Manna Gums Track to Mount Beckworth Summit (5.2km)

The Manna Gums Track offers a wonderfully varied 5.2 kilometre trek that highlights the contrasting environments within the Mount Beckworth Scenic Reserve. Starting from the Manna Gums Campground, this grade 3 walk typically takes between two and three hours to complete. The journey begins under the canopy of the tall, smooth-barked Manna Gums that give the area its name, providing a cool and shaded start as the trail heads northwest. This initial section involves a steady climb through the forest as you make your way up toward the main ridgeline.

Once you reach the ridge, the track turns south and joins the Northern Ridge Track. The landscape opens up here, transitioning from the sheltered gully into more exposed woodland dominated by weathered granite. Following the spine of the ridge leads you directly to the Mount Beckworth summit at 634 metres. At the top, the iconic lone pine tree provides a focal point for the massive granite outcrops, which serve as the perfect spot to sit and look out over the expansive Victorian volcanic plains and distant mountain ranges.

For the return journey, you can retrace your steps along the ridge before taking a clever shortcut via the Link Track. This path leads you directly back down to the Manna Gums Campground, effectively turning the hike into a partial loop. This variation is often preferred by walkers as it provides a fresh perspective of the eastern slopes and a more direct descent through the timbered gullies. It is a fantastic way to experience the transition from the rugged, rocky heights back to the peaceful, towering gums of the valley floor.