Werribee Gorge Short Circuit

Werribee Gorge retains a wild, rugged natural beauty. The park offers spectacular views and great opportunities for bushwalking and rock climbing.


There are a variety of walks in the park. A popular walk follows the Werribee River from Meikles Point picnic area, offering impressive view of both the river and the cliff faces of the gorge. It leads to popular swimming holes, historic sites and other park features.

Medium to Hard Grade 3-4 Trail.

I took my time as it was first time here as a solo hiker and it was raining, I made sure to pack rain gear with me, hiking poles and wear hiking shoes with good treads.

Parked the car at Meikles Point Picnic Area. There is signage of trails from the Carpark near the river, follow signs, cross a short bridge and up a flight of stairs to ‘Short Circuit Track’ sign. This circuit was great to do during school hours allowing enough time to get back for school pick up. It goes in an anti– clockwise direction, which I highly recommend, get the uphill over and done with, on the eastern side and slowly trek back down on the western side and finish off with a easy river walk back to Carpark. This track is steep in places and connects to the Main Werribee Circuit Track near Eastern Point.

Continue circuit in Anti-clockwise direct following the main Werribee Circuit Track heading West to Western Point Lookout. After this section of circuit I found it to be quite steep and bit slippery after recent rains. Advise to have hiking poles and maps/gps as signage is not very clear.

Once you have reach the bottom of the Gorge after the western point lookout, you will arrive at Needles Beach, there is some rock scrambling along the river section of the track, however excellent views are provided along the gorge rim. Cintinue on until you reach Lionhead Beach check out the lionhead formation in the cliff. You will then arrive at the cable handrail cliff river walk, which has recently been updated and available along a 50m section of the walk to assist walkers on high angle rock above the river. The track along the river may become impassable after heavy rain. Great first time rock climbing experience.

After the handrail section there is some more rock scrambling before arriving to the River Walk Trail back to Meikles Point Picnic Area. Then back home 1.5hr to Melbourne.