Summary

This walk gives you good exercise, with a steep climb to start, but also shows you some of the main sights and beautiful forest paths of Macedon Regional Park

Description

This walk takes in some of the scenic highlights of Mount Macedon and gives you a good workout on a walk that doesn't take too long (about 2-2.5 hours).

It starts with a fairly steep climb from Bawden Road through the forest up to the Memorial Cross. From there on it's pretty relaxed, with an undulating loop walk through the bush that eventually takes you back to where you started.

The area around the Memorial Cross can be driven to but is very picturesque and popular with tourists, so there are plenty of facilities including a cafe (how many bush walks offer coffee)?! There are also public toilets, picnic tables and shelters.

From there you head back into the forest and pass through Cameron Picnic Ground. There is a bit of variation in the landscape, mostly tall native forest but there are some areas of exotic vegetation and even some areas where plantation forest has been cleared, allowing impressive views over the surrounding countryside.

Notes:
- Layer up! While the climb at the start will warm you up, by the time you get to the Cross you are 1,000 metres above sea level, so it will probably be noticeably colder than wherever you have come from. It may also be wetter and/or windier. On particularly cold winter days you may encounter snow.
- When you get to the end of Hoods Track look for a rough path that connects back to the track up to the Cross.
- Dogs are allowed on a lead.
- More generally, the Mount Macedon area is a great place to visit. If you like gardens, the open gardens in and around the township are definitely worth exploring (small cover charges apply).

11502 Views

Points of Interest

1. Climb through the forest

The track starts with a long climb through the forest to the Memorial Cross

2. Memorial Cross

The huge war memorial cross is a striking landmark.

3. Formal gardens

Most of this walk is through native forest, but there are some formal garden features on the short walk between the Cross and the cafe car park.

4. Lookout

This lookout offers great views for miles to the west. The general area is so picturesque that it is often used for wedding photos - hence the rose petals on the path.

5. Forest flowers

The walk between the Cross area and Cameron Picnic Ground is mostly through native forest, but when we went through these flowers gave a beautiful splash of colour.

6. Cameron Picnic Ground

This picnic area is fairly close to the road but surrounded by forest on three sides. Not many facilities but there are picnic tables.

7. Find the path

Cross the road at the picnic ground, turn left and walk about 50 metres down the road until you come to a large grass area. Look for the tire tracks and follow them into the forest.

8. More views

The track goes through an area where plantation forest has recently been cleared. It's an interesting change from the native forest, to walk through an open area that offers great views.

9. Back in the forest

After passing through the cleared area, Hoods Track takes you back into the forest. The forest varies though, with some areas of exotic trees as well as the native bush.

Features

Picnic spot

Seating available

Public toilets

Historical interest

Nature trail

Park / Garden