Australia is more than Melbourne or Sydney. If you are active, you’ll want to enjoy the best hiking trails in Victoria. The wilderness and nature is mesmerizing in Victoria. Thousands of people all around the world opt to visit it during the year. And if you want to experience it in the right way and you’re up for a challenge, then hiking through some of its most spectacular sights is a perfect way to do so. There are plenty of things to see and many trails that are perfect for all lovers of hiking, but we present you the three most important ones. Look at this guide as we try to convince you which hiking trails to check off your bucket list, starting from the longest to the shortest:
1. Wilsons Promontory – 54 km
Just 157 km away from Melbourne lies the Wilsons Promontory National Park, one of the most beautiful national parks in Australia. Also referred to as Wilson Prom or The Prom, this place is heaven to all nature lovers. Not only does this place offer rainforests and magnificent beaches, but it’s also very rich in indigenous history. There is proof that Indigenous Australians lived here more than 6500 years ago. The most important thing that you need to see is the memorial at Tidal River – a memorial to all the commandos who lost their lives during World War II. The memorial weaves its way from the slopes of Mount Oberon down to the Sealers Cove, then south above the waters of Bass Strait and finishes with a photogenic lighthouse that has been operating since 1859. Since this is quite a long hiking trail, you will need much time and plenty of battery on your smartphone as you will want to record everything or photograph every single step – yes, it’s so beautiful.
2. The Viking Circuit – 41 km
Perhaps the most challenging hiking trail of Australia, but then again one of its most beautiful ones, is the Viking Circuit, which is just one small part of the amazing Alpine National Park. What makes this trail so interesting and unusual is that it’s not suitable for inexperienced hikers. If you want to check this out, you need to be well-equipped and experienced in navigation. Take a water bottle with you as you will definitely need it to rehydrate while you try to find your way through this amazing trail. There are no signposts or walking track markers, but you will see untouched wilderness. If you opt for this trail, you will be witnessing some of Australia’s most beautiful alpine landscapes, mountain peaks and grassy plains, especially through parts of Victoria, New South Wales and ACT. The Viking Circuit is not an easy endeavor with inviting features such as Horrible gap, Mount Despair or the Crosscut Saw. So, if you’re an experienced hiker and want something new and challenging, this 41km-long trail is the perfect choice for you!
3. Werribee Gorge Scenic Rim – 14 km
Since the first two choices were longer hiking trails, here’s an option for everyone who wants to embark on a journey but cannot hike long distances. The Werribee Gorge Scenic Rim is perfect as it covers around 14 kilometers. It’s quite a short hike – just a couple of hours long. It is placed in the Werribee Gorge State Park in Victoria and is just an hour drive from Melbourne. This trail is not only popular with hikers all around the world because of the magnificent nature, but because of its diverse geological features – it’s one of the world’s oldest glacial deposits. The gorge was created about a million years ago and hiking here you experience what it’s like to walk on the former ice sheet and volcanic lava. The Werribee Gorge Scenic Rim also showcases examples of perfect nature, scenic viewpoints and even unexplored territory. This is one of Australia’s most cherished treasures
Even though there are many more hiking trails that Victoria and Australia have to offer, if you’re an experienced hiker who’s looking for new challenges, one of these should be your next destination. Australia’s perfect and almost intact nature combined with great hiking trails is certainly something that you want to experience in your lifetime.
Mark's Travel Journal 