The You Yangs Circuit hike begins at Turntable car park and traverses various trails including West Walk, Northern Range Walk, Branding Yard Trail, Saddleback Track, and East Track. If you have time and energy at the end, you can climb the 450 steps to Flinders Peak for rewarding views of the You Yangs and the surrounding plains.
This hike is not overly challenging, with most of the trail being easy to moderate. However, there are a few sections that require rock hopping, and the gradient on Saddleback Track is steep.
There are several trails that allow for variations to either shorten or lengthen this hike. One variation takes you past the Bunjil Geoglyph. Bunjil, the Creator Spirit of the local Wathaurong Aboriginal people, appears like an eagle on the plain below Mount Flinders in You Yangs Regional Park, Victoria. This geoglyph was part of a series called "Rhythms of Life," created by the internationally recognised artist Andrew Rogers, and was unveiled in March 2006 to commemorate the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. It has a wingspan of around 100 metres, and approximately 1,500 tonnes of rock were used in its construction. A great vantage point to see this is along the summit walk to Flinders Peak.
You Yangs Regional Park is open daily from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, including weekends and public holidays. Please note that the front gate is closed to vehicles each night.
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the
AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
- The You Yangs is a great location for the family.
- Be careful on some trails as they are often used by walkers, hikers, trail runners and mountain bike riders.
- You Yangs Regional Park is open daily from 7:00am to 8:00pm, including weekends and public holidays. Please note that the front gate is closed to vehicles each night.
- There are nine picnic areas throughout the park, many with tables and accessible toilet facilities. The main picnic areas provide free gas barbecues on a first come basis. There are plenty of places to set up your own gas barbecue.
- Drinking water is available from the Visitor Centre drinking fountain.
- Please take all rubbish away for disposal or recycling.
- Gravel Path
- Rough Trail
- Mountain Bike Trail
- Dog Friendly
- Exposed Ledges
- Steep Terrain
Total distance: 12337 m
Max elevation: 277 m
Min elevation: 58 m
Total climbing: 481 m
Total descent: -481 m
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Variation (13km)
Total distance: 13366 m
Max elevation: 275 m
Min elevation: 67 m
Total climbing: 866 m
Total descent: -864 m
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Located just over 50 kilometres southwest of Melbourne in Little River, Victoria, You Yangs Regional Park is easily accessible by car. Follow the Princes Freeway (M1) for roughly an hour, with clear signage guiding you to the park entrance at 5 Branch Road. For those coming from Geelong, the park is a convenient 30-minute drive, approximately 25 kilometres away. The park itself is open every day for public enjoyment, but keep in mind closing times vary depending on daylight saving time.
- 2WD Access
- Public Transport
- Bitumen Road
- Speed Bumps
- Large Car Park
- Accessible Toilet
- Public Toilets
You Yangs Regional Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Wadawurrung People. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Wadawurrung Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.
Magnificent views, birdlife and a mecca for walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers - welcome to the You Yangs! The distinctive granite peaks of this park rise abruptly from the flat plains below. Flinders Peak and Big Rock have panoramic views out to Melbourne, which is just an hour away.
Explore over 50 kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike trails for beginners and experts. Ride easy, open dirt roads to technical, single-track and adrenaline-pumping downhill trailsor see the diverse scenery of the You Yangs from your car along The Great Circle Drive.
Climb Flinders Peak, the highest point in the You Yangs and be rewarded with uninterrupted views out to Melbourne and Geelong. Come with family or friends and picnic among the boulder-strewn landscape. Choose from nine designated picnic areas.
The You Yangs support a rich variety of plant species. Tall eucalypts such as manna gum, yellow gum and river red gum give way to sparse undergrowth of native shrubs and groundcovers. Patches of wattle and drooping sheoaks also occur. The endangered brittle greenhood orchid is one of 30 species of orchids found in the park.
The park provides a range of habitats for wildlife. More than 200 species of birds have been recorded and koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, brush-tail possums, echidnas and lizards are commonly seen.
Looking for things to do in You Yangs Regional Park or nearby? Try these similar 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 “You Yangs Circuit Hike (12.3km)”
Such a wonderful place to walk and hike shame about the noxious weed boneseed taking over I always pull out some as i walk
The Northern Ranges is my favourite walk in the You Yangs.
Julie Lane mine too! 😊
Julie Lane is it well sign posted??
Lynn Peterson – reasonably well
Julie Lane thank you.
Lynn Peterson it’s pretty easy to follow around Flinders Peak. It’s when you get into the eastern side of the park that it becomes a bit trickier if you don’t have a map as there are several tracks that intersect and it’s not really well signposted to know which one to take if you aren’t familiar with them. This isn’t an official circuit so there’s no signs that will have the name of this hike.
Great park to practice navigation skills. I’m actually heading here tomorrow for a rogaining event. If you’ve never heard of rogaining, check this out. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to practice your map and compass skills. https://www.trailhiking.com.au/navigation/try-rogaining-to-improve-your-navigation/
Amy
Great little circuit. Perfect for a family outing.
Hi Darren,
We are looking to do this 4 hour hike and would like to download a copy of the map you have on the website. But I can’t seem to do so using gpx. Any chance you got a pdf version instead? Or point me to the right direction on where to get one?
Thanks heaps.
Madhu