There are such a vast range of walks to choose from in Victoria that you could be walking all year and not cover every track. From long walks alongside the Great Ocean Road to the beauty of the Dandenong Ranges and the Yarra Valley, this is the perfect way to combine the ultimate camping and walking holiday in one of Australia’s prettiest regions.

Drive to Apollo Bay for the walk of a lifetime. At 91 kilometres, the Great Ocean Walk is right up there with amazing challenges. However you can enjoy the walk in stretches, from climbing the cliffs through to the inland forests and back onto the sandy beaches that stretch on and on to the famous twelve apostles. There are plenty of camping grounds along the entire coastline if you want to stay a while to make the most of the spectacular scenery.

If that isn’t long enough for you, try the ultimate Great South West Walk located in the Lower Glenelg National Park. At 250 kilometres, you can walk to your hearts content and enjoy some of Victoria’s most loved trails. Most visitors prefer to drive between the walks, including close to twenty shorter tracks that will take you to most of the well known attractions in the park. The section between Bridgewater Lakes to Portland includes incredible coastal scenery and whales are often sighted from the headlands. From Portland to Moleside you will enjoy thick forests and rivers with a number of pretty campsites and picnic grounds available. Canoe the Glenelg River and then head to back to Discovery Bay.

The Dandenong Ranges are a favourite for locals and tourist alike for many reasons, mainly the diversity of walking and cycling tracks available throughout the ranges and valley. Only an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the drive to get there is as breathtaking as the walking tracks. Head to the SkyHigh Mount Dandenong Observatory for a panoramic view of the ranges, and then onto Grants Picnic Ground which offers the Hardy Gully Nature walk suitable for most fitness levels.

The Yarra Valley also boasts some incredible walks. The Beeches trail takes you into another world, with majestic ancient beech trees towering above you and a stream alongside the trail also adding to the beauty. The Mt Lofty walk can be found along the Yarra River, and has fantastic views of the valley and ranges. The Lake Mountain Summit Walk requires higher fitness levels, but the rewards are worth every step with four fantastic lookouts at the top. Head to the Mount Donna Buang Skywalk to experience its famous lookout tower at the Rainforest Gallery. This entire region will take your breath away. The two hour drive here is also just as enjoyable with the national park stretching from Healesville to Warburton.

During the spring months one of the prettiest walks is the Beehive Walk at Grampians National Park. You can get there via the Glenelg Highway and the scenic drive takes about three hours. There is a diversity of options here, with over a million visitors a year flocking to enjoy the natural beauty and tranquillity of the park. Another easy walk is to MacKenzie Falls, with a lovely picnic area nearby.

Victoria is an ideal destination for the avid bushwalker, with such a multitude of walking tracks, rainforests, national parks and lookouts just waiting to be discovered. There are plenty of easy trails close to Melbourne and the majority are easy to reach by car, perfect for a day trip with a picnic basket. A hirecar is the ideal choice to combine the freedom of self drive with the flexibility of a walking holiday, and with an endless list of choices, what more could you ask for?

Jenny Brewer