Chase the crunch of gravel under your boots, the feel of granite boulders under your fingers, and smell salt in the air as you walk, hike, and scramble your way up rocky summits, through temperate rainforests and across white sandy beaches. Victoria is home to some of Australia's most diverse landscapes, with hiking trails that are worthy of a spot on your bucket list.
Check out 10 of our favourites.
1. Mount Oberon Summit, Wilsons Promontory
Distance: 3.4km, approximately 1.5 hours
Soak up panoramic 360-degree views of Wilson Promontory's spectacular coastline from the top of Mount Oberon. Start from the Telegraph Saddle car park and follow the gravel management vehicle track to the summit and strike a pose to the backdrop of Tidal River and offshore islands.
2. Cathedral Range Northern Circuit, High Country
Distance: 12km, approximately 6 hours
Hop across the rugged and rocky ridge line of the ranges of Little Cathedral Peak, North Cathedral Peak and Cathedral Peak while adventuring through the Cathedral Range Northern Circuit. Head uphill from the Ned's Gully car park in Taggerty and stop at various vantage points for sweeping views across the Acheron Valley below. In one word, the views are... WOW.
3. Mount Rosea, Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park
Distance: 12km, 4 to 5 hours
Conquer Mount Rosea to witness 360-degree views of the Serra and Mount William ranges. The strenuous trek will take you through tall messmate forest and the popular rock formation, 'Gate of the East Wind'. This hike involves a steady ascent with rock scrambling over sometimes large, mossy boulders and passes through weathered sandstone outcrops that date back thousands of years.
4. Cape Woolamai Walk, Phillip Island
Distance: varied from 4.5km to 6.6km, 90 minutes to 3 hours
Discover Cape Woolamai, the highest point on Phillip Island. With a number of trails to explore, there's a walk for every level of hiking enthusiast to enjoy. Start at Cape Woolamai Beach car park and follow the beach to the staircase that takes you to the clifftop loop walks. Here, you can enjoy scenic views of Phillip Island, Kilcunda and San Remo on either the Pinnacles Walk, the Old Granite Quarry Walk or the Cape Woolamai Beacon Walk.
5. Mount Feathertop, High Country
Distance: 22km, 7 to 8 hours
Not for the faint of heart, Mount Feathertop's Razorback trail starts and ends at Diamantina Hut and traverses the second highest mountain in Victoria. Mount Feathertop is unique because it doesn't have a rounded summit dome like most other peaks, but instead, is a high narrow ridge surrounded by steep slopes. Linked to the nearby Mount Hotham Ski Resort, the peak is one of the most picturesque in the state with epic views over Alpine National Parks' spectacular mountain ranges.
6. Surf Coast Walk, Great Ocean Road
Distance: 44km, multi-day
Uncover inspiring coastal landscapes, from clifftop lookouts at Jan Juc and the rich ochre of the cliffs at Bells Beach to the deep blue of Bass Strait and the leafy eucalypt forests of the iconic Great Ocean Road. The Surf Coast Walk is an inspiring 44 kilometre walk which can be tackled as short day walks or a bigger, multi-day hike. You can walk from either end of the trail, but the walk typically starts at the northern end at Point Impossible (between Torquay and Breamlea).
7. Two Bays Walking Trail, Mornington Peninsula
Distance: 26km, approximately 7 hours
Stretching 26 kilometres from McCrae on Point Nepean Road to Bushrangers Bay on the way to Cape Schanck, the Two Bays Walking Track is one of the longest continuous walking trails on the Mornington Peninsula. Follow the blue wren on signage along the track and enjoy beautiful views of the peninsula, from sparkling rock pools to rugged beaches and pretty coastal inlets.
8. Mount Bogong via Staircase Spur, High Country
Distance: 21.4km, approximately 9 hours
Start from Mountain Creek Picnic Area near the town of Mount Beauty and climb to the summit of Victoria's highest peak, Mount Bogong. Expect to head almost entirely uphill for the duration of the ascent (finishing at a whopping 1,926m). The steep, arduous trail requires a high-level of fitness and you can expect to find snow almost year-round, with risk of high winds and fog. But, don't let that deter you. The summit at Mount Bogong is an exposed, treeless plateau with breathtaking views of the surrounding alpine region. Breathe in the fresh air, bask in the beauty of your accomplishment and look at nothing but mountains as far as the eye can see, no civilisation in sight. When you're ready, return to the base of the mountain, which thankfully, is a much shorter, easier walk.
9. Wilsons Promontory Lightstation, Wilsons Promontory
Distance: 19km one way, approximately 6 hours
Enjoy the best of beautiful Wilsons Promontory National Park, set at the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. Take the Telegraph track through the Prom's stunning bushland of eucalypt and ti-tree to the historic 1859 lightstation standing guard over the southern coast. Once there, it's just you, big skies and even bigger seas at this isolated spot – perfect for contemplation. You'll need to carry in all you need for your overnight stay, and be at the lightstation to check in before dark, between 2pm and 5pm. A good level of fitness is recommended.
10. Grampians Peaks Trail, Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park
Distance: 160km, 13 days/12 nights
The Grampians Peaks Trail is an incredible 13-day/12-night one-way hike through the stunning Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park. The route heads from Mt Zero in the north, over panoramic peaks and dramatic ridges – including the summit of Mt Difficult – through to Halls Gap and on to Dunkeld at the southern tip of the park. While the full hike is recommended for experienced long-distance hikers only, shorter stretches offer accessible experiences for less-seasoned walkers, from day walks to two- and three-day hikes.
