Hike at a glance

11,978

Quick overview: Experience the diverse terrain and Aboriginal heritage of Victoria on the 12.3km You Yangs Circuit hike. Starting from the Turntable car park, this moderate-grade trail offers adventurous bushwalkers a mix of trails, rock hopping, and a steep climb on the Saddleback Track. Don't miss the chance to view the 100-metre wingspan of the Bunjil Geoglyph, a symbol of the local Wathaurong people. Cap off your hike with a climb up to Flinders Peak for breathtaking views of the You Yangs and surrounding plains.

Length

12.3km

Duration

4 hrs

Difficulty

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Trail type

Circuit

Route details

Max elevation: 277m
Min elevation: 58m
Total Ascent: 481m

Start: Turntable Carpark

End: Turntable Carpark

Location: You Yangs Regional Park

State: Victoria

Nearest town: Little River

State capital distance: 62km

Latitude: -37.95898772329478

Longitude: 144.42647337913516

Check current conditions
Track conditions, access and closures can change quickly due to weather, fire, maintenance or safety concerns. Always check the relevant land manager’s website before you visit. Trail Hiking Australia does not provide real-time track and closure monitoring, and land managers remain the authoritative source for current alerts, closures and access restrictions.

About this trail

Difficulty

Planning

Safety

Getting there

The region

Photos

Weather

About this trail

The You Yangs Circuit hike begins at Turntable car park and traverses various trails including West Walk, Northern Range Walk, Branding Yard Trail, Saddleback Track, and East Track. If you have time and energy at the end, you can climb the 450 steps to Flinders Peak for rewarding views of the You Yangs and the surrounding plains.

This hike is not overly challenging, with most of the trail being easy to moderate. However, there are a few sections that require rock hopping, and the gradient on Saddleback Track is steep.

There are several trails that allow for variations to either shorten or lengthen this hike. One variation takes you past the Bunjil Geoglyph. Bunjil, the Creator Spirit of the local Wathaurong Aboriginal people, appears like an eagle on the plain below Mount Flinders in You Yangs Regional Park, Victoria. This geoglyph was part of a series called "Rhythms of Life," created by the internationally recognised artist Andrew Rogers, and was unveiled in March 2006 to commemorate the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. It has a wingspan of around 100 metres, and approximately 1,500 tonnes of rock were used in its construction. A great vantage point to see this is along the summit walk to Flinders Peak.

You Yangs Regional Park is open daily from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, including weekends and public holidays. Please note that the front gate is closed to vehicles each night.

Trail difficulty

Grade 3 (moderate) badge

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Uneven terrain and steady climbs
These walks require a reasonable level of fitness and confidence on rough ground. Expect hills, rough surfaces, and sections with steps or short, steeper climbs.

While not technically difficult, these tracks are no longer "easy" and can feel demanding over distance, especially in heat or with a pack. Some bushwalking experience is recommended, particularly for managing footing and pacing. Distances can extend up to 20km.

Worth knowing: Many hikers underestimate Grade 3 when conditions change or fatigue sets in.

Planning information

Preparation matters: Plan your day hike well and bring the right gear, weather-appropriate layers, food and plenty of water. Before you head out, read up on bushwalking safety and use this day hike planning guide to make sure you're ready. Need help getting started? Check out the full hike preparation guide.

The You Yangs is a great location for the family.
Be careful on some trails as they are often used by walkers, hikers, trail runners and mountain bike riders.
You Yangs Regional Park is open daily from 7:00am to 8:00pm, including weekends and public holidays. Please note that the front gate is closed to vehicles each night.
There are nine picnic areas throughout the park, many with tables and accessible toilet facilities. The main picnic areas provide free gas barbecues on a first come basis. There are plenty of places to set up your own gas barbecue.
Drinking water is available from the Visitor Centre drinking fountain.
Please take all rubbish away for disposal or recycling.

Mountain Bike Trail
Dog Friendly
Exposed Ledges
Steep Terrain

Map and GPX file

You Yangs Circuit Hike (12.3km)

Total distance: 12337 m
Max elevation: 277 m
Min elevation: 58 m
Total climbing: 481 m
Total descent: -481 m

GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.

Variation (13km)

Total distance: 13366 m
Max elevation: 275 m
Min elevation: 67 m
Total climbing: 866 m
Total descent: -864 m

GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.

Safety and preparation

Think safety first

Australian conditions can turn a small oversight into a serious situation faster than most walkers expect. The Hiking Safety Systems and planning calculators are designed to help you identify and close those gaps before you leave home. Work through the Interactive Safety Scenarios to see how incidents unfold, then use the tools to build your plan and make sure a trusted contact has your trip details before you head out.

Let someone know

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, and it only takes two minutes.

Let someone know your plans →

Heading somewhere remote, off-track or overnight? Use the comprehensive trip intentions form instead — your emergency contact will need more detail. Register your trip plan here →

Free checklists

Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.

Getting there and where to stay

You Yangs Regional Park

Located just over 50 kilometres southwest of Melbourne in Little River, Victoria, You Yangs Regional Park is easily accessible by car. Follow the Princes Freeway (M1) for roughly an hour, with clear signage guiding you to the park entrance at 5 Branch Road. For those coming from Geelong, the park is a convenient 30-minute drive, approximately 25 kilometres away. The park itself is open every day for public enjoyment, but keep in mind closing times vary depending on daylight saving time.

Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here →

Get there with Google Maps

2WD Access
Public Transport
Bitumen Road
Speed Bumps
Large Car Park
Accessible Toilet
Public Toilets

Accommodation nearby

Find hotels, cabins, and campgrounds near the trailhead. Click the button below to open an interactive map automatically centred on this hike's location — no searching required.

Accommodation →

Or browse accommodation in nearby towns: Avalon, Bacchus Marsh, Geelong, Lara, Little River, Werribee

Explore the region

About the region

You Yangs Regional Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Wadawurrung People. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Wadawurrung Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.

Magnificent views, birdlife and a mecca for walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers - welcome to the You Yangs! The distinctive granite peaks of this park rise abruptly from the flat plains below. Flinders Peak and Big Rock have panoramic views out to Melbourne, which is just an hour away.

Explore over 50 kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike trails for beginners and experts. Ride easy, open dirt roads to technical, single-track and adrenaline-pumping downhill trailsor see the diverse scenery of the You Yangs from your car along The Great Circle Drive.

Climb Flinders Peak, the highest point in the You Yangs and be rewarded with uninterrupted views out to Melbourne and Geelong. Come with family or friends and picnic among the boulder-strewn landscape. Choose from nine designated picnic areas.

The You Yangs support a rich variety of plant species. Tall eucalypts such as manna gum, yellow gum and river red gum give way to sparse undergrowth of native shrubs and groundcovers. Patches of wattle and drooping sheoaks also occur. The endangered brittle greenhood orchid is one of 30 species of orchids found in the park.

The park provides a range of habitats for wildlife. More than 200 species of birds have been recorded and koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, brush-tail possums, echidnas and lizards are commonly seen.

Explore nearby hikes

Photo gallery

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Weather on the trail

You Yangs Regional Park

The map below shows the rain forecast for the trail area. Tap the toggle in the top right corner to explore other layers including wind, temperature, UV index, thunderstorms, fire danger, and weather warnings — all useful for planning a safe hike.

Trail Reviews

8 Reviews on “You Yangs Circuit Hike (12.3km)”

Overall rating

Irene Dawson

Such a wonderful place to walk and hike shame about the noxious weed boneseed taking over I always pull out some as i walk

19/11/2023, 08:48

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Julie Lane

The Northern Ranges is my favourite walk in the You Yangs.

18/11/2023, 22:01

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1. Lorelle Baylee
  
  Julie Lane mine too! 😊
  
  18/11/2023, 22:11
  
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2. Lynn Peterson
  
  Julie Lane is it well sign posted??
  
  18/11/2023, 23:24
  
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3. Julie Lane
  
  Lynn Peterson – reasonably well
  
  18/11/2023, 23:34
  
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4. Lynn Peterson
  
  Julie Lane thank you.
  
  18/11/2023, 23:39
  
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5. Trail Hiking Australia
  
  Lynn Peterson it’s pretty easy to follow around Flinders Peak. It’s when you get into the eastern side of the park that it becomes a bit trickier if you don’t have a map as there are several tracks that intersect and it’s not really well signposted to know which one to take if you aren’t familiar with them. This isn’t an official circuit so there’s no signs that will have the name of this hike.
  
  19/11/2023, 07:42
  
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Darren Edwards

Great park to practice navigation skills. I’m actually heading here tomorrow for a rogaining event. If you’ve never heard of rogaining, check this out. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to practice your map and compass skills. https://www.trailhiking.com.au/navigation/improve-trail-navigation-with-rogaining/

18/11/2023, 21:46

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Tim Geurts

Amy

24/03/2022, 05:17

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Mark Chen

Great little circuit. Perfect for a family outing.

24/03/2022, 05:17

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Madhu Subra

Hi Darren,
We are looking to do this 4 hour hike and would like to download a copy of the map you have on the website. But I can’t seem to do so using gpx. Any chance you got a pdf version instead? Or point me to the right direction on where to get one?
Thanks heaps.
Madhu

06/12/2021, 16:35

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Acknowledgement of Country

You yangs circuit hike (12. 3km) trail hiking australia

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

Route details

About this trail

Hike summary

Trail notes

Trail difficulty

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Planning information

Trail tips

Walk features

Map and GPX file

Variation (13km)

Safety and preparation

Think safety first

Let someone know

Free checklists

Getting there and where to stay

Access conditions

Accommodation nearby

Explore the region

About the region

Explore nearby hikes

Branding Yard Trail (5km)

Northern Range Circuit (8km)

You Yangs Peaks Circuit Hike (12.8km)

Big Rock via Rockwell Road Walk (3.2km)

Photo gallery

Weather on the trail

Trail Reviews

8 Reviews on “You Yangs Circuit Hike (12.3km)”

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Notice something different about this trail?

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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