
Best Hiking Trails Around the World in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
1. Great Ocean Walk
A 104-kilometer coastal hike along the wild Southern Ocean, featuring dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and historic shipwrecks.
- Sea Views: Offers breathtaking views of the Southern Ocean for much of the hike.
- Historical Sites: Passes by historic sites, such as lighthouses and shipwrecks, that tell stories of early European settlement.
- Wildlife Encounters: Provides opportunities to spot diverse wildlife like koalas, kangaroos, and birds.
2. Grampians National Park
A hiking paradise with ancient Aboriginal rock art sites, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife amidst sandstone peaks.
- Indigenous Culture: Features significant Aboriginal cultural heritage sites.
- Waterfall Hikes: Offers hikes to spectacular waterfalls, such as MacKenzie Falls and Silverband Falls.
- Rock Art Sites: Provides opportunities to explore ancient Aboriginal rock art sites.
3. Wilsons Promontory National Park
A coastal park offering scenic hikes, diverse wildlife, and pristine beaches.
- Pristine Beaches: Boasts some of the most beautiful and remote beaches in Australia.
- Wildlife Encounters: Provides opportunities to spot diverse wildlife like kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats.
- Scenic Hikes: Offers scenic hikes to destinations such as Lighthouse Point and Tongue Point.
4. Mt. Buller Alpine Panorama
A challenging hike through alpine landscapes with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
- Alpine Landscapes: Hikes through diverse alpine landscapes, such as snow gum forests and alpine meadows.
- Mountain Views: Provides breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains from various lookout points.
- Challenging Terrain: Offers a challenging hiking experience for experienced hikers.
5. Healesville Sanctuary to Warburton Rail Trail
A hike that combines wildlife encounters with a rail trail experience through beautiful forests.
- Wildlife Encounters: Passes by Healesville Sanctuary, where you can see native Australian animals up close.
- Rail Trail Experience: Follows an old railway line through beautiful forests and farmland.
- Leisurely Hike: Offers a leisurely hike suitable for families and casual hikers.
6. Mornington Peninsula Circuit
A circular hiking route that takes in scenic coastlines, historic sites, and vineyards.
- Coastal Scenery: Features breathtaking coastal scenery along the Mornington Peninsula.
- Historic Sites: Passes by historic sites, such as Point Nepean National Park and the lighthouse.
- Wine Tasting: Offers opportunities for wine tasting at local vineyards along the way.
7. Phillip Island Circuit
A hike around Phillip Island that takes in stunning coastal scenery, historic sites, and wildlife encounters.
- Coastal Scenery: Features breathtaking coastal scenery along the Phillip Island coast.
- Historic Sites: Passes by historic sites, such as Churchill Island and the Nobbies Centre.
- Wildlife Encounters: Provides opportunities to spot penguins, seals, and other wildlife at Summerland Beach and the Nobbies.
8. Yarra Ranges
A hiking region offering diverse landscapes, from dense forests to open grasslands.
- Diverse Landscapes: Offers a variety of landscapes, including dense forests, open grasslands, and rugged mountains.
- Waterfall Hikes: Includes hikes to waterfalls such as Erwon Falls and Three Sisters Falls.
- Leisurely Hikes: Offers a variety of leisurely hikes suitable for families and casual hikers.
9. Lake Mountain Alpine Resort
A winter wonderland that offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in addition to hiking.
- Skiing and Snowshoeing: Offers opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during winter.
- Alpine Landscapes: Hikes through diverse alpine landscapes, such as snow gum forests and alpine meadows.
- Scenic Hikes: Offers scenic hikes with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
10. Dandenong Ranges
A hiking region offering lush forests, waterfalls, and historic sites.
- Lush Forests: Features dense forests filled with ferns, mosses, and vibrant wildflowers.
- Waterfall Hikes: Includes hikes to waterfalls such as Olinda Falls and Sherbrooke Falls.
- Historic Sites: Passes by historic sites, such as the National Rhododendron Gardens and Mount Dandenong.
11. Werribee Gorge State Park
A park offering steep-sided gorges, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife.
- Steep-Sided Gorges: Features steep-sided gorges carved by the Werribee River.
- Waterfall Hikes: Includes hikes to waterfalls such as Hopetoun Falls and Werribee Gorge Falls.
- Diverse Wildlife: Provides opportunities to spot diverse wildlife, including kangaroos, wallabies, and birds.
12. Bells Beach Coastal Walk
A coastal walk that takes in the famous surf break at Bells Beach and offers breathtaking ocean views.
- Surf Break: Features the world-renowned surf break at Bells Beach.
- Ocean Views: Offers breathtaking ocean views along the coast.
- Leisurely Hike: Offers a leisurely hike suitable for families and casual hikers.
13. Hanging Rock
A unique rock formation offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
- Unique Rock Formation: Features a unique rock formation that resembles a hanging rock.
- Panoramic Views: Offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside from various lookout points.
- Historic Sites: Passes by historic sites, such as Hanging Rock Picnic Area and the nearby town of Woodend.
14. Goldfields Track
A long-distance hiking trail that takes in historic gold rush towns and diverse landscapes.
- Historic Sites: Passes by historic gold rush towns, such as Ballarat and Castlemaine.
- Diverse Landscapes: Offers a variety of landscapes, including forests, grasslands, and rugged mountains.
- Long-Distance Trail: Is a long-distance hiking trail suitable for experienced hikers.
15. Great Otway National Park
A coastal park offering diverse landscapes, from rainforests to ocean cliffs.
- Coastal Scenery: Features breathtaking coastal scenery along the Great Ocean Road.
- Rainforests: Includes walks through dense rainforests filled with ferns and mosses.
- Ocean Cliffs: Offers hikes to dramatic ocean cliffs, such as the Gibraltar Point lookout.