 km trek that takes three hours to complete, with plenty of steep sections. Ensure to factor in plenty time for exploring the beach and walking back, as the climb up the hill significantly adds extra time.
Please 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 widespread seaside views, the beautiful skies and untamed surroundings of the forest 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
The Tan has distance markers every 250 meters and floodlighting until midnight. This path is easy to navigate, and the loop is popular with city walkers on lunch breaks or early 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 they 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 out towards Rosebud and beyond. When the sky is clear, you can see Mount Macedon, the You Yangs and the Melbourne skyline.
The 1.8 km easy-to-follow circle walk within the Arthurs Seat Park leads to the main attractions at the top, including the Enchanted Adventure, with mazes and themed gardens, and the Arthurs Seat Eagle, the moving chairlift for ultimate views. To stay on track on your hike, follow the Crimson Rosella symbols along the way.
Conclusion
Whether you are an experienced hiker or simply love a stroll by the ocean or a creek, there are 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!
