Stretch your legs and surround yourself with nature at Hanging Rock this summer. From barbecues and kangaroos to trout fishing and craft markets, there’s so many special memories to be made with the kids.
Here’s nine ways to enjoy quality time with the family in the great outdoors.
1. Barbecue and cricket
Hanging Rock Reserve has expansive grassy areas with shady gum trees and barbecue facilities. It’s a popular destination for a game of cricket or footy with a backdrop of iconic Hanging Rock.
Open daily from 9-5pm (incoming gate closes at 4pm, so you must enter prior to this time and exit by 5pm). Closed Christmas Day.
2. Trout fishing
Don’t forget your fishing rod and bait! Hanging Rock dam is stocked regularly with trout finger-lings and there’s a fair chance you will get a bite or hook a fish. Get your fishing license online or at the Woodend Visitor Information
Centre on the way.
3. The Creek Trail
Work off your picnic lunch with a 2.3km walk along a pram-friendly unsealed path. The walk usually takes around 40 minutes. It’s a great option if you don’t feel like an uphill summit climb, particularly on a hot day. Keep your eyes open for over 40 species of birds that nest around the reserve, including bright rosellas and cockatoos.
4. Base walking circuit
This pram-friendly 1.8km circuit takes you around the base of Hanging Rock. The walk takes around half an hour. It’s a great option for younger kids and offers shade, stunning rock formations and opportunities for wildlife spotting. Mammals like the greater glider enjoy towering eucalypts while kangaroos graze throughout the reserve. You may even spot native species such as koalas, wallabies and echidnas.
5. Hanging Rock Llama Treks
Book a guided llama trek to Hanging Rock Reserve. Hanging Rock Llama Treks offers a unique way to travel to Hanging Rock Reserve and teaches you how to handle a charismatic llama. These popular tours book out well in advance so best to be organised!
6. Lunch at Hanging Rock Café
Hanging Rock Café is a fully licensed café with indoor and al fresco dining under the gum trees. Book a table for a delicious lunch followed by a hike or kick of the ball in the reserve afterward.
7. The Summit walk
This scenic trail is where you get to see Hanging Rock itself, a cool rock formation that gave the reserve its name. The iconic Hanging Rock Summit Walk is a 1.8km hike and takes 45-60 minutes depending on how long you stop at the top. The first two thirds of the walk are pram-friendly, which takes you to a fantastic area known as The Saddle.
Note – This trail is closed on Code Red fire days and when there are extreme winds.
8. A cheeky vino and arty fun
Not far from Hanging Rock Reserve is the wonderful Hanging Rock Winery, where you can stop by on the way home for a cellar door tasting. Over summer they have a wonderful free Art in the Vines exhibition that you can enjoy with the kids. Check out over 25 outstanding sculptures, all crafted by Australia’s leading sculptors, with Hanging Rock as the backdrop.
9. Camp out or visit a craft market
There’s a fantastic line up of events scheduled at the reserve over summer, including the annual Camp Out, New Year’s Day Races at Hanging Rock Racecourse, the Hanging Rock Craft Market and guided ranger night walks.
Find our more at visitmacedonranges.com
