Macedon Regional Park (Macedon)

The Macedon Ranges are famous for their views, native forests, wildlife, historic monuments and, perhaps foremost, their substantial homes and garden flower displays in Spring. At the western end of the range, the 2427 hectare Macedon Regional Park dominates the skyline. The park protects forested land along the ridge of the Range and offers great opportunities for bushwalking, scenic drives and picnics. Mount Macedon is one of the highest peaks in the range and you can enjoy magnificent views from the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross and the Camels Hump viewing platforms

Things to do:

Have a picnic - Enjoy a leisurely picnic at one of six picnic grounds spread along the ridge of the range.
Enjoy a walk - There is ample opportunity to explore the park on foot via a series of walks that make up the Macedon Ranges Walking Track. Most walks are easy to moderate and link picnic grounds and other park features.
Ride a bike - Multi-purpose tracks below Bawden - Douglas Road and other specified roads and tracks within the park provide cyclists with a variety of terrain and landscape. Some tracks link to other areas of public land.
Scenic drives - A network of sealed and unsealed roads allows you take in the stunning scenery of the park by car. Some unsealed roads are subject to seasonal closure. On your way up the mountain be sure to take in the significant historic gardens of Mount Macedon.
Horse riding - Horse riding is a great way to explore the park. Riders should remain on defined roads and tracks at all times. Horses are not permitted on walking tracks, closed management tracks or in picnic grounds.

Places to See:

Mount Macedon Memorial Cross - After the Shrine of Remembrance, Mount Macedon Memorial Cross is considered to be the most significant war memorial in Victoria. Located on the summit of the mountain within the War Memorial Cross Reserve, this imposing structure stands 21 metres high and commemorates all those who served in wars and conflicts.
Major Mitchell Lookout - Offering stunning views to the north west of the Range, the Major Mitchell lookout was named after Major Thomas Mitchell, the first European to climb the 1000 metre peak in 1836. After sighting Port Phillip Bay from the southern aspect of the peak, Mitchell named it Mount Macedon in reference to Philip II of ancient Macedonia.
Mount Macedon Survey Cairn - This eight metre high cairn was built in the 1860s as a reference point for land surveys. It is one of only three mortared stone Geodetic Triangulation Cairns in Victoria.
Kurana Display - This interpretive board marks the site of the 1948 crash of Australia's first pre war DC3. The plane ploughed into a pine plantation on the southern slopes of Mount Macedon on route from Melbourne to Deniliquin.
The Camels Hump - Like nearby Hanging Rock, this rocky outcrop is a mamelon - a volcanic feature formed six million years ago when thick lava squeezed through a narrow vent in the earth's crust. The highest peak in the range, Camels Hump offers superb views of Hanging Rock and the surrounding countryside.
Sanatorium Lake - In the 19th century, the cool climate of the Macedon region was thought to provide a perfect environment for patients suffering tuberculosis. In 1899 a sanatorium was opened a short distance down the Mount from the lake in a building previously used as a private hospital. The lake was built to supply water to a new, larger sanatorium which due to opposition and lack of funding was never built. The original sanatorium closed in 1910 and was later destroyed by fire. Swimming is not permitted in the lake.

Walking Tracks:

Enjoy 30km of walking tracks in and around Macedon Regional Park. Attractions along the way include the Memorial Cross Reserve, The Camels Hump rock formation and the Sanatorium Lake Forest Eco-Tourism Trail.

Map of Walking Trails

The Macedon Ranges Walking Tracks - A 30km loop track links many of the features of Macedon Regional Park and takes approximately seven hours to complete the entire walk. For a shorter walk, try one or more of the numbered sections marked on the map. A car shuttle may be necessary for some sections.

1. Macedon Railway Station to Old Scout Camp - 2km, 40 mins, Easy
From the station, walk north along Smith Street and Middle Gully Road to the Old Scout Camp site. Along the way look for native orchids and Kangaroo Grass, widespread before European settlement, but reduced by grazing and early land management practices.

Near the Scout Camp is one of the many stone bridges on the Melbourne-Bendigo railway line. The Sunbury to Woodend section was opened in 1861.

2. Scout Camp to Bawden Road / Douglas Road - 1.4km, 25mins, Easy to Moderate
You now enter Macedon Regional Park. Follow the arrows east. Shortly after crossing the shallow creek, turn left and begin walking uphill.

After some time, follow the arrow pointing left. At the embankment, climb the stairs and cross Bawden Road. Over the road there is another wooden staircase leading to the top of the embankment.

3. Bawden Road / Douglas Road to Macedon Memorial Cross - 2.2km, 1hr, Moderate to Difficult
The track runs parallel with the road for a short distance before zigzagging up the southern face of Mount Macedon. This is the steepest part of the track and may be slippery.

On reaching Hoods Track, you begin to leave the dry Messmate/gum forest and merge into a wet Messmate/gum forest.

Since the Ash Wednesday fires of February 1983 there has been prolific regeneration including stands of wattle, Messmate, Snow Gum and Alpine Ash. The understorey contains plants such as Hazel Pomaderris and Hop Goodenia, and ferns such as Mother Shield and Fishbone.

The track merges on to a sealed path within the Cross Reserve. Turn left to exit the Cross Reserve via the Gatehouse.

4. War Memorial Cross to Cameron Picnic Ground - 1.8km, 30min, Easy
Walk towards the Tearooms, turn left and follow the walking track sign to the Western Lookout loop, with views of Woodend and the surrounding areas. Return to the main track and proceed in a north-west direction through the Messmate forest, where you might see wallabies and wombats and hear many types of birds.

Cameron Picnic Ground is a good spot for a break - it is 200m to the right off the main track.

5. Cameron Picnic Ground to The Camels Hump -2.7km, 1hr, Easy to Moderate
From Cameron Picnic Ground, return to the main track and head north-east. The track heads around the northerly aspect of the range crossing several management tracks, eventually merging into a dirt road at the boundary of private properties. Turn right and follow the arrows to McGregors Picnic Ground where there are toilets and fireplaces.

The track continues along the northern boundary of the picnic ground and leads to a management track - turn right and follow the signs to The Camels Hump carpark.

A 500 metre walk on a surfaced path takes you to the peak of The Camels Hump. A direction dial on the viewing platform helps you identify features in the surrounding landscape such as the volcanic mamelon of Hanging Rock.

From The Camels Hump you have the choice of two routes:

Travel the south-east face of Mount Macedon towards Macedon Railway Station via Cameron Drive (Walks 6 to 9 - 10.3km - around 3hrs, 30 mins), or
Continue with the circuit track towards Sanatorium Lake (Walks 10 to 14 - 8.7km - around 3 hours)

6. The Camels Hump to Clyde Track (via Cameron Drive) - 1.4km, 30mins, Easy
To continue the round walk back to the Macedon Railway Station, return to The Camels Hump carpark, then follow the Cameron Drive road easement back to the Memorial Cross. Turn left at Clyde Track.

7. Clyde Track to Alton Road - 1.4km, 25 mins, Easy
Follow the descending track through the remnant stand of wet Messmate/gum forest through the plantation areas to Alton Road.

8. Alton Road to Douglas Road / Bawden Road - 2.8km, 1hr, Easy
Follow Alton Road down to Douglas Road / Bawden Road, passing historic homes (Alton and Hascombe) on the southern face of the mount.

Alton Road has views to Mount Towrong and over Mount Macedon township.

9. Douglas Road / Bawden Road to Macedon Railway Station - 4.7km, 90 mins, Easy
At Douglas Road turn right to go back to the embankment stairway, the Old Scout Camp and Macedon Railway Station. Alternatively, turn left to the township of Mount Macedon.

10.The Camels Hump to Days Picnic Ground - 1.8km, 30-40mins, Easy to Moderate
The circuit track loops around The Camels Hump and continues over Mount Macedon Road and on to Days Picnic Ground.

11. Sanatorium Lake Eco Track to Zig Zag Track - 2.6km, 45mins, Easy
Continue through Days Picnic Ground, cross Lions Head Road to the start of the Eco-Tourism Trail. Follow the signs to Sanatorium Lake. Take a stroll around the lake or follow the signs to Sanatorium Lake Picnic Ground. Continue through the picnic ground to Barringo Road and veer left to the start of Zig Zag Track.

12. Zig Zag Track to Hemphills Track - 1.3km, 15-25mins, Easy
The Zig Zag Track winds its way down through wet Messmate forest to Hemphills Track. You will hear many bird species calling through the valley.

13.Hemphills Track to Mount Towrong Track - 1.5km, 25mins, Easy
Hemphills Track branches left off Zig Zag Track and takes you through tall Messmate and gum forest.

14.Mount Towrong Track to Anzac Road (Macedon Township) - 1.5km, 45 mins, Difficult
Turn right off Hemphills Track and continue along Mount Towrong Track towards the summit. The understorey consists of Prickly Moses with dense Wiregrass, while the upper storey vegetation changes to dry Messmate, Broad-leaved Peppermint and Long-leaved Box.

From the western face of Mount Towrong, you can view the township of Mount Macedon and local areas. The track becomes steep as you walk down towards Anzac Road. Descend the stairs and turn left then follow Anzac Road back towards Mount Macedon township

Sanatorium Lake Eco-Tourism Trail
This is a great place for a family stroll, with many natural features to see along the way. Signs along the walk and a display board at the lake provide information on the forest environment.

The walk is about 2.5km and passes through several vegetation types, including tall eucalypt forests and a wet fern gully.

Access and parking is available at Days Picnic Ground, Lions Head Road carpark and Sanatorium Picnic Ground.

Cycling:

Exploring on a bicycle is an exciting way to experience the park. By using the numerous multipurpose tracks provided, visitors can help minimise soil erosion, prevent the spread of weeds and limit damage to native vegetation. While exploring by bicycle, riders will be able to enjoy the rich natural values, stop off at some interesting cultural places and enjoy some magnificent views of the nearby countryside.

Map of Cycling Trails

Always be aware of other park users. Walkers, horse riders, native animals and possibly 4WDs may also be using your chosen track. Bicycle riding is permitted ONLY on the tracks shown on the map and other formed roads and tracks that are open to public vehicle access. Some walking tracks within the park are managed for walkers only and are not available for use by bicycles.

Where to ride in the park
To assist you with your ride, the tracks and approximate distances are set out below. Each section is numbered and shown on the map.

1. Bawden Road-Scout Camp Track - 2.5km
2. Scout Camp outer loop track - 5.7km
3. Loop track off high side of Bawden Road- 3.6km
4. Bawden Road, western park boundary to Clyde Track via Barbers Chute - 3.3km. Steep, rocky section for experienced riders only - walking may be required
5. Top of Barbers Chute to Cameron Drive via the Telecom tower track - 0.4km
6. Cameron Drive from Clyde Track intersection to Francis Road intersection incorporating the loop return track - 4.2km
7. Mount Macedon Road to Cameron Drive via start of Turner Avenue - 1.9km
8. Cameron Drive from Clyde Track intersection to the commencement of Camels Hump Track - 1.4km
9. Camels Hump Track from Cameron Drive to Mount Macedon Road - 700m
10. Lions Head Road from Mount Macedon Road to the eastern access track - 2.0km
11. Old Plantation Track through to Sanatorium Picnic Group access road - 760m
12. Sanatorium Picnic Group access road to the eastern end of Barringo Road - Catchment gate - 2.3km
13. Softwood plantation boundary track linking Barringo Road - 2.0km
14. Hells Hole Track linking Barringo and Link Tracks - 1.4km
15. Link Track Number 1 - joins Barringo Road - 600m
16. Link Track Number 2 - 1.1km. Very steep section joins Zig Zag Road
17. Hemphills Track - 1.6km
18. Moola Track - 0.72km. Provides a link to Mt Macedon township via Sangsters Road
19. Zig Zag Track - 1.3km
20. Eastern Access Track - 1.5km
21. Hesket Boundary Road linking Gap Road Cherokee - 4.1km

A number of bicycle tracks are closed seasonally to minimise erosion and protect track surfaces or to maintain water catchment quality. Tracks 4, 5, 13, 17, 18, 19 and 20 are closed from about June to November each year.

Heritage:

The discovery of gold in the Bendigo area in 1851 led to the opening of inns, shops and smithies at Middle Gully, now Macedon township, to service travellers on their way to the diggings. European settlement in the Macedon Ranges began with timber-getting. In an attempt to make good the destruction from logging, government agents began managing the forests in the 1870s. A plant nursery was established and experiments conducted with exotic trees. From the 1860s wealthy businessmen began to flee the Melbourne summer for the cool air of Mount Macedon, building cottages and, later, mansions. It was not until 1970 that 1317 hectares was declared a forest park.

A number of severe bushfires have affected the Macedon area over the years, but despite the devastation, recovery has been sufficient to continue to entice thousands of visitors.

Fauna:

Wildlife is abundant. 157 varieties of birds have been sighted including shrike thrushes, currawongs, magpies, and kookaburras. Of the 20 mammal species recorded, the most commonly seen are Mountain Possums (Bobuck), Greater Gliders, Swamp Wallabies, Eastern Grey Kangaroos, echidnas, wombats and koalas.

Vegetation:

The landscape is characterised by unusual land forms. Camel's Hump Rock formation, like Hanging Rock, is the weathered remains of a mamelon, a mass of sticky lava that oozed out of the earth's crust some six million years ago. Dry and wet Messmate gum forests, damp gullies and a variety of plant life complete the scene of Macedon's natural features, which change with elevation. The highest peaks within the park have characteristic Snow Gum communities.

How to get there:

Take the Mount Macedon Road from the Calder Highway exits at either New Gisborne or Woodend and follow the signs to Macedon Regional Park.

Camping is not permitted in the park. Accommodation is available at Macedon, Gisborne, Woodend and the Mount Macedon township. There are also camping facilities at the nearby Lerderderg State Park and the Wombat State Forest.

Opening Hours:

Open access at all times

Access for Dogs:

Dogs must be controlled on a leash at all times.

Note: Photos from Parks Victoria