Hike at a glance

3,633

Quick overview: Experience a charming 9.6km hike from Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap, a lush, Grade 3-moderate trail in Australia. This trek, part of the 'Walk into History', offers spectacular views of Big Pats Creek and intriguing explorations of massive sawdust piles. Allow roughly 3.5 hours for this one-way journey, making sure to watch out for fallen trees and the hidden openings leading to the piles. A unique Australian bushwalk not to be missed!

Hike length

9.6km

Average duration

3.5 hrs

Trail Difficulty

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Hike Type

One Way

Technical details

Max elevation: 789m
Min elevation: 217m
Total Ascent: 761m

Start: Big Pats Creek

End: Starlings Gap Campground

Location: Yarra State Forest

State: Victoria

Nearest town: Warburton

State capital distance: 75km

Latitude: -37.76376015259581

Longitude: 145.75311541776574

Check current conditions
Track conditions, access and closures can change quickly due to weather, fire, maintenance or safety concerns. Always check the relevant land manager’s website before you visit. Trail Hiking Australia does not provide real-time track and closure monitoring, and land managers remain the authoritative source for current alerts, closures and access restrictions.

Hike details

Difficulty

Planning

Safety

Getting there

The region

Nearby hikes

Weather

Trail details

Hike summary

The Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap hike is the beginning section of the Walk into History. It starts at Big Pats Creek and continues on a gradual uphill to Starlings Gap. The area is very lush and a delight to hike through.

Initially the track follows very closely Big Pats Creek, and there are some really lovely views of it along the way. The track will then climb gradually. Take time to admire the surroundings. At the time of writing there were a few fallen trees along the way. Nothing too difficult, but worth considering. After roughly 6km keep an eye out for a small opening to the right of the track. This leads to the top of a huge sawdust pile. It is more interesting than what it sounds! There are some great views from the top of it.

Continue back up the trail and at shortly after 9km mark there is another huge sawdust pile that is worth having a wander over. Again, it might not sound that interesting but it is worth a look. You'll then arrive back at the road at Starlings Gap.

Track difficulty

Grade 3 (moderate) badge

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Uneven terrain and steady climbs
These walks require a reasonable level of fitness and confidence on rough ground. Expect hills, rough surfaces, and sections with steps or short, steeper climbs.

While not technically difficult, these tracks are no longer "easy" and can feel demanding over distance, especially in heat or with a pack. Some bushwalking experience is recommended, particularly for managing footing and pacing. Distances can extend up to 20km.

Worth knowing: Many hikers underestimate Grade 3 when conditions change or fatigue sets in.

Planning essentials

Practical Information:

Leeches can be common here, so bring your favorite leech remedy/repellent.

Map and GPX file

Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)

Total distance: 9680 m
Max elevation: 789 m
Min elevation: 217 m
Total climbing: 761 m
Total descent: -196 m

GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.

Safety and preparation

Planning this hike?

Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Interactive Safety Scenarios. Then refer to the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.

Let someone know

Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take, and it only takes two minutes..

Let someone know your plans →

Planning something more serious? The comprehensive trip intentions form is designed for remote, overnight, and off-track trips where your emergency contact needs more detail. Register your advanced plans here →

Free checklists

Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.

Getting there

Yarra State Forest

Note: You will need to arrange a car shuffle to get back from Starling Gap to Big Pats Creek after you have done the hike.

There are various ways to reach Starling Gap. One way is to go to Powelltown, then after approx 10km you will see the turnoff up Big Creek Road. Or you can travel via Warburton. Approx 10km after Warburton take the right to Riverside Dr and then left onto Big Pats Creek Rd. After a few km you'll reach the small settlement of Big Pats Creek. Shortly you will come to a bridge where there is a pullover to park where you can return to after leaving a car at Starlings Gap. Take the right immediately after the bridge, you will see the track start to your right just after the corner. After 1km you will pass the Big Pats Rec area carpark, you could start the track here as well, but you'll miss the first km. Continue up to Starlings Gap to park one car there and return back to Big Pats Creek.

Once back at Big Creek Road, follow the signs (some may be missing) to reach Starling Gap. This is roughly 11km from the junction.

Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here →

Get there with Google Maps

Accommodation nearby

Find hotels, cabins, and campgrounds near the trailhead. Click the button below to open an interactive map automatically centred on this hike's location — no searching required.

Find Accommodation

Or browse accommodation in nearby towns: Emerald, Gladysdale, Healesville, Heathcote, Launching Place, Marysville, Millgrove, Monbulk, Mount Dandenong, Mount Evelyn, Olinda, Toolangi, Warburton, Woori Yallock, Yarra Glen, Yarra Junction

Discover more

About the region

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Photo gallery

Weather on the trail

Yarra State Forest

The map below shows the rain forecast for the trail area. Tap the toggle in the top right corner to explore other layers including wind, temperature, UV index, thunderstorms, fire danger, and weather warnings — all useful for planning a safe hike.

Trail Reviews

8 Reviews on “Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)”

Overall rating

Julian Brown

Completed 29/12/2024
The section between Big Pats Creek campground and Burns road is marked as closed due to a tree that has fallen and crushed a small footbridge near the Big Pats Creek campground entrance. Due to the dry condiitons at the time the water level of the creek was low and the fallen tree and broken footbridge were easily stepped over.
The trail is quite wide for a lot of it but covered with heavy forest litter – careful you don’t trip on strips of bark! No snakes or leeches encountered.
A gentle gradient through some-what nice bush but no views. A relatively unremarkable hike.

29/12/2024, 06:13

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Marcus Boer

Asher Vander Reyden – full day 20km?

24/03/2022, 05:18

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1. Matt 0
  
  The comment about snakes being harmless is not a good one for those who don’t know Australian snakes, some of which have the potential to be deadly. Obviously mitigate your risk and avoid them.
  
  12/05/2021, 09:54
  
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2. Michael Dickson
  
  Is this hike not wheelchair friendly?
  
  24/03/2022, 05:18
  
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3. Cintia Ossab
  
  Looks like a great walk. Just wanting to check that this is ok to do as a return walk…? Any reasons not to?
  I’m trying to pick a good walk to do next week. Staying around the area overnight so looking for two seperate day hikes to do.
  Cheers
  
  24/03/2022, 05:18
  
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4. Michael Dickson
  
  Mad invite…
  
  24/03/2022, 05:18
  
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5. Marcus Boer
  
  Michael Dickson #legless
  
  24/03/2022, 05:18
  
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6. Asher Vander Reyden
  
  Michael what about using a stretcher?
  
  24/03/2022, 05:18
  
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7. Ayse Z (Addict Of Travel)
  
  My friend and I started this hike. About 1km in, I spotted a small snake (about 40cm). We thought it was a one-off. Then within 10m, there was a large brown snake on the trail. We decided to turn back as we assumed there would be more snakes…
  There were also loads of large spider webs as well.
  Just thought you should know…
  
  24/03/2022, 05:18
  
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8. Darren Edwards Trail Author
  
  Of course it would be. Simply turn around and walk back.
  
  24/03/2022, 05:18
  
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9. Darren Edwards Trail Author
  
  The joys of hiking in Australia. This time of year I would expect to find snakes on any hike. Australian sakes are deadly and should be avoided at all costs. The best policy is to leave them alone and wait for them to move on
  
  24/03/2022, 05:18
  
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10. Rhiannon Riches
  
  Vaughan Bowman
  
  24/03/2022, 05:18
  
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Acknowledgement of Country

Big pats creek to starlings gap hike (9. 6km) trail hiking australia

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

April 15, 2025

Hike at a glance

Technical details

Trail details

Hike summary

Track difficulty

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Planning essentials

Map and GPX file

Safety and preparation

Planning this hike?

Let someone know

Free checklists

Getting there

Accommodation nearby

Discover more

About the region

Explore nearby hikes

Richard’s Tramline Hike (22.6km)

La La Falls Walk (3.2km)

Californian Redwood Forest Walk (2km)

Backstairs Track – Little Joe Loop – Tramway Hike (12km)

Photo gallery

Weather on the trail

Trail Reviews

8 Reviews on “Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)”

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Notice something different about this trail?

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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