Last Visited: 20/01/2010
Length (km): 3.6 km
Time (hrs/min): 2 hours
Grade: Easy / Moderate
Return / Circuit / One-Way / Partial Circuit: Return
Region: Melbourne
Park: Macedon Regional Park
Closest Town: Mount Macedon
Maximum Elevation: approx. 1004 m (according to MapMyHike.com)
Total Ascent: approx. 338 m (according to MapMyHike.com)
Further Details / Source(s): This is mentioned in ParkWeb Park Note Macedon Regional Park – Walking Tracks but for some reason it is listed as 2.2 km one-way. The sign at the beginning of the track says 1.5 km and looking at the map, this is more accurate. More park info is available in another ParkWeb Park Note, titled Macedon Regional Park – Visitor Guide.
Car Access: From Mount Macedon Road, head west on Douglas Road (which at some stage becomes Bawden Road) . Drive until you come across a small parking space on the left and see a signed track leading up the hill on the right.
Follow the track that zig-zags up the hill, ignoring the unsigned tracks and the Hoods Track turn-off. The hike stays interesting all the way, going through dry forest but also some more sheltered, wet areas of messmate and gums. The memorial cross at the summit of Mount Macedon was erected to commemorate those who died in World War I but I was more interested in the amazing views from near the cross.
Head back down the mountain via the same route. A hike is never as interesting when you have to return via the same track but in this case, most of my concentration was on not falling over since the track is rocky and quite steep in places. I found both the ascent and descent reasonably challenging and definitely worthwhile… I spotted a few geckos or skinks along the way and could constantly hear kookaburras. I didn’t see any wombats but they must be reasonably commen here because I’ve never seen so much wombat poo in such a small area! I ran into a few other people at the summit but none on the track.
Part of the track (through a wetter part of the forest)
I’m guessing these aren’t native but they’re everywhere
near the summit and look quite nice in amongst the native vegetation
The Mount Macedon Memorial Cross
The view from the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross
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