Walk of the week: The Goldfields Track, Vic
Walk through Victoria's rich history
Stretching 210km through the heart of central Victoria, the Goldfields Track is a remarkable walking and cycling trail linking Ballarat and Bendigo.
Winding through forests, farmland and historic gold rush settlements, the trail combines spectacular scenery with fascinating stories, rewarding walkers with both physical challenge and a deeper connection to the region’s past.
The track passes through the charming towns of Castlemaine, Daylesford, Hepburn and Creswick, showcasing an ever-changing landscape. In the south, cool, lush forests provide welcome shade, while the northern sections reveal the distinctive Box-Ironbark woodlands that characterise Victoria’s goldfields.
Along the way, bushwalkers can immerse themselves in nature, escape the pressures of everyday life and enjoy the wellbeing benefits of spending time outdoors.
Adding another dimension to the journey is the cultural significance of the land. The trail crosses the traditional Country of the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung peoples, with opportunities to learn about their enduring connection to the landscape alongside the legacy of the nineteenth-century gold rush.
The Goldfields Track caters to every level of walker. Adventurers can complete the trail over several days, staying in welcoming country towns or camping en route, while shorter sections offer excellent day walks.
Highlights include the 5km return Garfield Water Wheel to Welsh Village walk near Castlemaine, rich in gold mining history, and the scenic 11.5km Vaughan Springs to Porcupine Ridge section, where old diggings and peaceful bushland tell the story of fortune seekers who once searched these hills.
Best of all, many trailheads are accessible via Victoria’s V/Line rail network, making the Goldfields Track an easy escape from Melbourne.
