Grass Tree Walk is a 14 km, grade 3 hike in Brisbane Ranges National Park in Victoria, and it usually takes around four hours to complete. The walk begins at Boar Gully Camping Ground in the northern part of the park and follows a well defined and clearly marked route that makes it an approachable option for walkers looking for a steady day out rather than a demanding climb.
Much of the route shares alignment with the Burchell Trail, including sections along the Kangaroo and Wallaby Tracks. While some parts follow management tracks, which are common across the Brisbane Ranges, these sections provide easy going underfoot and help link quieter trails through the forest. The overall terrain is moderate, with only one notable change in elevation, making the walk feel consistent and manageable from start to finish.
The defining feature of this walk is the sheer number of grass trees scattered throughout the landscape. Tall stands rise from open forest of manna gum and swamp gum, creating a strong sense of place that feels distinctly local to this part of Victoria. These grass trees give the walk much of its character and provide frequent moments to pause and take in the surroundings without the need for steep climbs or exposed sections.
Wildlife is commonly seen along the route, particularly eastern grey kangaroos and wallabies moving through the forest clearings. Echidnas are also known to wander across the tracks, especially in quieter sections away from the campground. Most of the walking is on narrow bush tracks, with four wheel drive sections used mainly to connect different parts of the trail network rather than dominate the experience.
Grass Tree Walk suits walkers who enjoy a relaxed but engaging hike through varied forest, with clear navigation and plenty of visual interest along the way. It is a reliable choice for those wanting to explore the Brisbane Ranges at a comfortable pace while still covering a satisfying distance.
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.
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.
Total distance: 13847 m
Max elevation: 441 m
Min elevation: 319 m
Total climbing: 431 m
Total descent: -431 m
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Getting to the trailhead: 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.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.
Nearby towns: Anakie, Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Ballarat, Geelong, Gisborne, Gordon, Lara, Little River, Melton, Meredith, Mernda, Steiglitz, Werribee
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.
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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