Best hiking spots Victoria: Werribee Gorge National Park, Mount Buangor Walk, Grampians Peaks Trail

Looking to get out in nature this winter? There’s no shortage of amazing hiking spots across the state. Check out our guide.

There’s no shortage of amazing places to hike in Victoria, including Falcons Lookout, Werribee Gorge State Park.

The weather may be turning cooler, but there’s no shortage of amazing spots to hike across the state this winter to get your heart rate racing and connect with nature.

Parks Victoria, local councils and hiking enthusiasts have recommended some of the most spectacular places to walk this winter.

But hikers are warned to make sure they know where they’re going, and know their capabilities.

Check out some of the best places to explore:

Werribee Gorge State Park

Spectacular views are on offer at this popular hiking spot, which offers a range of challenging walks.

Kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and echidnas call the park home, while visitors can also enjoy bird watching, picnics, and rock climbing.

George Bass Coastal Walk, Phillip Island

The 7km clifftop trail stretches from the outskirts of San Remo at Punchbowl Rd, to the Bass Highway in Kilcunda.

You may even spot some whales in the ocean while on your journey, with humpback whales and southern right whales seen along the coastline during winter.

Sherbrooke Falls, Dandenong Ranges

Head to the hills to enjoy a walk through the tall mountain ash trees in Sherbrooke Forest.

Parks Victoria advises walkers to take the Sherbrooke Track or O’Donohue Track to get to Sherbrooke Falls, which are small and obscured by tree ferns, “but the real star of this walk is the rainforest as a whole”.

Mount Buangor Walk

Located in the Mount Buangor State Park, between Ararat and Beaufort on the Western Highway, hikers can explore a 15km network of walking tracks, with spectacular scenery on offer, including waterfalls.

Kinglake National Park

The park offers a number of shorter walks that start at the Masons Falls Picnic Area.

Follow the Masons Falls Walk for 700m to the waterfall lookout platform. You may also spot wallabies and the superb lyrebird on your way. There’s also the more challenging 7.8km Running Creek Walk. Other waterfalls worth checking out include Steavenson Falls near Marysville and Erskine Falls near Lorne.

Grampians Peaks Trail

For those looking for more of a challenge, the “spectacular” Grampians Peaks Trail (160km) is a 13-day/12-night hiking experience through a variety of terrain in the Grampians National Park.

The spectacular Grampians National Park. Picture: Belinda VanZanen/Visit Victoria

Beechworth

Parks Victoria recommends walkers start by enjoying the sight of the spectacular Woolshed Falls in Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park.

“If you’ve a few hours to spare from there head off to walk to the nearby cascades in the Beechworth Historic Park.

“Enjoy beautiful views, rock formations, the changing bushland and scenery and the gently cascading water of Spring Creek.”

Great Ocean Walk, Great Ocean Road

Expect to spot koalas, lighthouses, the Twelve Apostles, whales and spectacular scenery if you take on the Great Ocean Walk. The whole 110km trek will take eight days, but walkers can sample different sections on a range of shorter hikes for just a day or multi-day treks.

Kooyoora State Park, Western Victoria

Walking tracks and road networks are the best way to see the natural features of the park, including granite boulders, rock wells and breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside from the Melville Caves summit and Mount Brenanah.

Kooyoora State Park.

Wyperfeld National Park, northwest Victoria

The central feature of this huge park is a chain of lake beds connected by Outlet Creek, the northern extension of the Wimmera River.

Mount Alexander Regional Park, Harcourt North

A popular spot for bushwalkers, Mount Alexander Regional Park rises 350m above the nearby town of Harcourt North.

According to the Bendigo Tourism website, within the 1400ha park there are a number of magnificent lookouts including Lang’s Lookout, Dog Rocks and Shepherd’s Flat.

The 4km West Ridge Walking Track provides a link between these lookouts.

Plenty Gorge Parklands, Bundoora

Walk the tracks to the beautiful gorge and keep your eyes peeled for amazing wildlife that calls the park home, including wedge-tailed eagles and kangaroos.

The blue lake can be spotted from the viewing platform along the walking track to the lake.

You Yangs Regional Park, southwest Victoria

The park is described as a “mecca” for walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers. The challenging Flinders Point Lookout walk will take you to the highest point of the You Yangs. Once you reach the top, you can enjoy uninterrupted views out to Melbourne and Geelong.

Lerderderg State Park, southeast Victoria

Just an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the Lerderderg River has carved a deep and picturesque gorge through the rugged park.

Hikers can follow an old water race and hike part of the Great Dividing Trail, or stroll along the river from Mackenzies Flat Picnic Area.