Trail Fast Facts
Bunyip State Park Southern Circuit is a 16km, grade 3 hike in Bunyip State Park, Victoria. This hike typically takes 4.5 hours to complete.
Hike Overview
This Bunyip State Park Southern Circuit hike commences at the Mortimer Picnic Ground just outside of Gembrook. The circuit does not follow a dedicated trail but follows a series of tracks and roads.
From the picnic ground, cross Genbrook Tonimbuk Road and head south along the Yarra Bubba Track. After approximately 2km turn left on to Sand Pit Ridge Road and follow it along its length (2.3km) to Pooley Road. Turn left at Tynong Road and walk a short distance to the junction of Avards Track. Continue along Avards Track to the junction of Luptons Track. Turn right at this point and walk approximately 200m before turning left onto Guide Track. Continue along this track to the junction of Camp Road, turning right, then left at the junction of Gembrook Tonimbuk Road. After approximately 1km you will reach the junction of Link Road. Turn right at this point and after approximately 200m locate the start of the Silvertop Ridge Track and find the start of the Ferres Walking Trail approximately 350m on your left. Continue along this trail back to the Mortimer Picnic Ground.
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.
Tips
This is a moderate hike with a few short ascents and descents. Some of the trail follows maintenance tracks and roads so keep an eye out on these sections for vehicle traffic.
Map and GPX file
Max elevation: 324 m
Min elevation: 122 m
Total climbing: 480 m
Total descent: -480 m
Trail Location (trailhead)
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Getting there
Drive to Belgrave along the Burwood Highway and continue a further 24km to Gembrook. Drive through town (towards Beenak East) and along the unsealed Gembrook-Tonimbuk Road for 7km to Mortimer Picnic Ground on the left.
Photo gallery
If you have any photos from this hike and are happy to share them, please upload your .jpg files here.
Please note: Uploading photos does not transfer ownership of copyright away from you. If requested, you will be credited for any photos you provide and can ask they be deleted at any time.
About the region
Bunyip State Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country. Bunyip State Park is one of the few places in Victoria where our state floral emblem, the Common Heath, and state fauna emblem, the Leadbeater's Possum, along with our state avian emblem, the Helmeted Honeyeater, can all be found.
Explore Safe
While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Let someone know
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
Gear to consider
What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
Suggest an edit
Trail changed? New features discovered? Has the route changed? Trail permanently closed? Help fellow hikers by suggesting edits! Click above to update route descriptions, GPX file, trail features (like boardwalks), or access conditions (like parking availability). Help me keep the trails info fresh!
Weather
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.
1 Review on “Bunyip State Park Southern Circuit Hike (16km)”
I walked parts of this trail today 16/07/2022 and there are 2 x errors in the route.
The Ferres Walking track section between 13,165m and 13,920m does not exist – use track shown as Silvertop Ridge Track.
The Ferres Walking track section between 14,608m and 14,982m does not exist – use alternative alignment of the Ferres Walking Track 50-100m north.
The areas has been revegetated and no trace of the previous track remains. Local parks service are actively discouraging walkers from attempting to use these parts of the track.
Please remove these sections of the Ferres Walking Track.
Hi,
I’m looking at doing this one soon but also looking to make it an overnighter.
Is there a place somewhere around the halfway mark (just roughly) where one might pitch a tent (especially near a stream or other water source)?
Any info would be much appreciated.
I can understand the concern… But seriously, anyone that takes note of the posts on this page should be able to understand that it is just coincidental bad timing that the scheduled post was released today.
It isn’t the first time that a hike has been posted when there is a fire near a hike. Because Bunyip has been in the media so much, that is why it’s been noticed…
Lets give Trail Hiking Australia a break (or at least the benefit of doubt)! Posting this is not telling people to go on this straight away, it’s saying under normal circumstances this is a hike and these are the details. Trail Hiking Australia is a free and extremely valuable service and would be relying on the commonsense of the readers/hikers to understand. Congratulations to those whose responses have recognised this and responded appropriately. Thanks for your ongoing valuable service Trail Hiking Australia
Hi folks, i think this is on an ‘auto’ rolling program, yes, it is very poor timing that the sequence has brought up Bunyip. Trail Hiking is a volunteer service just providing information. Irrespective of the timing, we’d all do our prep and check conditions at the time before setting off on any hike. I’m sure Darren (who does live in Vic) was not physically posting this, he would not have known when the auto rolling sequence brought up a particular hike.
Ill check this out today. Thanks ?
Amazing area, I bob around a LOT on these trails.
Brooke Phillips I want to do this one !
Simon Izzard