Goldfields Track Walk
3-Day Goldfields Track Walk – A Pack Free Guided Walking Tour by Life’s An Adventure
Life’s An Adventure invites you to explore the history and beauty of Victoria’s Goldfields Track on a 3-day Pack Free guided walking tour. This 210 km trail connects the historic gold rush towns of Ballarat and Bendigo, following the picturesque creeks, gullies, and ridges of the Great Divide. Our tour focuses on the highlights of this iconic track, offering a journey through diverse landscapes steeped in history, from lush temperate forests to the dry northern plains.
Over three days, walk along sections of the trail that reveal the region’s fascinating past, with paths that wind through fern-lined rivers and deep gullies marked by old mine shafts, stone ruins, and relics from the gold rush of 150 years ago. Discover the stories embedded in the landscape as you traverse areas once bustling with prospectors seeking their fortune. The trail’s rich history is complemented by its natural beauty, with opportunities to encounter a variety of birdlife, including nectar-feeding honeyeaters and colourful parrots.
The experience is enhanced with evenings spent in the charming spa country towns of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs. Relax in these renowned wellness destinations, where mineral-rich waters and serene settings provide the perfect way to unwind after a day of walking. Enjoy gourmet meals featuring local produce and fine wines, offering a taste of the region’s culinary delights.
Accommodation has been handpicked to provide comfort and style, with stays in boutique lodgings that reflect the character of the Goldfields region. Each evening, relax in beautiful surroundings, enjoying the warm hospitality and charming atmosphere of the area.
The Pack Free approach ensures a relaxed and enjoyable experience, allowing you to explore the Goldfields Track without the burden of carrying a heavy pack. With private transfers and flexible daily walking options, the tour caters to different fitness levels, making it easy to appreciate the beauty and history of the trail at your own pace.
The 3-day Goldfields Track Walk by Life’s An Adventure is more than just a hike—it’s a journey through Victoria’s gold rush history, combining natural beauty, cultural heritage, and spa country indulgence. Whether you’re walking through fern-covered gullies, exploring historic mining relics, or relaxing in Daylesford, this tour offers a memorable experience that captures the essence of the Goldfields. Join us for a Pack Free adventure that brings the story of Victoria’s gold rush to life while offering a rejuvenating escape in one of the region’s most picturesque settings.
A Pack Free Walking Tour
Walk with as little as your water and lunch
Pack Free walk is our speciality. All across our Australia, our walking tours are specially designed so you can walk with as little as your water bottle, camera and lunch, whilst we take care of your clothes and overnight luggage. Gone is the burden of struggling with a heavy pack so you can truly appreciate the beauty of the landscapes you are walking through.
Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel
2 nights of luxury
Our guests will indulge in two nights at the elegant 5 star Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel, this grand 1930’s retreat blends heritage architecture with stylish and contemporary interiors. Located in Hepburn Springs, outside Daylesford this grand residence features award-winning Mineral Spa plunge pools. Guest will relax in elegant hotel rooms decorated in rich, warm tones with king or twin beds and ensuite.
Indulge in local produce and wines
of the region
On one night we dine in the stylish and award-winning Chefs Hatted Argus Dining Room. The cuisine is based on innovative modern Australian dishes with an emphasis on regional produce with an Italian inspired theme. The ingredients used are grown in the Argus Kitchen Garden and a nearby farm ‘Vale Hill’. Whilst the wines are sourced from local boutique wineries. Whilst on night two we dine at a local restaurant in nearby Daylesford.
Personalised Tours
A maximum of 12 guests
Our tours are designed to be personal and intimate with a maximum group size of 12 people.
Our CEO guides
Chief Experience Officers 100% Victorians
Our guides are proudly 100% Victorian. We call them our CEOs – Chief Experience Officers and it’s their job to ensure your tour exceeds your expectations. Our guides have grown up walking the trails of Victoria. Their wealth of knowledge and expertise ensure your tour is relaxing, fun and informative.
21 Tourism Awards of Excellence
including Australia's best Adventure Tourism Company
Life’s an Adventure have won 21 Tourism Awards of Excellence including the Qantas Australian Tourism Award for Australia’s Best Adventure Company. Awards are great, but our biggest accolade which we value even more, is that our clients come back and travel with us time and time again.
Genuinely all-inclusive
You can have peace of mind that our walking tours are genuinely all-inclusive. Evening meals which are accompanied by boutique wines, 5-star accommodation is all included in your tour price. Everything down to the smallest detail has been taken care of.
NEW Flexiwalk Add-On
Cancel for any reason option
FlexiWalk is a new optional Add-On that allows passengers to cancel their tour last minute and not be penalised. Exclusively designed by Life’s An Adventure, this product gives our guests certainty in a time of uncertainty. Click here to find out more details
To find out more click on any of the below links:
Why Choose Us
Tour Itinerary
Your 3 day walking holiday includes:
- A Pack Free fully supported walk – with no overnight packs to carry
- 2 nights at the Peppers Mineral Spa Hotel with a touch of luxury
- 3 delicious lunches to enjoy whilst walking
- Superb a la carte dining at the award-winning Argus Restaurant
- Boutique local wines served with all dinners
- 2 x Hot and Cold breakfasts
- Fresh fruit and trail mix to enjoy while walking
- Professionally guided by local guides – Our guides are locals who are passionate, well trained and enthusiastic with the ability to bring to life a depth of information
- Transfers to and from Melbourne CBD
SUGGESTED PRE NIGHT ACCOMMODATION:The Langham Melbourne
DEPARTURE TIME: 7.30am
TRAIL NOTES: 13km. 6 hours with breaks. Easy/Medium grade.
TERRAIN: A combination of formal path, roads, compacted gravel and narrow walking trails which can be rocky underfoot. Some stairs. The trail is undulating. There is a creek crossing that uses large, flat blocks.
WALK ITINERARY: Meet your guide at 7.30am at The Langham Melbourne for transfers to Daylesford. Entering the elegant heritage of Daylesfords Main Street gives a taste of what is to come on this fabulous journey through the heart of the Victorian Goldfields. During today’s walk, we meander past Lake Daylesford before stumbling upon the first of many mineral springs dotted along the Goldfields Track. We wander along with the quiet beauty of Sailors Creek for most of the day, utilizing old water races. At the end of today’s walk, we will adjourn to the impressive Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel at Hepburn. Tonight enjoy a superb dinner in the award-winning Argus Restaurant featuring local boutique wines.
TRAIL NOTES: 16.9kms. 6 hours. Grade: Easy- Medium.
TERRAIN: Mostly gentle undulations with some short, steep sections; compact surfaces shifting between uneven/rocky to gravel back-roads/4WD tracks.
WALK ITINERARY: After a hearty breakfast, we depart our hotel for a walk through well-worked gold country, looking out from Jackson’s Lookout and taking in the canyon-like landscape of Beehive Gully. The harsh conditions for pioneering miners seeking their fortune become apparent. But then suddenly we emerge to find the modern brilliance of The Chocolate Mill founded in a straw bale complex that allows us time to sample fine Belgian chocolate and their very special hot chocolate drinks. We break the journey here to head into the forest further along pock-marked stream sides where diggings and shafts collide and the intensity of effort is demonstrated. Finally, we gain a well-deserved break at the heritage picnic ground of Vaughan Springs where the old weir across the Loddon River invites a swim. Tonight enjoy a superb dinner in a local restaurant in Daylesford featuring local wines.
TRAIL NOTES: 12kms 5 hours walking with breaks. Grade: Easy to Medium.
TERRAIN: Varying from flat to mostly gentle undulations on compact surfaces shifting between narrow walking tracks to gravel back-roads/4WD tracks.
WALK ITINERARY: Enjoy breakfast in the restaurant before farewelling our hotel. On our final day, we commence from the once vibrant gold settlement of Fryerstown. Many fine old buildings remain in the gold rush town that once populated 15,000 residents. Soon we pass the tailings and workings of the massive Spring Gully Mines which continued to operate through to the 1930s. As you walk through the gullies and landscapes it will feel like you are wandering through an open-air museum of old mining relics in an abandoned landscape fading back into the bush. It’s not long now before we saunter into Chewton before the short drive to Castlemaine to complete our walk of the highlights of gold country in Victoria. Afterwards, we transfer head back to Melbourne at the end of a wonderful journey.
FINISH TIME: 5.30pm at The Langham Melbourne
Tour Availability
On Sale Prices…
EARLYBIRDS SAVINGS
- Book and pay in full now and Earlybirds SAVE $300 per person for guests who have travelled with us before and SAVE $200 per person for new guests. See pricing below.
Prices in AUD (Australian Dollars)
PRIVATE GROUPS:
Departure date of your choice is subjective to availability. A minimum group size of 8 required. Prices are equal to Past Travellers’ discounted rates. Based on twin share – see details about Single Supplement and upgrade extras.
Please contact us for more details on (02) 9975 4553 or email: walks@lifesanadventure.com.au
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SOLO TRAVELLERS & EXTRAS:
SOLO TRAVELLERS WILLING TO SHARE
If you are a solo traveller willing to share a room, we will attempt to match you with another solo traveller of the same gender. If we can’t find you a match of the same gender by around 8 weeks prior to the tour, you will be charged the single supplement cost. Subject to availability at time of booking.
SOLO TRAVELLERS
WANTING THEIR OWN ROOM
For those wanting to guarantee their own room, a single supplement cost will be charged at the time of booking. Subject to availability.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $450
FlexiWalk – Cancel for Any Reason:
Purchase a FlexiWalk Add-On for normal price tickets and cancel 96 hours prior to departure for any reason. Price: $259 per person. See conditions below for full details.
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BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Before you book please read our Booking Terms and Conditions. Click here.
SALE TICKET CONDITIONS:
* Super Earlybird, Earlybird and Spot Special Sale Tickets: Must be paid in full at time of booking. Refunds or cancellations are not permitted for Sale Tickets however, transfers to another date are permitted 8 weeks or more prior to departure (a $200 change fee will be incurred). We advise taking out travel insurance in case unexpected circumstances prior to the trip, prevent you from joining this tour. Early bird or Spot Special discounts cannot be used in conjunction with another offer. We have partnered with Cover-More to provide travel insurance to our guests. To get a quote or purchase travel insurance directly with them Click here. To receive these special discounts, full payment must be made at the time of initial booking. Flexiwalk Add-On option not available on these tickets.
* Those who have travelled with Life’s An Adventure previously, receive a past passenger discount of $100. This discount will automatically be deducted from future bookings when you book online using the same email address used for past bookings.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
* Prices are per person in Australian dollars and include GST.
* A deposit of $300 per person is required to secure your booking. (unless taking advantage of Earlybird or Spot Specials in which full payment is required at time of booking).
* Note: If you are booking within 60 days of your departure date – we will require full payment at the time of booking
* Prices are based on twin share of rooms. If you are travelling solo you may be required to share with someone of the same gender. If this is not suitable you can request to pay a single supplement, however, limited single rooms are available per trip so are on a request basis.
* Payments must be made online via our secure payment page via credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or over the phone.
* Credit Card fees apply or contact us for bank transfer payment options. The following fees apply. Australian Credit Cards including Visa and Mastercard 1% +$0.20 per transaction, International Credit Cards including Visa and Mastercard 3.4% + $0.30 per transaction (payments in AUD). International clients can enquire with us about bank transfers in your own currency to avoid transaction fees.
* We advise taking our Travel Insurance to cover items such as cancellation of tour due to minimum numbers not met, or adverse weather conditions, injury, evacuation, delayed flights, illness, etc. Click here
* Credit for cancelled activities. If a tour activity has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances a credit for this missed activity can be applied to any future tour with us. Click here.
* FlexiWalk Option – Cancel for any Reason Click here for full conditions on our FlexiWalk Option.
