Hike at a glance

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Quick overview: Experience the challenging but rewarding Brisbane Ranges Loop, a Grade 4, 13.5km circuit located in the stunning Brisbane Ranges National Park. This hard trail, typically completed in about 5 hours, starts and ends at the historical Steiglitz Court House, taking you on a journey through diverse terrains, crossing roads, tracks, and gullies, with a highlight being the Kinglock Mine, a relic of World War II. Don't forget to take a well-deserved break at The Crossing Picnic Area before concluding your adventure.

Hike length

13.5km

Average duration

5 hrs

Trail Difficulty

Grade 4 (Hard)

Hike Type

Circuit

Technical details

Max elevation: 341m
Min elevation: 177m
Total Ascent: 375m

Start: Steiglitz Court House

End: Steiglitz Court House

Location: Brisbane Ranges National Park

State: Victoria

Nearest town: Steiglitz

State capital distance: 93km

Latitude: -37.877095486256394

Longitude: 144.17816787958145

Hike details

Difficulty

Planning

Safety

Getting there

The region

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Trail details

Hike summary

The Brisbane Ranges Steiglitz Loop is a 13.5 km, grade 4 circuit in Brisbane Ranges National Park, Victoria, and it usually takes around five hours to complete. This is a demanding walk that links sections of Steiglitz Historic Park with the surrounding forest, combining rough tracks, historic mining areas, and long stretches of quiet bushland.

The walk begins at the Steiglitz Court House. From here, cross Steiglitz Road and follow the gravel surface of Durdidwarrah Road. Just after crossing New Chum Bridge, turn right onto Hay Track, which is clearly defined and easy to follow as it heads away from the road and into the forest.

Hay Track leads to the junction with School Track and Durdidwarrah Road. Turn right and walk a short distance before reaching Mulrooneys Track on the left, opposite the Pines car park. Mulrooneys Track descends steadily into Yankee Gully, where the landscape begins to feel more enclosed and the walking more demanding. After a few hundred metres, the Burchell Trail branches off to the left. Taking this option and linking through to Native Youth Track creates a shorter variation, while continuing straight ahead on Mulrooneys Track leads down to Yankee Gully Road.

At Yankee Gully Road, turn left and follow the road for about 500 metres to reach Native Youth Track on the left. Cross the road and follow the footpath to the Kinglock Mine, one of the last working mines in the area before it closed during the Second World War. From here, continue along Yankee Gully Road for roughly another 300 metres, then turn left onto Native Youth Track. This track climbs and winds its way back into the forest before meeting the Burchell Trail again.

Turn right onto the Burchell Trail and descend into the gully towards The Crossing Picnic Area, which makes a good place to pause and rest. From the picnic area, follow the gravel road as it climbs out of the gully to Steiglitz Road. Cross the road and take the Deadmans Loop Track, which passes through open woodland before dropping towards Sutherland Creek.

The final section offers two return options, both of which are challenging. You can cross the creek and stay on the Deadmans Loop Track, or continue downstream along the creek bed for about two kilometres before climbing out on Miners Track. Water levels and recent conditions will often determine which option is safer and more comfortable on the day. Once on Miners Track, follow it to South Steiglitz Road, turn left onto Wrixon Street, then right onto Stawell Street to return to the Court House car park. This is a long and varied walk that rewards careful navigation, good preparation, and a steady pace.

Track difficulty

Grade 4 (hard) badge

Grade 4 (Hard)

Steep, rough, and demanding
These are challenging walks suited to experienced hikers. Expect sustained climbs, rough and uneven terrain, and longer distances.

Tracks may be less defined, and signage can be limited, so navigation awareness is important. These walks require good fitness, confidence on difficult terrain, and the ability to manage fatigue over time.

Safety note: Fatigue, poor navigation, or a sudden weather change can turn a hard walk into a serious situation.

Planning essentials

Practical Information:

The Sutherland Creek section can be avoided by continuing along Deadmans Loop Track.
Another shortcut can be completed by linking Native Youth Track to the Pines Carpark via The Burchell trail.
Please note that Tarnook Track is closed between Alliance Track and the Sutherland Creek bridge. To complete the Beards Gully and Deadman’s Loop hike, please follow the provided GPX file.
The circuit can be completed by using Steiglitz-Durdidwarrah Road to bypass the closed section of Tarnook Track. Exercise caution when walking along this public road.

Map and GPX file

Brisbane Ranges Steiglitz Loop Hike (13.5km)

Total distance: 13154 m
Max elevation: 341 m
Min elevation: 177 m
Total climbing: 375 m
Total descent: -375 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

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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.

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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.

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

Brisbane Ranges National Park

To reach the Steiglitz Court House, travel approximately 80 kilometres west of Melbourne along the M1 Freeway towards Geelong. Exit at Little River and the You Yangs, then turn right onto Granite Road. Continue on Granite Road until you reach Anakie, where you will find the southern entrance to the park. Steiglitz Historic Park, including the Steiglitz Court House, is located within this area. Alternatively, you can approach from Werribee, Bacchus Marsh, or Ballan by following signs to Anakie and Steiglitz.

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Get there with Google Maps

Access Conditions:

2WD Access

Accommodation nearby

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Or browse accommodation in nearby towns: Anakie, Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Ballarat, Geelong, Gisborne, Gordon, Lara, Little River, Melton, Meredith, Mernda, Steiglitz, Werribee

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About the region

Steiglitz Historic Park

Steiglitz Historic Park offers a glimpse into Victoria's gold rush era, situated within the Brisbane Ranges National Park, just over an hour's drive from Melbourne. Once a bustling gold mining town with a population exceeding 1000, Steiglitz now stands as a ghost town, preserving its history from the 1860s to the 1890s. At its peak, the town boasted four hotels, a newspaper, various shops, and even an undertaker, serving a community of over 1500 residents.

Today, the town and its surrounding area are protected within the Steiglitz Historic Park. Visitors can enjoy leisurely walks, picnics, or even try their hand at gold panning. A visit to the Steiglitz Court House is essential, showcasing photographs, maps, and relics from the gold rush era. The court house is open to the public on Sundays and public holidays, with additional visits available by arrangement.

Originally named Steiglitz Forest, the area derived its name from the von Stieglitz family, early pastoralists who settled nearby before returning to Ireland. Gold was discovered in 1854, leading to a rapid growth of the town. By the 1860s, the mining industry was dominated by companies, employing a workforce that included a significant number of Chinese miners.

The Steiglitz Court House, constructed in 1875 as gold production declined, stands as the most prominent remaining building. The town's population dwindled further, and by the 1940s, many buildings were removed. The Steiglitz Historic Park was established in 1976, with the court house restored as an information centre.

Visitors to Steiglitz can explore the ghost town, following interpretive signs to learn about its history. Several walking trails offer opportunities for picnics and to appreciate the surrounding natural environment. It is important to respect private property and dwellings within the area.

Brisbane Ranges National Park

Brisbane Ranges National Park, located west of Geelong and southwest of Bacchus Marsh, approximately an hour's drive from Melbourne, is Victoria's richest wildflower habitat and boasts the highest density of koalas in the state. This 7,700-hectare park is a haven for nature enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of walks, bushwalks, and hikes suitable for all fitness levels, from leisurely strolls to multi-day treks.

The park's unique geology, characterised by low mountain ranges intersected by rocky gullies, has preserved a remarkable array of plant and animal life. With over 619 native plant species, including the rare Brisbane Ranges Grevillea, the park is a botanist's paradise. Wildlife enthusiasts will delight in spotting koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and a variety of birdlife, including over 170 recorded species.

Beyond hiking, the park offers opportunities for picnicking, scenic drives, and camping. It is also significant as part of the Aboriginal cultural landscape, being the traditional lands of the Wadawurrung People.

Want to find the best trails in Brisbane Ranges National Park for an adventurous hike, casual walk, or a family trip? Trail Hiking Australia has the best trails for walking, hiking, running and more.

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Weather on the trail

Brisbane Ranges National Park

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Acknowledgement of Country

Brisbane ranges steiglitz loop hike (13. 5km) 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:

January 29, 2026

Hike at a glance

Technical details

Trail details

Hike summary

Track difficulty

Grade 4 (Hard)

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

Steiglitz Historic Park

Brisbane Ranges National Park

Explore nearby hikes

Steiglitz Deadmans Gully Circuit Walk (8.5km)

Beards Gully & Deadman’s Loop Hike (9.5km)

Steiglitz Three Creeks Circuit (13km)

Three Creeks Walk (14.5km)

Photo gallery

Weather on the trail

Trail Reviews

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Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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