You don’t have to travel far in Melbourne/Naarm for a good walk. That’s part of the city’s charm. No matter where you sit in the urban sprawl, you’re generally no more than 60 minutes from misty alpine forest, giant Tree Ferns, tannin-stained rivers and some of the best walks in Melbourne and Victoria.
It’s hard to pick just a handful of Melbourne’s best walks—but Urban List has pulled together the city's (and beyond) must-hit tracks. Some are further away than others, but we’ve tried to draw the line at four hours from the CBD. Some are quieter than others, too. The 1000 Steps might be wall-to-wall active-wear on Saturday mornings, but you should have the Den of Nargun Circuit Walk more or less to yourself—strap on some comfy shoes and grab the trail mix. These are the best walks near Melbourne.
Point Nepean Walk
Mornington Peninsula
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It’s really a shame that so many day-trippers stop at Sorrento or Rosebud. With Bass Straight on one side and Port Philip Bay on the other, Point Nepean Coastal Walk is a great way to explore the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula.
En route to the Rip lookout—which marks the halfway point of the round-trip—you’ll pass Cheviot Beach, a number of gun turrets and the crumbling remains of Fort Nepean. The track itself winds along the coast, up through twisted Moonah woodlands, but it’s pretty easy going most of the way. History buffs can check out the old gun placements and Shepherd Hut, one of the oldest limestone buildings in Victoria. Conditions can get pretty wild down here: the south-westerlies get blown all the way from Antarctica, and they can really howl off Bass Strait.
Toorongo Falls Circuit Walk
West Gippsland
Most Melburnians have heard of Triplet Falls or Erskine Falls, but you won’t find many who have hiked Toorongo Falls in West Gippsland. You’ll find this little circuit trail about two hours out of town, in the wilderness north of Noojee. You can easily do this as a day trip, but we highly recommend an overnight stay at Toorongo Falls Campground.
Toorongo Falls Circuit Walk actually includes two waterfalls: Toorongo Falls and Amphitheatre Falls. The trail starts near the campground and runs alongside the river. It’s pretty easygoing. Even kids shouldn’t have too much trouble. The total length is around 2.2 kilometres and the whole thing should take about 90 minutes. Definitely, a great option if you’ve already done some of the more popular Melbourne walks.
Bushrangers Bay Walking Trail
Mornington Pensinsula
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Bushranger’s Bay has always been one of Melbourne’s favourite day hikes, and it’s only an hour’s drive south of the city. The bay itself was named after two escaped convicts. It’s a narrow strip of gravelly sand, surrounded by dark basalt cliffs, with jagged rock pools and some pretty scary rip currents (swimming at Bushrangers isn’t illegal, but it can be super dangerous. Best to avoid).
The Bushrangers Bay Walking Trail runs for 6 kilometres along the cliffs, all the way from Cape Schanck car park. It’s arguably got the best coastal views in all of Victoria: you’ll get to see Cape Schanck Lighthouse, Main Creek, rocky, windswept beaches, and groves of shady Banksia trees. Allow about 4 hours for this one, and bring plenty of water.
Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk
Daylesford/Macedon Ranges
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One of the weird things about Werribee Gorge is how far away from actual Werribee it is. Instead of heading southwest, down the M1, you drive northwest, up towards Ballarat. After about 60 minutes, you’ll hit Werribee Gorge State Park; a tinder-dry network of sandstone canyons shaped over 500 million years.
There are a few different walking trails inside the Gorge, and most of them link up with one another. There’s a bit of everything here. On-trail, off-trail, lookouts, descents, climbs, river crossings, cable climbs, wildlife spotting and rock hopping. The circuit walk is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a gruelling 10km circuit with rock jumps and cable climbs. It also gets baking hot in summer. Pro tip: start with The Quarry and walk anti-clockwise. That’ll mean you finish on the gentler riverside track.
Den Of Nargun Circuit Walk
East Gippsland
The Den of Nargun is a bit further from Melbourne (just over three hours), but trust us, it’s worth the drive. It’s a beautiful forest loop trail that runs 5 kilometres through the Mitchell River National Park. This whole area is technically part of the Bataluk Cultural Trail, which explores the culture and history of the Gunaikurnai people
The Circuit should take about an hour and a half. There are a few steep scrambles, but it’s mostly an ambling forest trail, winding past moss-covered boulders, little river gullies and several waterfalls. The halfway point is the Den itself. The Dream-story of Nargun speaks of a cave “inhabited by a fierce creature that was half human and half stone.” You’ll spot the cave beyond a small waterhole, but please be respectful—don’t climb inside.
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Tongue Point Walking Trail
Wilsons Promontory
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One of the best walks at The Prom. One of the best walks in Victoria, really. The Tongue Point Walking Trail follows the headline to the tip of Tongue Point—a lick of shrub-covered land, poking out into the Darby Bay. Giant boulders tower over your head, and you get some truly epic views of Darby Swamp, Cotters Beach and the Vereker Range.
Tongue Point is a serious hike. It’s 9.4 kilometres—one way. The whole thing should take around 4.5 hours. The landscape here is weathered coastal heath, classic Prom country. The wildlife isn’t shy either: you can often spot echidnas and wombats snuffling across the path. If you have the time, make sure you take the short detour down to Fairy Cove (you’ll thank us later).
Mount Oberon Summit Walk
Wilsons Promontory
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Any walk with ‘summit’ in the title is going to hurt. But Mount Oberon Summit Walk is definitely worth the sore thighs. Kicking off from the Telegraph Saddle carpark, Oberon is a steep slog, but it’s still one of the Prom’s shorter hikes (about 3.4 kilometres, one way). The ‘mountain’ is only 558 metres high, don’t forget.
You generally want to do this one at sunrise. If you time it right, you’ll get insane 360-degree views, just as the sun sweeps in from the eastern Prom. The waters sparkle turquoise. Look west and you can see past Little Oberon Bay, Norman Bay and Picnic Bay. If you’re hiking Oberon Summit at sunset (which is also a great idea) don’t forget to bring a torch. The nights get dark on the Prom.
Plenty Gorge Walk
South Morang
Plenty Gorge Park provides a spectacular backdrop for a weekend stroll with mates. If you are looking for a reprieve from the urban jungle and would appreciate a place to go bushwalking and wildlife watching, this is the destination for you.
The Plenty Gorge Walk will take you along scenic tracks that lead to the wooded gorge and dividing river. You’ll want to keep a lookout for fellow wildlife as the bushland is home to echidnas, kangaroos, herons and swans. The hour-and-a-half walk starts and ends in the Red Gum picnic area so you’d be foolish not to pack a lunch to celebrate the completion of your trek.
Ironbark Basin Walk
Great Ocean Road
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Ironbark Basin Walk runs from the southwestern end of Bells Beach all the way to Point Addis, snaking inland around Jarosite Mine and the Point Addis Marine National Park. Depending on the tides, you can start at Point Addis carpark and walk east along the beach—or do it in reverse. Either way, you get views over a sweeping basin that runs all the way down to the coast. If you’re lucky, you might spot a few echidnas, too.
Ironbark isn’t a strenuous hike. Most of the trail is packed earth and gentle gradients. Just keep in mind a few things. Dogs aren’t allowed on the trail (there’s a lot of native birdlife at Point Addis, and the rangers are pretty keen on keeping it alive). Also, watch out for cliffs and landslips. Jarosite Headland, in particular, can get dicey after rain. Stay well back from the edge.
Warburton Redwood Forest Walk
Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges
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The walk that launched a thousand Instagrams. The Warburton Redwood Forest got so popular after the COVID lockdown—when people were desperate for anything resembling a tree—that police had to shut it down. It’s back open now, but for best results, try and avoid the weekend crowds.
It’s easy to see why the Cement Creek Redwoods are so popular. The trunks rise 55 metres into the sky all around. The forest floor is a soft blanket of needles. Everything is quiet and muffled and still. The place practically screams Insta fodder. You’ll find this grove of California redwoods, Douglas firs and Bishop pines (1476 trees all up), about 14 minutes outside Warburton.
Editors note: Warburton Red Forest track is currently closed, check in here for all updates.
Kurth Kiln Walk
Gembrook
Kurth Kiln Regional Park is as rich in history as it is in nature. What was originally known for its kiln to make charcoal back in the second world war is now a popular spot for picnicking, camping and nature walking. This is a worthwhile pit stop for anyone exploring the stunning Dandenong Ranges.
The Kurth Kiln Walk provides nature seekers with a trail immersed in forest flora and creek views. You’ll follow a loop up and down Tomahawk Creek to start and end your hour-long stroll at the historic kiln. This walk is dog friendly so you’re more than welcome to bring along your fury mate, as long as you keep them on a leash.
Flinders Peak, You Yangs National Park
Little River
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Set out in the picturesque stretch of inland Victoria, the Flinders Peak walk is a decent 3.2km stroll through some of the state's most pristine bushland and terrain. Just over an hour from town, this one easily fits into the list as one of the bests walks near Melbourne. The medium-paced track also features a few stretches of elevation but it's all worth it once you take in that view. It's also doggo-friendly, fun for everyone.
Cape Woolamai Circuit
Phillip Island
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Stretching across the giant open ocean on Phillip Island, the Cape Woolamai circuit is a 9.2km loop that will take the better part of a day. Looping around pink granite cliffs with secluded swimming holes and ocean views—it's hard to argue its place in the best walks Victoria list.
1000 Steps Walk
DANDENONG RANGES
If the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk was ever a secret, someone let it slip years ago. Come Sunday mornings, every active-wearing person east of the CBD descends on the ‘1000 Steps’ to huff and puff their way up the 3km track. Some puff more than others.
Forged in the early 1900s, the ‘1000 Steps’ climbs through the Dandenong Ranges National Park. As the name suggests, it’s steep. You’ll definitely feel it in your quads the next day. Most of the steps are hand-cut timber or big slab stone. There are little rest stops here and there along the trail, too. These are good for wheezing, stretching and admiring the surrounding Manna Gums.
Maroondah Reservoir Park Walk
Healesville
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Just a short drive from the Healsville township you will find Maroondah Reservoir Park, an impressive 41-metre high dam wall offering walkers a new point of view to admire the diverse landscape. From here you can ogle formal gardens, forested slopes and the reservoir lake. You certainly won’t be stuck looking for a worthwhile view.
The Maroondah Reservoir Park Walk encourages visitors to take a stroll along the dam wall. This is essentially a walk in the park with its paved route. But while the trail is an easy forty-five minutes the views are still just as rewarding. No matter the season, rain, hail or shine, Maroondah Reservoir Park Walk and its Edna Walling-style landscape are beautiful all year round.
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