The state of Victoria uses the AU$106.6 million grant from the Victoria’s Great Outdoors funding program to open nine new walking and hiking trails.
The Victoria’s Great Outdoors program is aimed at boosting regional tourism and delivering better walking trails, campgrounds, four-wheel-drive tracks, and visitor facilities, according to a report.
Opening nine new hiking and walking trails across the state follows the government’s recent announcement of plans to build new accessible walking trails at the 1000 Steps.
Under the funding program, the Keppel Lookout Trail near Marysville opened last month, offering an 11-kilometer circuit walk with panoramic views of the Cathedral Range and Lake Mountain.
Snobs Creek Falls in Eildon has a newly opened walking track leading to the waterfalls. A new 4km loop walk has been constructed in the Rubicon Valley Historic Area, allowing people to explore the history of Victoria’s first hydroelectric power scheme.
The new walking and hiking trails are Flat Spur Walk in Mount Buller, Herman’s Hill in Rainbow, Keppel Lookout Trail in Yarra Ranges, the Latrobe River Walk and Noojee Trail in Toorongo Falls, Linking Track in Noojee, The Mt. Hendrick Walk near Maffra, Reid’s Tramline in Powelltown, Rubicon Heritage near Eildon, Snobs Creek Falls Walk near Eildon, and Wirrawilla Rainforest Walk in Toolangi.
In Gippsland, Mt Hendrick Walk starts at the gateway to Victoria’s famous high country and climbs through the forest towards the peak of Mt Hedrick with picturesque views of the valley below.
The Noojee Trail, Latrobe River Walk, and the Toorongo Falls linking track have been reopened for Victorians to enjoy stunning forests and walk trails. They also cross the famous Noojee Trestle Bridge. These trails offer easy walking within two hours of the Melbourne CBD.
Other recently opened trails include Flat Spur Walk near Mount Buller and Herman’s Hill in the state’s northeast. Work is also underway to upgrade 500 meters of walking trail and 200 meters of boardwalks at Stevensons Falls campground in the Otways.
These improvements allow accessibility to the waterfall and trails in the day visitor area, ensuring people with all abilities can access one of Victoria’s best-loved waterfalls.
The work continues on another 13 kilometers of trails close to Lake Burrumbeet, Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort, and Toolangi, which is set to open in the middle of next year.
Victoria’s Great Outdoors also includes a AU$1 million upgrade to enhance visitor facilities and improve trails linking current parks and reserves to the newly established Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park.
“Walking is a wonderful and affordable way to get out into nature, and these new trails will give people more options to do exactly that,” Victorian Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said. “We’re helping bring visitors and tourists to regional communities – creating jobs and boosting local economies.”
“From tough hiking trails through to short walks featuring our most beautiful waterfalls, there’s a great range of options for Victorians to get out and enjoy our state’s spectacular flora and fauna.”
Read the announcement here. For a list and map of trails, visit exploreoutdoors.vic.gov.au/ or download the More To Explore app.
This article originally appeared on Forte.
It’s pleasing to hear that Victoria has opened nine new hiking and walking trails, along with a AU$100 million grant to enhance outdoor recreation. This investment is a noteworthy initiative to support the development and maintenance of trails, ensuring a high-quality outdoor experience for both locals and tourists. It’s interesting to see these efforts to boost regional tourism and improve visitor facilities, making Victoria an even more attractive destination for outdoor enthusiasts.