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Length: 21km
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Duration: 5hrs
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Grade: 3
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Style: Circuit
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Start: Red Gum Picnic Area
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End: Red Gum Picnic Area
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Location: Plenty Gorge Park
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Closest Town: South Morang
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Distance from CBD: 30km
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State: VIC
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Latitude: -37.63561
Longitude: 145.09753
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Select items to indicate conditions for access to the trail.
2WD Access
4WD Access
Public Transport
Bitumen Road
Gravel Road
Steep Road
Winding Road
Speed Bumps
Vehicle Ford
Entry Fee
Large Car Park
Small Car Park
Accessible Parking
Accessible Toilet
Public Toilets
Drinking Water
Untreated Water
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Table
BBQ Facilities
Campfire Pit
Camping Area
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Plenty Gorge Park...
Select items to indicate features found along the trail.
Concrete Path
Timber Boardwalk
Gravel Path
Sandy Trail
Rough Trail
Undefined Trail
Prams & Strollers
Manual Wheelchair
Motorised Wheelchair
Bicycle Trail
Mountain Bike Trail
Historic Rail Trail
Dog Friendly
Urban Walk
Coast & Beach
Historic Lighthouse
Waterfalls & Lakes
Rainforest Walk
Goldfields & Mining
Heritage Walk
Aboriginal Art
Alpine Region
Alpine Huts
Exposed Ledges
Rock Scrambling
Steep Terrain
Bush Bashing
River Crossings
Scenic Viewpoints
Well Marked
Drinking Water
Untreated Water
Fishing Spots
Swimming Spots
Overnight Campsites
Trail Running
Horse Riding
Hike Summary
Arrive at the Red Gum Picnic area and head towards the Le Page Homestead track to pick up the trail. This hike takes you through the gorge alongside the Plenty River.
The track is mostly a single file trail except for a short section at the beginning of the hike. The trail is shared with mountain bikers and you'll most likely encounter a biker or two. Track can be hiked in either direction.
The trail takes you past the Wilton Vale ruins, Carome Homestead (where you can grab a bite to eat if it's open), Carome Falls and you can access the Stuchbery Farm ruins and Le Page homestead as side trips (not included in recorded trail).
The gorge is usually full of bird song and the surrounding park is a safe haven for the local mob of kangaroos and other wildlife.
It's easy to forget that you're surrounded by suburbia when walking through the gorge. There is the distant sound of the occasional train or visuals of powerlines during the northern part of this hike but it doesn't take away from how great this hike is.
About the region
Plenty Gorge Park offers a wide range of natural and cultural experiences only 20 km from Melbourne, where the spectacular gorge sets a backdrop for stunning landscape views and the abundant native wildlife are always on show.
Walk the tracks to the beautiful gorge and marvel at the diverse wildlife living within the park. Shaped by volcanic activity, the Plenty River is a dividing line between two distinct geological types. The basalt on the west and sedimentary rock on the eastern side generate a wonderful diversity of habitats, making the park an important refuge for both threatened and regionally significant species.
Enjoy a picnic or barbecue in the park with a range of recreation and picnic areas to suit everyone.
Getting there
Red Gum Picnic Area is accessed from the eastern side of Gordons Road, South Morang. There is carparking available. Middle Gorge and Hawkstowe train stations are also within walking distance of the picnic area. There are a number of bus stops along Plenty Road near the Gordons Road entrance too.
Tips
There is one creek crossing which shouldn't pose any issues unless there's been heavy rains. There are alternative turn around points using one of the multiple wooden bridges if you wish to shorten the hike.
If you're catching the train, you could get off at Mernda station and start the hike at the turn around point near Bridge Inn Road instead of the Red Gum Picnic area.
Hike information provided by Leah Smith
GPX file
Max elevation: 180 m
Min elevation: 107 m
Total climbing: 1024 m
Total descent: -1016 m
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