Victoria Arch is a challenging 12 km, grade 5 hike in Grampians National Park, Victoria, and typically takes around six hours to complete. This hike explores an isolated pocket of the Victoria Range Remote and Natural Area, featuring an unusual rock formation that creates an arch, which can be explored and climbed.
The hike begins on the Hutt Creek Track just south of the Hutt Creek crossing on Harrop Track. It follows a rough rock climbers' track most of the way to the Mordor rock climbing wall at the southern end of the maze. Look out for tape and rock cairns that mark the route.
From the road, the trail heads east for a few kilometres before climbing up over the range across open rock slabs and through rock gullies. After leaving the road, the hike becomes entirely off-trail and quite challenging, with dense undergrowth. Once on top of the range, the trail descends to the western edge of the maze, a large rock formation, and follows its western side along a gully. At the end of the maze, the trail follows its high south wall around until its end, then heads north up a rocky gap that is just wide enough for a person.
Enter through the gap, turn right, and continue along the rock until you are directly under the arch. Experienced climbers can ascend the smooth sloping slab under the arch and exit the other side to enjoy views towards Mount Thackeray.
Looking through the arch to the right is a narrow, steep chimney that can be climbed to reach the summit. There are a few obstacles along the way, but once past them, the chimney can be climbed.
Additional Walk - Manja Shelter (2.5km return)
After completing this hike it is well worth heading south approximately 400m along Hutt Creek Track to the Manja Shelter Walk. Manja(pronounced Manya) meaning 'hands', has some of the best examples of hand stencils in Victoria. A total of 90 stencils have been recorded in these two shelters. It is believed that hand stencils were used to record a visit to a site, and to renew the ties a person had to a particular place. At this site there are also animal tracks and many human stick figures. Manja is in an impressive sandstone outcrop. Have a walk around and try to imagine what it would have been like to live here before Europeans arrived.
Refer to route below.
Grade 5 (Difficult) - Walks for the Most Experienced: Grade 5 represents the most challenging walking tracks on the
AWTGS. These are only recommended for very experienced and fit walkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks are likely to be very rough, very steep, and unmarked. Walks may be more than 20 kilometers. These challenging walks demand a high level of fitness and experience to navigate difficult terrain, significant elevation changes, and potentially unformed paths.
- The area is a lot more open now after the recent fire a year or so back.
- Good views across to Mount Thackeray and The Fortress.
- This is a remote area so be careful when climbing and do not go beyond your abilities
- The trail is not well defined so ensurure you have good navigation skills
- The GPX file does not necessarily follow any trail markers although there are some along the route. The route is not obvious in many places.
Total distance: 12902 m
Max elevation: 701 m
Min elevation: 236 m
Total climbing: 858 m
Total descent: -856 m
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Manja Shelter
Total distance: 2594 m
Max elevation: 335 m
Min elevation: 243 m
Total climbing: 93 m
Total descent: -93 m
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From Melbourne, Follow National Highway M8 and A8 to Wonwondah-Dadswells Bridge Rd in Laharum. Take Northern Grampians Rd/C222 and Brimpaen-Laharum Rd to Henty Hwy/A200 in Brimpaen Turn left onto Henty Hwy/A200 then follow Billywing Rd to Harrops Track
Renowned for rugged mountain ranges, rich cultural heritage and breathtaking scenic views, the 168,000 hectare park is ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities. The many walking tracks will take you on a journey to waterfall vistas, ancient geological rock features and forests. There are guided tours, and with a large network of roads available, car touring is a great way to explore. Renowned as the major attraction in the region, the Grampians National Park is a must-visit destination for all travellers, backpackers and day-trippers in Victoria. The spectacular setting of the mountainous landscape boasts a wide array of attractions and activities for visitors to the region. The Grampians National Park (also Gariwerd), commonly referred to as The Grampians, is a national park in the Grampians region of Victoria, Australia. The 167,219-hectare (413,210-acre) national park is situated between Stawell and Horsham on the Western Highway and Dunkeld on the Glenelg Highway, 260 kilometres west of Melbourne and 460 kilometres east of Adelaide.
Looking for things to do in Grampians National Park? Try these hikes or bushwalks.
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While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
Trail changed? New features discovered? Has the route changed? Trail permanently closed? Help fellow hikers by suggesting edits! Click above to update route descriptions, GPX file, trail features (like boardwalks), or access conditions (like parking availability). Help me keep the trails info fresh!
3 Reviews on “Victoria Arch Hike (12km)”
Erin!
Alicja Alice. This one is for you
I’ll do this when I finally end up in the Grampians and don’t detour to Newcastle from Whyalla like I did last time ?
Alastair Hyde one for our bucket list ?
Lee Swatton
KC Pom, Kay, a short hike for you and Dave in June.
Kyle Chen
Brendan Spratling Christine O’Halloran this would be a good one, but I’m having trouble getting the GPX file
Sam Dunkley Keen?
Elizabeth Spiteri Grade 5 next time we swing past?
Suzie Sharp
Alexander Ross
Azam Kassim shall we?
Andrew Black one for the list
Tracy Lindsey can you fit this in?
Tara Cameron we should do a good hike
Looks good!
i absolutely love that hike..
Oooooooh that would be good to do and see.
Shannon Lingard xxx life goals
Marjorie Andrea