The Werribee Gorge Circuit walk offers a scenic 8.5km loop through one of Victoria's most impressive natural landscapes. Located in Werribee Gorge State Park, this grade 3 hike takes you along the length of the gorge, which is framed by towering cliffs and lush vegetation. With stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the winding Werribee River, it’s a hike that will leave you in awe of the area's rugged beauty. Expect the walk to take around 3.5 hours to complete.
The walk begins at Meikles Point Picnic Area, where you’ll follow the Werribee River to the northwest. The first stretch of the trail follows a disused water channel that was built between 1926 and 1929 to supply irrigation to the local area. This section can be a bit tricky as it hugs the base of several small cliffs, making it feel a little awkward until you reach Needles Beach, a perfect spot for a break. From there, the path continues along the eastern side of the river to Blackwood Pool.
After Blackwood Pool, the trail leaves the river and begins the ascent up a rocky ridge, leading to the Western Viewpoint. From here, you can pause to take in the sweeping views of the river below as it twists through the gorge. Continuing east, the track passes Picture Point, which overlooks Needles Beach, and then reaches the Eastern Viewpoint, where you can enjoy a view of the nearby island.
At this point, you have a choice: you can take a short detour back to Meikles Point via the circuit trail, or continue on past the Hanson Farm ruins and head towards the quarry car park. The final section of the trail leads you along Myers Road for a short distance before veering off through a few shallow gullies. You’ll then descend Patterson’s Spur on a vehicle management track, eventually returning to Meikles Point.
This walk offers a moderately challenging hike with beautiful scenery throughout, making it an ideal choice for those looking to explore the area. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes and long pants to navigate the rough terrain, and bring plenty of water and snacks to stay refreshed along the way.
- Trail can be taken in any direction.
- The river is prone to flooding so avoid after heavy rains.
- Walking poles will be beneficial.
- Be mindful of snakes and hit weather during the summer months
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Total distance: 8484 m
Max elevation: 356 m
Min elevation: 138 m
Total climbing: 353 m
Total descent: -343 m
Getting to the trailhead: Werribee Gorge State Park.
To reach the trailhead for the Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk, head along the Western Highway past Bacchus Marsh and take the Pentland Hills exit, which is about 5km beyond the town. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right to pass under the freeway, then take the first left onto Pentland Hills Road. Continue along Pentland Hills Road, passing under the freeway again, and then turn left onto Myers Road. Follow Myers Road until you reach the entrance to Werribee Gorge State Park, where the trailhead begins.
Closest towns to this walk: Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Blackwood, Geelong, Gellibrand Hill, Gisborne, Gordon, Greendale, Hoppers Crossing, Little River, Melton, Myrniong, Point Cook, Toolern Vale, Werribee
- 2WD Access
- Gravel Road
- Winding Road
- Large Car Park
- Public Toilets
- Untreated Water
- Picnic Table
- Campfire Pit
Werribee Gorge State Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape that includes the traditional Country of the Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri Peoples. Werribee Gorge is a wild, rugged natural beauty shaped by 500 million years of geological history. A range of challenging walks amid the steep, river-washed gorge and surrounding rocky ridges offer spectacular views and access to a rock-climbing site within the park. Self-sufficient visitors can picnic and hike to explore this unique park and its distinctive settings.
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Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the
AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
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.
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11 Reviews on “Werribee Gorge: Circuit Walk (8.5km)”
I recently hiked the Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk, and it was such a fun adventure! The 10km loop offers a great mix of rugged terrain, stunning views, and the highlight—a steel cable section across a rockface that really adds an exciting challenge. The cables make crossing the rock face feel like a real adventure, and the walk itself has plenty of steep climbs and narrow tracks to keep things interesting. It’s a bit of a workout, but the views and the thrill of the cable section definitely make it worth the effort. If you’re after a hike with a bit of excitement, this one’s a great pick!
Really glad you enjoyed it.
My playground 🙂 Love this park, it is only small but has so much to offer.
Great circuit for those new to hiking (like me).
Did this with my wife and found it challenging enough while enjoying the surrounding scenery. Will definitely return to explore more of the area.
Amazing walk, with good lookouts and picturesque river scenes. Not to hard but hard enough to be interesting.
Best to start this hike from Meikles Point Picnic area (the very bottom car park) then head ANTI-clockwise (as oppose to the above directions). This will get all the uphill section out of the way at the start, and let you enjoy the river section on the way home with no more ascents.
Also, sticking to the trail, the full circuit hike is only 8.1km, which, most people will do in under 3 hours. Not sure what the 9.3km described is based from.
Good hike, but could do with some additional signage, due to its proximity to Melb, get alot of tourist hikers, and admittedly, when your in the carpark, its kind of hard to understand which way you need to go and how the 3 carparks all link up. People often wonder ‘where is my car?’ because they’re actually in a different carpark.
Additionally, because of the circuit and it being uni-directional, the track seems very busy, you’ll constantly be crossing paths with people coming the opposite direction.
A nice easy hike, but don’t expect solitude.