Hike at a Glance

Quick overview: Explore the challenging yet rewarding Mt Juliet trail in Victoria's Yarra Ranges National Park, just 73km from Melbourne's CBD and near the quaint town of Healesville. This 8.7km return track is a Grade 4 hike, starting and ending at Road Three Junction, and offers a steep, sometimes overgrown path to a 1120m summit marked by a historic stone cairn. As one of the highest and most difficult hikes in the region, it promises a notable rise in altitude and a potential post-rain adventure for experienced bushwalkers.

Length:

8.7km

Duration:

4 hrs

Grade:

Style:

Return

Max elevation: 1116m

Min elevation: 204m

Total Ascent: 913m

Start: Road Three Junction

End: Road Three Junction

Yarra Ranges National Park

Victoria

Nearby town: Healsville

From state capital: 73km

Latitude: -37.62567406

Longitude: 145.59784770011905

Overview

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2,247 views

Hike overview

Mt Juliet is among the highest peaks in the Yarra Ranges region, with a very steep and unmaintained walking track leading to the 1120m summit. The highest summit in the park is nearby Mount Donna Buang at 1223m.

The hike commences at Road Three, a parks management track off the Maroondah Highway (7 km east of Healesville), and follows this track east for approximately 2km to a junction of an incomplete 4WD track. The relentless foot trail starts at the junction of this road and Road Five. From there, it 4.5km in an almost direct line to the summit, where a stone cairn is located. The trail is steep, unforgiving and depending on the time of year, can often be overgrown in places. Expect this to be a challenging hike, especially after rain when the steep slopes will often have you crawling on all fours.

Mount Juliet is one of several trigonometric cairns remaining from the original Geodetic Survey of Victoria. The summit walk is among the most difficult in the Ranges, with a rise in altitude from 211m to 1120m, with the final section over rocks.

Tips

The ascent to the summit from the junction of Road four is steep and arduous and requires a high level of fitness and stamina
With a change in altitude of around 800m, do not expect this to be an easy hike as the trail is not well maintained and can often be overgrown
There is a stone cairn at the top, built in the late 1800s to mark a geodetic survey point
Don't expect any views due to extensive regrowth from the 1939 fires.

Gallery

Mount Juliet Hike (8.7km)

Walk map and GPX file

Mount Juliet Hike (8.7km)

Total distance: 8771 m
Max elevation: 1116 m
Min elevation: 204 m
Total climbing: 913 m
Total descent: -913 m

Getting there

Getting to the trailhead: Yarra Ranges National Park.

Follow the Maroondah Highway through Healesville, to small car park signed Mount Juliet Track, about 2 km past the Graceburn Weir. Park near the gate

Get there with Google Maps

Closest towns to this walk: Belgrave, Emerald, Healesville, Lilydale, Marysville, Monbulk, Montrose, Mount Dandenong, Olinda, Warburton

Access conditions

2WD Access
Bitumen Road
Small Car Park

About the region

Situated between Melbourne and the Victorian Alps, the Yarra Ranges National Park is a place of epic views, majestic rainforest scenery and fun-packed snowplay. Enjoy the panorama from Mount Donna Buang, or go deeper into the park on the Black Spur Drive, and wind through towering Mountain Ash forests to Lake Mountain.

The Yarra Ranges spans an extensive, mountainous area of cool temperate forest around the three towns of Marysville, Healesville and Warburton. This national park is home to the world's tallest flowering tree, the Mountain Ash, which towers over lush tree ferns and mossy Myrtle Beech. Dark gullies are home to clear streams which feed the Yarra River and major reservoirs from which Melbourne draws its drinking water.

The Yarra Ranges boasts some stunning lookouts, one of the best being Mount Donna Buang. From here you can see awesome views of Westernport Bay and Port Phillip - or walk the Rainforest Gallery and see the Mountain Ash from a different perspective. In the winter, Mount Donna Buang is Melbourne's closest winter playground. Many Melburnians have enjoyed their first sight of snow here through the years.

Healesville is the start of the Black Spur Drive, a short but beautiful scenic car journey. The road winds through majestic Mountain Ash forest to Narbethong, passing a number of pleasant walking trails and picnic areas, such as Donnelly's Weir, Dom Dom Saddle and Maroondah Reservoir Park.

Similar walks nearby

Looking for more walks in or near Yarra Ranges National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.

Track grade

Grade 4 (Hard) - Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.

Explore safe

Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.

Packing checklists

What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.

Let someone know

Before heading out, take a moment to fill out your trip intentions form. It’s a quick way to share your hike details with family or friends. If something goes wrong, they can notify emergency services, ensuring a faster response and peace of mind. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure

Reviews

Mount Juliet Hike (8.7km)

4 Reviews on “Mount Juliet Hike (8.7km)”

Overall rating

Rhiannon Burns

Challenging but excellent hike. There is very little respite from the steep incline, very fun! The recent storm damage/fallen trees have just today been completely cleared so all clear to reach the summit.
Would recommend for experienced and fit hikers but would advise one to bring walking poles for the descent.

07/02/2023, 00:50

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Shaun Wright

Did this on 15/05/2021.
Was cold, wet, muddy, overgrown with lots of fallen trees across the track and even got snow at the top… Absolutely loved it!
😀

Will be back in a few months to have another go.

24/03/2022, 05:18

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Susan Love

It’s a good training hike. Get ready to roll down?

24/03/2022, 05:18

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Matthew Hilton

Good challenge. No real respite the whole way up, and only gets harder the close you get to the top. Took about 3.5hrs return to the car.

24/03/2022, 05:18

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Andrew Hunter-Graham

Tough track and a great challenge! Strangely I noticed a small area, mid way up the track with leech activity. Found myself flicking many off my boots and pants. No signs down low near the road or near the top.

24/03/2022, 05:18

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Luke Barrett

Great training hike for fast elevation gain. The post fire regrowth is starting to encroach on parts of the trail, as are the leeches – I wore shorts and regretted it. Trekking poles were handy on steep upper sections.

24/03/2022, 05:18

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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.

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.

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

February 25, 2025

Hike at a Glance

Hike overview

Tips

Gallery

Mount Juliet Hike (8.7km)

Walk map and GPX file

Mount Juliet Hike (8.7km)

Mount Juliet Hike (8.7km)

Getting there

Access conditions

About the region

Similar walks nearby

Morley Walking Track (9.4km)

Donnellys Weir Mt St Leonard Hike (25.3km)

Mount Donna Buang Hike (18km)

Mt Ritchie Dugout Acheron Way Circuit (35km)

Track grade

Explore safe

Packing checklists

Let someone know

Reviews

Mount Juliet Hike (8.7km)

Mount Juliet Hike (8.7km)

4 Reviews on “Mount Juliet Hike (8.7km)”

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Suggest an edit

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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Mount Juliet Hike (8.7km)

Hike at a Glance

4 Reviews on “Mount Juliet Hike (8.7km)”

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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