Cathedral Range State Park

A woman and young girl hike up a rocky trail with a vast scenic mountain view stretching out into the distance behind them.

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Cathedral Range State Park

Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Taungurung Traditional Owners have to Cathedral Range State Park, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.

The jagged ridges of the Cathedral Range offer spectacular views and some of the best hiking in the state. Take a gentle walk along the Friends Nature Trail or prepare to tackle the rugged and challenging Razorback Trail or circuit routes. Either way you won't forget the awesome views.

Spend a night under the stars in the company of native wildlife such as kangaroos and lyrebirds. Camp by the ruins of Cooks Mill or escape the crowds at The Farmyard hike-in camping area. There are easy walks including the Friends Nature Trail and the tranquil Little River Walk.

Experienced walkers can tackle the Razorback Trail or take an overnight hike through Cathedral Range State Park. Follow the Southern or Northern Circuit through open forest and up rocky ridges for breathtaking views across the park.

There's also rock climbing for beginners and experts. Practice bouldering at The Boulders or try the tricky Sugarloaf Saddle or North Jawbone. A small stand of the world's tallest flowering tree, the Mountain Ash, can be found at Sugarloaf Saddle. Some of these amazing plants approach 90m in height.

Things to do in the area

 
Two Grandparents and a mother sit by the camp fire while a young child plays in the background.

Cooks Mill Camping Area

The camping area is located at the start of Lowerson Track off Little River Road just before it crosses the river. This shady campground is located among tall trees on the banks of Little River.

Neds Gully Camping Area

The camping area is located by crossing the bridge off Little River Road towards Neds Gully Track. The campground is situated 50 meters from the car park.
A 10 year-old girl and her grandmother walk through the lush green valley next to Little River.

Friends Nature Trail

Suitable for families, this gentle 2km one-hour circuit walk is a great alternative to the more strenuous walks up on the Range. Crossing footbridges over Storm Creek and Little River, and passing the old sawmill, the trail is a fantastic place to take in the sights, sounds and smells of a Manna Gum forest. To access the walk, follow the signs from Cooks Mill campground.
A mother and young daughter walk across Sugarloaf Saddle in magnifficent panoramic views either side of them.

Razorback Trail

This track links The Farmyard to Sugarloaf Peak. It crosses exposed rocky outcrops. Look for the markers to help you keep to the track This walk is rated hard with an expected duration of two hours.
A woman in a purple shirt scrambles up through rocky terrain along the path.

Sugarloaf Saddle

Park information, picnic ground, parking and toilets are available at Sugarloaf Saddle, which is the starting point for walks such as Canyon Track and Wells Cave Track.
A man leading a woman up through rocky terrain at Canyon Track

Canyon Walk

The short but challenging Canyon Walk ascends from the Sugarloaf Saddle Day Visitor Area to the mesmerising panoramas of Sugarloaf Peak (920m). Climb to the highest peak on the Sugarloaf Range, through open eucalypt forest, up rugged rock faces to see the jagged ridge stretch out before you.

Wells Cave Track

Climb through open eucalypt forest via Wells Cave Walk, before scrambling through Wells Caves and rock-climbing to the highest point on the Range. Stand atop Sugarloaf Peak (920m) and see the rugged ridge of Cathedral Range stretch out before you.
Two Grandparents and a mother sit by the camp fire while a young child plays in the background.

Camping in Cathedral Range

Spend a night under the stars, and wake up to the rugged ridge of the spectacular Cathedral Range.
Hiker looking out to mountain views at Cathedral Range State Park

The Best Cathedral Range Day Hike

Cathedral Range State Park, Taungurung Country, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. It gets its name from its distinctive peaks, which resemble the spires and buttresses of a cathedral.

Tours and adventure experiences in parks

One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.

There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.

Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more. 

Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest.

Find a Licensed Tour Operator

How to get there

Cathedral Range State Park

Cathedral Range State Park

When you're there

Download the Cathedral Range State Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders. 
 

Related Sites

When to go

Cooks Mill and Neds Gully provide lovely shady sites beside the river, perfect for a summer camping trip.

Need to know

Cathedral Range State Park

Accessibility

Cathedral Range State Park is not recommended for wheelchair users, due to its rugged and uneven terrain.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.


Walking on the range: plan and prepare

The Cathedral Range is a special place that has a lot to offer hikers, but it should not be underestimated. The range is dominated by rocky ridges and outcrops and walks on the range involve climbing steep rock faces and traversing rock steps, uneven and slippery track surfaces. Weather conditions can change quickly making it important to always be prepared for all types of weather.

To help you safely enjoy walking on the Cathedral Range:

  • Always wear sturdy shoes with good tread, a hat and weather proof clothing. Carry water proof clothing, sun protection, map, compass, GPS, torch, fully-charged phone and basic first aid kit.
  • A topographic map of Cathedral Range is recommended.
  • Carry adequate drinking water and food. Water is not available on walking tracks.
  • Phone signals are unreliable. Telstra is the best network but coverage is limited and cannot be guaranteed. Hikers should consider carrying a radio or personal locator beacon.
  • Walking alone is not recommended.
  • Before setting out on your walk let someone know where you are going, your expected time of return and vehicle details. Let your contact know when you have returned.
  • Allow plenty of time – don’t head up on the range for a walk in the late afternoon. Due to difficult terrain on the range, distances may take much longer to walk than you expect.
  • Keep to defined, marked walking tracks and do not cut corners. It is easy to lose sight of the trail and triangular trail markers are only sparsely provided.
  • Sugarloaf Peak walks are not recommended for young children.
  • The range is best avoided on days of extreme weather. Do not climb the range on days of Total Fire Ban.
  • Carry out all rubbish, including food scraps.
  • Toilets are not provided along the range or at The Farmyard hike-in camping area. Bury all waste and toilet paper at least 15cm deep and at least 100 metres from campsites and watercourses. Mix waste with soil to aid decomposition and to discourage animals digging up the waste.

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Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Cathedral Range State Park

    Tweed Spur Road, to Messmate Walking Track and Blue Range Road

    Tweed Spur Road, to Messmate Walking Track and Blue Range Road, is open to walkers.
    The road is closed to vehicles; it will re-open to vehicles in-line with Seasonal Road Re-openings for the Melbourne Cup Long Weekend in November. 

How we keep it special

We aim to ensure that our valued parks, and the natural assets and cultural heritage they hold, can be enjoyed now and by future generations.

Parks Victoria

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