13 Incredible Hikes In Melbourne | Australian Traveller

Feel like hiking around Melbourne? While clinging close to the CBD might offer you plenty of classic Melbourne walks, you’ll need to venture outside of the city to find those hard-won hiking trails.

There are numerous picturesque hikes near Melbourne, from the Yarra Bend Loop to Neds Gully Track, all varying in difficulty, terrain and distance. So next time you’re feeling like you need to bathe yourself in nature, leave Melbourne’s storied restaurants, cafes, bars and museums behind and head on out to these 13 glorious hiking trails.

Easy hikes in Melbourne

If you’re after some easy hikes in Melbourne then take note of the below options, all featuring relatively smooth trails that are wheelchair accessible, have very few obstacles or elevation gains, and are suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.

1. Yarra Bend Loop, Fairfield

Time from Melbourne CBD: 15 minutes

Starting from the Studley Park Boathouse, the Yarra Bend Loop is an easy 9.5 kilometres and should take you around two hours to complete. This trail is a popular hike for families and couples with the added benefit of being within 15 minutes of the CBD.

The loop spans Yarra Bend Park , Studley Park and Dights Falls with plenty of natural landscapes to admire along the way. The parks also have numerous other signposted trails that are much shorter, but given it is an easy drive from the city, most visitors don’t mind hiking the longer loop and making a day of it.

rowing boats in Yarra Bend Park — The historic Studley Park boathouse is set on the Yarra River. (Image: Parks Victoria)

Distance: 9.5 kilometres
Getting there: Take the 15-minute drive to Studley Park Boathouse
Accessibility: The hike is wheelchair accessible
Facilities: Parking and toilets are available at the boathouse

2. Steavenson Falls, Marysville

Time From Melbourne CBD: 1.5 hours

One of the best Melbourne hikes for beginners is this inspiring jaunt up to one of Victoria’s highest waterfalls. The roaring magic of the impressive 84-metre waterfall is a pot of gold at the end of a very short, easy hike that’s framed by majestic eucalyptus trees.

two people on the side looking up at the Steavenson Falls, Marysville — Steavenson Falls holds the title of Victoria’s highest waterfall. (Image: Visit Victoria)

You’ll find this path just outside of the town of Marysville, which is northeast of Melbourne. The path is very well-maintained, winding up the side of the hill to a top viewing platform for stunning views of the cascading falls.

Distance: 700 metres
Getting there: Take the 1.5-hour drive to Steavenson Falls car park
Accessibility: The hike is wheelchair accessible
Facilities: Picnic areas, toilets and parking are all available near the car park

3. Organ Pipes National Park, Calder Park

Time from Melbourne CBD: 30 minutes

Organ Pipes National Park is another super easy hike near Melbourne CBD, home to unique rock formations including the namesake Organ Pipes; it’s endlessly photogenic.

People hiking in Organ Pipes National Park. — Organ Pipes National Park gets its namesake from this unique rock formation. (Image: Parks Victoria)

It should only take you just over an hour to complete the three-kilometre loop, taking you through a river valley that screams serenity and sucks you out of Melbourne’s endless hustle.

hikers trekking through the tessellated pavement at Organ Pipes National Park, Calder Park — Tessellated Pavement, a mosaic-like basalt outcrop, is one of the star attractions. (Image: Parks Victoria)

This one is a great way to reset the mind and refocus your energy, given it cradles you in nature and has too many visual distractions for you to even think about the city. Given its proximity to the CBD, this is a popular choice for a family outing should the whole crew want to take advantage of nature close to Melbourne.

Distance: Three kilometres
Getting there: Take the 30-minute drive out to Organ Pipes car park
Accessibility: The hike is wheelchair accessible
Facilities: Parking and toilets are available near the car park

4. 1000 Steps Walk, Ferntree Gully

Time from Melbourne CBD: 40 minutes

Melbourne’s most popular bushwalk, 1000 Steps , takes place in the cinematic Dandenong Ranges National Park. The park, which has numerous other trails including the magical Sherbrooke Falls, is known as one of Australia’s most beautiful sights so this is very much considered a rite of passage for locals.

three people walking along the 1000 Steps Walk, Ferntree Gully — Venture out on the 1000 Steps Walk in the Dandenong Ranges National Park. (Image: Visit Victoria)

It’s part of the larger Kokoda Track Memorial Walk so you can easily continue down that path if you so wish. However, 1000 Steps is the most accessible and the best part of the trail, offering an easy, life-affirming walk that’s only slightly moderate so would be suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

entering the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk — The Kokoda Track Memorial Walk is dedicated to Australian troops who fought during WWII in Papua New Guinea. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The trail is a popular spot for bird watching, with both bushlands and wetlands bringing in an abundance of rare species. Make sure you learn about the walk’s close association with the Australian Military Force with a series of signs retelling an important part of local history.

the monument dedicated to Australian troops who fought during WWII in Papua New Guinea, Kokoda Track Memorial Walk — The scenic bushwalk is steeped in history. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Distance: Three-kilometre return
Getting there: Take the 40-minute drive to Ferntree Gully Picnic Area
Accessibility: The hike is wheelchair accessible
Facilities: Parking, picnic areas, toilets and a cafe are all available near the starting point

5. Red Hill Rail Trail, Red Hill

Time from Melbourne CBD: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Whether you start at Merricks Station Reserve or Red Hill Recreation Reserve, the Red Hill Rail Trail is easily one of the best hikes just outside of Melbourne and should only take you around two hours to complete.

Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, the path follows a former railway line taking you through an incredible part of the Mornington Peninsula hinterland. You’ll stroll through various orchards, a few vineyards and plenty of farmland, featuring many points of interest without stalling you with any steep climbs. It’s perfect for a family outing or a meditative day outside of Melbourne.

Distance: 9.5 kilometres
Getting there: Take the 1 hour and 15 minutes drive to Merricks Station Reserve
Accessibility: The hike is wheelchair accessible
Facilities: Parking and toilets are available at the reserve

Moderate hikes in Melbourne

If you’re after some more challenging hikes in Melbourne then take note of the below options, some of which feature steep climbs and treacherous areas that need to be navigated with caution. Some parts of these trails may be wheelchair accessible, but most will have limited accessibility considering there may be obstacles and elevation gains. They are suitable for people of all ages if they have intermediate fitness levels.

6. Hanging Rock Summit Walk, Newham

Time from Melbourne CBD: 1 hour

Numerous trails lead from the Hanging Rock Reserve car park, and they are all various distances. Most are quite easy and appropriate for all ages and fitness levels, with trails defined by the six-million-year-old formations of the Macedon Ranges.

Hanging Rock Summit Walk — Marvel at six-million-year-old formations of the Macedon Ranges. (Image Visit Victoria)

The ease and maintenance of the trails means you’ll find many families taking the stroll as well, making this one of the most popular day trips from Melbourne. Not only does the Hanging Rock Summit Walk offer a unique hiking experience, but it’s also one of the most relaxing: a perfect set-up to practice mindfulness while hiking.

Aim for the top of Hanging Rock’s summit, which is slightly steeper and requires a higher level of fitness. You’ll be rewarded with some of the most beautiful vistas in the state.

Distance: Varies
Getting there: Take the one-hour drive to Hanging Rock Reserve Park
Accessibility: The hike is wheelchair accessible
Facilities: Parking and toilets are available at the reserve

7. Sherbrooke Falls Trail, Ferntree Gully

Time from Melbourne CBD: 40 minutes

If 1000 Steps is too busy, a great alternative would be to venture a bit deeper into the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track and conquer the slightly more challenging Sherbrooke Falls Trail.

From O’Donohue Picnic Ground, you will take a short hike beneath the towering canopy for about 2.4 kilometres as you venture deeper into the picturesque area. Given that 1000 Steps is much better recognised (it’s Insta-famous after all), you’re more likely to find a bit of that peace and tranquillity on this track.

8. Bushrangers Bay and Cape Schanck Trail, Mornington Peninsula

Time from Melbourne CBD: 1.5 hours

As one of the best hiking trails on the Mornington Peninsula, this epic 10-kilometre journey takes you through inspiring, postcard-perfect views of Bushrangers Bay while following the well-marked Cape Schanck Trail.

Cape Schanck — The walk traces the picturesque coastline of the Mornington Peninsula. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The coastal walk tracks plenty of bushland while leading to the rugged cliffs of the picturesque southern tip of the Mornington Peninsula. During the trek, you’ll likely spot many kangaroos going about their business. Stop at some of the hidden gem beaches of Bushrangers Bay on your way up to the lighthouse which marks your turnaround point. The walk is part of the much larger Mornington Peninsula National Park.

an aerial view of the Cape Schanck Lighthouse — Cape Schanck Lighthouse offers jaw-dropping views. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Distance: 10-kilometre return
Getting there: Take the 1.5-hour drive down to Cape Schanack and you’ll spot the starting point by the Boneo Road car park
Accessibility: Much of the hike is wheelchair accessible
Facilities: Picnic areas, toilets and parking are all available at the starting point

9. Flinders Blowhole, Mornington Peninsula

Time from Melbourne CBD: 1.5 hours

The Flinders Blowhole is one of the most stunning hikes outside of Melbourne, and it’s suitable for all ages and fitness levels. It’ll only take around an hour to make the loop, passing by incredible rock formations and dramatic cliffs before reaching the namesake Flinders Blowhole. Watching the waves crash through a narrow opening is impressive at any time of day, backed by stunning views of the ocean.

This easy-to-moderate hike is found just outside of the town of Flinders, which holds plenty of cafes, shops and galleries that you can explore before or after your coastal adventure.

Distance: 2.5 kilometres
Getting there: Take the 1.5-hour drive down to Blowhole car park
Accessibility: The hike is wheelchair accessible
Facilities: Parking and toilets are available at the starting point

10. Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk, Bacchus Marsh

Time from Melbourne CBD: 1 hour

Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk, like the more challenging Lerderderg Gorge Circuit, starts from either the Myers or Quarry Picnic Area car parks near Bacchus Marsh. The hike should take you around 4.5 hours to complete and is most popular for its mid-hike swimming hole, so make sure to bring your swimmers.

You’ll mostly be passing through incredible rocky woodlands as you trek to the gorge rim, offering endless photo opportunities or just bringing you out of your head and into nature with unforgettable scenery.

Distance: 10-kilometre return
Getting there: Take the one-hour drive down to either the Myers or Quarry Picnic Area car parks
Accessibility: Only part of the trail is wheelchair accessible
Facilities: Picnic areas, toilets and parking are available at either starting point

11. Flinders Peak Walk, You Yangs National Park

Time from Melbourne CBD: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Located in You Yangs Regional Park, the Flinders Peak Walk is a moderately difficult hike just over an hour outside of Melbourne CBD. It’s easily one of the most popular for intermediate and expert hikers, offering a broad view of Melbourne’s skyline as well as Geelong and Port Phillip Bay.

You’ll pass some massive boulders along the way to the peak and should have plenty of company with kangaroos and koalas in the park.

hikers climbing up Yangs Regional Park, Flinders Peak Walk — Conquer the moderately difficult Flinders Peak Walk. (Image: Parks Victoria)

The well-signposted trail is surrounded by some of the most beautiful parts of the regional park so this is a popular day trip for nature lovers and picnickers.

a hiker admiring scenic views on top of You Yangs Regional Park, Flinders Peak Walk — Rewarding views await at the summit. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Distance: 3.2-kilometre return
Getting there: Take the 1 hour and 15 minutes drive down to Turntable car park
Accessibility: Much of the hike is wheelchair accessible
Facilities: Picnic areas, toilets and parking are all available at the starting point

Hard hikes in Melbourne

Some of the most challenging hikes in Victoria can be found under two hours outside of Melbourne. Below, we’ve listed two of those arduous paths, which may feature treacherous areas and steep climbs. They are only appropriate for experienced bushwalkers and hikers and may not be suitable for people without a sufficient level of fitness.

12. Lerderderg Gorge Circuit, Bacchus Marsh

Time from Melbourne CBD: 1 hour

Be warned, this is one of the hardest hiking trails in the state and an incredibly popular path for more experienced hikers. This 13-kilometre loop trail is found near Bacchus Marsh with an elevation gain of around 386 metres, following the Lerderderg River downstream with inspiring views.

The popular trail can be very steep in some areas and isn’t quite as well signposted as some of the other popular hikes in Victoria. Dogs aren’t allowed as such, but you’ll spot plenty of other people enjoying the impressive scenery year-round.

Note that some sections of this challenging hike may be mildly washed out if water levels are high so you could encounter some river crossings along the way.

dog walking at O'Briens crossing, Lerderderg State Park — Dogs are welcome at Lerderderg State Park. (Image: Parks Victoria)

Distance: 13-kilometre return
Getting there: Take the one-hour drive to either Myers or Quarry Picnic Area car park
Accessibility: This trail is not wheelchair accessible
Facilities: Picnic areas, toilets and parking are all available at either starting point

13. Neds Gully Track, Cathedral Ranges

Time from Melbourne CBD: 1 hour and 40 minutes

You’ll want to be equipped with a sufficient level of fitness and some bushwalking experience before tackling Neds Gully Track. This steady uphill hike is located just under two hours outside of Melbourne and is known as the most exciting of the many trails that zip around the Cathedral Ranges.

You’re heading on up to a peak that’s around 840 metres above sea level. It’s very well-marked and straightforward, but once you reach those drier woodlands the track gets much steeper and more arduous. Safety is paramount so make sure you are well prepared for a hike and take your time – the wildlife is very active in this area, so you’ll spot many kangaroos and koalas. Your reward: some of the best views in Victoria.

the scenic view of Cathedral Range near Taggerty — Take Neds Gully Track in the Cathedral Ranges. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Distance: 4.5-kilometre return
Getting Here: Drive one hour and 40 minutes to Neds Gully Camping Area
Accessibility: This trail would not be wheelchair accessible
Facilities: Picnic areas, toilets and parking are all available at the starting point

How to prepare for a hike in Melbourne

If you’re wondering how to pack for a hike in Melbourne, then you’ll first need to consider what kind of distance you’re looking at. Packing for a two-kilometre hike and a 10-kilometre hike are slightly different.

First and foremost, you’re going to need comfortable shoes or hiking boots with strong grip. Some of these hikes can be slippery, especially the harder ones. Not having the right footwear is a recipe for disaster.

an adult guiding children while hiking up You Yangs Regional Park, Flinders Peak Walk — Check the difficulty grade of a hike before setting out. (Image: Visit Victoria)

For all of the hikes listed above, it’s a good idea to bring sun protection as well as plenty of water. If you’re tackling those harder hikes like Neds Gully Trail, then it’s advisable to bring trekking poles. And while most of them are well-maintained with significant signage, it’s always a good idea to bring a map and a compass for navigation on longer trails. Always pack a first aid kit just in case.

walking along Yangs Regional Park, Flinders Peak Walk — Pack supplies suited to the length of your hike. (Image: Visit Victoria)

You’ll also want to consider the weather. The best time for hiking in Melbourne is generally during the cooler months like March, April and May (autumn) or September, October and November (spring). This means the trails will be less crowded and it won’t be as hot.

flowers along the route at You Yangs Regional Park, Flinders Peak Walk — Wildflowers bloom in You Yangs Regional Park in spring and early summer. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Finally, should you bring your dog? There are many dog-friendly hikes in Melbourne but do pay attention to any specific park and trail regulations. Regional parks are usually okay with dogs as long as they are on a leash, but National parks in Victoria generally do not permit dogs.

Discover the best beaches in Melbourne

Abandoned mills and forgotten paper plants are finding second lives – and helping redefine a city long underestimated.

Just 15 years ago, Federal Mills was a very different place. Once among the most significant industrial sites in Victoria, the historic woollen mill was one of a dozen that operated in Geelong at the industry’s peak in the mid-20th century, helping the city earn its title as ‘wool centre of the world’. But by the 1960s global competition and the rise of synthetic fabrics led to the slow decline of the industry, and Federal Mills finally shuttered its doors in 2001. Within a few years, the abandoned North Geelong grounds had become makeshift pastoral land, with cows and goats grazing among the overgrown grass between the empty red-brick warehouses. It was a forgotten pocket of the city, all but two klicks from the bustle of the CBD.

Geelong cellar door wine bar — Geelong has shed its industrial identity to become an innovative urban hub with reimagined heritage spaces. (Image: Ash Hughes)

Federal Mills: from forgotten factory to creative precinct

Today, the century-old complex stands reborn. The distinctive sawtooth-roof buildings have been sensitively restored. An old silo is splashed with a bright floral mural, landscapers have transformed the grounds, and the precinct is once again alive with activity. More than 1000 people work across 50-plus businesses here. It’s so busy, in fact, that on a sunny Thursday morning in the thick of winter, it’s hard to find a car park. The high ceilings, open-plan design, and large multi-paned windows – revolutionary features for factories of their time – have again become a drawcard.

Paddock Bakery andPatisserie — Paddock Bakery and Patisserie is housed within the historic wool factory. (Image: Gallant Lee)

At Paddock , one of the precinct’s newer tenants, weaving looms and dye vats have been replaced by a wood-fired brick oven and heavy-duty mixers. Open since April 2024, the bakery looks right at home here; the building’s industrial shell is softened by ivy climbing its steel frames, and sunlight streams through the tall windows. Outside, among the white cedar trees, families at picnic benches linger over dippy eggs and bagels, while white-collar workers pass in and out, single-origin coffee and crème brûlée doughnuts in hand.

Geelong: Australia’s only UNESCO City of Design

Paddock Bakery can be found at Federal Mills. (Image: Gallant Lee)

“A lot of people are now seeing the merit of investing in Geelong,” says Paul Traynor, the head of Hamilton Hospitality Group, which redeveloped Federal Mills. A city once shunned as Sleepy Hollow, and spurned for its industrial, working-class roots and ‘rust belt’ image, Geelong has long since reclaimed its ‘Pivot City’ title, having reinvented itself as an affordable, lifestyle-driven satellite city, and a post-COVID migration hotspot.

And the numbers stand testament to the change. In March 2025, and for the first time in its history, Greater Geelong became Australia’s most popular regional town for internal migration, overtaking Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Current forecasts suggest Geelong will continue to outpace many other Australian cities and towns, with jobs growing at double the rate of the population.

Tourism is booming, too. The 2023-24 financial year was Geelong and The Bellarine region’s busiest on record, with 6.4 million visitors making it one of the fastest-growing destinations in the country. It’s not hard to see why: beyond the city’s prime positioning at the doorstep of the Great Ocean Road, Geelong’s tenacity and cultural ambition stands out.

As Australia’s only UNESCO City of Design, Geelong is swiftly shaking off its industrial past to become a model for urban renewal, innovation, sustainability and creative communities. The signs are everywhere, from the revitalisation of the city’s waterfront, and the landmark design of the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre and Geelong Arts Centre, to the growing network of local designers, architects and artists, and the burgeoning roster of festivals and events. That’s not even mentioning the adaptive reuse of storied old industrial buildings – from Federal Mills, to Little Creatures’ brewery ‘village’ housed within a 1920s textile mill – or the city’s flourishing food and wine scene.

The rise of a food and wine destination

Restaurant 1915 is housed within a restored former boiler house. (Image: Harry Pope/Two Palms)

Traynor credits now-closed local restaurant Igni, which opened in 2016, as the turning point for Geelong’s hospo industry. “[Aaron Turner, Igni’s chef-patron] was probably the first guy, with all due respect, to raise the bar food-wise for Geelong,” he says. “People now treat it really seriously, and there’s clearly a market for it.” While Igni is gone, Turner now helms a string of other notable Geelong venues, including The Hot Chicken Project and Tacos y Liquor, all within the buzzy, street art-speckled laneways of the CBD’s Little Malop Street Precinct. Many others have also popped up in Igni’s wake, including Federal Mills’ own restaurant, 1915 . Housed within the cavernous boiler house, 1915’s interior is dramatic: soaring, vaulted ceilings with timber beams, exposed brick, a huge arched window. The share plates echo the space’s bold character, playing with contrast and texture, with dishes such as a compressed watermelon tataki, the sweet, juicy squares tempered by salty strands of fried leeks, and charred, smoky snow peas dusted with saganaki on a nutty bed of romesco.

The Woolstore , one of The Hamilton Group’s most recent hospo projects, opened in February. It occupies a century-old riverside warehouse and exudes a more sultry, fine dining ambience. Much like Federal Mills, the blueprint was to preserve the original brickwork, tallowwood flooring and nods to the building’s former life. That same careful consideration extends to the well-versed, affable waitstaff as well as the kitchen. Head chef Eli Grubb is turning out an eclectic mix of ambitious and indulgent mod Oz dishes that deliver: strikingly tender skewers of chicken tsukune, infused with hints of smoke from the parrilla grill, and glazed with a moreish, sweet gochujang ‘jam’; nduja arancini fragrant with hints of aniseed and the earthy lick of sunny saffron aioli; and golden squares of potato pavé, adorned with tiny turrets of crème fraîche, crisp-fried saltbush leaves, and Avruga caviar, to name but a few stand-out dishes.

Woolstore menu — Woolstore’s menu is designed for sharing.

Breathing new life into historic spaces

On the city’s fringe, hidden down a winding side road with little fanfare, lies a long-dormant site that’s being gently revived. Built from locally quarried bluestone and brick, and dating back to the 1870s, the complex of original tin-roofed mill buildings is lush with greenery and backs onto the Barwon River and Buckley Falls; the audible rush of water provides a soothing soundtrack. Fyansford Paper Mill is one of few complexes of its time to survive intact. It feels steeped in history and spellbindingly rustic.

“We were looking for an old industrial place that had some charm and romance to it,” explains Sam Vogel, the owner, director and winemaker at Provenance Wines which moved here in 2018. When he first viewed the building with his former co-owner, it was in such a state of disrepair that the tradie tenant occupying the space had built a shed within it to escape the leaking roof and freezing winter temperatures. “To say it was run down would be an understatement,” he notes. “There was ivy growing through the place; the windows were all smashed. It was a classic Grand Designs project.”

Provenance Wines moved to Fyansford Paper Mill in 2018. (Image: Cameron Murray Photography)

The team has since invested more than a million dollars into their new home. Where paper processing machinery once sat, wine barrels are now stacked. Vaulted cathedral ceilings are strung with festoon lights, and hidden in plain sight lies a shadowy mural by local street artist de rigueur Rone – one of only three permanent works by the artist.

While the award-winning, cool-climate pinot noir, riesling and chardonnay naturally remain a key draw at Provenance, the winery’s restaurant is a destination in itself. Impressed already by whipsmart service, I devour one of the most cleverly curated and faultlessly executed degustations I’ve had in some time. It’s all prepared in a kitchen that is proudly zero-waste, and committed to providing seasonal, ethical and locally sourced meat and produce under head chef Nate McIver. Think free-range venison served rare with a syrupy red wine jus and a half-moon of neon-orange kosho, shokupan with a deeply savoury duck fat jus (a modern Japanese take on bread and drippings), and a golden potato cake adorned with a colourful confetti of dehydrated nasturtiums and tomato powder, and planted atop a sea urchin emulsion.

handcrafted pieces — Bell’s handcrafted functional pieces on display.

The complex is home to a coterie of independent businesses, including a gallery, a jeweller, and its latest tenant, ceramicist Elizabeth Bell, drawn here by the building’s “soul”. “There’s so much potential for these buildings to have new life breathed into them,” says Bell, whose studio is housed within the old pump room. “Even people in Geelong don’t know we’re here,” she says. “It’s definitely a destination, but I like that. It has a really calming atmosphere.”

A Melbourne transplant, Bell now feels at home in Geelong, which offers something Melbourne didn’t. “If this business was in Melbourne I don’t think it would’ve been as successful,” she notes. “It’s very collaborative in Geelong, and I don’t think you get that as much in Melbourne; you’re a bit more in it for yourself. Here it’s about community over competition.”

13 incredible hikes in and around Melbourne

Feel like hiking around Melbourne? While clinging close to the CBD might offer you plenty of classic Melbourne walks, you’ll need to venture outside of the city to find those hard-won hiking trails.

Easy hikes in Melbourne

1. Yarra Bend Loop, Fairfield

2. Steavenson Falls, Marysville

3. Organ Pipes National Park, Calder Park

4. 1000 Steps Walk, Ferntree Gully

5. Red Hill Rail Trail, Red Hill

Moderate hikes in Melbourne

6. Hanging Rock Summit Walk, Newham

7. Sherbrooke Falls Trail, Ferntree Gully

8. Bushrangers Bay and Cape Schanck Trail, Mornington Peninsula

9. Flinders Blowhole, Mornington Peninsula

10. Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk, Bacchus Marsh

11. Flinders Peak Walk, You Yangs National Park

Hard hikes in Melbourne

12. Lerderderg Gorge Circuit, Bacchus Marsh

13. Neds Gully Track, Cathedral Ranges

How to prepare for a hike in Melbourne

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Inside Geelong’s glow-up from factory town to creative capital

Abandoned mills and forgotten paper plants are finding second lives – and helping redefine a city long underestimated.

Federal Mills: from forgotten factory to creative precinct

Geelong: Australia’s only UNESCO City of Design

The rise of a food and wine destination

Breathing new life into historic spaces