The Pink Cliffs in Heathcote are surprisingly beautiful albeit small in scale. The Pink Cliffs in Heathcote are approximately 1Hr 35 Mins from Melbourne CBD or 120km. While probably smaller than perhaps expected the bright orange red colours of the Pink Cliffs do look outstanding. The Pink Cliffs are definitely worth putting into your travel diary as they look somewhat different from most other scenery around Victoria.
The Pink Cliffs circuit is just over 1km or about 16 minutes walk. There some tiny undulations but really this walk is for everyone. I have been here multiple times so despite the Pink Cliffs being tiny so to speak the visual attraction is always there and as it is such a small walk there is no obstacle for doing it.
The Pink Cliffs are a fragile in nature and there are signs to discourage you from walking on them. Unfortunately it seems many people disregard them. I encourage you to follow the instructions and let future generations enjoy the Pink Cliffs as well.
The Pink Cliffs walk is well signposted and you are unlikely to get lost. However some bits of the walk do go in multiple directions for small distances. This walk is so short so a bit of backtracking for completists might set you back maybe one or two minutes. The semi sprawling nature of the walk is actually a benefit given the walk is so small.
I regard the Pink Cliffs as a must see visit if you are a Victorian. It might seem a bit outrageous travelling such a distance for such a small walk but because the Pink Cliffs are visually different from most nature areas in Victoria I think it's worth doing atleast once.
Information from external websites
Disclaimer: West Melbourne and Beyond does not maintain or own the copyright to this information. Material maybe out of date. Use at your own discretion.
Location
The Pink Cliffs in Heathcote are approximately 1Hr 35 Mins from Melbourne CBD or 120km.
From Heathcote town centre it takes only 3 minutes by car and is 1.7km should you want to walk there for a bit of extra exercise.
Photos from the Walk
Note: For a better viewing experience open the slideshow in 'Full-screen' mode. Also, if on a mobile phone rotate phone to landscape orientation first.
Click
then
Things to do near the Pink Cliffs
While you are here why not visit these other great locations:
- Barrack Reserve: A riverside reserve in Heathcote with picnic and barbecue facilities, useful for a relaxed stop after visiting the bakery.
- Cornella Canola Walk and Shiraz Republic: The iconic seasonal and vibrant Cornella Canola Walk has become a must do annual event and if you love selfies and photography you have to add this to your calendar.
- Gaffneys's Bakery: 30+ years to the good. Gaffney's Bakery is a local Heathcote institution. Try the vanilla slice or classic meat pie for some classic Australiana.
- Heathcote Wine Hub: Running out of time? The Heathcote Wine Hub is a beautiful cosy venue with 200+ Heathcote wines on offer. Head straight here before heading back to Melbourne or Bendigo.
- Heathcote Winery: A central Heathcote cellar door where visitors can explore the region's signature shiraz.
- Heathcote-Graytown National Park: A large Box-Ironbark national park with bushwalking, wildlife and historic landscapes. Walk Mt Black.
- Lake Eppalock: A major regional reservoir popular for fishing, boating, swimming, picnics and lakeside recreation.
- McIvor Creek Trail: A short walking and cycling trail following McIvor Creek through Heathcote.
- Mt Black Walk: For avid hikers and some semi-unique scenery (granite boulders and grass trees) then a walk at Mount Black could be the order of the day. It's 32 minutes drive from Heathcote so you do have to plan if you intend to visit here.
- O'Keefe Rail Trail: A roughly 49 kilometre walking and cycling trail connecting Heathcote with Bendigo.
- Sanguine Estate: A family-run winery and cellar door in the Heathcote wine region.
- Silver Spoon Estate: A boutique off-grid winery and cellar door in the wider Heathcote wine region.
- Viewing Rock Lookout: A short walk above Heathcote with views across the town and surrounding country. Viewing Rock is so close to the Heathcote town centre that if you have a few minutes up your sleeve it's worth a visit.
