Melville Caves Loop is a 1km, grade 3 hike located in the Kooyoora State Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 1 hr to complete.
Hike overview
Melville Caves, named after robber and rogue “Captain Melville”, has a rich history and offers fine views from giant rocky outcrops. There are two hikes that allow you to explore the Melville Caves. One is a loop, the other a return hike.
Melville Caves Loop - 1km
Start on the opposite side of the Melville Caves Picnic Area and climb between boulders, passing Seal Rock. The track continues to the summit (steep grades in places) and Melville Caves Lookout. Return to the picnic area via the steep walking track that leads off from the summit or via the road past the Melville Caves car park.
Max elevation: 406 m
Min elevation: 337 m
Total climbing: 81 m
Total descent: -82 m
Melville Caves - 500m
This is a short return walk commencing from the Melville Caves carpark so you can explore the many boulders of Melville Caves.
Max elevation: 401 m
Min elevation: 349 m
Total climbing: 53 m
Total descent: -53 m
Camping
For short stays, camp at Melville Caves Camping Area, one kilometre past the main Melville Caves picnic area. Facilities include toilets and wood barbecues. Collect only dead wood from the ground, or better still use a gas stove or barbecue.
Remnants of history
The Jaara Jaara Aboriginal people of the Kooyoora area depended on natural springs and wells for their water as the area lacks permanent streams. Many large, yet shallow rock wells in the upper surfaces of the granite outcrops supplemented the water supply by storing rainwater. Rock shelters and caves were used for shelter from the weather and their sandy floors have preserved many stone artefacts. Other remnants of Aboriginal occupation are scars in the bark of trees. Bark was used to make bark dishes and shields.
The golden days
European settlement of the area began in the 1840s and mining for alluvial gold had begun by the late 1850s. Substantial finds in the late 1860s began a gold rush that lasted for several years. The gold rush in the Kooyoora area followed soon after the discovery of gold in the Wedderburn district. One of the most famous finds of the Kingower goldfields was the 1857 discovery of the “Blanche Barkley” weighing some 49.5kg. Mining excavations are scattered throughout the park, left behind by the retreating miners who moved on to other fields. Kooyoora State Park was extended to 11,646ha in October 2002 to enhance what remains of Victoria’s Box‐Ironbark forests and woodlands.
Trail location
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Getting there
Kooyoora State Park is a state park in Victoria, located 220 kilometres northwest of Melbourne, and 12 km west of Inglewood.
About the region
Kooyoora State Park, with magnificent views and a rich variety of plants and wildlife, protects some of north-central Victoria's outstanding natural features. The park is ideal for many outdoor recreation activities from picnics to sightseeing, rock climbing, orienteering and nature study.
This stunning pocket of the Loddon Valley is becoming one of the region’s worst-kept secrets, although it’s still a place of peace and quiet compared to similar sites of granite outcrops. Climb, camp and explore at Mount Kooyoora. Legend has it the bushranger Captain Melville took refuge here. As did the Indigenous people – find evidence of Aboriginal culture in the rock wells and scar trees. Kooyoora State Park offers a rich variety of plants and wildlife, and is home to some of north-central Victoria's outstanding natural features. The park is ideal for many outdoor recreation activities from picnics to sightseeing, rock climbing, orienteering and bird watching.
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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.
Let someone know
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Gear to consider
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.
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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 “Melville Caves Walk (1km)”
I don’t think it would take an hour to do a 1km walk at Melville Caves.
Anne Griffin depends on how mush you stop to explore. I think I spent a few hours there with my boys, checkout all the rocky outcrops.
I’ve done the walk & find it exciting, but I don’t stop enough I guess.
This is a great place to explore with kids. My boys loved it.
Hi, is there a gpx file for this hike?
Diane Donoghue….march long weekend??
Simon Cosgrave are you up for this?