Macedon Ranges Short Walks
The Macedon Ranges is an attractive walking destination due to its proximity to Melbourne, stunning landscapes and diverse offerings. You’ll find there’s a walk for everyone – from short hikes and gentle creekside strolls to challenging trails popular for endurance training and social bushwalking groups.
In early spring, the bush is blooming with native wildflowers, while in cooler months Mt Macedon’s unique eco-system comes alive with an amazing diversity of fungi and mushrooms.
Our nature reserves and parks are also home to an abundance of wildlife including grey kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and hundreds of species of birds, as well as rare and endangered species such as the Brush-tailed Phascogale.
Hanging Rock Reserve walks
Visitors to the Macedon Ranges can experience everything from native bushland and cool forests, scenic views, granitic boulders and impressive volcanic rock formations – the most famous being Hanging Rock.
There are three walks you can enjoy in the Hanging Rock Reserve – The Summit Walking Trail, Base Walking Trail and Creek Walking Trail.
Find out more about visiting Hanging Rock
Mt Macedon walks
For a hike and the chance to experience Mt Macedon’s magnificent forest scenery and wildlife, you must visit the family-friendly Sanatorium Lake Walking Trail.
Or if you want to escape into another world, try the Murmuring Walk experience around Sanatorium Lake. Murmuring Walk is a free, sensory audio-guided experience that will take you into a quiet, meditative state. The birds, grasses, ferns and trees join with the audio track to create a sublime walking experience.
Learn more about the Murmuring Walk
If you’re feeling energetic and are looking for a rewarding scenic view, the steep incline up Camels Hump is also absolutely worth the effort.
Check out our cool Camels, Llamas and Parmas itinerary for a great hiking itinerary!
Murmuring Walk at Sanatorium Lake, Macedon Regional Park
Challenging hikes
Macedon Regional Park on Mt Macedon consists of 30km of connecting trails. Parks Victoria break these down into ‘bite-sized’ hikes that will give you plenty of excuses to keep coming back for me.
However, if you’re after a challenging full-day hike, wny not tackle the 30km trail in one go? The Macedon Ranges Walking Trail links Camels Hump and Mount Towrong with the mountain villages of Mount Macedon and Macedon. Stock up at the Mt Macedon Trading Post Cafe in advance on supplies to keep you going
See the Macedon Regional Park Trail Map for a full list of all walks in the area.
Trail runs on Mt Macedon
If you’re into trail running you’ll love Macedon Regional Park. We’ve collaborated with a local trail runner to put together a number of awesome trail running routes through the forest you have to try.
Here’s five terrific trail runs on Mt Macedon to get the heart pumping
Trail running in Macedon Regional Park.
Hidden gems
You’ll find a number of hidden bushwalking gems throughout the shire, including Black Hill Reserve and Bald Hill Reserve, both on the outskirts of Kyneton.
Check out our Black Hill Bushwalk and Wine Tasting itinerary
Conglomerate Gully Reserve in Riddells Creek is another great bushwalk, where the Western Grassland Plains meet the hills of the Macedon Ranges. Time your visit with the Riddells Creek monthly farmers’ market or head to Dromkeen Homestead for a Devonshire tea afterward.
Check out our Conglomerate Gully Hike and Devonshire Tea itinerary
Conglomerate Gully Reserve, Riddells Creek
Gentle village walks in the Macedon Ranges
You’ll typically find a tranquil creekside walk in each village of the Macedon Ranges.
In Kyneton, the Campaspe River Walk is popular, as is the Best of Kyneton walk, while Five Mile Creek Walk in Woodend weaves an interesting course through areas of unique native vegetation. Malmsbury is a picturesque destination for a gentle stroll through the historic botanic gardens and adjacent Malmsbury Common Reserve.
Closer to Melbourne, Gisborne’s Jackson’s Creek Walk snakes its way along grassy embankments and giant deciduous trees. Spanning both sides of Station Road, you can begin in Gisborne Botanic Gardens and wind your way across to Sankey Reserve.
Kyneton’s Campaspe River Walk
Download our Macedon Ranges Walks brochure
For more information about all the short walks to discover in the region, download the latest copy of our Macedon Ranges Walks brochure.
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