The Northern Brisbane Ranges Circuit is a 19.5km, grade 3 hike located in the Brisbane Ranges National Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 6 hrs to complete.

Length: 19.5km

Duration: 6 hrs

Grade: 3

Style: Circuit

Start: Sapling Gully Picnic Area

End: Sapling Gully Picnic Area

Location: Brisbane Ranges National Park

Closest town: Darley

Victoria

From state capital: 70km

Longitude: 144.307165

Latitude: -37.748295

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Hike overview

The Northern Brisbane Ranges Circuit commences at the Sapling Gully Picnic Area in the northern reaches of the Brisbane Ranges National Park. This walk follows a combination of management tracks, walking trails and animal tracks as it winds it way around the many gullies and spurs of the northern end of the range. You may find evidence of gold mining history. I have found a few old bottles and broken plates scattered around some areas but they are few and far between.

Enjoy the open woodland, areas of grass trees and views over the volcanic plains further to the north.

The trail is well defined and well-marked in most places but care is certainly needed in some sections where vegetation has overtaken the trail. This is not a particularly strenuous hike with only a few sections of reasonable elevation gain.

Camping - Boar Gully Campgound

If you wanted to make a weekend hiking in the area, you can stay at the nearby Boar Gully Campgound. Enjoy quiet, secluded camping an easy drive from Melbourne in the Brisbane Ranges. Immerse yourself in nature, refresh your soul and experience the feeling of being away from it all, in wilderness just relaxing or enjoying a range of scenic walks and wildflowers.

Basic camping facilities provided include non-flush toilets, picnic tables and fireplaces. Fires may be lit in the fireplaces provided by Parks Victoria. Firewood collection is not permitted. Campers should bring their own firewood or a fuel stove for cooking. Tank water is available, but it is not suitable for drinking – supply your own drinking water.

Route and GPX file

Total distance: 19425 m
Max elevation: 444 m
Min elevation: 288 m
Total climbing: 519 m
Total descent: -519 m

Download file: Northern Brisbane Ranges Circuit.gpx

Trail features

Gravel Path
Rough Trail
Undefined Trail

Tips

There are a lot of intersecting trails north of Reids Road so be careful you chose the one you indented to. At some point, they all link

Trail location

Getting there

Coming from Melbourne, there are different ways you can access this hike, either via Rockbank or Bacchus Marsh. Follow Glenmore Road west from Bacchus Marsh-Balliang Road. After a short distance, veer left onto Reids Road and follow this gravel road to the junction of Aeroplane Road. While Reids Road is well maintained, Aeroplane Road is not, so take great care in this section so you don't damage your vehicle. A 2WD will be fine, provided you drive slowly. Follow this road a short distance to the Sapling Gully Picnic Area and trail head where you will find a small carpark.

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Access conditions

2WD Access
4WD Access
Gravel Road
Steep Road
Winding Road
Speed Bumps
Small Car Park

Gallery

About the region

Little more than an hour's drive from Melbourne takes you to the state's richest wildflower habitat. Set in a low range of mountains dissected by rocky gullies, the unusual geology of Brisbane Ranges National Park has preserved plants that have long since vanished from the region, together with a correspondingly diverse bird population and the greatest density of koalas in Victoria.

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Acknowledgement of Country

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