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  2. Mack’s Creek Loop (25.2km)
mac’screek

  • Length: (25.2km

  • Duration: 7hrs

  • Grade: 3

  • Style: Circuit

  • Start: Mack's Creek Hall

  • End: Mack's Creek Hall

  • Closest Town: Mack's Creek

  • Location: Tarra Bulga National Park

  • Distance from state capital: 221km

  • State: VIC

  • Latitude: -38.4721233779

  • Longitude: 146.6383526266

Summary

Southeast of Balook, in the Tarra Bulga National Park, this captivating Mack’s Creek loop trail features damp rainforest gullies, 11 creek crossings and magical waterfalls due to frequent rain.

Starting at Mack’s Creek Hall, you will pass through recently harvested plantations leading to extensive Mountain Ash forests, with gullies and rare Hazel Pomaderris shrubs. A steep section of the track leads to one of the numerous crossings of Mack’s Creek.

See the Strzelecki Ranges’ most attractive waterfall, situated among unusually large filmy-ferns (Hymenophyllum species). Enjoy scenic views of Yarram and Alberton townships and also the Ninety Mile Beach and Corner Inlet.

The trail passes through a mosaic of farmland, plantations and native eucalypt forest. The latter is ideal for spotting a sleepy koala or two.

You will  also walk through a warm temperate rainforest in danger of extinction. And see firsthand the bush rehabilitation, including blackberry and willow removal, and regeneration with substantial rainforest tree plantings.

Walk along the historic coach road between Balook and Yarram and enjoy spectacular coastal views.

Location

Hidden within the Strzelecki Ranges, Tarra-Bulga National Park features lush fern-filled gullies, giant Mountain Ash and ancient Myrtle Beech.

Getting there

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 marvellous scenery with panoramic views from several points, including Mount Tassie.

 

Total distance: 25291 m
Max elevation: 676 m
Min elevation: 89 m
Total climbing: 1045 m
Total descent: -1045 m
Download GPX File  Please note that you need to be registered and logged in to download GPX Files. If you aren't you will automatically be redirected to the registration/login screen before the download begins. By downloading any GPX files from this site you agree its use, and reliance upon, is entirely at your own risk. These files are for non-commercial, personal use only. I will endeavour to ensure the accuracy and currency of the data, but accept no responsibility in this regard, or the results of any actions taken, when using the digital route files.

 

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54 thoughts on “Mack’s Creek Loop (25.2km)”

  1. Just finished the track today! Was a hard one to complete, plenty and plenty of Leeches and 5 river crossings, luckily we didn’t have wet weather on the day, but it was still incredibly muddy in parts. I would imagine if it was raining we would have struggled treking up some of the very steep, not very clear or even visible at times track. We could have had been in trouble trying to get through! We completed the track clockwise over 2 days starting from Mack’s Creek Hall and stopped over night at the Tarra Bulga guesthouse! Day 1 was mostly uphill along 4WD roads. Day 2 was a mixed bag of everything hiking! At times felt like we were bush bashing. It was lots of fun! But not a track for beginners! Hiking poles were vital!!

    1. Wow, bush bashing? Sounds like an adventure. Last time I did this hike last year is was along quite wide and well formed tracks. I’d love to hear if you followed the GPX file route as it should have been an easily navigable trail.

      1. Yeah felt like bush bashing at times, coz track was washed away, trees have fallen and walking through over grown vegetation as high as high as your hips over the track. The 4wd tracks and roads were fine. But thank goodness for the pink ribbons everywhere. We didn’t bush bash it just felt like it at times. Was easy to navigate, we mainly used a map for this one. But had gps with coordinates as a back up!