The Cobaw Nudist Camp Circuit is a relatively easy 12km circuit that explores the protected native bushland of the Cobaw Range. I am unsure why two of the tracks include the term "Nudist", as I cannot find any reference to a nudist camp in the area. The name appears to be historical or colloquial, with no known link to an actual nudist camp. There are no historical records or standing structures of a former nudist colony in the forest, though local lore suggests it may have been an informal gathering spot in decades past. Today, the name remains on topographic maps and trail signs primarily for navigation.
The hike commences at the end of the 2WD Mooneys Lane near a private property gate. Follow the 4WD Nudist Camp Track north from this point. After approximately 365m of steady ascent you will reach a track junction with Mooneys Track to your left. Ignore this track and continue along Nudist Camp Track to your right. Follow this north as it gradually, then steeply climbs a broad spur. At around 1.25km from the trailhead, Nudist Camp Track turns east. Keep to the left at this track junction and continue for approximately 500m to the top of the range and the junction of Croziers Track. Turn right on to Croziers Track and continue to the top of the Cobaw Range (approximately 750m elevation).
Continue to follow Croziers Track in a northerly direction, past Walkers Track to the junction of Reillys Road. Ignore any side tracks as many are not marked on maps. On reaching Reillys Road you will see a large cleared area to your right. This area has been cleared and was closed to public access following the fires of 2003 due to the number of unstable trees.
Avoiding this area, turn left onto Reillys Road and walk approximately 100m to the signposted junction of Camp Track. Follow Camp Track for approximately 450m and locate Soil Pit Track on your left. Most tracks in this park are not signposted so ensure that this track heads to the south west and gradually ascends along a rocky 4WD track to the top of the Cobaw Range (approximately 780m elevation). You will have walked around 5.3km to this point.
Continue to follow Soil Pit Track as it turns south and descends along a broad then narrow spur to Devanney Road. This junction is approximately 7km from the start of the hike. Turn left onto Devanney Road and walk around 400m to the junction of Devanney and Reillys Roads and McKinley Track. The tracks in this section have been used a lot as a 4WD playground and offer some quite challenging routes for 4WD enthusiasts.
Turning left onto Reillys Road, walk approximately 550m to the junction of Reillys Fireline Track. Take this track to your right and gradually ascend the range again for approximately 1.3km to the junction of Croziers Track at an approximate elevation of 730m. Turn right along Croziers Track and walk a short distance to the top of the range and the junction of Mooneys Track. From here Mooneys Track (also known as Croziers Nudist Link Track) gradually descends through bush land back to Nudist Camp Track where you will turn right and walk a short distance back to the trailhead at Mooneys Lane.
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.
- The trail is not marked as an official route.
- There are numerous tracks and trails in the Cobaw State Forest, many of which are not shown on maps.
- Carry a map and download the GPX file to follow the route and avoid making a wrong turn.
- Some tracks shown on maps no longer exist.
- Wear a hat and carry plenty of water on sunny days, as there is limited shade along the route.
- The trail is steep and undulating in some sections, with some tracks deeply rutted, so wear sturdy footwear.
Total distance: 11259 m
Max elevation: 779 m
Min elevation: 508 m
Total climbing: 490 m
Total descent: -490 m
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Getting to the trailhead: Cobaw State Forest.
The Cobaw State Forest is situated between the Calder Highway and the Northern Highway near Lancefield and can be accessed from Melbourne via the Calder Highway or Melbourne–Lancefield Road.
This circuit commences on Mooneys Lane, approximately 81km north of Melbourne and around 8km west of Lancefield via Three Chain Road. Parking is very limited near a gate at the end of Mooneys Lane, before the 4WD Nudist Camp Track commences.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
The Cobaw State Forest is a large, protected area of native bushland covering approximately 2,500 hectares in the Cobaw Range, near the towns of Lancefield and Woodend in Central Victoria, around 75km north of Melbourne.
The forest was severely impacted by bushfires in 2003 and contains a dense network of tracks and trails used by walkers, trail bike riders, and 4WD enthusiasts, particularly on weekends. Many of the ridgelines are strewn with granite boulders of varying shapes and sizes, reflecting the largely granitic nature of the ranges, which reach elevations of up to 760 metres.
There are good views from Ridge Track towards Mount William and across the valley to the east, as well as south towards Hanging Rock and the Macedon Ranges.
Cobaw State Forest is designated as a Special Protection Zone and contains significant environmental values, while still providing opportunities for a range of outdoor recreational activities. The forest is managed by DEECA (formerly DELWP).
Access to the forest is available via the Calder Highway or the Northern Highway.
Looking for more walks in or near Cobaw State Forest? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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3 Reviews on “Cobaw Nudist Camp Circuit Hike (12km)”
It’s actually Cobaw, not Cowbar. 😊
Ali Ayers oh thank you. I’ll correct that tonight.
Trail Hiking Australia no worries!
Ali Ayers all fixed. I can’t update the Facebook post but it’s updated in the website. Thank you again for pointing this out. Cheers, Darren
Trail Hiking Australia all good Darren, love your website. Such a huge undertaking, but valued by so many of us. 👏
Did this about 18mths ago….the first upward push is lengthy and was criss crossed with fallen trees…it was like an uncleared logging track thanks to storms. Up and over big fallen trees for over an hour. At this time of year most likely very snakey…..but still a great track.
Leonie Rizzi sounds like a steeple chase more than a hike. Glad to hear you enjoyed it. It’s been a few years since I was there.
I saw another nudist camp track on a hike I was on recently, can’t remember where. Weird bit of heritage, I assume these aren’t actually naked trails? Could be fun if they are.
Brandon Gonzalez that would be interesting.
Did you do the walk naked, Trail Hiking Australia?
TJ Craig trust me. No one wants to see me naked.
Drove all that way and didn’t see a single naked person 🙂 Great hike though.