Hike at a glance

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Quick overview: Explore the rugged beauty of Victoria with the Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk, an 8.5km journey through an impressive natural landscape. This Grade 3, moderately challenging trail winds along the scenic Werribee River, framed by towering cliffs and lush vegetation. Starting at Meikles Point Picnic Area and ending back at the same spot, the walk offers awe-inspiring views from the Western and Eastern viewpoints. Remember to wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and carry ample water and snacks for this 3.5-hour adventure in the heart of Werribee Gorge State Park.

Hike length

8.5km

Average duration

3.5 hrs

Trail Difficulty

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Hike Type

Circuit

Technical details

Max elevation: 356m
Min elevation: 138m
Total Ascent: 353m

Start: Meikles Point Picnic area

End: Meikles Point Picnic area

Location: Werribee Gorge State Park

State: Victoria

Nearest town: Bacchus Marsh

State capital distance: 69km

Latitude: -37.67319338

Longitude: 144.36405301094058

Check current conditions
Track conditions, access and closures can change quickly due to weather, fire, maintenance or safety concerns. Always check the relevant land manager’s website before you visit. Trail Hiking Australia does not provide real-time track and closure monitoring, and land managers remain the authoritative source for current alerts, closures and access restrictions.

Hike details

Difficulty

Planning

Safety

Getting there

The region

Nearby hikes

Weather

Trail details

Hike summary

Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk is an 8.5 km, grade 3 hike in Werribee Gorge State Park, Victoria, and typically takes around three and a half hours to complete. This well known circuit follows the length of the gorge and highlights the contrast between steep rock walls, shaded river flats, and elevated viewpoints that look deep into the valley carved by the Werribee River.

The walk begins at Meikles Point Picnic Area and initially follows the river northwest along a disused water channel built between 1926 and 1929 to supply irrigation to the surrounding farmland. This early section stays close to the gorge walls and can feel a little awkward underfoot, with narrow sections and uneven ground. It soon opens out at Needles Beach, a quiet riverside spot that makes a natural place to pause before continuing upstream along the eastern side of the river toward Blackwood Pool.

Beyond Blackwood Pool, the character of the walk changes as the track leaves the river and climbs steadily onto the rocky ridgeline. The ascent leads to Western Viewpoint, where the river can be seen winding far below through the gorge. From here, the circuit continues east, passing Picture Point with its outlook back toward Needles Beach, and then on to Eastern Viewpoint, which looks across to the island and surrounding slopes.

The return leg follows the upper circuit past the ruins of Hanson’s Farm and toward the quarry area before briefly joining Myers Road. The track then veers off through shallow gullies and descends Patterson’s Spur on a wide vehicle management track. This final descent is steady rather than steep and gradually brings you back down into the gorge, closing the loop at Meikles Point Picnic Area.

This circuit offers a balanced mix of river walking, rocky climbs, and open ridgeline views, making it a rewarding option for hikers with a reasonable level of fitness. Sturdy footwear is recommended due to the rocky terrain, and carrying plenty of water is important, particularly on warmer days when sections of the track are exposed.

Track difficulty

Grade 3 (moderate) badge

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Uneven terrain and steady climbs
These walks require a reasonable level of fitness and confidence on rough ground. Expect hills, rough surfaces, and sections with steps or short, steeper climbs.

While not technically difficult, these tracks are no longer "easy" and can feel demanding over distance, especially in heat or with a pack. Some bushwalking experience is recommended, particularly for managing footing and pacing. Distances can extend up to 20km.

Worth knowing: Many hikers underestimate Grade 3 when conditions change or fatigue sets in.

Planning essentials

Practical Information:

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

Map and GPX file

Werribee Gorge: Circuit Walk (8.5km)

Total distance: 8484 m
Max elevation: 356 m
Min elevation: 0 m
Total climbing: 353 m
Total descent: -343 m

GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.

Safety and preparation

Planning this hike?

Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Interactive Safety Scenarios. Then refer to the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.

Let someone know

Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.

Free checklists

Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.

Getting there

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.

Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here →

Get there with Google Maps

Access Conditions:

2WD Access
Gravel Road
Winding Road
Large Car Park
Public Toilets
Untreated Water
Picnic Table
Campfire Pit

Accommodation nearby

Find hotels, cabins, and campgrounds near the trailhead. Click the button below to open an interactive map automatically centred on this hike's location — no searching required.

Find Accommodation

Or browse accommodation in nearby towns: Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Blackwood, Geelong, Gellibrand Hill, Gisborne, Gordon, Greendale, Hoppers Crossing, Little River, Melton, Myrniong, Point Cook, Toolern Vale, Werribee

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About the region

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.

Explore nearby hikes

Photo gallery

Weather on the trail

Werribee Gorge State Park

The map below shows the rain forecast for the trail area. Tap the toggle in the top right corner to explore other layers including wind, temperature, UV index, thunderstorms, fire danger, and weather warnings — all useful for planning a safe hike.

Trail Reviews

11 Reviews on “Werribee Gorge: Circuit Walk (8.5km)”

Overall rating

Jane Sebastion

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!

17/11/2024, 18:41

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1. Darren Edwards Trail Author
  
  Really glad you enjoyed it.
  
  17/11/2024, 18:45
  
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Darren Edwards

My playground 🙂 Love this park, it is only small but has so much to offer.

24/03/2022, 05:20

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Randolph Rimando

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.

24/03/2022, 05:20

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Phil Kapitula

Amazing walk, with good lookouts and picturesque river scenes. Not to hard but hard enough to be interesting.

24/03/2022, 05:20

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Ragnar Lothbrok

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.

24/03/2022, 05:20

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Acknowledgement of Country

Werribee gorge: circuit walk (8. 5km) trail hiking australia

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.

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

January 27, 2026

Hike at a glance

Technical details

Trail details

Hike summary

Track difficulty

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Planning essentials

Map and GPX file

Safety and preparation

Planning this hike?

Let someone know

Free checklists

Getting there

Accommodation nearby

Discover more

About the region

Explore nearby hikes

Werribee Gorge: Rim Hike (13.7km)

Werribee Gorge: Scenic Rim Hike (12.4km)

Centenary Walk & the Island Hike (12.5km)

Werribee Gorge: Falcons Rim Hike (13.7km)

Photo gallery

Weather on the trail

Trail Reviews

11 Reviews on “Werribee Gorge: Circuit Walk (8.5km)”

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Notice something different about this trail?

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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