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 overview
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
Trail location
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Gallery
If you have any photos from this hike and are happy to share them, please upload your .jpg files here.
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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
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
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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.
3 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 ?
Barry Stone
I did it earlier this year on a MTB self supported and staying indoors. It’s a great track. I can highly recommend it.
I’ve been completing in bits. Gorgeous track in part.
David McCarthy
Matt Smith
Felicity Kaye
Been walking sections of this around Bendigo, Castlemaine and Daylesford. Can link to other tracks easily to make loops. Would love to do some walks around Ballarat etc.
Helen Cass
Benita Trevaskis
Anita Karnakowski
Glenn Shepherd
Have done some parts of the GFT very interesting and parts have good views too.