Trail Fast Facts
Mack's Creek Loop is a 25.2km, grade 3 hike in Tarra Bulga National Park, Victoria. This hike typically takes 7 hours to complete.
Warning
As at 6th of July 2022. Macks Creek Loop has closed until further notice due to HVP Plantations harvesting beyond Bird Road Bridge to Roberts Road. This has made the track in that section inaccessible.
Hike Overview
Southeast of Balook, in the Tarra Bulga National Park, this captivating Mack's Creek loop trail features damp rainforest gullies, 11 creek crossings and magical waterfalls due to frequent rain.
Starting at Mack's Creek Hall, you will pass through recently harvested plantations leading to extensive Mountain Ash forests, with gullies and rare Hazel Pomaderris shrubs. A steep section of the track leads to one of the numerous crossings of Mack's Creek.
See the Strzelecki Ranges' most attractive waterfall, situated among unusually large filmy-ferns (Hymenophyllum species). Enjoy scenic views of Yarram and Alberton townships and also the Ninety Mile Beach and Corner Inlet.
The trail passes through a mosaic of farmland, plantations and native eucalypt forest. The latter is ideal for spotting a sleepy koala or two.
You will also walk through a warm temperate rainforest in danger of extinction. And see firsthand the bush rehabilitation, including blackberry and willow removal, and regeneration with substantial rainforest tree plantings.
Walk along the historic coach road between Balook and Yarram and enjoy spectacular coastal views.
Map and GPX file
Max elevation: 676 m
Min elevation: 89 m
Total climbing: 1045 m
Total descent: -1045 m
Getting there
Tarra Bulga National Park is situated approximately 200 kilometres east of Melbourne. The park is reached from the Princes Highway at Traralgon by following Traralgon Creek Road to Balook. Alternatively the park can be reached from Yarram via the Tarra Valley Road or Bulga Park Road. Roads throughout the area are narrow and winding but offer marvelous scenery with panoramic views from several points, including Mount Tassie.
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.
About the region
With its lush gullies, giant mountain ash trees and tree ferns, Tarra Bulga National Park is one of only four major areas of cool temperate rainforest in the state. The rainforest is a haven for plants and wildlife. Discover a wide variety of birds including the pilotbird, yellow tailed black cockatoo, eastern whipbird, and currawongs. Visit in the evening when the forest comes to life as possums, owls and bats emerge to feed. If you're lucky, you may see a lyrebird scratching the forest floor looking for food or catch a glimpse of some of the other inhabitants like wombats, swamp wallabies, gliders and platypuses.
Suggest an edit
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.
Similar trails nearby
Looking for things to do in Tarra Bulga National Park or nearby? Try these similar hikes or bushwalks.
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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 “Mack's Creek Loop Hike (25.2km)”
Maddi Shae
Renee Magor
Wayne
Phillip Meek
Shane Mervin
Tania Nilsson Natalie Krutop how about a weekend away?? My cousins live out this way its beautiful
LizandDave Friswell Megan Donohue
Erin
Fiona Butterworth
Good choice Bev, I have done a walk there a while back and really enjoyed it. There is a track from Morwell NP to Tarra Bulga that I’ve been wanting to try …
Haha good one
I am currently having development done on my site to display the state and location when hikes are shared with this Facebook page. Hopefully that will be a welcome addition
I was visiting Australia (from Denver, Colorado, USA) for the first time earlier this month (September 2017) and decided on trying this hike out as my second hike. My first hike was in Wilson’s Promontory, so I wanted something completely different….which this was. I did most of the loop in one day, 09/11/17, but I started too late in the day and had to turn around near the Balook trail-head. The lat and long coords took my close to Mack’s Hall, where I parked, and to echo other hikers, I did the loop counter-clock wise.
Compared to others, I found the trail decently easy to follow, there must have been work done on the trail since the last reviewer. There were only a few places where the path was overgrown, but it wasn’t that big of a deal. The only times I got off trail was when I was not paying attention, but there are trail markers and pink ribbons tied to trees every so often to let you know you are going the right way.
It poured rain the first part of the morning, but I was prepared for that. Was not prepared for the stinging nettle plant that bit me at the first river crossing. The ones in the states feel like a bee sting, but this one made my entire right leg feel like it was on fire for a few hours. The second time I sat down to ring out my socks is when I noticed the leeches…holy fright!! I read about them in the reviews, but I didn’t think they would be that bad. That first time, I had about 6 on each leg. For the next several hours, I had to stop every 10 minutes and remove another batch of them from my legs. It’s not that they hurt or are dangerous, it’s mostly just an uncomfortable gross feeling, knowing they are there. The leeches stopped appearing after I got onto Old Balook Yarram Road.
Even with the nettles and leeches, I did enjoy the hike and will always remember it, just wish I could have completed it. Based on my Fitbit tracker I did 25.6km in 8 and ½ hours, and I also definitely recommend bringing your poles.
I wish
Im sure we can plan well in advance Tania Nilsson leave early sat morn home sunday arvo
In vic?
It looks really lovely …. It could be fun
Jaimi McNair, add it to the list!
Jake Dominiak Ash Benson Gus Granger Jye Rae one day we gotta do this ?
Jessica Mitchell thoughts?
Kate? Nice day trip
Laura Shillito Sylvia Gad
Lets do it!!
Lets do it!!
Lets do it!!
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