Top 8 Walks Around Victoria's Heartland
Trek through the region’s spectacular surrounds, from the magnificent Hanging Rock to Mount Franklin’s awesome volcanic crater. We have selected a range of walks, from family-friendly to absolutely epic. There are many more walks in the region, here’s a taste of some of the best.
MOUNT FRANKLIN SUMMIT WALK
Rating: Easy to moderate
Distance: 2km
Walk time: 1 hour
Start/End: Mount Franklin campground
With its tall, forested crown, Mount Franklin, known as Lalgambuk by the Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owners, sits proudly on the land just north of Hepburn Springs. The visual drama of this extinct volcano continues in its belly a deeply shaded crater of elm, poplar and sycamore trees that’s popular with campers. Heading off from here you’ll wind up through the foliage, past pockets of tufted grasses and manna gums, before reaching the summit, with stunning views south-west towards Shepherds Flat.
LA GERCHE FOREST WALK
Rating: Easy
Distance: 3.5km
Walk time: 1 hour
Start/End: Sawpit Road, Creswick
The La Gerche Forest Walk is a serene self-guided loop that winds through historical nursery plantations. This trail honours John La Gerche, Creswick’s pioneering forest bailiff, whose dedication to forestry shaped the landscape you see today. The towering trees, planted by La Gerche himself and now more than a century old, stand as living testaments to his vision. As you stroll, you’ll encounter informative storyboards that delve into the history of the area and showcase La Gerche’s remarkable efforts to rehabilitate the land.
PADDYS RANGES PICNIC GROUND LOOP WALK
Rating: Easy/Moderate
Distance: 7.5km
Walk time: 2.5 hours
Start/End: Paddy’s Ranges Picnic Ground
This is a great walk near Maryborough for families, campers, twitchers, history buffs and nature lovers. The Paddys Ranges Picnic Ground itself is excellent, with toilets, barbeques, picnic tables, firepits and plenty of shade, making it an ideal base for an overnight stay and the relatively easy loop walk. A backdrop of beautiful box-ironbark forest is home to wildflowers, kangaroos, wallabies and more than 140 bird species. This was a hotspot during the goldrush, and you’ll see countless historic relics along the trail including old mining and distillery dams, mine sites and diggings.
MACEDON RANGES WALK
Rating: Moderate to challenging
Distance: 18.8km
Walk time: 5 hours
Start/End: Macedon Train Station
For something a little challenging, Macedon Ranges Walk is a popular trail that offers many opportunities to explore Macedon Regional Park via a series of tracks, covering a total distance of nearly 19km. The trail departs from and returns to Macedon Train Station (meaning you can easily arrive by train directly from Melbourne). Trail users can enjoy shorter sections or the complete loop. Notable attractions include the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross, Camels Hump and Sanatorium Lake, where the free, selfguided Murmuring Walk immerses visitors in the lake’s natural
HANGING ROCK RESERVE
Rating: Intermediate
Distance: 1.8km
Walk time: 50 minutes
Start/End: Hanging Rock Reserve, Woodend
The Hanging Rock Summit Walk is a moderately challenging trail, that takes about an hour to complete, making it accessible for most fitness levels. The walk begins at the base of the rock formation, before winding through dense eucalyptus forests and offering glimpses of the surrounding countryside. As hikers ascend, the path becomes steeper, but their effort is rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views from the summit. At the top, the jagged rock formations create a dramatic landscape.
DOMINO TRAIL
Rating: Easy
Distance: 12km return
Walk time: 3 hours
Start/End: Either Lyonville or Trentham
The Domino Rail Trail is an easy 12km return walk following the old railway line from the heritage-listed Trentham Railway Station (no longer in use) into the Wombat State Forest and finishing in Lyonville. It is a smooth, wide, all-weather trail suitable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. It is also pet-friendly, although dogs must be on a lead. Start your journey at either end of the trail.
TIPPERARY SPRINGS / TWIN BRIDGES, HEPBURN REGIONAL PARK
Rating: Easy
Distance: 4.6km
Walk time: 1.5 hours
Start/End: Tipperary Springs picnic ground, Daylesford
Step back in time as you track a goldrushera water race and wind through a forest gully lined with smooth, white-barked eucalyptus. Get started at Tipperary Springs picnic area within Hepburn Regional Park. Cross a footbridge over Sailors Creek then follow the signs to Twin Bridges. After passing rocky outcrops and crossing small gullies, you’ll need a little balance as you hop, skip and jump across a creek on stepping stones. Go up a hillside, down some steps and then back along the creek towards where you started it all, at Tipperary Springs.
GARFIELD WATERWHEEL TO WELSH VILLAGE LOOP, CASTLEMAINE DRY DIGGINGS NATIONAL PARK
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 4.5km loop
Walk time: 2 hours
Start/End: Garfield Waterwheel car park, off Pyrenees Highway, Chewton
Historical goldfields relics, tranquil bushland and glimpses into Victoria’s mining past are among the highlights of this rewarding loop walk. Marvel at the stone foundations of the Garfield Water Wheel, once one of the largest water wheels in the world and learn about the deep spiritual connection between water and the Dja Dja Wurrung People. The trail then winds through the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, passing the remnants of the Welsh Village settlement.
