The Burchell Trail: A Journey Through the Brisbane Ranges.
The Burchell Trail is a 35-kilometer, grade 4 hiking adventure through the heart of the Brisbane Ranges National Park in Victoria. Renowned for its diverse ecosystems and stunning landscapes, the park offers hikers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in nature.
Spanning two to three days, the trail treats hikers to a captivating journey through Victoria's richest wildflower habitat. With panoramic views across Wadawurrung Country and the chance to witness rare plant communities, the Burchell Trail is a must-do for nature enthusiasts.
Commencing at either Fridays Campground in the south or Boar Gully Campground in the north, the trail follows a well-marked route of approximately 35 kilometers. Hikers will traverse a combination of existing tracks, management roads, and sections of public roads, guided by orange markers.
The Brisbane Ranges are a haven for biodiversity, boasting the highest density of koalas in Victoria and a diverse array of birdlife. The park's unique geological formations have preserved plant species found nowhere else, creating a botanical wonderland for explorers.
While the trail offers opportunities for adventure, it is also suitable for hikers seeking a more relaxed pace. The terrain is predominantly gentle, with gradual ascents and descents. With an average daily distance of approximately 10 kilometers, hikers have ample time to appreciate the park's natural beauty.
For those heading out on a multi-day trek, the Burchell Trail provides designated camping areas at Little River Bush Camping Ground and Old Mill Camping Ground. These well-positioned campsites offer respite and rejuvenation amidst the park's stunning scenery.
Itinerary:Â North to South, commencing at Fridays Campground:
- Day 1: Fridays to Old Mill - 11.5km
- Day 2: Old Mill to Little River - 13.5km
- Day 3: Little River to Boar Gully - 10km
If you are commencing at Boar Gully Campground, simply reverse the order.
Multi-day hike for kids near Melbourne
This makes an excellent mulit-day hike for kids as each day is not too long, the terrain is generally flat or gently sloping with only a small amount of elevation gain on the climbs.
Hike-in Campgrounds
There are two campsites along the trail. Old Mill Hike-in Campground is one day's walk northwards from Fridays Campground while Little River Hike-in Campground is one day's walk from southwards from Boar Gully. Both hike-in campgrounds have two sites for up to six people per site. Basic facilities at campground include non-flushing toilets, shared wood BBQ, picnic tables and tank water (not suitable for drinking). Advance bookings are required.
Drive-in Campgrounds
There are two designated public access camping grounds in the park - Boar Gully (with six sites) in the north and Fridays (with ten sites) near Steiglitz. Both have pit toilets and tank water, plus designated camp trailer or caravan sites at each camp ground. The Overnight Hikers Only sites are located at The Old Mill and the Little River Picnic and camping Area. Bookings are required for all campsites including the Overnight Hikers Only sites along the Burchell Trail. Camping fees apply. For further information or to book go to www.parks.vic.gov.au/stay
- Heritage
- Untreated Water
- Overnight Campsites
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Total distance: 34707 m
Max elevation: 439 m
Min elevation: 249 m
Total climbing: 1017 m
Total descent: -932 m
Getting to the trailhead: Brisbane Ranges National Park.
To access the Burchell Trail, hikers have the option to start at either Boar Gully Campground in the northern section of Brisbane Ranges National Park or Steiglitz Court House or Friday’s Campground in the southern part of the park.
The Brisbane Ranges National Park is located approximately 80 kilometres west of Melbourne. To reach the park, take the Western Highway to Bacchus Marsh or the Princes Highway towards Geelong.
For access to the northern end of the park, including Boar Gully Campground, Thompsons Road and Reids Road provide the most direct routes. To reach the southern end of the park, where Steiglitz Court House or Friday’s Campground is located, the Geelong-Ballan Road offers the best access.
Closest towns to this walk: Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Ballarat, Geelong, Gisborne, Gordon, Lara, Little River, Melton, Meredith, Mernda, Werribee
- Gravel Road
- Public Toilets
- Untreated Water
- Picnic Table
- Camping Area
Brisbane Ranges National Park, located west of Geelong and southwest of Bacchus Marsh, approximately an hour's drive from Melbourne, is Victoria's richest wildflower habitat and boasts the highest density of koalas in the state. This 7,700-hectare park is a haven for nature enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of walks, bushwalks, and hikes suitable for all fitness levels, from leisurely strolls to multi-day treks.
The park's unique geology, characterised by low mountain ranges intersected by rocky gullies, has preserved a remarkable array of plant and animal life. With over 619 native plant species, including the rare Brisbane Ranges Grevillea, the park is a botanist's paradise. Wildlife enthusiasts will delight in spotting koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and a variety of birdlife, including over 170 recorded species.
Beyond hiking, the park offers opportunities for picnicking, scenic drives, and camping. It is also significant as part of the Aboriginal cultural landscape, being the traditional lands of the Wadawurrung People.
Want to find the best trails in Brisbane Ranges National Park for an adventurous hike, casual walk, or a family trip? Trail Hiking Australia has the best trails for walking, hiking, running and more.
Looking for more walks in or near Brisbane Ranges National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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Grade 4 (Hard) -
Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the
AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.
Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.
What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.
Before heading out, take a moment to fill out your trip intentions form. It’s a quick way to share your hike details with family or friends. If something goes wrong, they can notify emergency services, ensuring a faster response and peace of mind. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure
Spotted a change on this trail? Maybe there are new features, the route has shifted, or the trail is permanently closed. Whatever the update, I’d love your input. Your feedback helps fellow hikers stay informed and ensures that our trail info stays fresh and reliable.
9 Reviews on “The Burchell Trail Hike (35km)”
Three adults, four kids 10 – 12 yrs old, our first overnight hike, we had a ball.
We made a water drop at Gellong – Ballan Rd off of the trail as we did the shuttle for a car at each end of the trail.
Whilst there was water at both camp grounds in the tanks it was great to know we had two 10 litre bladders waiting for us at the halfway mark.
My very first overnight hike was Day 1 of this trail. Nice scenery, but nothing special. A few challenging hills for someone carrying camp for the first time, but it was comfortable. The camp, Old Mill, is sheltered, pretty and has fallen wood easy to carry to the fire. Given this was our first trial at trekking, morning brought an easy 2km walk back to the car via the roads. I will do this again and I will do the whole trail 🙂
Reminder: collecting firewood is not permitted in a National Park.
https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/conservation/using-firewood-in-parks
Completed this hike South to North over 3 days. Lost the orange triangle markers on the first day but found our way back.
Very accessible from Melbourne and easy if you can only do part of the walk. There is a short trail back from Old Mills to Fridays campground if you need (~30-40min), and you can also park your car at Little River Campground.
Lovely campsites. There was no water left in the tank at Little River but we were able to fill up in the creek at the campsite. You could also drop water.