Explore stunning hiking trails of Toolangi State Forest

Discovering the Walking Trails of Toolangi State Forest

Located approximately 60 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, Toolangi State Forest offers a range of activities including camping, bushwalking, picnicking, bird watching, and fishing. This diverse forest features several walking trails suitable for various skill and fitness levels. Notable trails include the Tanglefoot Loop, Myrtle Gully Circuit, Wirrawilla Walk, and Kalatha Giant Tree Walk.

Toolangi State Forest has historical significance for Indigenous Australians. It was inhabited by the Taungurung people, while the Wurundjeri people lived to the south.

Access to Toolangi State Forest can be reached from Melbourne via the Melba Highway, with several roads leading east into the forest or via Sylvia Creek Road in Toolangi. Alternatively, from the Maroondah Highway, access is via Andersons Lane in Narbethong.

Facilities within the forest include toilets and picnic tables at the Wirrawilla car park, which is a starting point for the Wirrawilla Walk, Tanglefoot Loop, and Myrtle Gully Circuit. The Tanglefoot Picnic Area also provides toilets, picnic tables, and wood-fuelled barbeques.

Due to the high rainfall in the area, trails may become waterlogged following heavy rain. Summer thunderstorms and occasional light snowfalls in winter are common. It is advisable to wear suitable footwear, carry warm, waterproof clothing, and walk in groups if possible. The forest’s Cool Temperate Rainforest is characterised by a cool, moist, and shady environment, with limited sunlight penetrating the dense canopy. Dominant tree species include Myrtle Beech, Southern Sassafras, and Blackwood Wattle, while Tree Ferns and a dense layer of ground ferns thrive below the canopy.

Want to find the best trails in Toolangi State Forest for an adventurous hike, casual walk, or a family trip? Trail Hiking Australia has the best trails for walking, hiking, running, and more.