GoldFields Track is a 210km, grade 4 hike located in the Mount Buninyong Scenic Reserve, Victoria. The hike should take around 14 days to complete.
Hike summary
Experience one of the most fantastic hiking and cycling tracks in Victoria.
This is some of the most beautiful mountain biking and hiking in Victoria. A region steeped in history, you'll encounter forests, both natural and man-made, pastoral countryside and single track that in some places flow on grippy loam and in others jump and jag across roots, rock ledges and coarse sandstone. For an experience you will never forget, come and visit the Goldfields Track.
The Goldfields Track takes you through sensational lands once so rich in gold deposits they made Melbourne the wealthiest city in the world.
Beginning from the heights of Mount Buninyong just south of Ballarat, the Goldfields Track takes bushwalkers and mountain bikers north through the historic towns of Ballarat, Creswick, Daylesford and Castlemaine, before finishing in Bendigo. The trail has wonderful sections of singletrack that cuts through a diverse landscape of bush, granite boulders and scenic farmland.
Choose a section or hike/ride it all
The Track is broken into three shorter sections: the Wallaby Track (90km) from Mount Buninyong to Daylesford; the Dry Diggings Track (61km) from Daylesford to Castlemaine; and the Leanganook Track (58km) from Castlemaine to Bendigo.
A number of areas offer bike detours that avoid sections currently impassable by bike. It can be completed in either direction, though mountain bikers prefer to start from Mount Buninyong - avoiding a big climb at the end of the ride - and head north. The trail has on-site camping, and a wealth of accommodation and dining experiences are found in quaint historic towns along its path.
Suggested shorter options
Daylesford to Castlemaine, 61km one way
For bushwalkers and mountain bikers alike, the most interesting section of the trail is the Dry Diggings Track from Daylesford to Castlemaine. The Dry Diggings Track can be done as either a two- or three-day bushwalk or one long day of cycling.
Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road to Castlemaine, 20km one way
A shorter, enjoyable and history-packed walk for bushwalkers is the walk from the Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road south to Castlemaine over Mount Alexander on the Leanganook Track.
Prepare for your Goldfields Track adventure
To do the Goldfields Track successfully you'll need to plan ahead. You'll need to carry adequate water, food, basic mechanical spare parts (for your bike), and a map. Be aware mobile-phone coverage is not always guaranteed throughout this area.
Learn more about what to expect on the Track...
Hiking Trail
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 753 m
Min elevation: 232 m
Total climbing: 4440 m
Total descent: -4958 m
Mountain Bike Trail
Max elevation: 753 m
Min elevation: 232 m
Total climbing: 3587 m
Total descent: -4107 m
Trail Features
- Gravel Path
- Rough Trail
- Mountain Bike Trail
- Goldfields & Mining
- Heritage
- Steep Terrain
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Untreated Water
- Overnight Campsites
Gear you might need
As well as including the Ten Essentials, my planning, food and packing checklists provide an summary of things to consider on your day, overnight and multi-day hikes. Every person and every hike is different, so customise your kit according to your needs. Download your free checklists here >>
Location
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Let someone know before you go
It’s a good idea to let someone know where you’re going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact. If you are lost or require help and have phone reception, call 000 and ask for police. The international standard emergency number is 112, if you dial this number in Australia you will be treated exactly the same as a 000 call. If you believe your life is at risk, activate your personal locator beacon (PLB), then make your position visible to rescue teams and keep warm and dry.
Gallery
If you have any great 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.
Let someone know before you go. Register your trip intentions here. Your trip intentions will be emailed to your emergency contact.
Does this hike info need updating? maybe the route, features or access conditions have changed? Suggest an edit here.
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.
0 Reviews on “GoldFields Track (210km)”
Michele Narkiewicz hop onto this site. Some good info on trails and ideas for our future hikes.
Nicki Bennetts Kylie Calderwood Emma Elizabeth Stevens We could do parts of this. There is a 20km section from Harcourt-Sutton Grange rd to Castlemaine ?
Sara Clark Stephanie Quinceton I want to ride this one!!
Stephen Crook that’s what you’re for… the wine mule ?
Yes please
Theresa Veal yes
Theresa Veal I’m in
Stephen Crook this looks good too on the list to do ?