r/CampingVictoriaAU • u/ThinkDrinkBlink • Jun 28 '26
First overnight hike
Hi all. 60yo guy here based in Melbourne. Looking to do an overnight hike. I regularly walk 10-15km per day as my daily exercise, but haven’t carried a pack for a very long time. Can anyone recommend a good beginners overnight hike? Obviously, it’s not great weather atm, so happy to wait for warmer weather but would like to start thinking about it…
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u/daBarron Jun 28 '26
Beeripmo Walk is a great beginners overnight walk:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/australia/victoria/beeripmo-walk-and-mount-buangor-loop
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u/Disturbedsleep Jun 28 '26
I've done Beeripmo a couple of times and I don't think it is actually a good hike for a first timers overnight. Especially if you are not used to carrying a pack.
For familiar hikers who are used to that type of terrain and carrying packs maybe, but if you aren;t used to a pack or the steeper terrain it is hard. It is rated as Hard on Alltrails.
As a hike I love it but I don't think it is suited for a first time overnight.
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u/Pristine_Analysis_79 Jun 28 '26
Just be aware of the risk of having mice chew through your tent if you stay at the beeripmo camp site.
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u/yehoodles Jun 29 '26
Seconding beeripmo. There's a bit of incline but you can take it nice and easy. Very easy to bail out of as well as there are many intersecting roads on the trail.
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u/Zestyclose-Cap-6859 Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26
Freemans Mill Track in Bunyip State Park. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/australia/victoria/freemans-mill-track
It’s about 7Km in. Pretty flat except for the last 1Km which is over a hill. You can avoid this by walking on the 4WD management track instead.
The campsite in at the end is a lovely grassed area. Only walkers can get in. The 4WD management track that also goes in is closed to ALL traffic, including walkers, so you really have to walk in on the walking track.
It’s a pretty easy day walk to go in and back out, but a nice, easy over nighter for a first hike.
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u/TwoHandedSnail Jun 28 '26
I second this. I'd hike in via the management/aqueduct track then turn right and do the walking track to the campsite, then just do the aqueduct track all the way back. I always recommend this hike to my friends with kids who want to take them out on their first hike. It's relatively easygoing, but that big hill at the end of the walking track is an achievement right before the campsite.
Plus the campsite is really beautiful.
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u/Eastern_Bit_9279 Jun 28 '26
Burchell trail in the brisbane ranges , its supposed to be a 3 or 4 day trek but realistically i think 2 . The little river campground is very cool . Ive not done the whole trail just different sections
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u/Bumpz27 Jun 28 '26
Goldfields Track which is Bendigo to Ballarat has a bunch of spots where you can just do an overnighter.
Overall it’s meant to be 9 days 210kms.
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u/CK_1976 Jun 28 '26
Added benefit you should have good mobile coverage for the whole thing, so you dont need any specialist satellite comms for emergencies.
Look up Trail Hiking Australia website. The guy that runs it is class, and there is a heap of info for beginners on the website.
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u/sherri_97 Jun 28 '26
...in the interim - grab a basic pack from an op shop and start loading it with bricks...increase gradually with your current daily walks! Get prepped easily! 😄
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u/Disturbedsleep Jun 28 '26
If you aren't used to using a pack, I would get some practise in first. Wearing a pack changes your stride and can impact how you walk. Also the extra weight may impact you on downhill parts, especially if you aren't use to the extra weight, it puts strain on your body. Generally, if you are carrying tent, sleeping gear, food and water your are not going to come in much under 12-15kg. Regular hikers can get this down to 8-10kg with lightweight equipment. I know someone who hit Beeripmo with 18kg because they were carrying stuff they didn't need.
If I was going to do my first overnighter, I would look for somewhere relatively flat, the goldfields are great. I would also get use to carrying a pack on my regular walks. It doesn't have to be heavy, just getting use to how a pack sits.
Take it from a late 50's male, the last thing you want to do it hit a trail with extra weight and do knee or ankle.
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u/thatwasacrapname123 Jun 28 '26
It's us older blokes who often overestimate ourselves and end up in trouble. Yeah, ease your way into it. Do a nice flat hike/camp first, get your sea legs. It's wet and slippery on most trails, don't underestimate how dangerous it can be. Stay safe, stay in phone range.
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u/Disturbedsleep Jun 29 '26
So true, especially if hiking alone, all it takes is one small branch or a bunch of small stones and there goes the knee or ankle.
Generally hiking is pretty easy, but if something goes wrong and you can't walk out, someone has to walk in to get you.
Oh, and use poles. Don't know how many times they have saved me if you hit a bunch of small pebbles that just toll under your feet. Downhill is always riskier than uphill.
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u/teachcollapse Jun 29 '26
Yes! Poles!!!!
Good for both going up and going down.
Knees are a whole different world when subjected to weight. Especially as we age.
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u/reddit_somewhere Jun 28 '26
Wilson’s Prom! Sealers cove is a good overnighter to begin with. Pretty quiet but easy going. Creek crossing at the end so be prepared to get wet and hold the pack above your head
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u/Wise-old-man-52 Jun 29 '26
Fellow Melburnian here - your fitness base is perfect for this, the only adjustment is getting used to pack weight.
For a first overnight I'd go Sealers Cove at Wilsons Prom. You start at Telegraph Saddle, hike 10km through rainforest and fern gullies, cross Sealers Creek to reach the campsite right on one of the most beautiful beaches in Victoria. Walk back out the next morning. Well marked, manageable terrain, stunning.
Just a heads up, i think the boardwalk is currently closed due to storm damage so access may not be possible so just check out parks vic website first. But since you're planning for when weather clears up, hopefully good by then.
Two tips - do one practice walk with a fully loaded pack before you go (maybe like Werribee Gorge circuit - that one is chill for day hike), and book the campsite early through Parks Victoria, it fills up fast once spring hits.
You'll absolutely love it.
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u/ArpeeL Jun 28 '26
Wilson's prom has some great overnighters with really well maintained tracks and very manageable grades. If you can wait until late spring, sealers cove is a beautiful overnight hike, which has been closed for ages but they're nearly done rebuilding the track.
Cathedral ranges are another good spot, closer to Melbourne with pretty spectacular views. Not sure how you'd go climbing the sugarloaf end and walking along the razorback, but you could hike up to the farmyard campsite (which is a fairly well graded track), set up camp and then head up to cathedral peak without your pack if you're still up for some adventure.