Experiences

Walks 

Nature walks ranging from easy to medium grade traverse the Rock and the surrounding bushland. They provide close up views of the native flora and fauna, and there's also a wide path for an energetic climb to the top of the Rock. 

Summit Walk

1,800 metres return trip taking approximately 50 minutes. 

It is possible to push a stroller up the Summit Walk, however it is steep. Most visitors walking with prams choose to do the Base Walk.  

Access to the Summit Walk is not permitted on days where winds over 40km/h are forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology. The reserve and picnic areas are still open on these days, and the café hours will be unchanged.  

Base Walk

1,800 metres return trip taking approximately 30 minutes.

Creek Walk

2,300 metres return trip taking approximately 40 minutes.

Tours

If you are visiting as a group, why not make the most of your experience by booking a Ranger-guided tour? Call (03) 5422 0387 for more information and to book.

Guided night walks are also offered in the warmer months. For upcoming tours, check out the Events calendar or call (03) 5422 0387. Bookings are essential. 

Plan a trip to Hanging Rock and make sure you visit the Discovery Centre to see the 'Impacts of Single-use Plastics' exhibition, which features artwork from the Single-use Plastics Art Competition. 

During Term One in 2023, local students were asked to create an artwork that included some pieces of single-use plastic to show the impact plastic has on our environment. 

We received more than 240 entries across the three age categories, with finalists shortlisted by a panel of the Resource Recovery and Hanging Rock Reserve teams and winners judged by a panel of Councillors. 

Winners

Early learning category - Save our water ways

• Walert group, four-year-old kinder - Swinburne Avenue Kindergarten
• Liam - Macedon Ranges Montessori Pre-School, Riddells Creek

Primary School Category - Pesky Plastics!

• Molly - Riddells Creek Primary School
• Owen - Bolinda Primary School
• Emily - Hesket Primary School

Secondary School Category - Plastic Fantastic!

• Ella - Braemar College
• Rebecca - Braemar College

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Nearly 100 indigenous plants can be found at Hanging Rock, which comes alive with colour in spring and summer. Around 40 species of birds, including the popular rosella and cockatoo make their home at the reserve. There's also many mammals, one of which, the greater glider, was not known in the area before the 1980s. Other indigenous species that you may come across during your visit include koala, kangaroo, wallaby and echidna.

View the Environmental Management Plan for Hanging Rock, which provides direction and priorities for environmental and conservation works at the reserve, including the East Paddock. 

The native animals that call Hanging Rock home are all wild and should not be approached, bothered or fed.

Please note that snakes live in the area. If you see a snake, remain calm and avoid disturbing it.

Bring your fishing rod and try your luck in the dam. It’s located in the middle of the racecourse and is best accessed from the car park at the top end of reserve, adjacent to the stables.

Note: there is a bag limit of two fish.

Don’t forget your fishing licence. If you don't have one, you can buy online. 

Hanging Rock plays host to world class music concerts, and has featured some of the biggest international musical acts. Leonard Cohen, Rod Stewart, Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles, Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil and Sir Elton John have all performed in the shadow of the famous landmark.

If you are visiting Hanging Rock for a concert, visit Frontier Touring's Hanging Rock Concerts website for information regarding transport, parking and shuttle buses.

A number of other exciting events are held during the year, including car displays, craft markets, fun runs, the popular picnic horse races on New Years Day and Australia Day, an annual outdoor screening of the iconic film ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ and a Camp Out. For information on upcoming events, see Events at Hanging Rock.

Drones are not permitted to be flown at Hanging Rock Reserve without prior written permission.  

To seek written permission, email hangingrock@mrsc.vic.gov.au no less than 14 days prior to the date you wish to visit the reserve. 

If granted permission, you must be able to produce a copy on the day of your visit otherwise you will be asked to cease flying and may be asked to leave the reserve.

For more information about flying drones or model aircraft recreationally, visit the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and DroneFlyer websites.