13 Best Bushwalks Near Melbourne 2025

Escape the urban jungle and immerse yourself in Melbourne’s backyard on a bushwalk within arms reach of the CBD.

We Are Explorers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Countries on which these adventures take place who have occupied and cared for these lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

You can just about drive two hours in any direction from Melbourne’s CBD and find your way blocked by beautiful parkland, native forest, or a towering mountain range. Our bushland is a beautiful thing and lucky for us, there’s plenty of it to explore!

While you could go for a leisurely stroll around Albert Park Lake, or a gruelling slog up Mt Donna Buang, a bushwalk gives you the best of both worlds.

These days we’re all pretty busy so it can be hard to get out for an eight-hour adventure, but a lap around the block just doesn’t cut it. This list of bushwalks near Melbourne gives you a little bit of rugged bushland, incredible views, a goldilocks amount of incline, and the flexibility to be back home in time for dinner.

Let’s go!

1. Flinders Peak Walk

Location: You Yangs Regional Park
Distance: 3km return
Time from Melbourne: 1 hour
Level of difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Rising 450 steps above the surrounding landscape, this bushwalk will take you to the highest point of the You Yangs Regional Park.

Near the top you’ll be able to look down at the Bunjil Geoglyph, native bushland, and open grasslands from a perfectly placed lookout. Geoglyphs are rock sculptures designed to be viewed from above (like the Nazca Lines). This one depicts Bunjil, the creator spirit of the Wathaurong people, who takes the form of a Wedge-tailed Eagle.

If that’s not enough to get you in the car there are also BBQs and the whole park is dog-friendly if you keep pup on their lead. You beudy! The You Yangs is a fantastic place with plenty of walking tracks to enjoy, and only a stone’s throw from Melbourne. There’s a reason it’s landed first on this list of our favourite bushwalks!

This bushwalk is located on Traditional Country of the Wadawurrung people.

Read more: What’s Minimal Impact Bushwalking & How Do I Make Sure I’m Doing It?

@jessleenehme

2. 1000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk

Location: Upper Ferntree Gully, Dandenong Ranges
Distance: 3km return
Time from Melbourne: 40 minutes
Level of difficulty: Moderate

I know, I know, the 1000 steps is a pretty well-known bushwalk in Melbourne, but with oodles of ferns, heaps of #vert and a tiny commute it’s a shoe-in. It’s about 1.5km to the top of the steps, which have been adopted as a memorial to the 625 soldiers who perished on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea in World War Two.

Now all of those stairs are being used to give keen city-slickers a mean nature workout, so pack your activewear and get those glutes firing. This challenging bushwalk is located on the Traditional Land of the Wurundjeri people.

Read more: Explorer’s Guide to Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges

@jessleenehme

3. Sherbrooke Falls Trail

Location: Dandenong Ranges National Park
Distance: 2.4km
Time from Melbourne: 50 minutes
Level of difficulty: Moderate

Starting from either the Sherbrooke or O’Donohue Picnic Grounds in Sherbrooke Forest, the Sherbrooke Falls Trail is a peaceful alternative to the

Insta-famous 1000 steps (home of Melbourne’s fitness fanatics!).

This bushwalk meanders beneath towering ferns and the stunning Mountain Ash trees on the way to the tranquil goodness of Sherbrooke Falls. The falls themselves are a little underwhelming but the surrounding bushland shines.

This walk takes about an hour and is the perfect place for a bit of wildlife spotting. Head there towards the end of the day and you’re likely to see the occasional kangaroo if you’re quiet.

Located on the Traditional Land of the Wurundjeri, Bunurong and Boon Wurrung people.

Read more: A Day in the Dandenong Ranges 

@jabjab01

4. Organ Pipes Trail

Location: Organ Pipes National Park
Distance: 3km
Time from Melbourne: 30 minutes
Level of difficulty: Easy

This is so epic. It’s easily one of the best bushwalks in Melbourne. In the time it takes to mainline an episode of Friends you could be parking the car ON TOP OF an old volcano before traipsing through a valley featuring (take it away Parks Victoria) ‘one of the world’s largest ancient volcanic lava flows, stretching 350km from the edge of Melbourne to the western border of Victoria.’

The striking basalt columns of the Organ Pipes are the main attraction, but the Tessellated Pavement and Rosette Rock (with spokes like a wheel) give this bushwalk major bang for your buck. Plus, there’s no rock scrambling required. Located on Traditional Country of the Wurundjeri People.

@jessleenehme

5. Hanging Rock Summit Walk

Location: Macedon Ranges
Distance: 3.8km loop
Time from Melbourne: 1 hour
Level of difficulty: Moderate

Once you read the definition of a mamelon (stiff magma pouring from a vent and congealing in place) you won’t be particularly surprised that it’s the French word for nipple. Hanging Rock, along with its friend Camels Hump, are two beaut viewpoints just north of Melbourne that climb these cheeky formations.

Learn about their weird geology on the Hanging Rock Summit Bushwalk before hooking in for a picnic at the opulent picnic area. Located on Traditional Country of the Wurundjeri, the Djaara and the Taungurung people.

View from Camels Hump | @mattiejgould

6. Toorongo Falls Circuit Walk

Location: Toorongo Falls Reserve
Distance: 2.2km return
Time from Melbourne: 1 hour 50 minutes
Level of difficulty: Easy

This tranquil little bushwalk in Gippsland squeezes a lot into its short distance. As you walk beneath ferns and over moss-covered boulders you’ll come to viewing spots for Toorongo Falls and Amphitheatre Falls. There’s a campsite nearby and even places to swim in the warmer months. Day trip or weekend away? That’s up to you.

This bushwalk is located on the Traditional Land of the Wurundjeri, Bunurong, Gunaikurnai and Taungurung people.

Photo by Lorenzo Santucci

7. Cape Woolamai Circuit

Location: Millowl (Phillip Island)
Distance: 8.5km loop
Time from Melbourne: 1 hour 45 minutes
Level of difficulty: Moderate

Combine all of the bushwalks on Millowl (Phillip Island) with the full Cape Woolamai Circuit. Cape Woolamai is the highest point on the island and offers stellar views back across the isolated headland. While you’re walking alongside the steep cliffs, look out for nesting short-tailed shearwaters – the birds make their burrows on the island and migrate to Alaska in April. This bushwalk is located on the Traditional Land of the Bunurong people.

Read more: Phillip Island Adventure Guide

@jessleenehme

8. Californian Redwood Forest Loop Walk

Location: Warburton
Distance: 1.9km
Time from Melbourne: 1 hour 55 minutes
Level of difficulty: Easy

Only a ten-minute drive from Warburton, the Californian Redwood Forest Walk in the Yarra Ranges continues to grow in popularity.

While this walk is a loop, you can wander beneath the canopy and there are plenty of picnic spots to enjoy good food and great views at the same time. Kids love running amongst the trees, and will be amazed by the giant ‘dragon’s nests’ and sculptures crafted out of branches dotted across the forest floor.

Note: Direct access to the Redwood Forest is via Cement Creek Road. Alternatively, you can access the forest via the significantly longer walking route using O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail as detailed below.

This bushwalk is located on the Traditional Land of the Gunaikurnai people.

Photo via Warburton Adventure Co.

9. Margaret Lester Forest Walk

Location: Dandenong Ranges National Park
Distance: 500m loop
Time from Melbourne: 50 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy

This peaceful bushwalk is accessible for everyone, including people using wheelchairs and little ones in prams. It starts just beside the visitor centre, communal pergola and BBQ area at Grants Picnic Ground in the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

The track is 1.2m wide and made of bitumen for 300m, and compressed gravel for the remaining 200m. The track makes a semicircle joining the car park in two places and you can either travel back via the bitumen car park or use the parallel gravel track to get back to the start.

There are always plenty of cockatoos, rosellas, and kookaburras to enjoy in the picnic ground, but once you’re on the hard surfaced track you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for Lyrebirds. Even if you don’t spot any, you’ll be blown away by the natural beauty of this stunning national park.

This bushwalk is located on the Traditional Land of the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung people.

@jessleenehme

10. Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk

Location: Werribee Gorge State Park
Distance: 10km
Time from Melbourne: 1 hour
Level of difficulty: Moderate

Resisting the obvious pun here, the Werribee Gorge Circuit bushwalk is impressive. From Meikles Point picnic area you’ll follow the river and scramble over rocks, there’s even a 50m cable-assisted section for when the rock gets too steep. Then it’s time to climb up to the rim.

The Eastern View lookout will give you a stellar photo of the whole park before you’re off again towards the quarry. Don’t forget your bathers for a post-bushwalk swim!

This bushwalk is located on the Traditional Land of the Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri people.

Read more: Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk – A Tough Bushwalk Near Melbourne

@mydreamadventure

11. Lerderderg Gorge Circuit Walk

Location: Lerderderg State Park
Distance: 13.5km
Time from Melbourne: 1 hour
Level of difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Another epic gorge within an hour of the CBD! Sorry, but the Lerderderg Gorge Circuit bushwalk is gorgeous, it’s lusher than the exposed Werribee Gorge and packed with peaceful pools to ponder. Don’t be fooled though, like Werribee the Lerderderg State Park has been mined, so do your best to stay on track to avoid falling down a mineshaft!

This one of the tougher Melbourne day hikes and if you find it on an ‘easy walking tracks’ list – it’s a bad list. There’s plenty of rock hopping and river crossings required and the tough little circuit walk rewards walkers with a swimming spot before the halfway point. As far as walking trails go, the Lerderderg Gorge Circuit gives plenty of value!

The car park is generous but it’s also one of the most popular bushwalks in Melbourne so you’ll want to time your visit carefully to avoid parking up to 3km down the road (very common!).

This bushwalk is located on the Traditional Land of the Wurundjeri people.

Read more: Lerdergerg Gorge Bushwalk Guide

@jessleenehme

12. Bushrangers Bay and Cape Schanck Trail

Location: Mornington Peninsula
Distance: 10km return
Time from Melbourne: 85 minutes
Level of difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

This stunning coastal jaunt takes you through the bush to the rugged cliffs of Cape Schanck at the southern tip of the Mornington Peninsula. The bushwalk is suitable for beginners but that doesn’t mean you’re not in for a treat.

From the cheeky hidden beaches at Bushrangers Bay to the possibility of kangaroo sightings and an idyllic lighthouse to mark your turnaround point, this varied bushwalk is a must. Located on the Traditional Land of the Bunurong people.

Photo: Visit Victoria

13. Ironbark Basin – Bells Beach to Point Addis

Location: Point Addis
Distance: 10.5km loop
Time from Melbourne: 1 hour 30 minutes
Level of difficulty: Moderate

The Ironbark Basin Walk is a beautiful section of the Surf Coast Walk that runs for 44km from Torquay to Aireys Inlet. You’ll hike along cliff tops and through coastal scrub, taking in views of the famous surf beach where the Rip Curl Surf Pro is held, before making your way to Point Addis and down onto the beach to complete the loop. Make sure you go at low tide if you’re doing the beach loop!

This bushwalk is located on the Traditional Land of the Wathaurung people.

What’s the best month for bushwalks in Melbourne?

March to May and September to November are considered the best months to go for a bushwalk in Melbourne, and across Victoria. The weather is mild and you avoid the extreme heat of summer and lashings of rain common in winter.

Choosing to walk in these months will make your bushwalk a lot more pleasant, and you get to enjoy the autumn leaves and spring blooms – perfect!

Best Bushwalks Near Melbourne FAQs

What other bushwalks can I do near Melbourne?

There are heaps of great bushwalks to be enjoyed near Melbourne. If you’ve exhausted the above list, try this collection of four hidden hiking gems in Melbourne’s outer-east.

How is a bushwalk different to a walk?

Bushwalks are generally on more rugged terrain or traversing more remote environments than your average walk. Those are typically more urban, close to roads, and while they might involve beautiful lakes or lookouts, you’re never too far from civilisation.

What shoes do I need for a bushwalk?

This one is up to your personal preference, both boots and runners are acceptable in most circumstances (here’s a guide to choosing a pair of boots). If you have trouble with shoes rubbing on your heels, check out our guide to help prevent blisters so that pain isn’t a distraction on your bushwalks.

What’s the best bushwalk for beginners?

Out of the bushwalks on this list, the best one for beginners is the Californian Redwood Forest Loop. It’s long enough to give you a sense of achievement, the scenery is out of this world, and it’s relatively flat so people of average fitness will enjoy it without needing to train.

Where are the best bushwalks in Melbourne?

From Yarra Bend Park to Albert Park Lake, there are heaps of great walks in Melbourne to enjoy. Check out our list of the top 11 walks in Melbourne for more ideas.

What gear do I need for a bushwalk?

There are a few essentials every day hiker should have on them (trekking poles, boots, first aid kit…). We wrote a whole article about it! Make sure to load the best hiking navigation apps to your phone before you head out too!

What’s the difference between a national park, regional parks, and a state forest?

People have been asking this question forever, and even when you’ve read the answer before, it’s easy to forget! Refresh your memory with this explainer article.

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