Recommendations for overnight circuits near Melbourne

[EGM]

Hello all,
Due to current work and uni commitments my partner and I will be going full weekend warrior mode for the next few months, possibly the rest of the year.
So I'm looking for some walks we can do which are less than about 2.5 or maybe three hours from Melbourne (inner west) and most importantly are able to be done as a loop (we don't mind road or 4x4 track walking) . Good out and backs are OK but I'm really after some circuits.
Distance isn't important and we are up for some difficult as well as easy. Around 35-50km or so is probably ideal but shorter or possibly longer would be great too.

As of yet we have done beeripmo, cathedral Ranges, Lorne and some in the Grampians.

On a side note does anyone know of a reasonable place to camp in order to do the GPT in two days.

I look forward to your responses.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

If the weather is looking favourable you could try this:
On Friday night drive up to Mansfield, Merrijig and onto Sheepyard Flat.
Camp there.
The next day pack up and drive
to 8 mile Flat. You can park opposite the steep 4 WD track down to the camp site at 8 mile flat. Then take the High track from the 8 Mile Flat campsite. You will find the sign for 8 mile spur. Walk up 8 mile spur. Eventually you will pop out near Refrigerator Gap. Continue up the dirt road until you reach the sign for The Bluff Walking Track.
This track climbs steeply until it becomes a vertical crab crawl up onto the Bluff summit area. Then follow the track towards the Bluff Hut. You can camp at the hut but a nicer spot is just further up the road on a grassy area with good views of Mt. Buller. Water can be found in the Bluff hut tank. There is a pit loo near the hut.
Day 2 . Pack up and walk down the the 4 WD track from The Bluff hut.
You can take the overgrown 14 mile spur track or take the easier to follow 16 Mile Jeep track down to meet the Howqua River feeder track . It comes off 16 mile Jeep track at a bend in the 4 WD track.
Follow the the foot track downstream until you reach Ritchie's hut.
Eat lunch there and continue back to 8 Mile Flat and your car.

Ritchie's hut
from 8 Mile Flat and back is an EASY and relaxing alternative to the above trek which is demanding in terms of elevation changes and steep bits.

Last edited by paidal_chalne_vala on Sat 27 Mar, 2021 9:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[EGM]

Thanks,that'll go on the list for the future but unfortunately at the moment Friday night or Monday morning drives aren't possible, hence the time restraint.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

You can still do the 8 Mile flat to Ritchie's hut walk in 24 hours including the drive in and walk in and the walk out and the drive out. The Hut is so good and the location is very peaceful for a one night camp.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

The Mt. Stirling area provides easy walking , good camping, nice scenery and a straight forward 24 hour escape from Melbourne.