Trail Fast Facts
Great Dividing Trail - Wallaby Track is a 52km, grade 3 hike in the Creswick Regional Park, Victoria. This hike typically takes 6 days to complete.
Hike Overview
The Wallaby Track stretches from Creswick to Lake Daylesford, covering a distance of 52 kilometers. Initially passing through what was once a bustling forest atop the Divide, the track now meanders through hilly terrain, showcasing regrowth messmate and peppermint forests that have evolved since the gold rush era.
Beginning at the Creswick Visitor Centre, the track offers separate routes for cyclists and pedestrians, with walkers starting their journey through the wrought iron gates of The University of Melbourne Creswick campus, embarking on the Creswick Heritage Walk. Both paths reconvene at St Georges Lake.
Highlights along the Wallaby Track include historical sites like the slab hut where W.G. Spence, a prominent Federal parliamentarian, spent his youth, as well as remnants of a Chinese market garden and the state’s longest timber tramway system. As the track ascends, travelers are treated to panoramic views of volcanic hills amidst rich, red-soiled spud paddocks.
Traversing the ridge above Sailors Falls, the Wallaby Track culminates at the mineral spas nestled in Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, providing a rejuvenating conclusion to the journey.
The Wallaby Track is segmented into three Walks/Rides, commencing from the southern end and heading northward. The Creswick Heritage Walk initiates the journey, guiding adventurers through a landscape of eucalypt forests and pine plantations before transitioning into farmland and native forests leading up to Daylesford.
The first leg of the route, W.G. Spence Walk/Ride, starts at the Tourist Information Centre and includes notable landmarks such as the historic Creswick campus and Oak Gully, before progressing through Creswick State Forest and emerging into farming areas toward Mollongghip.
Following the Anderson Tramway Walk/Ride entirely within Wombat State Forest, travelers navigate former logging tracks with manageable gradients, reaching Wombat Station after crossing the Great Dividing Range.
The Wombat Forest Walk begins along an old railway formation, gradually ascending to the former White Point Diggings before traversing logging tracks and entering Hepburn Regional Park. The route eventually leads to Lake Daylesford, following the course of Wombat Creek along a former water race, providing a scenic conclusion to the Wallaby Track journey.
Track Grade
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.
Map and GPX file
Max elevation: 731 m
Min elevation: 422 m
Total climbing: 1084 m
Total descent: -991 m
Trailhead
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Photo gallery
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About the region
Creswick Regional Park
Creswick Regional Park, situated on the traditional Country of the Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples, is a place of cultural significance and natural beauty. Visitors can immerse themselves in diverse ecosystems, including wetlands, lakes, and native bushland, while encountering remnants of the area's mining history.
The park offers a variety of experiences, from leisurely walks along gentle trails to cycling adventures through open roads and shared tracks. Spring brings vibrant wildflowers, but the park's allure extends throughout the year for nature enthusiasts.
Explore the network of trails, ranging from the Landcare Walk circuit to the iconic 240km Goldfields Track, which traverses the Great Dividing Range. The La Gerche Forest Walk showcases reforestation efforts, while Koala Park offers serene walks through open forest and creeks.
St Georges Lake, once a mining dam, now provides a picturesque setting for water activities and picnics, attracting both visitors and wildlife. History buffs can explore heritage sites like Eatons Dam or try their hand at gold fossicking in Slaty Creek.
For camping enthusiasts, Slaty Creek Campgrounds offer secluded areas with fireplaces and amenities. Keep an eye out for koalas, wallabies, and a variety of birdlife in the park's tranquil surroundings.
Wombat State Forest
The Wombat State Forest is located between Woodend and Daylesford, at the Great Dividing Range.
The forest is approximately 70,000 hectares (170,000 acres) in size. It is a magnet for the adventurous, with walking and cycling trails, four-wheel driving, trail bike riding, camping and wildlife spotting. You can explore to your hearts content.
A notable feature of Wombat State Forest is the extent of mineral springs which account for over 80% of Australia’s mineral springs. The mineral waters are rich in calcium, silica, magnesium, iron and sulphur. The volcanic activity of the region has supplemented the creation of mineral water – carbon dioxide mix that is seen in the form of bubbles emerging from the springs.
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Looking for things to do in Creswick Regional Park or nearby? Try these similar hikes or bushwalks.
Let someone know
Adventure with Confidence: Register Your Trip Plans
Before you hit the trail, take a moment to fill out our trip intentions form. It’s a simple way to share important details about your hike with family or friends. If things don’t go as planned and you’re not back on time, they can easily notify emergency services, helping to ensure a quick response and reducing worry. Enjoy your outdoor adventure knowing that you’ve taken a smart step for your safety.
Gear to consider
What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? 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
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.
Weather
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 “Great Dividing Trail: Wallaby Track (52km)”
Andrew King
Hi, I just recently did the lerderderg track section of the great dividing trail and am looking at doing the eureka track/wallaby track hike to Daylesford. This wallaby track hike seems to cover the same trail but is 7 kms shorter. Is this the same hike?
Thanks.
Brian Sheedy
I’m slowly hiking the GDT. So far I’ve walked from Mt Buninyong to Ballarat and another day walked Ballarat to Creswick. I’m using public transport to and from Melbourne though may drive for later sections.
I have the GDT guidebook and have downloaded the Track from the GDT organisiation onto my phone. Valuable though these are, the track is so well marked that I rarely consulted my maps from necessity. I am enjoying the challenge of the long walks and looking forward with trepidation and excitement to the next section, Creswick to Daylesford, where I am planning to camp along the way. Hopefully will be able to do this in the next few weeks.
Cheers
Robin