Hike at a glance
Length
Duration
Difficulty
Trail type
Trail details
Max elevation: 531m
Min elevation: 400m
Total Ascent: 326m
Check current conditions
Track conditions, access and closures can change quickly due to weather, fire, maintenance or safety concerns. Always check the relevant land manager’s website and conditions before you visit. Trail Hiking Australia does not provide real-time track and closure monitoring, and land managers remain the authoritative source for current alerts, closures and access restrictions.
About this trail
Route in detail
Trail difficulty
Grade 3 (Moderate)
Moderate walks with some obstacles
Grade 3 walks may include short steep hills, formed tracks with some obstacles, rougher surfaces and many steps. Some bushwalking experience is recommended, and walkers may encounter natural hazards such as steep slopes, unstable surfaces or minor water crossings. Grade 3 walks are no longer than 20km.
Good to know: Not every Grade 3 characteristic will apply to every walk, so check the route description for the specific challenges of this hike.
Map and GPX file
Preparation and safety
Trail tips
Plan and prepare
Australian conditions can turn a small oversight into a serious situation faster than most walkers expect. For a day hike, that means the right gear, weather-appropriate layers, enough food and water, and allowing time to finish in daylight. The day hike planning guide walks you through it.
The Hiking Safety Systems and planning calculators help you understand and close the gaps before you leave home. The Interactive Safety Scenarios show how small gaps turn into real incidents. If you’re new to planning hikes, start with the hike preparation guide.
Download the free hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Let someone know
Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take, and it only takes two minutes.
Heading somewhere remote, off-track or overnight? Use the comprehensive trip intentions form instead, as your emergency contact will need more detail. Register your trip plan here →
Getting there and where to stay
Directions
Access conditions
Accommodation nearby
Search accommodation in nearby towns: Blackwood, Castlemaine, Creswick, Daylesford, Guildford, Malmsbury, Newstead, Trentham
Find somewhere to stay near the trailhead. Click the button below to open an interactive map automatically centred on this hike's location.
Travel arrangements
Whether you are travelling from across Australia or exploring closer to home, these options can help you organise your journey to the trail and make the most of your visit.
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Photo gallery
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Your photos can help others plan. Share shots from along the trail so fellow hikers know what to expect.
Explore the region
About the region
Discover activities
More hikes nearby
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Weather on the trail
The map shows the rain forecast for the trail area. Use the toggle in the top right corner to switch layers, including wind, temperature, UV index, thunderstorms, fire danger and weather warnings. Windy is a forecast model, not an official warning service. Check the Bureau of Meteorology for current warnings before you go.
Trail reviews
Notice something different about this trail?
Whether it’s a new feature, a route change, or permanent closure, share your update so we can keep our info accurate and helpful for fellow hikers.
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.
9 Reviews on “Jacksons Lookout & Breakneck Gorge Hike (11.6km)”
The track is currently closed from The Blowhole to Golden Spring and is badly in need of maintenance. A really nice walk ruined by neglect.
Sounds like a plan
Looking forward to our upcoming hike and camping up that way in a couple of weeks. Will have to check this one out too!
Great walk with a moderate amount of effort required. It starts and ends in the town of Hepburn (at the primary school) which gives you a chance to explore the town which was nice. The hill displayed in the map isn’t a traditional climb, and I was surprised when I got to the top that it was done. The first half of the walk is a bit compressed/winding on the map so it appears as if you’re not half way, but you are! Also in the last km there is a cafe, which is a great spot for lunch. The walk is 3 hours, but it’s an easy one. Would recommend this walk.
Simmon Little doable!
Emily Smith yessss
Shivanthri Pilapitiya Julia Hume Daham Pilapitiya