Taggerty - Cathedral Range State Park
The Cathedral Range is a spectacular seven kilometre rugged, rocky ridge of sharply upturned sedimentary rock.
A variety of walking tracks ranging in difficulty from easy to challenging offer the opportunity to explore the park's main features and climb the peaks to enjoy views of the forests and farmland in the valley below.
Enjoying the Park
The park is ideal for a relaxing picnic by the river bushwalking, rock climbing and camping.
Picnicking
Enjoy a picnic by Little River at Neds Gully or Cooks Mill camping areas.
Rock climbing
There are rock climbing areas available for all levels of ability from the beginners' area at The Boulders near Sugarloaf Saddle to the many challenging climbing routes on North Jawbone. For climbing information, please consult A Rock Climbers Guide to Eastern Victoria by the Victorian Climbing Club.
Camping
Camping is available at Cooks Mill with walk-in camping at Neds Gully and The Farmyard. Cooks Mill has sites suitable for a small number of caravans. Camping fees apply and a permit is required for Neds Gully, Cooks Mill and The Farmyard camping areas. Camping areas may become busy during holiday periods and long weekends.
Cycling
Cycling is permitted on public roads throughout the park. Cycling is not permitted on walking tracks and management vehicle tracks.
Walking
Walking tracks lead to all the major features of the park and range in difficulty from an easy stroll around the Friends Nature Trail to the challenging, steep and exposed Wells Cave Track.
Track grading
Hard: Steep difficult terrain with climbing and poor footing. Sturdy footwear and a good level of fitness required
Medium: Steep sections but footing less difficult. Sturdy footwear and a good level of fitness required
Easy: Moderately flat
Times quoted for walks are one way, at a moderate pace without allowing for rests, and are intended as a guide only.
Neds Gully Track - 1 hr - Medium
Starts near the camping area and leads up Neds Gully to Neds Saddle. From Neds Saddle the tracks lead to Cathedral Peak, Little Cathedral, Neds Peak and The Farmyard.
Cathedral Peak Track - 45 mins - Hard
Rises steeply from Neds Saddle in a westerly direction to the southern slope of Cathedral Peak, and then heads north to the peak. From here, continue north along the ridge (Ridge Track) to the junction with Little Cathedral Track. Continue to Little Cathedral or return to Neds Saddle along the Little Cathedral Track.
Little Cathedral Track - 1 hr - Hard
Head north from Neds Saddle Carpark to Little Cathedral Peak.
Neds Peak Track - 15 mins - Medium
Neds Peak Track leads from Neds Saddle to Neds Peak.
Ridge Track - 2 hrs - Hard
This track travels along the ridgeline from The Farmyard to Cathedral and Little Cathedral Peaks. It crosses exposed rocky outcrops. Look for markers to help keep to the track.
Saint Bernards Track - 45 mins - Medium
This track starts at Cooks Mill and leads to Jawbone Carpark and Jawbone Creek Track.
Jawbone Creek Track 1 hr - Medium
This track starts at Jawbone Carpark on Cerberus Road and climbs steeply to The Farmyard. The added challenge is to count the number of steps.
North Jawbone Track - 20 mins - Medium
This track branches from Jawbone Creek Track just below The Farmyard and leads to North Jawbone Peak.
Razorback Track - 2 hrs - Hard
This track links The Farmyard to Sugarloaf Peak. It crosses exposed rocky outcrops. Look for markers to help you keep to the track.
Canyon Track - 30 mins - Hard
This track climbs from Sugarloaf Saddle Day Visitor Area to Sugarloaf Peak. Although not easy, it is less challenging than the Wells Cave approach.
South Jawbone Track - 10 min - Medium
Walk south through The Farmyard in the direction of Sugarloaf Peak. South Jawbone Track is signposted on the left and leads to South Jawbone Peak.
Wells Cave Track - 30 mins - Very Hard - Ascent only
This track climbs north from Sugarloaf Saddle Day Visitor Area to Sugarloaf Peak, the highest point on the range and is a challenging approach. Avoid this track if you are uncomfortable in high open and exposed places. Not recommended to carry backpacks or small children.
Messmate Track - 1.5hrs -Medium
This new track connects Sugarloaf Saddle Day Visitor Area to Cooks Mill Heritage Site and camping area via Tweed Spur Road.
Little River Track - 40 mins - Easy
This is an easy walk along the river between Neds Gully and Cooks Mill camping areas.
The Friends Nature Trail - 1 hr - Easy
This is an easy circuit walk through Manna Gum forest with scenic footbridges over Storm Creek and Little River. Follow the signs from Cooks Mill.
How to get there
From Melbourne follow the Maroondah Highway to Buxton towards Taggerty. Continue past Buxton for 9.5km and turn right into Cathedral Lane to find the park entrance 2.5km on your right.
Note: Photos from Parks Victoria
Location
Cathedral Lane, Taggerty 3714 Map
Web Links
→ Cathedral Range State Park (Parks Victoria)
→ Cathedral Range State Park Map (PDF)
→ The Best Family Activities in the Yarra Valley
→ Cathedral Range State Park - Park Note (PDF)
