Cape Schanck walk on the Mornington Peninsula, Melanie Ball

Going on a hike doesn’t always mean strapping on hiking boots, mega backpacks and ten litres of water – there are short walks near Melbourne that showcase some of the best scenery in Victoria without requiring the skills of an Everest mountaineer. Here are our picks for the top five walks near Melbourne, from Melanie Ball’s Top Walks in Victoria.

Cape Schanck, Mornington Peninsula

This 8km, 3-hour walk of moderate difficulty gives hikers an unbeatable package deal of beach and cliff walks, wildflowers and birds, interesting history and remarkable geology on a visit to one of Australia’s most spectacularly sited lighthouses. Beginning in Cape Schanck Lighthouse carpark, you’re on the cliffs for much of this scenic walk to Bushrangers Bay.

For more info on Cape Schanck, purchase the PDF of the walk here.

You Yangs, Western Plains

The You Yangs is the strange looking set of mountains that rise abruptly out of the plains between Melbourne and Geelong. It takes 2–3 hours to complete the moderately difficult 7.1km loop track to the pinnacle which will give spectacular panoramas of plains, Melbourne’s skyline, Port Phillip Bay and the peninsulas. It’s recommended for new bushwalkers, families and other hikers.

For more info on the You Yangs walk, purchase the PDF here.

Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island

Pink granite cliffs, mutton-bird rookeries, wild-ride surf and safe swimming; the many wonders of Cape Woolamai, on Phillip Island, are revealed on this easy and stunning 9.2km coastal loop.

Hanging Rock, central Victoria

This fun short walk promises rugged, labyrinthine rock formations, sweeping views and more than a touch of mystery – this is the rock made famous by the Picnic at Hanging Rock, where schoolgirls disappeared at the rock and where never seen again. Hopefully that won’t happen to you; the walk should be only be around 2 hours long.

For more info on the Hanging Rock walk, purchase the PDF here.

The Great Ocean Walk from Aire River to Johanna Beach

Arguably the best day walk in Victoria, this 14km, 6-hour walk means you’ll be able to really appreciate the incredible views of unpredictable ocean and tranquil river, surf beach and honeycombed cliffs, tall forest and flower embroidered heath, this wonderful walk shows off the Great Ocean Walk’s diversity of landscapes and flora.