Autumn is a fantastic time of year to visit our parks. As the leaves turn, you’ll be surrounded by stunning displays of colour. Visit these parks to get that perfect snap of autumn leaves.

Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens

Visit any of the Gardens of the Dandenongs in autumn and you’ll be rewarded with spectacular colour. We don’t like to pick favourites, but Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens is particularly special in autumn.

For the perfect Instagram shot, make your way down to the lake. Capture the stunning foliage of maples, beech and the famous golden ginkgos. While you’re there, take the time to wander the many linking paths under a canopy of Mountain Ash. Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens is open from 10am to 5pm daily.

Macedon Regional Park

There’s no denying that autumn is a popular time to visit the Macedon Ranges. The change of season brings spectacular colour to the towns and villages in the region. After you’ve snapped the Avenue of Honour, pay a visit to Macedon Regional Park.

Here, you’ll find the state’s second most significant war memorial. Take a scenic drive or walk and take in the changing colours in the park. A visit to the Top of the Range Tearoom is the perfect way to end the day.

Buchan Caves Reserve

If you’re planning a visit to Buchan Caves this autumn, make sure you leave enough time to explore above ground. The valley surrounding the caves is full of large European trees. Walk one of the many tracks and take in their glorious autumn colour.

Enjoy a picnic with family and friends under the canopy of maple and golden ash. Spend a night at Buchan Caves Reserve campground, with powered and unpowered sites available. If you prefer a roof over your head, you might prefer to stay at Caves House.

Maroondah Reservoir Park

Melbourne’s best kept autumn secret may just be Maroondah Reservoir Park. Located in the Yarra Valley, this park features gardens with native and exotic plants and trees.

Photographers – don’t miss the opportunity to capture the historic Rose Stairway, which is at its best in autumn. Don’t put your camera away yet, because the red and gold foliage throughout the park will have you snapping away. If you’re lucky, you might also catch a glimpse of some local wildlife.

Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park

Looking for the perfect place to combine history and nature? Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park has both. Pay a visit to Vaughn Springs, located in the southern section of the park, where the leaves put on a striking display of red and gold.

Vaughn Springs is a great place to stroll along the Loddon River, sample the mineral water or spread out for a picnic. A campground can be found on the hill behind the day visitor area.

Arthurs Seat State Park

Visitors to Arthurs Seat State Park will be rewarded with spectacular views from the summit. There’s plenty to enjoy in the park from walking and jogging to photography and mountain biking.

For autumn colour, pay a visit to Seawinds Gardens, found close to the summit. Explore the network of walking tracks in these gardens in autumn and be delighted by the deciduous trees. If the weather is nice, the gardens make a gorgeous setting for a picnic.

Coolart Historic Area

Set amongst a delightful garden is the Coolart Homestead. Autumn is a great time to visit Coolart Historic Area, with the hues of the leaves making the gardens particularly pretty. Wander the walking tracks and explore the coastal woodlands, wetland areas, lagoons and formal gardens.

Enjoy a picnic on the lawns among the autumn leaves. The diversity of habitats at Coolart Historic Area make it a great spot for bird watching too. The grounds at Coolart Historic Area are open from 8am-5pm, while the homestead is open 9am-4pm (weekdays only from May).

The cooler temperatures of autumn are also perfect for long walks and hikes. Visit our walking and hiking pages for more inspiration.