Mount Macedon and Towrong Loop

5 h 30 min to 8 h 30 min

16.3 km
circuit

↑ 730 m
↓ -730 m

Hard track
Starting from the intersection of Mount Macedon Road and Douglas Road, Victoria, this walk takes you into the diverse woodland of Macedon Regional Park. The steep climb to the top of Mt Macedon is not for faint harted, but there's the Memorial Cross, Major Mitchell Lookout and a picnic area at the top to take a breather before heading forward. Lush forest, two mountain tops and tranquil Sanatorium Lake make this walk worth a while. The Camel's Hump side trip is for experienced bushwalkers only. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start At the intersection of Mount Macedon Road & Douglas Road (-37.3996544,144.588422)
Mode Car
DirectionsFrom Calder Freeway, M79
  • Turn on to Black Forest Drive Offramp then drive for 550 m
  • Continue onto Black Forest Drive Offramp and drive for another 125 m
  • Turn right onto Black Forest Drive, C792 and drive for another 950 m
  • Turn left onto Nursery Road and drive for another 1.3 km
  • Turn left onto Carrington Street and drive for another 1.7 km
  • Turn left onto Mount Macedon Road, C322 and drive for another 2.8 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the intersection of Mount Macedon Road and Douglas Road, head along Douglas Road as you move directly away from Mount Macedon Road. After about 1.54km of walking straight, turn right and join the Macedon Ranges Walking Trail. Follow the said trail as it meanders deeper into the woodland to continue along Mount Macedon and Towrong Loop(clockwise).....
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Mount Macedon Road & Douglas Road Start heading along Douglas Road (a residential road).
After another 255 m (at the intersection of Alton Road & Douglas Road) continue straight, to head along Douglas Road.
After another 35 m (at the intersection of Douglas Road & Governors Drive) continue straight, to head along Douglas Road.
After another 370 m (at the intersection of Douglas Road & Wynn Avenue) continue straight, to head along Douglas Road.
After another 640 m continue straight, to head along Bawden Road.
After another 125 m continue straight, to head along Bawden Road.
After another 120 m (at the intersection of Macedon Ranges Walking Trail & Bawden Road) turn right, to head along Macedon Ranges Walking Trail (a walking track).
After another 520 m continue straight, to head along Macedon Ranges Walking Trail.
After another 520 m turn sharp left, to head along Macedon Ranges Walking Trail.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional side trip takes you to the Mt. Macedon Memorial Cross. May the martyrs of war rest in peace. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 740 m turn left.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This little side trip takes you to the Major Mitchell Lookout. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 95 m continue straight.
After another 30 m continue straight.
After another 70 m turn left.
After another 30 m turn left, to head along Macedon Ranges Walking Trail.
After another 55 m pass the "Top of the Range Tea Rooms" (35 m on your right).
The starting point of an alternate route. An alternate route visiting a viewpoint which provides panoramic views to the west. To take the alternate route turn left here. Details below.
After another 160 m continue straight, to head along Macedon Ranges Walking Trail.
After another 55 m continue straight, to head along Macedon Ranges Walking Trail.
After another 265 m (at the intersection of Macedon Ranges Walking Trail & Bawden Road to Cameron Drive) veer right, to head along Macedon Ranges Walking Trail.
After another 140 m (at the intersection of Bawden Road to Cameron Drive & Macedon Ranges Walking Trail) continue straight, to head along Macedon Ranges Walking Trail.
After another 680 m continue straight, to head along Macedon Ranges Walking Trail.
After another 570 m continue straight, to head along Macedon Ranges Walking Trail.
After another 810 m (at the intersection of Macedon Ranges Walking Trail & Chute Track) continue straight, to head along Macedon Ranges Walking Trail (a vehicle track).
After another 450 m continue straight, to head along Macedon Ranges Walking Trail.
After another 15 m head through/around the gate.
After another 110 m continue straight, to head along Macedon Ranges Walking Trail.
After another 205 m pass the toilet (10 m on your right).
This toilet is wheelchair accessible.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional side trip takes you to the summit of Camel's Hump. Keep in mind that this track is steeper than the main track and only suited for experienced bushwalkers as mentioned in the descriptiıon. Can take about 30 minutes out&back. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 340 m turn left, to head along Macedon Ranges Walking Trail.
After another 430 m continue straight, to head along Macedon Ranges Walking Trail.
After another 450 m veer right, to head along Macedon Ranges Walking Trail.
After another 55 m head through/around the gate.
After another 15 m (at the intersection of Macedon Ranges Walking Trail & Mount Macedon Road) continue straight, to head along Macedon Ranges Walking Trail (a walking track).
After another 410 m veer left.
After another 200 m continue straight, to head along Macedon Ranges Walking Trail.
After another 100 m turn right.
Then pass the toilet (35 m on your left).
After another 50 m pass the car park (10 m on your right).
After another 20 m turn left, to head along Lions Head Road.
After another 300 m continue straight, to head along Lions Head Road.
After another 310 m turn right.
After another 135 m continue straight.
After another 90 m veer left.
After another 30 m veer right.
After another 280 m continue straight.
After another 15 m pass the "Information Board" (8 m on your right).
After another 20 m turn right.
After another 50 m turn left.
After another 250 m continue straight.
After another 125 m pass the "Sanatorium Lake Picnic Ground" (15 m on your left).
After another 100 m continue straight.
After another 165 m turn left, to head along Barringo Road.
After another 9 m (at the intersection of Zig Zag Track & Barringo Road) veer right, to head along Zig Zag Track (a vehicle track).
After another 30 m head through/around the gate.
After another 1.2 km (at the intersection of Moola Track & Zig Zag Track) continue straight, to head along Hemphills Track.
After another 1.6 km (at the intersection of Mt Towrong Walking Track & Hemphills Track) turn right, to head along Mt Towrong Walking Track (a walking track).
After another 20 m head through/around the gate.
After another 660 m pass the "Mount Towrong" (30 m on your right).
After another 760 m (at the intersection of Anzac Road & Mt Towrong Walking Track) turn left, to head along Anzac Road (a vehicle track).
After another 315 m turn right, to head along Anzac Road.
After another 600 m (at the intersection of Mount Macedon Road & Anzac Road) turn left, to head along Mount Macedon Road (a road).
After another 4 m (at the intersection of Mount Macedon Road & Christian Street) continue straight, to head along Mount Macedon Road.
After another 125 m come to the end.

An alternate route visiting a viewpoint which provides panoramic views to the west.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 60 m veer left.
After another 15 m come to the viewpoint.
After another 10 m continue straight.
After another 55 m come to the end.
At the end of this alternate route, rejoin the main route.

This little side trip takes you to the Major Mitchell Lookout.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 30 m come to "Major Mitchell Lookout".
About 25 m past the end is "Mount Macedon".
Continue another 0 m to find Major Mitchell Lookout at the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 30 m to the main route.

This optional side trip takes you to the summit of Camel's Hump. Keep in mind that this track is steeper than the main track and only suited for experienced bushwalkers as mentioned in the descriptiıon. Can take about 30 minutes out&back.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 205 m veer right.
After another 35 m pass the car park (on your right).
After another 430 m veer right, to head along Camels Hump Walking Track.
After another 90 m come to "Camels Hump".
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 760 m to the main route.

This optional side trip takes you to the Mt. Macedon Memorial Cross. May the martyrs of war rest in peace.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 110 m come to "Mt. Macedon Memorial Cross".
Mt. Macedon Memorial Cross
Mt. Macedon Memorial Cross

Mt. Macedon Memorial Cross is considered one of the most importantwar memorials in Victoria. This structure commemorates all the people who've fought in the wars and battles, and stands 21 metres above the ground.
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Mt. Macedon Memorial Cross is considered one of the most importantwar memorials in Victoria. This structure commemorates all the people who've fought in the wars and battles, and stands 21 metres above the ground.
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 110 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Mount Macedon and Towrong Loop


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 16.3 km
Time 5 h 30 min to 8 h 30 min
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Signage Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 5.4 km apart with the largest gap of 7.3 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
7.1 km[toilet]
Toilet
9.1 km[toilet]
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