The Burchell Trail is a 35km, grade 3 hike located in the Brisbane Ranges National Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 3 days to complete.

Length: 35km

Duration: 3 days

Grade: 3

Style: One Way

Start: Steiglitz Courthouse

End: Boar Gully Camping Area

Location: Brisbane Ranges National Park

Closest town: Steiglitz

Victoria

From state capital: 86km

Longitude: 144.190323

Latitude: -37.859207

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Hike overview

The Burchell Trail is a great way to see the Brisbane Ranges National Park as it traverses the length of the park from north to south. Starting from either Fridays or Boar Gully, the walk follows orange track markers and uses existing walks, management tracks and public roads. The Burchell Trail is a linear trail that can be completed over 3 relatively short days. If there was a centrally located camping spot I would complete this hike it in only two days.

For the more adventurous, the Burchell Trail is a great way to see the Brisbane Ranges National Park. Starting from Fridays Camping Ground or Boar Gully Camping Ground, the walk follows orange track markers and uses existing walks, management tracks and public roads. Overnight camps are located at the Old Mill and Little River Bush Camping Grounds.

North South, commencing at Board Gully
Day 1 - Boar Gully to Little River - 10km
Day 2 - Little River to Old Mill - 13.5km
Day 3 - Old Mill to Fridays - 11.5km

South to North, commencing at Board Gully
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

Overnight hike for kids

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.

Camping

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

Route and GPX file

Total distance: 34707 m
Max elevation: 439 m
Min elevation: 249 m
Total climbing: 1017 m
Total descent: -932 m

Download file: The Burchell Trail.gpx

Trail features

Gravel Path
Heritage
Untreated Water
Overnight Campsites

Trail location

Getting there

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Access conditions

Gravel Road
Public Toilets
Untreated Water
Picnic Table
Camping Area

Gallery

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About the region

Little more than an hour's drive from Melbourne takes you to the state's richest wildflower habitat. Set in a low range of mountains dissected by rocky gullies, the unusual geology of Brisbane Ranges National Park has preserved plants that have long since vanished from the region, together with a correspondingly diverse bird population and the greatest density of koalas in Victoria.

Similar trails nearby

Hike Categories: 026-50km Brisbane Ranges National Park Grade 3 (Moderate) Multi Day One Way Victoria

Explore Safe

While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.

Let someone know

Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.

Gear to consider

My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.

Reviews

3 Reviews on “The Burchell Trail Walk (35km)”

Overall rating

sean carrodus

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.

24/03/2022, 05:23

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Warren

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 🙂

24/03/2022, 05:23

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1. Sean Kelleher
  
  Reminder: collecting firewood is not permitted in a National Park.
  
  31/08/2023, 08:06
  
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  1. Sean Kelleher
    
    https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/conservation/using-firewood-in-parks
    
    31/08/2023, 08:16
    
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ilana cherny

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.

11/12/2021, 13:48

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Acknowledgement of Country

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.