The Tarra Bulga Scenic Circuit, in the Tarra Bulga National Park, is truly one of the most beautiful hikes close to Melbourne and is well worth the visit. This hike is a good introduction to the area and follows a combination of the popular trails around the Visitor Centre. The Tarra Valley is home to some of the best primeval rainforest in Victoria. You won't be disappointed in the beauty of this place.
The trail starts near the BBQ at the North end of the car park at the visitor centre. Take Link Track, shortly this arrives at the gravel road. Walk past the water tank to take Scenic Track. This winds through some very beautiful forest before arriving at the swing bridge. After crossing the bridge, at the next junction take the left to Ash Track. The next junction will be with Lyrebird Ridge Track, take the left to follow this. This then becomes Forest Track at the picnic area. Follow this for nearly 2km. When you reach the junction you can take the left to head down to Wild Cherry Track. Then return back to the junction with Forest but take the left to continue along this to Old Yarram Balook Rod. This will return you to the main road where you need to walk up for a few minutes to reach the car park a the Visitor Centre again.
Grade 2 (Easy) -Â
A Gentle Introduction to Inclines: Grade 2 on the
AWTGS represents easy walking tracks that offer a slightly more challenging experience compared to Grade 1. Similar to Grade 1, no prior bushwalking experience is required. The track surface is typically hardened or compacted and may have gentle hill sections or occasional steps. The total distance of a Grade 2 walk is typically no greater than 10 kilometers. These walks are still suitable for families with a bit more experience or those seeking a gentle introduction to some inclines.
- Bring wet weather gear as this area has a very high rainfall.
- Don't forget your camera.
Total distance: 8203 m
Max elevation: 676 m
Min elevation: 555 m
Total climbing: 409 m
Total descent: -410 m
Login to Download GPXGPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.
Leave a trip plan
Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.
Getting there
Getting to the trailhead: Tarra Bulga National Park.
Tarra Bulga National Park is situated approximately 200 kilometres east of Melbourne. The park is reached from the Princes Highway at Traralgon by following Traralgon Creek Road to Balook. Alternatively the park can be reached from Yarram via the Tarra Valley Road or Bulga Park Road. Roads throughout the area are narrow and winding but offer marvelous scenery with panoramic views from several points, including Mount Tassie.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Accommodation nearby
Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.
Nearby towns: Boolarra, Churchill, Gormandale, Mirboo North, Moe, Tanjil South, Thorpdale, Toora, Trafalgar, Traralgon, Traralgon South, Welshpool, Yarram, Yinnar
About the region
With its lush gullies, giant mountain ash trees and tree ferns, Tarra Bulga National Park is one of only four major areas of cool temperate rainforest in the state. The rainforest is a haven for plants and wildlife. Discover a wide variety of birds including the pilotbird, yellow tailed black cockatoo, eastern whipbird, and currawongs. Visit in the evening when the forest comes to life as possums, owls and bats emerge to feed. If you're lucky, you may see a lyrebird scratching the forest floor looking for food or catch a glimpse of some of the other inhabitants like wombats, swamp wallabies, gliders and platypuses.
Similar walks nearby
Looking for more walks in or near Tarra Bulga National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
Favourite
Favourite
Favourite
Favourite
Wilsons Promontory National Park
Suggest an edit
Notice something different about this trail? Whether it’s a new feature, a route change, or a closure, share your update so we can keep our info accurate and helpful for fellow hikers.
Click to suggest edits >>