A walk to remember

GEELONG and its surrounding regions are home to some of Victoria’s most stunning and diverse walks.

Whether you love coastal views, wetlands or bushland, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

With school holidays upon us, now is a great time to grab the kids and their bikes or scooters and get out and admire some of our region’s most beautiful spots.

Just a short distance from central Geelong, Buckley Falls in Highton is worth visiting.

The River Red Gum Walk leads right up to the lookout over the waterfall. It’s an easy walk and you can make your way there on foot or on wheels.

On your walk, look out for the plentiful birdlife. You may see tawny frogmouths, gang-gang cockatoos and rainbow lorikeets, all of which are commonly spotted in the area.

Further north, a hidden treasure awaits at the Kevin Hoffman Walk in Lara.

This tranquil riverside walk takes you along Hovells Creek and features more than a thousand different species of native plants, including 150 plants indigenous to the local area.

The trail is named after 84-year-old Kevin Hoffman, a long-time Lara resident who started beautifying the area when he and his wife moved there in January 1970.

The walk is a haven for many native bird species including honeyeaters, wattlebirds and superb fairy-wrens.

Also in Lara, Serendip Sanctuary is a great option for wildlife enthusiasts.

The sanctuary offers easy walking trails through wetlands and grasslands, where you can spot native animals such as kangaroos and emus, as well as some of the 150 species of birds that breed there.

For something more central to the city, the Geelong Botanic Gardens in Eastern Park offer a delightful spot for a leisurely stroll.

The gardens are home to a wide range of plants from around the world and you can join a guided walk to learn more about the gardens’ history and design.

If history piques your interest, the Geelong Bollards Trail along the waterfront is an interactive way to learn about the region’s past while enjoying stunning water views.

With more than 100 colourful bollards on the trail, there are many stories to tell.

On the Bellarine, we’re spoilt with many walks with stunning coastal views.

There’s the Ocean Grove Beach to River Loop Walk or the stunning vistas to take in as you walk around the clifftops at The Bluff in Barwon Heads.

You can also walk from the lighthouse in Point Lonsdale to the next lighthouse in Queenscliff.

It’s a 5km walk along the beautiful bay beach – best done at low tide.

For the more experienced hikers, the Surf Coast Walk, which stretches from Torquay to Aireys Inlet, provides 44 kilometres of spectacular ocean views.

Lastly, the You Yangs Regional Park offers magnificent views and stunning birdlife, and is a mecca for walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers.

This park offers several trails, including the famous Flinders Peak Walk, which rewards hikers with stunning views out to Melbourne and Geelong. You can also picnic at one of nine designated picnic areas.

These walks are just a taste of what the Geelong region has to offer. For more ideas, check out our website, geelongaustralia.com.au/paths

Troy Edwards

Acting chief executive officer,

City of Greater Geelong