Hiking in VIC: Destinations, Tips & Planning

The crisp morning air fills your lungs as you crouch at the trailhead, fingers working the laces of your boots with the particular focus that comes from knowing you’re three hours from the carpark. The smell of damp eucalyptus mingles with that unmistakable scent of new leather and rubber, and somewhere in the back of your mind, your feet are already asking the question you should have answered at the shop: did you pick the right boots? If you’ve ever stood in an Anaconda store staring at a wall of hiking boots Australia has to offer, overwhelmed by choice and underprepared by the marketing jargon, you’re not alone. The Yarra Valley has a way of exposing gear decisions made in haste—and teaching you which ones actually matter.

The Boot Debate I Overheard at Warburton

It was the kind of conversation that only happens between strangers on a steep descent when everyone’s guard is down. Two hikers, both looking like they’d been at it for hours, were comparing notes on their footwear as they picked their way down the debris chute track. One was wearing Columbias, the other Merrells, and neither was particularly happy with their choice that day.

The Columbia wearer complained about her feet sliding forward on the descent—the heel cup just wasn’t gripping the way she’d hoped. The Merrell guy muttered something about wishing he’d gone a half-size larger after the swelling kicked in around hour four. And there I was, eavesdropping, because this is the real conversation about are Columbia or Merrell hiking boots better—not the polished reviews, but the grumpy trailside truth-telling.

Here’s what that moment taught me: there’s no universal answer to the Columbia versus Merrell question. Columbia tends to build boots with a slightly roomier toe box and tech-forward waterproofing, which is brilliant for wider feet and boggy tracks. Merrell often delivers a snugger heel hold and that distinctive Vibram grip that shines on dry Victorian rock. But neither brand wins every time, and anyone who tells you differently probably hasn’t hiked enough different trails.

I learned this the hard way on the Dandenongs’ wet rock sections, where a beautiful pair of boots that felt like clouds in the shop turned into slip-and-slide disasters on the damp stone. The issue wasn’t the brand—it was that I’d optimised for comfort standing still, not for the specific demands of the terrain I actually planned to hike.

What the Marketing Won’t Tell You

Both Columbia and Merrell make excellent boots. Both also make boots that will make you curse under your breath on the wrong trail. The question isn’t which brand is better—it’s which boot matches your foot shape, your typical hiking style, and the specific conditions you’ll encounter most often.

Three Yarra Valley Walks That Will Test Your Gear (and One That Won’t)

The Yarra Valley is surprisingly good at sorting the adequate boots from the great ones. Here’s a quick guide to which local tracks will challenge your footwear choices—and which are forgiving enough for lighter hiking shoes.

The Gear-Testers

1. Mount Donna Buang via the Rainforest Gallery (Warburton)
This one separates the waterproof claims from the waterproof reality. The track stays damp well into summer, and the root sections are notorious for unexpected slickness. You’ll want genuine ankle support and aggressive tread here.

Boot Requirement: High—waterproof membrane, deep lugs, and a heel cup that prevents sliding on steep descents.

2. Cerberus Track to Rolling Pins (Toolangi State Forest)
Lesser-known but genuinely demanding. The scree sections and uneven terrain will reveal any fit issues within the first hour. If your boots are too loose, you’ll feel every rock through the sole.

Boot Requirement: Medium-High—stiff sole for rock protection, precise fit for technical terrain.

3. SkyHigh to Olinda Falls (Dandenong Ranges)
Don’t let the proximity to Melbourne fool you. The damp rock sections here have humbled many a confident hiker, especially after rain. This is where you discover whether your boot’s grip lives up to the marketing.

Boot Requirement: Medium—good traction matters more than waterproofing here, though both help.

The Forgiving One

4. Yarra River Walk at Warburton (The Foreshore)
Flat, well-maintained, and genuinely beautiful. This is the walk for breaking in new boots or testing whether those hiking shoes you impulse-bought at Anaconda were actually a good idea.

Boot Requirement: Low—comfortable walking shoes are fine, though you’ll still want something with decent tread if it’s been raining.

The Anaconda Ritual (and Why It Matters)

There’s a distinctly Australian experience to buying Anaconda hiking boots—standing in that fluorescent-lit aisle surrounded by camping gear, trying to remember what the internet said about heel-to-toe drop while your kids ask if they can look at the fishing rods. It’s overwhelming, and the seasonal sales don’t help with decision-making clarity.

But here’s the thing: Anaconda is one of the few places where you can physically compare Columbia and Merrell boots side-by-side, which matters enormously for fit. The staff knowledge varies wildly—I’ve met employees who clearly hike and others who seemed uncertain whether the store sold actual boots—but the ability to try before you buy is invaluable.

What to Actually Look For

• Heel hold: Lace the boot up properly and walk around. If your heel lifts noticeably, you’ll blister on descents—no matter how good the boot looks on paper.
• Toe wiggle room: You should be able to wiggle all your toes freely when the boot is laced. Feet swell on long hikes, and cramped toes lead to problems.
• Insole quality: The stock insoles that come with most boots are adequate at best. Budget for an upgrade if you have high arches or specific support needs.
• Waterproof claims vs reality: Ask specifically about the membrane used (Gore-Tex, Omni-Tech, M Select DRY, or similar) and understand that “water-resistant” is not the same as “waterproof.”

What Your Boots Can’t Fix

Even the best boots won’t save you from poor planning. The Yarra Valley tracks turn to soup in late winter and early spring, and no amount of waterproof membrane will help when the mud comes over your ankles. Conversely, summer brings fire risk that can close trails entirely—check the Parks Victoria website before you head out.

The question of are Columbia or Merrell hiking boots better becomes irrelevant if you’re hiking unprepared. Here’s what actually matters beyond your footwear:

• Gaiters: More useful than boot waterproofing for wet grass and muddy tracks. They keep debris out and water from entering over the ankle.
• Quality socks: Merino wool hiking socks are worth the investment. They manage moisture and reduce friction far better than cotton ever will.
• Timing: The best boot can’t compensate for hiking a rock scramble in the rain. Know when to adjust your plans.
• Terrain research: Different tracks demand different approaches. A boot perfect for the Yarra River foreshore might be inadequate for Donna Buang.

Finding Your Answer

There’s a particular satisfaction in reaching a Yarra Valley lookout at golden hour, feet tired but comfortable, knowing you made the right gear choice. Maybe you’ll find your perfect fit in a pair of Columbias, or perhaps Merrell will match your foot shape and hiking style better. The answer to are Columbia or Merrell hiking boots better isn’t in any review—it’s in the specific combination of your feet, your favourite trails, and the conditions you hike in most often.

When you’re standing in that Anaconda aisle, surrounded by options and trying to remember what matters, ask yourself the questions the marketing doesn’t answer: Does your heel hold firm? Can you wiggle your toes? Does the grip feel confident on a wet rock surface? The right boot is the one you stop thinking about on the trail—not because it’s perfect, but because it’s right for you.

And that feeling of lacing up at the trailhead? It transforms from anxiety to anticipation when you know, from experience, that your feet are in good hands.