The silly season is upon us, and for all the fun of this time of year, there’s a fair dose of stress that comes with the hyper-social energy – with 49 per cent of Australians ranking November to December as the most stressful time of year. According to research by AllTrails, more Aussies are turning to the great outdoors to help with stress than ever before, with 55 per cent saying the mental lift is the biggest appeal of exercising outside. To help us access the ultimate hit of nature therapy, the AllTrails team put together a guide to the nine most peaceful hikes in the country, and the number one route is right here in Victoria.
Winding through the eucalypt forest of Warrandyte State Park for 6.5 kilometres, this riverside stroll just outside of Melbourne has taken the crown as Australia’s most zen-inducing stroll. We feel relaxed already...
Where is the Black Flat via Blue Tongue Bend Loop?
The Black Flat via Blue Tongue Bend Loop circles through Warrandyte State Park in Melbourne’s leafy northeast, hugging a quiet stretch of the Yarra River just beyond the bustle of suburban Warrandyte.
How long is the Black Flat via Blue Tongue Bend Loop?
The circuit comes in at around 6.5 kilometres, making it one of those Goldilocks-length walks – not too short, not too long, just right for a cruisy morning out in nature.
How long does it take to complete?
Most walkers knock it over in about two hours, with a little extra time if you stop for photos, river-gazing or a breather on one of the sun-drenched rock flats.
What can you see on the Black Flat via Blue Tongue Bend Loop?
Expect classic Warrandyte scenery: eucalypt forest alive with rosellas and kookaburras, quiet pockets of rippling bushland, and stretches of the Yarra that feel blissfully far from the city’s bustle.
How do you get to the Black Flat via Blue Tongue Bend Loop?
It’s an easy 40-minute drive from the CBD: head out to Warrandyte and follow the signs to Black Flat Picnic Area, where you can start the loop right from the car park. If you’re bussing it, catch a service to Warrandyte Bridge and walk the short distance to the trailhead.
Australia’s Most Peaceful Hikes, according to AllTrails:
- Black Flat via Blue Tongue Bend Loop (Victoria, Australia)
- Warren River Loop Walk (Western Australia, Australia)
- Greater Wetland Walk (Queensland, Australia)
- Onkeeta Trail (South Australia, Australia)
- Labertouche Cave Loop (Victoria, Australia)
- Fern Glade Loop (Tasmania, Australia)
- East Falls Track (Victoria, Australia)
- Rocky Waterholes Bridge (New South Wales, Australia)
- King Karri Walk Trail (Western Australia, Australia)
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