Top 10 Walks Around Daylesford, the Macedon Ranges & Castlemaine 

Just over an hour from Melbourne, the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region, in Victoria’s heartland, offers some of Victoria’s most scenic hikes, perfect for a day trip or a weekend escape. From the iconic Hanging Rock to the dramatic crater of Mount Franklin, there’s a trail for every kind of walker. Whether you’re after a gentle stroll, a family friendly adventure or something more challenging, here’s a taste of some of the region’s best walks.

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 18.8km. 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.

MURMURING WALK

Rating: Easy
Distance: 1.6km
Walk time: Allow 1 hour
Start/End: Lions Head Road, Mount Macedon

The Murmuring Walk at the manmade Sanatorium Lake offers an immersive audio-guided experience that beautifully captures the serene environment, diverse birdlife and natural rhythms of Sanatorium Lake, at the summit of Mount Macedon. As you embark on this tranquil journey, simply connect your headphones to your personal device and step into a contemplative space, guided by a sublime, multilayered soundtrack of vocals and poetry. This self-paced walk is entirely free and available to enjoy at any time.

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.

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.

DOMINO TRAIL

Rating: Easy
Distance: 12km return
Walk time: 2.5 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

Step back in time as you track a gold-rush-era 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.

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 Lalgambook 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. The campsite is great, with firepits and toilets. 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.

SAILORS FALLS LOOP

Rating: Moderate
Distance: 1.4km
Walk time: 45 minutes
Start/End: Sailors Falls car park (6km south of Daylesford)

At Sailors Falls, you can drink mineral springs from a hand-pump, before descending into a deeply incised valley on a recently built steel stonework staircase. With bubbling Sailors Falls as your backdrop, work your way through  a secluded pocket of the wet forest before zigzagging through tall manna gums and stringybark trees. After following the path of an old water race from the gold-mining days, you’ll soon reach the lower mineral springs on the bank of Sailors Creek.

MOUNT ALEXANDER TRAVERSE

Rating: Moderate
Distance: 10km
Walk time: 4 hours
Start: McQuillans Road, Leanganook Track
End: Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road

Sweeping views and massive, ancient granite boulders are some of the highlights of this moderately-challenging walk. You’ll weave through dramatic rock formations, past Dog Rocks, named in 1846 after local dingo sightings, and up to Mount Alexander’s summit. Take time at Shepherds and Langs Lookouts for breathtaking panoramas across central Victoria. The return leg winds back via quiet bush tracks and gravel roads, wrapping up an invigorating loop. A hike of history, geology, and pure scenic reward, it’s a local favourite.

PADDY’S RANGES PICNIC GROUND LOOP WALK

Rating: Easy/Moderate
Distance: 7km
Walk time: 2 hours
Start/End: Paddy’s Ranges Picnic Ground

This is a great walk for families, campers, twitchers, history buffs, and nature-lovers. The Paddy’s Ranges Picnic Ground itself is excellent, with toilets, BBQs, picnic tables, firepits and plenty of shade. It’s a great place to base yourself for a night and enjoy the relatively easy loop walk. A backdrop of beautiful box-ironbark forest is home to wildflowers, kangaroos, wallabies and over 140 bird species. This was a gold mining hotspot during the goldrush, and you’ll see countless historic relics along the trail including old mining and distillery dams, mine sites and diggings.

Check the weather forecast and bush fire warnings before undertaking any walks or hikes.

For the most up-to-date conditions call 13 19 63 or visit parks.vic.gov.au.