Macedon Ranges Walking Trail (19km)

The Macedon Ranges Walking Trail offers a 19-kilometre journey through the heart of Macedon Regional Park, taking hikers on a rewarding six-hour adventure. Starting from the Mount Macedon Hotel, the trail begins with a simple stroll along a bitumen road. Not long after, the road transitions to gravel, where you’ll find the official trailhead on your right. From here, the path starts its gentle climb up Mount Macedon, gradually winding its way through the forest.

The first section of the trail is a series of steep, zig-zagging paths that stretch over a kilometre. While the incline may leave you needing to catch your breath, the effort is well worth it. Brief glimpses of the surrounding landscape appear between the trees, offering hints of the sweeping views to come. As you continue towards the summit, the forest begins to open up, and eventually, the trail leads you to the iconic Memorial Cross. From here, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the Macedon Ranges and the valleys below.

Beyond Memorial Cross, the trail flattens out as it follows the western face of Mount Macedon. This section is more relaxed, winding through messmate forest—some of which still bears the scars of fires that swept through the area two decades ago. As you move through this quiet landscape, you’ll pass several fire trails before reaching McGregors Picnic Ground. This shaded area, surrounded by towering European trees, provides an excellent spot to pause for a well-earned break.

After lunch, the trail continues with a climb towards Camel’s Hump. Once you reach the carpark, it’s just a short walk to the summit. The views from Camel’s Hump are truly breathtaking, offering a fresh perspective of the park’s sprawling terrain. From here, you can either retrace your steps back to the junction or take a more adventurous route, following coordinates down through rocky outcrops to pick up the trail below. This off-trail section reveals some stunning rock formations, making the extra effort well worth it.

Back on the main trail, the path winds through dense forest before leading to Sanatorium Lake. Created in the 1800s to supply water to the nearby tuberculosis sanatorium, the lake now provides a serene habitat for local wildlife, including flame robins, swamp wallabies, and white-faced herons. Take a moment to enjoy the calm of the lake before continuing your hike.

From the lake, the trail descends gently along open fire trails before beginning the short but steep climb up Mount Towrong. The summit is marked by a large rock cairn, which offers another opportunity to take in the surrounding views. The descent from here is steep and rocky, so be sure to take your time and enjoy the views as the trail leads you through an open, forested section of the park. As you descend into the valley, the trail becomes more rugged, with stairs to assist your journey.

Eventually, you’ll reach a road, where you’ll turn left and follow a gravel road through residential streets. This final stretch brings you back to the Mount Macedon Hotel, where your hike concludes. The combination of challenging climbs, scenic views, and moments of tranquillity makes the Macedon Ranges Walking Trail a memorable experience for any avid hiker.