Mount Baw Baw to Mushroom Rocks is a great weekend hike close to Melbourne. If you love the Alpine regions Victoria has to offer, Baw Baw National park is one of the closest alpine parks to Melbourne at around 2.5 hrs drive. This hike offers visitors beautiful alpine flora and fauna as well great plateaus and the physical challenges of a 1500m summit.
This hike starts on the Village Trail. You can take a couple of paths along the up the mountain and towards Phillack Saddle. From there you head South-east along a section of the Australian Alpine Walking Track to Mushroom Rock.
Staying overnight at Mushroom rock (about 800m above sea level) will be warmer than camping on the plateaus and allows you to sleep among some gorgeous boulders and rock formations.
Day 2 will see you turn around and return along the same path, perhaps varying your route slightly with the alternative Village Trail which will have you coming through Baw Baw Village itself.
Total distance: 30318 m
Max elevation: 1567 m
Min elevation: 1242 m
Total climbing: 1201 m
Total descent: -1201 m
Download file:
Mt Baw Baw to Mushroom Rocks.gpx
Photos by Matthew Kovacs
- Dog Friendly
- Untreated Water
Maps can be found on the Parks Victoria Website. I suggest taking the eastern part of the Village Trail as your first leg. The start of the trail is opposite the GAFIA Lodge and begins with a quaint little bridge crossing the Tanjil River (really a alpine creek)
This hike can be done in any season, but please make sure you prepare accordingly. I last did this in October and there was still a nice dusting of snow at higher levels.
Baw Baw has some of the longest and windiest stretches of roads I've driven on. Be wary if you have passengers who get car sick.
Details provided by Philip Jiricek
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Google Maps or any GPS will easy take you to the main Baw Baw car parks.
Heading east from Melbourne though, most people will follow the Princess Fwy eventually turning off on to Main Neerim Rd and continuing towards Noojee. From there you simply follow the Mount Baw Baw Tourist Rd all the way to the Baw Baw car park.
During winter seasons, you will need to pay a park entry fee.
It’s a good idea to let someone know where you’re going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact. If you are lost or require help and have phone reception, call 000 and ask for police. The international standard emergency number is 112, if you dial this number in Australia you will be treated exactly the same as a 000 call. If you believe your life is at risk, activate your personal locator beacon (PLB), then make your position visible to rescue teams and keep warm and dry.
The Baw Baw National Park is a national park located on the boundaries between the Central Highlands and Gippsland regions of Victoria, Australia. The 13,530-hectare national park is situated approximately 120 kilometres east of Melbourne and 50 kilometres north of the Latrobe Valley.
0 Reviews on “Mt Baw Baw to Mushroom Rocks (30km)”
Here’s my 2cents:
1) First time hiker.
2) Fitness almost non existence.
3) 65kg body weight carrying about 16kg.
4) Carried 4litre of water, but ran out of water the last 5km back.
5) Solo hike. 5.5hours Mt Baw Baw – Mushroom Rocks; 6 hours return back on the same exact route (did not detour to Baw Baw Summit as per website suggestion because leg was jelly).
6) It was hell. had to stop every few metres up a climb after prolonged walking. That last stretch entering into Mushroom Rocks was torturous, on the way in was steep downhill, foot was hurting mad, on the way back was uphill leg was burning.
8) Did not die.
Great! Just been looking for the next weekend walk, and here it is. Thanks!