Best walks near RACV Resorts

Best walks near RACV Resorts

 
RACV Cape Schanck Resort

When it comes to the Mornington Peninsula, you’ll never go wanting for a good walk. From spectacular seaside tracks to dense bushland trails, there’s a walk to suit every fitness level, duration and scenery request. Perhaps one of the most popular is the Cape Walk, taking you from carpark to lighthouse via staircases and wooden boardwalks. Take your time as you wander along the coast and be sure to stop at the several lookouts along the way for the perfect photo opportunity. (More: Five of the best coastal walks in Victoria.)

For more varied views, consider Bushrangers Bay. Start from the Boneo Road car park and spend 2.5 kilometres wandering through shady banksia groves, surrounding farmland and lush valleys before arriving at the bay itself, a long sandy beach with basalt cliffs. We recommend stopping for a snack or to dip your toes in the water while watching the waves crash against the jagged rocks guarding the entrance to the bay before returning via the same track. Alternatively, start from the Cape Schanck car park and follow a section of the Two Bays Walking Track for 2.6 kilometres for virtually uninterrupted sea views.

For those looking for a longer trek, the full Two Bays Walking Track is the longest continuous walking track on the Mornington Peninsula. Spanning 26 kilometres, the track traverses the diverse range of landscapes that make the region famous and can be completed in a day or broken into smaller walks. Start in McCrae on Point Nepean Road and pass through Arthurs Seat State Park, the Mornington Peninsula National Park and finish at Cape Schanck.

RACV Torquay Resort

Starting next to Torquay Airport and stretching down to Aireys Inlet, the Surf Coast Walk is a 44-kilometre walk that follows the famous Great Ocean Road along one of Victoria’s most popular coastlines. Conveniently broken into 12 distinctive trails, each with a clearly identified starting and ending point (usually located at a car park) the walk allows you to choose your own adventure – from traditional Wadawurrung Aboriginal countryside with windswept sand dunes and coastal vegetation, to easy family-friendly promenades.

Best known for its surfing culture, Torquay is home to Bells Beach and Jan Juc Beach. See for yourself how the Surf Coast got its name and follow in the footsteps of daring pioneer surfers by combining two of the walks, Surf Coasting and The Bells Track, along clifftop trails overlooking famous surf breaks and through coastal scrub to end at Bells Beach. (More: Weekender's guide to Torquay.)

Alternatively, venture further out towards Anglesea and witness the vivid colours of the coast, with ochre cliffs, brilliant blue ocean and dappled green heathlands along the Anglesea Heath Walk. Combine this with Anglesea Riverbanks, an easy stroll along the river that conveniently passes barbecues, playgrounds and cafes. Round the trip off with Point Roadknight and head up the Bluff for spectacular panoramic views, before descending back down to idyllic Point Roadknight Beach.

More: Best walks on the surf coast.

RACV Goldfields Resort

Steeped in history and full of vibrant culture, Creswick has plenty to offer the day tripper. With several town walks showcasing the area as well as plenty of bushwalks around, there are options for both those who like concrete paths and those who prefer gravel.

For the former, start with the Creswick of the Lindsays Arts Trail, a self-guided trail that celebrates the famous and fascinating family that lived in Creswick between 1890 and 1960. Alternatively, wander an 8.5-kilometre section of the Goldfields Track and visit Creswick’s beautiful heritage buildings. For nature lovers, both Park Lake and Calembeen Park offer native plants, birdlife, large lakes and soft lush grass just begging for a picnic blanket. More: (16 of the best picnic spots in Victoria.)

If you prefer bushland views, try St Georges Lake Loop Walk, a gently undulating track around the shores of St Georges Lake. Perfect for nature enthusiasts, this picturesque walk offers the opportunity to spot water birds and potentially even the elusive platypus. Although the walk does require a level of fitness, there are wheelchair-accessible ramps to the picnic area and viewing platform. If you’re with the kids, you may opt forthe  Landcare Trail instead, an educational, self-guided trail through wetlands, plantations and grasslands that offers an introduction to landcare issues such as water quality, revegetation, biodiversity and conservation. Keep your eyes peeled for signs of echidna and kangaroo tracks and enjoy the sculptures and carvings by local artists along the way.

For a longer walk, we recommend The Miner’s Walk, a section of the 260-kilometre Great Dividing Trail that takes you on a historical journey from Creswick to Ballarat and uses quartz stone markers, just as the miners used to do during the gold rush. Allow four to five hours one way and be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

RACV Inverloch Resort

Situated on the Bass Coast a few hours southeast of Melbourne, Inverloch is a breath of fresh air sandwiched between picturesque countryside and popular beaches. Perfect for exploring, the walks surrounding Inverloch hold a variety of treasures waiting to be discovered. Head to Eagles Nest via The Caves and discover pirate caves and dinosaur bones on the way to the iconic rock structure on the end of the rocky headland.

For avid birdwatchers, you can’t go past Ayr Creek Walk, an easy 3.4-kilometre return trail that meanders through native bush and wetlands, affording you the opportunity to spot the likes of honeyeaters and black shouldered kites. Or, if you’re heading out with the family, try the Inverloch Foreshore Shared Pathway and enjoy beautiful views of Anderson Inlet and Point Smythe, with stops along the way for picnic areas, exercise stations and Rainbow Park playground. With a sealed pathway and an easy five-kilometre return, it’s the perfect trail to see the sights before popping down to the foreshore.

Screw Creek Townsend Bluff Estuary Walk is another option for those with little legs. An easy two-kilometre loop, this partially boardwalked track traverses the saltmarshes and mangroves of Screw Creek and offers scenic views over Anderson Inlet from the Townsend Bluff lookout. Pair this with the Thompson Estate Nature Reserve walk for a glimpse of what Inverloch looked like before settlement. The South Gippsland Conservation Society provides pamphlets at the local Visitor Information Centre about this walk to provide information on local flora and fauna you’ll encounter along the way.

RACV Cobram Resort

Slightly further afield, Cobram sits on the Murray River, the border between Victoria and New South Wales. Situated in the centre of what’s known as ‘the food bowl of Australia’, the area is known for its magnificent climate, fresh produce and picturesque scenery. Nature lovers will delight in the towering 500-year-old red gums, native bushland and abundant birdlife that characterise the local walks.

One of the most unique walks on the list, Cactus Country at Strathmerton is not a true walking trail, but rather a 3.2-hectare garden featuring 4000 species of cactus, with plants from North and South America and Africa that are up to 50 years old. Spend a few hours exploring to see who can find the quirkiest-looking plant and don’t forget to grab a slice of cactus cake while you’re there.

For another walk unique to the Murray Region, check out Barmah National Park, a 28,500-hectare park that is home to the largest river red gum forest in the world. With both short and long trails available, there are walks for all abilities. For a uniformly easy trail, Kinnaird’s Wetlands is a great walk with a range of constructed trails, boardwalks, bird hides and picnic areas.