The Grass Tree Walk commences at Boar Gully Camping Ground in the northern reaches of Brisbane Ranges National Park. Sharing a substantial portion of its route with the three-day Burchell Trail, the walk follows a well-defined and well-marked path. While sections traverse management tracks, common to many hikes in the Brisbane Ranges, this does not diminish the overall experience. The walk is generally moderate, featuring a single significant elevation change.
The Grass Tree Walk is a 14-kilometre, grade 3 hike in Brisbane Ranges National Park, Victoria. Typically requiring four hours to complete, the route follows the Kangaroo and Wallaby Tracks, intersecting with the Burchell Trail. The walk offers abundant opportunities to observe eastern grey kangaroos, wallabies, and echidnas.
Characterised by stunning stands of grass trees amidst a backdrop of manna and swamp gums, the Grass Tree Walk presents a picturesque and relatively easy journey through the Brisbane Ranges. The walk primarily consists of gentle terrain, with a single notable ascent or descent depending on the direction of travel. The profusion of grass trees along the route enhances the walk’s visual appeal. While some sections utilise four-wheel-drive tracks to connect different trails, the majority of the walking occurs on smaller tracks or trails.
Camping - Boar Gully Campgound
Enjoy quiet, secluded camping an easy drive from Melbourne in the Brisbane Ranges. Immerse yourself in nature, refresh your soul and experience the feeling of being away from it all, in wilderness just relaxing or enjoying a range of scenic walks and wildflowers.
Basic camping facilities provided include non-flush toilets, picnic tables and fireplaces. Fires may be lit in the fireplaces provided by Parks Victoria. Firewood collection is not permitted. Campers should bring their own firewood or a fuel stove for cooking. Tank water is available, but it is not suitable for drinking – supply your own drinking water.
Total distance: 13847 m
Max elevation: 441 m
Min elevation: 319 m
Total climbing: 431 m
Total descent: -431 m
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Closest towns to this walk: Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Ballarat, Geelong, Gisborne, Gordon, Lara, Little River, Melton, Meredith, Mernda, Werribee
Getting to the trailhead in Brisbane Ranges National Park.
To reach the Grass Tree Walk trailhead, depart Melbourne via the Western Freeway towards Bacchus Marsh. Upon reaching Bacchus Marsh, turn left onto Geelong Road. At the first roundabout, turn right, and after covering approximately eight kilometres, turn right again onto Glenmore Road, passing beneath a railway bridge. Continue on Glenmore Road for a distance of around fourteen kilometres before turning left into Boar Gully Camping Ground, where the trail commences.
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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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.
Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.
What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.
Before heading out, take a moment to fill out your trip intentions form. It’s a quick way to share your hike details with family or friends. If something goes wrong, they can notify emergency services, ensuring a faster response and peace of mind. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure
Spotted a change on this trail? Maybe there are new features, the route has shifted, or the trail is permanently closed. Whatever the update, I’d love your input. Your feedback helps fellow hikers stay informed and ensures that our trail info stays fresh and reliable.
4 Reviews on “Grass Tree Walk (14km)”
An absolute cracker of a walk for a cold day. Beautiful stands of grass trees set in classic forests of manna and swamp gums. Plenty of kangaroos and wallabies around. Used the GPX file for the first time with the Organic Maps app and it worked a treat. I suggest you do the circuit clockwise as I did it anti-clockwise and found the descent on shale down Birchell trail a bit tricky. The information provided was spot on.
Hey Timothy, really glad you enjoyed this walk. It is fantastic. I’m lucky enough to live nearby. Really glad to hear the info and GPX file was spot on too. The Brisbane Ranges always surprises me, so much variation.
Beautiful walk. I’m really enjoying hiking in the Brisbane Ranges. It’s full of surprises
The Grass Tree Walk is a lovely, beautiful and relatively easy walk in the Brisbane Ranges. There’s only one major ascent on the walk, the rest is fairly easy walking. There are hundreds if not thousands of Grass Trees along the way which makes it very pretty. Major 4WD tracks are only used to link the different trails and most of the walking is on smaller tracks or trails. Despite the wet weather over the last half a year, there were no muddy bits on the trail. It’s a great hike in summer and winter. Will definitely do it again!
Did this walk recently – nice and quite walk out in the bush.
Spotted roos and wallabies early in the trail.
Some sections bit overgrown and/or trees have fallen (e.g. bit of Wallaby Track) – follow GPX file and bush bash for a bit, the cleared path shows up soon enough.
As we had done this anti-clockwise, it was a steep decline midway followed by a short incline after ; both don’t last long before you’re back on the flats