Five Victorian Hikes You Can Take with the Entire Family
Head to one of these easy hikes within easy reach of Melbourne — and be back in the city in time for dinner.
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Put away the gadgets, turn off the Netflix, round up the family and lace up your (and the little guys') joggers. If you're up for a domestic holiday with a difference, exploring the great outdoors of regional Victoria may be the answer. Its variety of scenic walking trails offer the perfect opportunity to get some fresh air and quality time with the whole family — all the while surrounded by the pristine natural landmarks that make it a hiker's dream.
To help you get out there with the entire fam, we've teamed up with our mates at Macpac to track down getaways perfect for all ages. These family-friendly hikes are well within reach of Melbourne, so you can add it on to a standard city break. The kids won't get bored in the car — and you'll make it back to the city in time for dinner. Load up that picnic basket and head to these coastal adventures and lakeside saunters that everyone will love. 
Visit Victoria.
MORNINGTON DOG-FRIENDLY WALK
The Mornington Foreshore offers everything from stunning camping spots and sandy beaches to great quality food and drinks. Featuring a dog-friendly path and modern playground, the walk begins in native bushland and includes many vantage points to glimpse a spectacular water view.
Along the way, you'll get to explore Mothers Beach and its vibrant boat houses before arriving at the popular Mornington Pier. Good news if you brought your fur baby along for the family holiday, too — the Royal Beach is leash-free, and the water and rock pools provide a great spot to rest.
Pack this: Kahuna 18L Urban Backpack ($71.99)
Visit Victoria.
YOU YANGS BIG ROCK WALK
Set between Melbourne and Geelong, the You Yangs Regional Park is a great place to visit if you want to get back to nature but not too far away from the city. Home to towering granite rock formations that rise out of the volcanic soil, this place is most popular among rock climbers and mountain bikers.
The Big Rock Walk is a leisurely 30-minute stroll winding its way between thick vegetation, eventually arriving at said 'big rock'. The name may lack some imagination, but you'll be inspired by the view from the top. On those cooler Victorian days, the rock soaks up the sun and makes for a pleasant picnic spot with incredible scenery.
Pack this: Soft Touch Water Bottle 1L ($24.49)
Visit Victoria.
WADAWURRUNG COUNTRY WALK
Beginning at Point Impossible, the Wadawurrung Country Walk showcases incredible white-sand beaches and coastal shrubbery that attract visitors from near and far. Plus, you can learn about the traditional Wadawurrung people that lived there for thousands of years as you journey along its path.
The Torquay Sundial is another highlight and, set near the playground, is a great spot for the kids to discover. Designed by local artists Claire Gittings and Glenn Romanis, the sundial's art combines flora, fauna and oral stories significant to the local community.
As you make your way along this 90-minute walk, make sure to stop off at the likes of Whites Beach Playground and the Elephant Walk Park to keep the kids entertained and their energy high.
Pack this: Summit Ridge 22L Daypack — Kids ($80.00)
Brianna Laugher via Flickr.
LERDERDERG GORGE
Only an hour's drive from Melbourne's CBD, Lerderderg State Park is a sprawling spot that spans 14,250 hectares. Begin your descent into the gorge from MacKenzies Flat, then follow the well-signed track towards the river that carves through the landscape. Roam the sandstone and slate rock formations of this 300-metre deep gorge and spot some of the beautiful flora and fauna dotting the area. The kids will have fun leaping across the stepping stones and splashing around int he shallows.
Pack this: Cub 10L Daypack — Kids ($54.99)
Visit Victoria.
LAKE ELIZABETH WALK
The Otway Ranges are home to some challenging climbs, but this walk is accessible for the whole family. Take a relaxing stroll around Lake Elizabeth and find out why this tiny section of the Otways is so beloved. Located just a ten-minute drive from the tight-knit community of Forrest, the Lake Elizabeth Walk offers the opportunity to wander through the ferns and even spot a platypus or two. Towering trunks burst from beneath the lake's surface, remaining from when the valley was flooded more than 50 years ago. There's also a small jetty where you can bring a dingy and paddle your way across the water.
Pack this: Possum Child Carrier V2 ($239.99)
