Melbourne is a stunning city with several hiking spots that you can easily visit in a single day from the city. For those who love nature, they can choose hiking as one of the outdoor activities in which they can involve themselves and enjoy the most. It is a city filled with beautiful trails, unique wildlife, and a lot of attractions that you can easily explore. You won’t need to spend a lot of time travelling from Melbourne to your hiking destination because the city offers exciting hiking spots that are only a short drive away.
Melbourne has a variety of day tracks available; some are short and easily finished in one to two hours, while others take four to five hours to complete. The track’s level of difficulty has a direct effect on the duration as well. While some paths are lengthy but easily accessible, others are short yet challenging, requiring more time to complete. Planning a hike totally depends on your interest and capacity for walking. So given below are a lot of options from which you can choose.
1. Organ Pipes National Park
Spread over 121 hectares, Organ Pipes National Park is an amazing hiking spot that you can enjoy with your friends and family. This national park is a protected Aboriginal conservation area that mainly focuses on conservation of the native flora and fauna and, along with this, preservation of the geographical features of the area. It is located on one of the world’s largest ancient volcanic rock flows that stretches approximately 350 kilometres from Melbourne to Western Victoria. The place is named after its famous attraction, which is 2.5 million old basalt columns that look similar to organ pipes. People love exploring this beautiful area and enjoying the amazing walking trails with their family and children, as it gives them a chance to explore the plants and animals in the area.
| Name | Organ Pipes National Park |
|---|---|
| Address | Organ Pipes Rd, Keilor North VIC 3036, Australia |
| Distance from Melbourne | 29 Km |
| How to reach |
By Car: If you travel via M2 and Calder Fwy/M79, you will reach this place in 29 minutes from the Melbourne CBD. By Bus: To reach Organ Pipes National Park, you can take the bus number 483. |
| Directions | https://maps.app.goo.gl/7FVX1ZuKwht |
| Website | https://www.parks.vic.gov.auorgan-pipes-national-park |
| Opening hours |
Monday: 8:30am – 4:30pm Tuesday: 8:30am – 4:30pm Wednesday: 8:30am – 4:30pm Thursday: 8:30am – 4:30pm Friday: 8:30am – 4:30pm Saturday: 8:30am – 4:30pm Sunday: 8:30am – 4:30pm |
| Level of difficulty | Easy |
| Nearby Attractions | Taylors Lakes Linear Park Playground | Pioneer Park | Keilor Lodge Reserve |
2. Warrandyte State Park
Warrandyte State Park is the closest state park to Melbourne City and provides all its visitors with stunning views of the Yarra Valley that is flowing through. It is a perfect place for nature lovers since the place is filled with a lot of things to do, like hiking, birdwatching, canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking, cycling, and horseback riding. The place has beautiful picnic areas where you can sit and enjoy yourself with your loved ones. While you go hiking, you will find colourful spring flowers, native grasses, wildflowers, and orchids growing. You can also witness some of the wildlife species in this park, such as koalas, kangaroos, platypus, wallabies, wombats, and more than 100 species of birds. This park has the Yarra Valley flowing through it, where you can get a chance to explore different types of reptiles, frogs, fish, and other insects.
| Name | Warrandyte State Park |
|---|---|
| Address | Pound Bend Rd, Warrandyte VIC 3113, Australia |
| Distance from Melbourne | 36.2 km |
| How to reach |
By Car: If you travel via M3, you will reach this place in 59 minutes from the Melbourne CBD. By Bus: To reach Warrandyte State Park, you can choose from the following bus lines 364, 578, 579, and 906. |
| Directions | https://maps.app.goo.gl/1Xdi68cMm82 |
| Website | https://www.parks/warrandyte-state-park |
| Opening hours |
Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Level of difficulty | Easy |
| Nearby Attractions | Warrandyte State Park - Jumping Creek Reserve | Wonga Park Reserve | Candlebark Walk Reserve |
3. Dandenong Ranges National Park
Located in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, Dandenong Ranges National Park is an amazing trail spot that is spread over 3,540- hectares. This national park can be a perfect place for hiking since it is surrounded by steep valleys, gullies, rainforests, and rolling volcanic hills. The park has a lot of trails that can be suitable for running, bushwalking, and mountain biking. As you explore this hiking trail, you will come across amazing wildlife, where you will witness wombats, lyrebirds, cockatoos, kookaburras, wallabies, and more. You can also indulge yourself in the famous 1000-step bushwalk from Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground. On this bushwalk, you can discover the famous Olinda Falls and enjoy the stunning views of Melbourne and the Yarra Valley.
| Name | Dandenong Ranges National Park |
|---|---|
| Address | School Rd, Tremont VIC 3786, Australia |
| Distance from Melbourne | 39.2 Km |
| How to reach |
By Car: If you travel via M1 and State Route 22, you will reach this place in 1 hour from the Melbourne CBD. By Bus: To reach Dandenong Ranges National Park, you can take the following bus lines 688 and 693. By Train: You can take the Belgrave trains to reach Dandenong Ranges National Park. |
| Directions | https://maps.app.goo.gl/cYQ4RXSSG |
| Website | https://www.parks/dandenong-ranges-national-park |
| Opening hours |
Monday: 8:30am – 4:30pm Tuesday: 8:30am – 4:30pm Wednesday: 8:30am – 4:30pm Thursday: 8:30am – 4:30pm Friday: 8:30am – 4:30pm Saturday: 8:30am – 4:30pm Sunday: 8:30am – 4:30pm |
| Level of difficulty | Medium |
| Nearby Eateries | The 1000 Steps Cafe | Royal FTG Hotel | Holy Smoke Gourmet House Ferntree Gully BYO WINE & BEER |
| Nearby Attractions | Kings Park | Kokoda Track Memorial Walk | Dandenong Ranges National Park (Ferntree Gully Area) |
4. You Yangs Regional Park
If you are a dog lover and want to take your dog along with you on a hiking trail, then You Yangs Regional Park is perfect for you. You Yangs Regional Park. This is an amazing 3.2-kilometre Flinders Peak Walk through which you can reach the highest points of You Yangs. The track offers you stunning views of the area and amazing birdlife to explore. You can also see horse riders, hikers, climbers, and mountain bikers at You Yangs. The track is approximately 450 steps, it takes you 200 metres high, and it will give you a proper camp-like feeling. This trail path is a loop that begins and ends at the Turntable Drive car park. The place offers you picnic areas and BBQ facilities where you can enjoy them with loved ones.
| Name | You Yangs Regional Park |
|---|---|
| Address | Turntable Dr, Little River VIC 3211, Australia |
| Distance from Melbourne | 59.4 Km |
| How to reach |
By Car: If you travel via M1, you will reach this place in 53 minutes from the Melbourne CBD. By Bus: To reach You Yangs Regional Park, you can take the bus Geelong - Melbourne Via Geelong. By Train: You can also take the train Geelong - Melbourne Via Geelong to reach You Yangs Regional Park. |
| Directions | https://maps.app.goo.gl/WNVQi5VDxWGx |
| Website | https://www.parks/you-yangs-regional-park |
| Opening hours |
Monday: 7:00am – 8:00pm Tuesday: 7:00am – 8:00pm Wednesday: 7:00am – 8:00pm Thursday: 7:00am – 8:00pm Friday: 7:00am – 8:00pm Saturday: 7:00am – 8:00pm Sunday: 7:00am – 8:00pm |
| Level of difficulty | Medium |
| Nearby Attractions | Serendip Sanctuary | Yarrabee Native Garden | Mt Rothwell Biodiversity Interpretation Centre |
5. Werribee Gorge
Being situated near the Pentland Hills of Victoria, Werribee Gorge is an amazing state park that is filled with stunning natural beauty and amazing wildlife. The park offers a great opportunity for hiking, bushwalking, and rock climbing to all its visitors. This trail begins at Meikles Point, which is a picnic area and car parking spot. At this state park, there are four different trail paths that you can choose from, which range from 3 km to 10 km long. This track offers stunning views of both river and cliff areas. From this place, you can even witness the amazing views of the gorge. The trail leads to historic sites, beautiful swimming areas, and other amazing areas of the park where you can enjoy a picnic with your loved ones. At this state park, you can also indulge in rock climbing and bird watching.
| Name | Werribee Gorge |
|---|---|
| Address | 204 Myers Rd, Pentland Hills VIC 3341, Australia |
| Distance from Melbourne | 67.4 Km |
| How to reach |
By Car: If you travel via National Highway M8, you will reach this place in 1 hr 15 minutes from the Melbourne CBD. By Bus: To reach Werribee Gorge, you can take the bus number 434. |
| Directions | https://maps.app.goo.gl/itDB59s7km |
| Website | https://www.parks/werribee-gorge-state-park |
| Opening hours |
Monday: 7:00am – 8:00pm Tuesday: 7:00am – 8:00pm Wednesday: 7:00am – 8:00pm Thursday: 7:00am – 8:00pm Friday: 7:00am – 8:00pm Saturday: 7:00am – 8:00pm Sunday: 7:00am – 8:00pm |
| Level of difficulty | Medium |
| Nearby Attractions | Rope crossing section | Archer Park | 1000+ Steps and lookout |
6. Steavenson Falls
Steavenson Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in Victoria, and it is one of the best day hike options where you can go from Melbourne. It is an 84-metre-long waterfall that gives you stunning views that you can enjoy with your loved ones. You can even view this waterfall from the car parking area, as it is just at a distance of 350 m. This trail gives you a complete hiking experience as it starts from the Steavenson Falls car park on Falls Rd., and then you have to climb the mountain ash and stringybark forest to get some of the best waterfall views. The track takes you through Keppel Lookout, Cathedral Range State Park, and Marysville. This tracking path is uneven, steep, and slippery, so play on a clear day when the weather is good. This track is not very suitable for children, but for youngsters and teenagers, it gives the best hiking experience.
| Name | Steavenson Falls |
|---|---|
| Address | Falls Rd, Marysville VIC 3779, Australia |
| Distance from Melbourne | 102 km |
| How to reach |
By Car: If you travel via Maroondah Hwy, you will reach this place in 2 hr 7 min from the Melbourne CBD. By Bus: To reach Steavenson Falls, you can take the bus number 684. |
| Directions | https://maps.app.goo.gl/GJijD5u5E7r |
| Website | https://www.marysvilletourism.com/steavenson-falls/ |
| Opening hours |
Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Level of difficulty | Difficult |
| Nearby Attractions | Bruno's Art and Sculpture Garden | De La Rue lookout | Keppel Lookout |
7. Point Nepean National Park
Being located towards the south of Melbourne, near Portsea, Point Nepean National Park is an amazing place that offers you a great hiking opportunity with your friends and family. The place offers you stunning bay views through this 14.5-kilometer return walk. It is a perfect place for children, as on this track you can experience both coastal and bushy trails. The track begins at the Point Nepean entry gate and takes you through the old quarantine station and some World War II military buildings, where you get a chance to explore the history as well. This track is not a tiring and hectic one, whereas it is a flat one where everyone can come and explore. The national park offers you the facility of the Point Nepean Discovery Tents campground, where you can stay and discover new things about nature.
| Name | Point Nepean National Park |
|---|---|
| Address | Ochiltree Rd, Portsea VIC 3944, Australia |
| Distance from Melbourne | 114 km |
| How to reach |
By Car: If you travel via Mornington Peninsula Fwy/M11, you will reach this place in 1 hr 44 minutes from the Melbourne CBD. By Bus: To reach Point Nepean National Park, you can take the bus number 788. |
| Directions | https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9R |
| Website | https://www.parks.vic/point-nepean-national-park |
| Opening hours |
Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours |
| Level of difficulty | Medium |
| Nearby Attractions | Harold Holt Memorial | Fort Pearce | Eagles Nest |
Conclusion
If you are someone who loves spending time in nature, hiking can be one of the best outdoor activities that you can consider doing with your friends and family. The above-mentioned places are some of the most popular hiking spots in Melbourne. From trails through forests to walking along the coast, every track offers you a great chance to appreciate the stunning beauty of the place. Whether you are looking for stunning views, calm beaches, or historic sites, there is something for everyone to discover and enjoy themselves by taking just a short drive from the city. So, dust off your hiking boots, put on your hat, pack your important things, and get ready to experience an unforgettable adventure and create some good memories with your loved ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
When planning a day hike, there are a lot of essential things that you need to carry along with you, such as a compass, water, snacks, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. All these things are very important and should be carried when planning a day hike from Melbourne.
You should get dressed according to the weather conditions that you would face when planning a hiking day trip. If you are planning to go in the summer, then you can wear a hat, sunglasses, a hiking top, hiking pants or shorts, socks, hiking shoes or boots, and sunscreen. But if you are hiking during the winter, then you need to cover yourself with an extra layer of clothes. You can wear a beanie cap, sunglasses, a T-shirt or hiking shirt, fleece and down jackets, a rain or windproof jacket, hiking pants, socks, shoes or boots, gloves, and sunscreen.
Yes, there are some of the above-mentioned spots, like Organ Pipes National Park, Warrandyte State Park, and Point Nepean National Park. These hiking spots are easy to track and are suitable for beginners. If you are planning to go on a day hike with your loved ones, then you can visit these places and enjoy with them.
The best time of the year when you can go hiking in Melbourne is in February. During this month, the temperature is moderate, which ranges from 15°C to 27°C during the day, as this temperature is considered the best for outdoor activities.
Yes, there are some tracks where you can take your dogs along with you and have some good time with them. You Yangs Regional Park is one of those tracks that is suitable for dogs. It offers you one of the best hiking experiences, where you can take your furry friend and let them have some fun.
Different hiking tracks are at different distances from Melbourne. Some are at half an hour’s distance from Melbourne CBD, like Organ Pipes National Park, and others are from one hour to two hours away from Melbourne CBD, like Dandenong National Park, Werribee Gorge, and Steavenson Falls, respectively.
Yes, there are guided tours available through which you can plan a hiking tour with your friends and family. The guide you would be hiring will take care of all the hiking requirements, and you can simply enjoy every moment of the hike.
Yes, there are a lot of hiking tracks that offer you the facilities of toilets and picnic areas. Some of the hiking spots where you can enjoy these facilities are Warrandyte State Park, Dandenong Ranges National Park, You Yangs Regional Park, and Werribee Gorge.
