Hike at a Glance
Max elevation: 789m
Min elevation: 217m
Total Ascent: 761m
Track grade
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
Explore safely
Planning this hike? Most incidents develop before you even start. Safe outcomes depend on how navigation, hydration, environment, load and judgement work together. Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Hiking Safety Systems Foundations. Then use the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.
Leave a trip plan
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.
Planning 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
Getting to the trailhead: Yarra State Forest.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Accommodation nearby
Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.
Nearby towns: Emerald, Gladysdale, Healesville, Heathcote, Launching Place, Marysville, Millgrove, Monbulk, Mount Dandenong, Mount Evelyn, Olinda, Toolangi, Warburton, Woori Yallock, Yarra Glen, Yarra Junction
Similar walks nearby
Looking for more walks in or near Yarra State Forest? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
/Big-Pats-Creek-to-Starlings-Gap-Hike_11.jpg "Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)")
/Big-Pats-Creek-to-Starlings-Gap-Hike_9.jpg "Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)")
/Big-Pats-Creek-to-Starlings-Gap-Hike_14.jpg "Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)")
/Big-Pats-Creek-to-Starlings-Gap-Hike_22.jpg "Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)")
/Big-Pats-Creek-to-Starlings-Gap-Hike_10.jpg "Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)")
/Big-Pats-Creek-to-Starlings-Gap-Hike_15.jpg "Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)")
/Big-Pats-Creek-to-Starlings-Gap-Hike_17.jpg "Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)")
/Big-Pats-Creek-to-Starlings-Gap-Hike_13.jpg "Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)")
/Big-Pats-Creek-to-Starlings-Gap-Hike_2.jpg "Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)")
/Big-Pats-Creek-to-Starlings-Gap-Hike_21.jpg "Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)")
/Big-Pats-Creek-to-Starlings-Gap-Hike_12.jpg "Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)")
/Big-Pats-Creek-to-Starlings-Gap-Hike_7.jpg "Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)")
/Big-Pats-Creek-to-Starlings-Gap-Hike_3.jpg "Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)")
/Big-Pats-Creek-to-Starlings-Gap-Hike_20.jpg "Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)")
/Big-Pats-Creek-to-Starlings-Gap-Hike_19.jpg "Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)")
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Acknowledgement of Country
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.
8 Reviews on “Big Pats Creek to Starlings Gap Hike (9.6km)”
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.
Asher Vander Reyden – full day 20km?
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.
Is this hike not wheelchair friendly?
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
Mad invite…
Michael Dickson #legless
Michael what about using a stretcher?
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…
Of course it would be. Simply turn around and walk back.
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
Vaughan Bowman