The most common feedback I get from readers of The Bushwalking Blog is that they “just want more hikes to do”. I get it – hiking is my passion too. I do more hikes than I’d ever have the time to write about, so that’s why I’ve decided Bare Bones Bushwalking is now a thing. Not every hike has a story I can attach to it and some I just don’t get around to writing up, so in an effort to share ALL of (or at least more of) the hikes with you I’m doing this. A more simplified blog post that gives you everything you need to go and do the hike yourself. Make your own stories.
The name Beeripmo comes from the Beeripmo Balug clan of the Dwab Wurrung tribe, who occupied the area around the Mount Cole Ranges. It means ‘wild mount’, which is believed to refer to Mount Cole.
Beeripmo Walk was my first ever overnight hike, and I love it so much I’ve returned a couple of times since. I’ll never forget that feeling of setting off for the first time with everything I needed on my back, and how in some way it made me feel spiritually closer to the country there. It gave me a glimpse, if only a tiny one, into what the original custodians of the land must have felt.
With only 4.5 hours of walking on day one and 3.5 hours on day two, this is the perfect hike for a first timer. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll need a moderate level of fitness to take it on. The distances are very achievable for someone carrying significant weight for the first time, though, and the track is usually pretty easy to follow.
Different forest types and granite strewn landscapes will keep you saying “wow” for the entirety of the trail. The real highlight is the views all the way to Langi Ghiran and the Grampians you’ll be treated to for most of the first day, and from Mount Buangor Lookout on your second morning.
Walk gently and quietly to reap the rewards from the local wildlife. I had a couple of special moments on one of my hikes here, first rounding a corner and finding myself virtually face to face with a wallaby (we gave each other quite the fright) and then being greeted by a Mexican wave of Monarch butterflies rising from the track in front of me on one section of the trail. I’ve never seen so many butterflies. Not even at the zoo. I also spotted echidnas and an incredible array of different birdlife.
Your campsite for the night is Beeripmo Campground, a walk-in campground densely surrounded by gumtrees. It’s well set out with 10 camp pads, a couple of fireplaces, and pit toilets. There’s also a water tank but make sure you treat the water. There are no bins, as would be expected, so please carry all your rubbish out with you.
There are no fees to camp here but there are no bookings either, so in peak times you may need to be prepared to walk on to the next campground, Mugwamp. Wherever you end up, make sure you take a night walk to a clearing and check out the sky from this place. It’s incredible.
If anything the hike on day two is all over too quickly, so make sure you take your time and enjoy the day.
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Need to Know
Last Visited: 2011
Length: 21 km
Time: 2 days
Grade: Moderate / Grade 4 (according to the Australian Walking Track Grading System).
Style Circuit
Region: Western Victoria
Park: Mount Cole State Forest & Mount Buangor State Park
Closest Town: Beaufort (21 km)
Path Taken: The trail starts and finishes at Richards Campground. Most tracks aren’t named on either the NSWtopo 1:25,000 map or the DSE map (linked below) – they’re just noted as “Beeripmo Walk”. I’m not sure about the Vicmap 1:50,000 map as I don’t have a copy.
Car Access: From Melbourne, take the Western Highway to Beaufort. Just opposite the town’s prominent rotunda, turn right and follow the signs to Mount Cole. Drive though Raglan, following the signs to Elmhurst. After about 9 kilometres, veer left onto The Glut Road, then turn left at the sign to Richards Campground. The carpark is a short distance up this road.
Map: The Beeripmo Walk brochure created by DSE is a handy guide. However, you’ll need to grab topographic map. Vicmap’s Beaufort 1:50,000 scale map will do the job. If you want to use your phone as your map you can download the free Avenza Maps app (on Android, iPhone, or Windows) and purchase the NSWtopo Beaufort North 1:25,000 map (7523-2-N) for AUD$2.99. A small and easy to follow section of the trail is not covered by this map (use the DSE brochure above as a supplement)
Have you hiked the Beeripmo Walk? Got it on your bucket list? If you have any stories, updates or corrections, please let us know by commenting below.
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Hi Neil, just got back from doing this hike and loved it, beautiful views and a great spot to experience the Australian bush without lots of people. As a solo hiker l felt very comfortable doing this by myself, easy to follow going clockwise.
Hey, thanks for letting me know how you went! It’s an amazing spot for sure. I was also very comfortable doing it solo and I’d recommend it to anyone doing one of their first overnight hikes. Glad you enjoyed!
Hi Neil, thanks for your description! would love to know the best time to view Mount Buangor is Sunrise or Sunset? from the map I feel the Sunset is the way to go!
Yep, definitely aim to check out the view from Buangor at sunset. I was a little nervous about getting back to the campsite from there after sunset since I was solo, but in hindsight, I’d have been fine. Enjoy!
Hey mate, loved the description, I’m doing this track tomorrow. How much of a walk is it to the Mt. Buangor lookout from the track? Time wise up and back I guess.
Hey Jayden,
Apologies for the delayed response. I’ve probably missed you. To be honest, though, I don’t remember specifically how long – maybe an hour each way?
Cheers
Neil
Howdy, great blog thanks! I’m a longtime day hiker looking for my first overnight hike close to Melbourne – this sounds ideal. Cheers.
Thanks Kate! I’m glad you stumbled across this one. It will definitely suit your needs. Hope you love it as much as I did!
Cheers
Neil
Nice short and sharp report! I’ve never walked the Beeripmo walk, but I did do a couple of walks quite a few years ago on pretty much the same route, a few years before they set up Beeripmo, and I’m well overdue for a return trip. One thing I found a little strange is that the track doesn’t head across to Ferntree Falls from the Sugarloaf. Sure, that’s a much harder route, the walk up to Mugwamp from the falls is a bit of a slog and I do remember losing the track going around the side of the Sugarloaf once, but I think there’s a good payoff there for anybody who wants to stretch things out on the first day or turn it into a really easy 3-day walk.
I’m interested in what the track is like from Mugwamp back to the start – last time I walked there I had to stomp downhill for ages along Long Gully Rd to The Glut picnic area and that was a little bit tedious.
Hey Brendan,
Thanks for reading and commenting! Ferntree Falls sounds like an excellent detour. I’ll definitely consider it next time!
The track from Mugwamp to the start is all walking track now from memory, it isn’t too hilly and traverses some really attractive rainforesty terrain.
Cheers
Neil
Hi Neil,
I’m looking for my first overnight hike and this looks ideal. Just wondering whether you would set up camp first then hike or set up after hiking? Apologies if this is a stupid question! Cheers Steve
It is ideal, but only if you’re looking to carry all your camping gear and food. Beeripmo Campground is a walk-in camp that makes a perfect stop for the night. It’s past the halfway mark but the first day isn’t too hard, the second day is just really easy. Hope that helps!
Cheers
Neil
That helps heaps, thanks mate!
Steve
No worries, Steve. Have fun! 🙂