Hiking in Victoria Guide: Best Hikes in Victoria

Is Victoria Good for Hiking?

Victoria has hiking trails that people from all over the world can enjoy all year long. Victoria's dramatic and varied scenery and weather make it easy to get outside and hike on beaches, in the desert, or up mountain peaks and ranges.

Parks Victoria has a lot of different hiking and bushwalking options for people of all skill levels, from those who want to explore the Alpine area to those who want to take on the Great Ocean Walk.

How to Prepare for Hiking in Victoria?

Preparing for a hike is an essential part of walking in Australia. The basics are the same whether hiking for one or several days.

Plan your hike thoroughly, develop the necessary skills, and pack the gear you need to survive the adventure, including a few extra items to keep you safe if things don't go as planned. You should be familiar with and do some basic things when preparing for a hike.  

Step 1: Choose The Right Trail

Selecting the proper hike depends on your fitness level, available time, and the places you want to see. Victoria Park walks range from a few hours to 13 days and are suitable for hikers with different needs.

If you want everyone to have a great time hiking or bushwalking, you should pick a walk that fits your abilities, the abilities of anyone else you are going with, your time, and the weather. 

Step 2: Plan in Advance

Regardless of the time of year, planning your hike is essential.

• Check the weather conditions when planning the excursion if you need to change your plans.
• Tell your family and friends where you are going and when you will return.
• Check fire danger levels, restrictions, and total fire bans for your route and destination.
• Make sure you have a contingency plan.

Step 3: Pack Hiking Essentials

The longer the hike and the worse the weather, the more clothing, gear, food, and water you'll need. Below is a gear list specific to day hikes and one for multi-day hikes.

One-Day Hiking Essentials

Day hiking refers to hikes that can be completed in one day instead of multi-day trips like backpacking or full-throttle hikes. When packing for a day hike, use a handy checklist to avoid forgetting necessities.

Multi-Day Hiking Essentials

Multi-day hikes will last several days without return, so you must take all the essential stuff. In addition to packing your hiking gear, you should consider your camping gear. Here is a list of what you need to prepare for a multi-day hike. For hiking in Victoria, the must-have gear is:

Many first-time overnight hikers think they can get away with just sleeping on the ground, and we're here to tell you that's a bad idea. Even if you're particularly good at sleeping on hard surfaces, the ground below your tent is rarely going to be lush grass and might be rocky or uneven; sleeping mats fix this problem.

Jackery Portable Power Stations can make hiking more fun and powerful since electricity is vital, especially for overnight hiking. 

Bring a small power station like the Jackery Explorer 600 Plus or Explorer 300 Plus to charge your electronics (GPS devices, communication tools, and personal electronics) on your hiking trip. They are only the size of a book or a ball, so you can easily take them everywhere.

Best 10 Hikes in Victoria 

Victoria has many attractions, but some of its most incredible beauties are on the city's outskirts, mountains, coast, and forests. So whether you're looking for a great waterfall or fantastic mountain views, hiking is a great way to do it.

Here is a selection of the ten best hikes in Victoria, including long walks and day hikes.  

1. Wilsons Promontory Southern Circuit

Location: Victoria 3960, Australia (Open in Google Maps)

Website: Wilsons Promontory Southern Circuit

Length: 59km

Difficulty: Hard

Hiking Time: 3 Days

Victoria's most famous multi-day walk is the Wilsons Promontory South Circuit, from the slopes of Mt Oberon to Wilsons Promontory National Park at Hayles Bay, which heads along the east coast of Wilsons Promontory National Park and goes south through Bar.

Then, travel through the dramatic waters of the Strait to reach the southernmost lighthouse on the Australian mainland. Generally a challenging route, the Wilsons Promontory Southern Circuit is excellent for backpacking, birding and camping.

Along the way, you will see dense jungles, beautiful rocky beaches, coastal dunes, secluded coves, steep granite cliffs, vast heaths and dense coastal tiger bushes. 

2. Surf Coast Walk, Great Ocean Road

Location: Anglesea VIC 3230, Australia (Open in Google Maps)

Website: Surf Coast Walk

Length: 44km

Difficulty: Hard

Hiking Time: 2 Days

The Surf Coast Walk is a world-class walk that provides easy access to the coast's beauty, including stunning views of the unobstructed bay and impressive lookouts. The Surf Coast Walk will take you to the beaches near Torquay, Australia's surfing capital, including the iconic Bells Beach, and then to Point Addis.

The trail is easily accessible and has 12 hiking trails, perfect for short, long or multi-day hikes. You can start at either end of the road but at Impossible Corner at the northern end (between Torquay and Bramley). 

3. The Viking Circuit

Location: Abbeyard VIC 3737, Australia (Open in Google Maps)

Website: The Viking Circuit

Length: 41km

Difficulty: Hard

Hiking Time: 3-4 Days

The Viking Circuit is a 41-kilometre hiking route in the Alpine National Park northeast of Melbourne, featuring some of Victoria's most beautiful alpine scenery.

This hike takes you through some of the most beautiful scenery in Victoria, which is one of the toughest in Australia. The Viking Circuit passes through Crosscut Saw, over the top of Mt Speculation and The Viking before descending into the valley and crossing the Wonnangatta River. 

4. The Wilderness Coast Walk

Location: W Wingan Rd, Wingan River VIC 3891, Australia (Open in Google Maps)

Website: The Wilderness Coast Walk

Length: 100km

Difficulty: Harder

Hiking Time: 8-10 Days

The Wilderness Coast Walk is over 100km from Sydenham Inlet in Croajingolong to Wonboyn in New South Wales. You will hike along the rugged coastline, explore secluded beaches, dunes and vast estuaries, walk along long stretches of sand and hike through lush vegetation on ill-defined trails.

This hike is ideal for experienced hikers. Please note that campsites on this hike must be reserved. Additionally, minimal-impact bushwalking is highly encouraged, especially within the Krajin Gurung National Park, as the area has been declared a wilderness area.

5. Grampians Peaks Trail

Location: 154 Grampians Road, Halls Gap, Victoria, 3381 (Open in Google Maps)

Website: Grampians Peaks Trail

Length: 160km

Difficulty: Hardest

Hiking Time: 13 Days

The Grampians Peaks Trail starts at Zero Mountain in the north and heads south past Mt. Difficult and through Halls Gap. Highlights include Redman Bluff, Mt. Major Mitchell Plateau, Mt. Abrupt, and finally, Dunkeld in the south. Filled with incredible views and natural wonders, this trail is perfect for hikers looking for a multi-day hiking experience or a short day trip.

The Grampians Peaks Trail is divided into the North, Middle, and South sections.

• The northern section (4 days, 51 km/32 miles) starts at Mount Zero and ends at Halls Gap.
• The middle section (5 days, 64 km/39 miles) starts at Halls Gap and ends at Yarram Camp. Travelling through iconic sites such as the Wonderland Range, Grand Canyon and Pinnacle, you continue past Mount Rosea and up to the range's highest peak, Mount William, before crossing the remote Major Mitchel Plateau.
• The southern leg (4 days, 49 km 31 miles) starts at Yarram Camp and ends in Dunkeld.

6. Northern Circuit

Location: Neds Gully Track, Taggerty, Victoria, 3714 (Open in Google Maps)

Website: Northern Circuit   

Length: 12.5km

Difficulty: Moderate

Hiking Time: 6 Hours

The Northern Circuit is a 12.5-mile hiking trail in Cathedral Ranges State Park. The Northern Circuit uncovers the vast northern reaches of the range, taking you past South Jawbone Peak, North Jawbone Peak (optional spur route), The Farmyard, Little Cathedral Peak, Neds Peak, and Neds Gully.

7. Barmah Lakes Loop Track

Location: Dixons Creek VIC 3775, Australia (Open in Google Maps)

Website: Barmah Lakes Loop Track

Length: 4km

Difficulty: Easy

Hiking Time: 1 Hour 45 Min

Barmah Lakes Loop Track is a 4km loop trail near Barmah, Victoria. This route is ideal for hiking, jogging and walking and is considered easy. The Barmah Lakes Loop Track circles the Murray River and Lake Barmah, passing through the world's largest red gum forest.

On the Barmah Lakes Loop Track, you have the chance to see native creatures such as grey kangaroos and koalas, as well as more than 200 species of resident birds, including emus, spoonbills, sea eagles and parrots of various colours.

8. Keppel Lookout Trail

Location: Falls Rd, Marysville VIC 3779, Australia (Open in Google Maps)

Website: Keppel Lookout Trail   

Length: 15.5km

Difficulty: Moderate

Hiking Time: 3 Hours 33 Min

Keppel Lookout Trail is a 15.5 km hiking trail in Marysville State Forest, Victoria. The Keppel Lookout Trail is one of Victoria's most challenging trails, with uneven and steep terrain in many places. Travel through hardwoods and mountain ash forests to reach four of Marysville's best viewpoints, with spectacular views of Marysville, Cathedral Range State Park, and Steavenson Falls.

9. Mt Hedrick Lookout Walk

Location: Huggett Road, Maffra West Upper VIC 3859, Australia (Open in Google Maps)

Website: Mt Hedrick Lookout Walk

Length: 7.1km

Difficulty: Easy

Hiking Time: 2 Hours 13 Min

Mt Hedrick Lookout Walk is a moderately tricky 7.1 km walk in east-central Victoria. The Mt Hedrick Lookout Walk is the gateway to Victoria's fabulous high country, offering views of rainforest landscapes, lyrebirds, orchids and luscious valley views. The trail is excellent for hiking, running, and walking, and you'll likely encounter a few other people while exploring. 

10. Two Bays Trail

Location: Main Ridge VIC 3928, Australia (Open in Google Maps)

Website: Two Bays Trail

Length: 28km

Difficulty: Moderate

Hiking Time: 6 Hours 41 Min

The Two Bays Trail is a challenging route, one of the most extended continuous walks on the Mornington Peninsula. The Two Bays Trail runs from Dromana to Cape Schanck, showcasing views of Arthurs Seat State Park and Mornington Peninsula National Park before ending at Cape Schanck. This hiking route is an excellent spot for backpacking, camping, and hiking, and it's open year-round, so you can meet other people while you explore.

Jackery Portable Power Stations for Hiking

Take your Victoria hiking adventures to the next level with Jackery Portable Power Stations. Jackery Portable Power Stations are made for people who like being outside and care about the environment and their comfort. They give your tools a safe way to get power while on the go.

Jackery ensures that their Portable Power Stations use lithium-ion and LiFePO4 batteries for a steady power source. These generators can use the sun's energy now that Jackery Solar Panels are added. This makes them an eco-friendly power source for Victoria's beautiful scenery.

We recommend Jackery Explorer 600 Plus and 300 Plus for hiking trips since they are compact, portable, and powerful. By taking them, you should never worry about losing electricity.

Jackery Explorer 600 Plus

The Jackery Explorer 600 Plus is the best portable power option. It can power many outdoor devices, from GPS devices to camping lights, with its 800W output and 632Wh capacity. The Jackery Explorer 600 Plus is your go-to power station for all your activities because it is strong, durable, and light. It makes charging easy outdoors.

The Jackery Explorer 600 Plus can meet all of your outdoor entertainment needs. A lot of different outdoor gadgets can connect to it. Its dual PD fast charging can go up to 100W, so your devices will be charged quickly. The Explorer 600 Plus can give you long-lasting power, a backup in an emergency, or quiet charging that won't bother anyone.

It's small and light (16.1 pounds/7.3 kg), making it convenient and easy to store. It's easy to take with you because the handle folds up. You can always get power to stay linked and charged on your hikes, no matter where they take you.    

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus

The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus portable power station is a lightweight and efficient power supply designed to meet the power needs for various situations such as hiking, kayaking, picnicking, camping, road trips, and emergency power backup.

This power station has a unique Battery Management System (BMS). It has 52 safety features and 12 BMS algorithms that work together to keep the device and any attached appliances as safe as possible. It also has four kinds of physical security to ensure everyone is safe.

This model stands out because it has an intelligent app control feature that lets users quickly manage the battery through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This makes it more modern and convenient to use. It's also very light - only 8.27 pounds - so it's an excellent choice for people who are always on the go.

Tips for Hiking in Victoria

How can you stay safe while having fun while hiking in Victoria? You should know some things to ensure a safe and enjoyable hike.

Before embarking on any trails, you should check the district's website for the latest information on road, hiking and seasonal closures.

If you plan to camp, find out in advance if you need a permit. If required, overnight hikers must obtain a license and carry it with them before starting the hike.

• Please ensure you have an emergency contact informed of your travel itinerary.
• Pay attention to safety warning signs and understand the fire danger level.
• Bring a complete paper topographic map.
• Download the Victoria Emergency app.

How to Deal with Getting Lost

Most designated trails are marked; you can usually bring a downloaded or paper map for reference. If you get lost, don't panic and confirm your location immediately. If you need more confidence returning to your last known location, stay where you are. Stay warm and calm, and seek shelter while waiting for help.

To attract the attention of air or ground searchers, you may need to move above a clearing, waterway, or treeline. Place any brightly coloured items together to attract attention from the air, and listen for calls or whistles from search personnel on the ground. You can attract attention by giving a recognisable distress signal, such as three evenly spaced calls, shouts or whistles.

Care for The Environment

When hiking, always stay on marked trails. Walking off track can damage sensitive vegetation, disturb Aboriginal cultural heritage artifacts, compact the ground and spread plant diseases.

• Throw away all rubbish generated during the hike to the unified recycling point.
• Wear clean clothes and shoes when entering the walking area.
• If you plan to hike at night, follow campfire safety rules.

Hiking in Victoria FAQs

The following are the frequently asked questions about hiking in Victoria:

1. When is the best time fora multi-day hike in Victoria?

Choosing when to go on a multi-day hike depends mainly on the climate and environment of the location you plan to visit.

Multi-day winter hikes in mountainous areas like Alpine National Park require more planning and proper winter gear.

Also, mid-summer temperatures can be more extreme in exposed areas such as the Grampians National Park. Extra care and protection will be required, including carrying extra water, covering up, and walking early and late in the day. 

2. What are the top ten dog-friendly trails in Victoria?

More than 40 national parks in Victoria are strictly dog-friendly, a fundamental rule in protecting our beautiful wilderness areas. National parks were created to protect native and natural environments.

They are often used as bird breeding grounds and forest restoration projects and are home to Australia's unique flora and fauna. In most cases, dogs are not allowed in parks with other wild animals. Fortunately, there are exceptions where dogs are allowed on hikes. Here are ten dog-friendly hiking trails.

• Gorge Walk
• Snake Ridge to Clear Spot Lookout
• The Goat (Alpine Park to Mystics)
• Historic Gorge Track
• Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls
• Chute Road and Mount Macedon Circuit
• Lake Elizabeth Circuit
• Mount Martha Community Forest
• Tassels Cove Track
• Red Hill Rail Trail

3. What is the longest hiking trail in Victoria?

The Grampians Peaks Trail is 164 kilometres long and is the longest hiking trail in Victoria. The Grampians Peaks Trail is a challenging 13-day/12-night long-distance hiking experience.

4. Is it difficult to hike on the Grampians Peak Trail?

The Grampians Peaks Trail is a challenging long-distance trail. Surface changes due to weather effects make walking difficult in some areas. All hikers must be informed, prepared and have a good fitness level before hiking. 

Final Thoughts

Victoria's hiking routes offer a variety of outdoor adventures. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned expert, Victoria has a hiking route to suit you. From trekking through ancient forests to climbing mountain peaks, Victoria's beautiful national parks offer the perfect hike for every walker.

This guide includes pre-hike preparation suggestions, the top ten recommended hikes in Victoria, and some safety tips. If you're interested in travelling to Victoria and trying some hiking, check out this guide to enjoy your hike!