Feel like hiking around Melbourne? While clinging close to the CBD might offer you plenty of classic Melbourne walks, you’ll need to venture outside of the city to find those hard-won hiking trails.
There are numerous picturesque hikes near Melbourne, from the Yarra Bend Loop to Neds Gully Track, all varying in difficulty, terrain and distance. So next time you’re feeling like you need to bathe yourself in nature, leave Melbourne’s storied restaurants, cafes, bars and museums behind and head on out to these 13 glorious hiking trails. Have a read of some of these top recommendations from Chris Singh at Australian Traveller.
Easy hikes in Melbourne
If you’re after some easy hikes in Melbourne then check out the below options, all featuring relatively smooth trails that are wheelchair accessible, have very few obstacles or elevation gains, and are suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
1. Yarra Bend Loop, Fairfield
Starting from the Studley Park Boathouse, the easy 9.5km Yarra Bend Loop should take you around two hours to complete. This trail is a popular hike for families and couples with the added benefit of being within 15 minutes of the CBD.
The loop spans Yarra Bend Park, Studley Park and Dights Falls with plenty of natural landscapes to admire along the way. The parks also have numerous other signposted trails that are much shorter, but given it is an easy drive from the city, most visitors don’t mind hiking the longer loop and making a day of it.
We love walking around here, so join us on our next Yarra Trails Short Hike or Yarra Trails Urban Hike.
2. Steavenson Falls, Marysville
One of the best Melbourne hikes for beginners is this inspiring jaunt up to one of Victoria’s highest waterfalls. The roaring magic of the impressive 84-metre waterfall is a pot of gold at the end of a very short, easy hike that’s framed by majestic eucalyptus trees.
You’ll find this path just outside of the town of Marysville, which is northeast of Melbourne. The path is very well-maintained, winding up the side of the hill to a top viewing platform for stunning views of the cascading falls.
3. Organ Pipes National Park, Calder Park
Organ Pipes National Park is another easy hike near the CBD, home to unique rock formations including the namesake Organ Pipes; it’s endlessly photogenic.
It should only take you just over an hour to complete the three-kilometre loop, taking you through a river valley that screams serenity and sucks you out of Melbourne’s endless hustle.
This one is a great way to reset the mind and refocus your energy, given it cradles you in nature and has too many visual distractions for you to even think about the city. Given its proximity to the CBD, this is a popular choice for a family outing should the whole crew want to take advantage of nature close to Melbourne.
4. 1000 Steps Walk, Ferntree Gully
Melbourne’s most popular bushwalk, 1000 Steps, takes place in the cinematic Dandenong Ranges National Park. The park, which includes the magical Sherbrooke Falls, is known as one of Australia’s most beautiful sights so this is a rite of passage for locals.
1000 Steps is the most accessible and the best part of the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk, offering an easy, life-affirming walk that’s only slightly moderate so would be suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
The trail is a popular spot for bird watching, with both bushlands and wetlands bringing in an abundance of rare species. Make sure you learn about the walk’s close association with the Australian Military Force with a series of signs retelling an important part of local history.
5. Red Hill Rail Trail, Red Hill
The Red Hill Rail Trail is easily one of the best hikes just outside of Melbourne and should only take you around two hours to complete.
Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, the path follows a former railway line taking you through an incredible part of the Mornington Peninsula hinterland. You’ll stroll through various orchards, a few vineyards and plenty of farmland, featuring many points of interest without stalling you with any steep climbs. It’s perfect for a family outing or a meditative day outside of Melbourne.
If you love both hiking and sampling some delicious local produce, you’re going to want to check out our Red Hill Gourmet Hike!
Moderate hikes in Melbourne
If you’re after some more challenging hikes in Melbourne then explore the below options, some of which feature steep climbs and treacherous areas that need to be navigated with caution. Some parts of these trails may be wheelchair accessible, but most will have limited accessibility due to obstacles and elevation gains. They are suitable for people of all ages if they have intermediate fitness levels.
6. Hanging Rock Summit Walk, Newham
Numerous trails of varying length lead from the Hanging Rock Reserve car park. Most are quite easy and appropriate for all ages and fitness levels, with trails defined by the six-million-year-old formations of the Macedon Ranges.
The ease and maintenance of the trails makes this a popular day trip from Melbourne. Not only does the Hanging Rock Summit Walk offer a unique hiking experience, but it’s also one of the most relaxing: a perfect set-up to practice mindfulness while hiking.
Aim for the top of Hanging Rock’s summit, which is slightly steeper and requires a higher level of fitness. You’ll be rewarded with some of the most beautiful views in the state.
7. Sherbrooke Falls Trail, Ferntree Gully
If 1000 Steps is too busy, a great alternative would be to venture a bit deeper into the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track and conquer the slightly more challenging Sherbrooke Falls Trail.
From O’Donohue Picnic Ground, you will take a short hike beneath the towering canopy for about 2.4 kilometres as you venture deeper into the picturesque area. Given that 1000 Steps is much better recognised (it’s Insta-famous after all), you’re more likely to find a bit of that peace and tranquillity on this track.
We adore the Sherbrooke Falls and head there all the time for a short hike – come and walk it with us!
8. Bushrangers Bay and Cape Schanck Trail, Mornington Peninsula
This epic 10-kilometre journey takes you through inspiring, postcard-perfect views of Bushrangers Bay while following the well-marked Cape Schanck Trail.
The coastal walk tracks plenty of bushland while leading to the rugged cliffs of the picturesque southern tip of the Mornington Peninsula. During the trek, you’ll likely spot many kangaroos going about their business. Stop at some of the hidden gem beaches of Bushrangers Bay on your way up to the lighthouse which marks your turnaround point. The walk is part of the much larger Mornington Peninsula National Park.
Come and check out the stunning coastal landscape on our next Bushrangers Bay day hike!
9. Flinders Blowhole, Mornington Peninsula
This is one of the most stunning hikes outside of Melbourne, and it’ll only take around an hour to make the loop, passing by incredible rock formations and dramatic cliffs before reaching the namesake Flinders Blowhole. Watching the waves crash through a narrow opening is impressive at any time of day, backed by stunning views of the ocean.
This easy-to-moderate hike is found just outside of the town of Flinders, which holds plenty of cafes, shops and galleries that you can explore before or after your coastal adventure.
10. Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk, Bacchus Marsh
Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk starts from either the Myers or Quarry Picnic Area car parks near Bacchus Marsh. The hike should take you around 4.5 hours to complete and is most popular for its mid-hike swimming hole, so make sure to bring your swimmers.
You’ll mostly be passing through incredible rocky woodlands as you trek to the gorge rim, offering endless photo opportunities or just bringing you out of your head and into nature with unforgettable scenery.
Werribee Gorge is one of our most classic short hikes so make sure you experience it with us at least once!
11. Flinders Peak Walk, You Yangs National Park
Located in You Yangs Regional Park, the Flinders Peak Walk is a moderately difficult hike just over an hour outside of the CBD. It’s easily one of the most popular for intermediate and expert hikers, offering a broad view of Melbourne’s skyline as well as Geelong and Port Phillip Bay.
You’ll pass some massive boulders along the way to the peak and should have plenty of company with kangaroos and koalas in the park. The well-signposted trail is surrounded by some of the most beautiful parts of the regional park.
If you’re keen to come on this hike, check out our You Yangs Day Hike or You Yangs Short Hike if you’re pressed for time!
Hard hikes in Melbourne
Some of the most challenging hikes in Victoria can be found under two hours outside of Melbourne. Below, we’ve got two paths which may feature treacherous areas and steep climbs. They’re great for experienced bushwalkers and hikers and may not be suitable for people without a sufficient level of fitness.
12. Lerderderg Gorge Circuit, Bacchus Marsh
Although a challenging trail, this is an incredibly popular path for more experienced hikers. This 13-kilometre loop trail is found near Bacchus Marsh with an elevation gain of around 386 metres, following the Lerderderg River downstream with inspiring views.
The popular trail can be very steep in some areas and isn’t quite as well signposted as some of the other popular hikes in Victoria. Note that some sections of this challenging hike may be mildly washed out if water levels are high so you could encounter some river crossings along the way.
We offer a few hikes around Lerderderg Gorge of varying difficulty, so check out our Lerderderg East West hike or our Lerderderg Scenic Rim hike.
13. Neds Gully Track, Cathedral Ranges
You’ll want to be equipped with a sufficient level of fitness and some bushwalking experience before tackling Neds Gully Track. This steady uphill hike is located just under two hours outside of Melbourne and is known as the most exciting of the many trails that zip around the Cathedral Ranges.
You’re heading on up to a peak that’s around 840 metres above sea level. It’s very well-marked and straightforward, but once you reach those drier woodlands the track gets much steeper and more arduous. Your reward: some of the best views and wildlife-spotting in Victoria.
Feeling ready for a challenge? Check out either our Cathedrals Ranges North or Cathedral Ranges South day hikes!
So… which one of those are you heading on this weekend? Plenty of great ones to choose from, thanks to Chris Singh from Australian Traveller. That’s one of the amazing things about Melbourne; there are so many adventures to be had in such a small area so everyone at every ability level can get in on the action!
Find your next adventure either in the options above, or check out our calendar for plenty more choices.
