Easy hikes and walks in Victoria

Mornington Peninsula National Park runs along a raw stretch of coastline where the land drops into the ocean in cliffs, headlands, and long, open beaches. Around Cape Schanck, tracks are easy to follow with parking and toilets nearby, but it quickly feels more remote as you move further along. You’ll be walking on a mix of boardwalk, sand, and stairs, often with strong coastal wind. The beaches might look inviting, but most are unpatrolled with rough conditions, so this area is better for walking than swimming.

Bushrangers Bay is a wide, exposed beach backed by steep basalt cliffs, reached via the Bushrangers Bay Walk from Cape Schanck Lighthouse. A sandy shoreline meets the shallow outlet of Main Creek, which you may need to cross depending on tide. At low tide, rockpools appear along the edges of the bay. There are no facilities on the beach itself, and access involves stairs and uneven paths. Swimming is not advised due to strong rips, reefs, and unpatrolled conditions.

Starting from the eastern car park at Cape Schanck Lighthouse, this out-and-back walk leads through coastal scrub before dropping to Bushrangers Bay, framed by basalt cliffs and a wide sandy beach shaped by Main Creek. Expect sandy, uneven paths and some steep stairs on the 5.4 kilometres return route (around 2 hours). At high tide, you may need to wade across the creek mouth. Facilities are limited at the trailhead. Stay on marked tracks to protect hooded plover habitat and be aware of snakes. Swimming is not recommended due to strong rips and currents.

The Yarra River flows through Warrandyte State Park with its wide, wooded riparian banks that are popular with walkers, canoeists, and birdwatchers. There is a nice bench here, ideal for relaxing and watching the river move steadily along the tall gums. Its presence defines the lower landscape of the park, connecting the circuit to the more expansive Yarra Valley environment.

Mount Lofty is the highest point in Warrandyte State Park, with beautiful views over the river, the Yarra Valley, and the distant Dandenong–Yarra ranges. From the summit, you can take in the expansive panorama of the park’s varied terrain and its connection to the surrounding countryside. This elevated viewpoint is a standout along the walk, and a great place to pause and take in the scenery.

Mount Lofty Park is a beautiful bushland reserve nestled on the eastern edge of Warrandyte State Park, known for its elevated open space and panoramic views over the Yarra Valley and surrounding hills. The park includes native forest, regrowth grasslands and plenty of kangaroos and birdlife who call this area home. There are picnic areas and scenic lookouts along the banks of the Yarra River, making it an ideal place to enjoy a walk any time of the day.

You Yangs Regional Park covers about 1,500 hectares and protects a unique range of granite peaks that rise abruptly from the flat volcanic plains between Melbourne and Geelong. There are walking tracks, mountain bike networks, and plenty of scenic lookouts on rocky outcrops set among dry eucalypt forest. Its unusual geology and elevated viewpoints make it a well-known destination for exploring this beautiful area.

Flinders Peak is the highest point in the You Yangs, rising to about 319 metres above sea level above the surrounding volcanic plains west of Melbourne. The granite summit offers sweeping views across the Werribee Plains, Port Phillip Bay, and on clear days, as far as Melbourne’s skyline. Its exposed rock formations and open lookout make it one of the most popular viewpoints in You Yangs Regional Park.