After completing a 12.31km clockwise circuit during the morning, the same three hikers returned to the trails around Mortimer Picnic Ground for a second loop in the opposite direction.

The afternoon event was advertised as a moderate 10km circuit with approximately 200m of ascent. Our anti-clockwise route became considerably longer, with the Garmin recording 14.70km, 3 hours and 48 minutes, and 477m of total climbing.

This version included the fern forests and tall gums surrounding Mortimer, as well as a visit to the distinctive granite formation known as Four Brothers Rocks.

Hike at a glance

The recorded ascent was more than twice the figure advertised for the original circuit. Combined with the 14.70km distance—and the morning hike already completed by the group—it made the afternoon a much more substantial walk than planned.

Reversing the Mortimer Circuit

Walking the circuit anti-clockwise changed the way its climbs, descents and forest sections unfolded. Even where the two hikes used some of the same tracks, approaching them from the opposite direction gave the route a different character.

The walk again passed through dense fern gullies and stands of tall gums, with sections of enclosed walking trail alternating with wider forest tracks.

Dense fern-covered bush, closely spaced gums and a hiker following the forest trail.

The circuit incorporated sections around Mortimer Nature Walk, Tree Fern Track, Nichols Hut Track, Silvertop Ridge Track and Ferres Track, although the recorded distance indicates that our completed route extended beyond the shorter circuit originally described.

The shorter Mortimer Nature Walk Reversed provides an introduction to this part of the park without undertaking the full circuit.

Small details along the forest floor

The damp forest supported mosses, groundcover plants and fungi, adding detail beneath the much larger trees and ferns.

A moss-covered tree, small plants emerging through the groundcover and fungi growing on a fallen trunk.

A rosy hyacinth-orchid was also observed beside the route. Unlike many green orchids, hyacinth-orchids lack normal leaves and obtain nutrients through a relationship with fungi in the soil.

Native orchids should be photographed without touching or disturbing them. Plants, flowers and fungi must remain in the park.

Four Brothers Rocks

One of the most distinctive features of the afternoon circuit was Four Brothers Rocks, a group of large granite boulders rising above the surrounding forest.

Their rounded, orange-toned surfaces contrasted with the green vegetation encountered throughout much of the route. The spaces between the rocks also provided an opportunity to explore the formation at close range.

Four Brothers Rocks, including their orange granite surfaces and a narrow passage between the boulders.

The formation is reached as part of several possible circuits from Mortimer Picnic Ground. The exact course taken by our group was longer than the 13km Four Brothers Rocks route described by Trail Hiking Australia, so the two should not be treated as identical.

A longer afternoon than expected

The hikers returned to Mortimer Picnic Ground after completing 14.70km in 3 hours and 48 minutes. The Garmin recorded 477m of ascent, compared with the approximately 200m originally advertised.

A tall tree fern reaching towards the canopy and a hiker farther along the forest trail.

Across the two back-to-back Mortimer circuits, the group covered a combined 27.01km in 7 hours and 24 minutes of recorded walking time, accumulating 776m of ascent.

Completing both directions on the same day provided a thorough exploration of the Mortimer trail network and highlighted how route direction and small variations can produce significantly different distances and elevation totals.

Planning a Four Brothers Mortimer Circuit

This is a retrospective account of a hike completed in January 2018, not a current turn-by-turn navigation guide.

Parks Victoria now identifies the Four Brothers Mortimer Circuit Walk as one of the walks accessible from Mortimer Camping and Picnic Area. Track conditions, signs and permitted access can change, so consult the official park information before visiting.

The Four Brothers Rocks Hike described by Trail Hiking Australia is a closely related 13km Grade 3 circuit beginning at Mortimer Picnic Ground. Its published route is shorter than the 14.70km circuit recorded during this Green Trails hike.

Before setting out:

• Carry a current map and confirm the intended route.
• Allow additional time for navigation at forest-road intersections.
• Take sufficient drinking water, food and weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear footwear suitable for rough, damp or slippery ground.
• Remain on established tracks and avoid damaging vegetation around the rocks.
• Leave orchids, fungi and other plants undisturbed.
• Check current park closures, weather and fire-danger information.
• Be alert for vehicles when walking along shared forest roads.
• Remember that dogs are not permitted in Bunyip State Park.

This group walk was managed through Meetup. View the original Mortimer Circuit anti-clockwise event.