New parks for Victoria’s central west and Mirboo North

Several parks and reserves across Victoria's central west and Mirboo North are entering a new phase of protection and management. On 5 October 2026, the Victorian Government will formally establish new and expanded parks and reserves, including Mount Buangor National Park, Pyrenees National Park and Wombat-Lerderderg National Park. Parks Victoria will assume management responsibility for approximately 78,838 hectares of public land as part of Victoria's park network.

The new and expanded parks are being established following the Victorian Government's response to the 2021 Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) Central West Investigation Final Report, followed by the introduction of the Parks and Public Land Amendment (Central West and Other Matters) Bill into the Victorian Parliament – creating over 65,000 hectares of national park in Victoria’s Central West.

The new and expanded parks will help protect important environmental, cultural and recreational values, including forests, waterways, wildlife habitat and cultural heritage, while continuing to provide opportunities for people to enjoy the great outdoors.  

No. The establishment of the new and expanded parks was determined by the Victorian Government following the 2021 VEAC investigation, public consultation processes and subsequent legislation.

Parks Victoria's role is to manage the parks, support visitors through the transition and implement the arrangements established by government, and engage with community on future park management planning and actions. 

The new national parks include landscapes already known to and loved by many local communities and visitors. Mount Buangor National Park will include Mount Buangor State Park and parts of Mt Cole State Forest. Pyrenees National Park will include the Landsborough and Landsborough Hill Nature Conservation Reserves and parts of St Arnaud-Pyrenees State Forest. Wombat–Lerderderg National Park will include Lerderderg State Park and additions from the Wombat State Forest.

In total, Parks Victoria will be managing three new national parks, three new conservation reserves, seven new or expanded regional parks and almost 30 nature and bushland reserves.

The new and expanded parks will be formally established on 5 October 2026. This process is known as proclamation and means the parks are officially created under their new classifications and management arrangements.

Most of the recreational activities people currently enjoy across these landscapes will continue, including:

• Bushwalking
• Nature observation
• Picnicking
• Fishing
• Camping
• Cycling and mountain biking
• Four-wheel driving
• Trail bike riding
• Horse riding
• Dog walking

Some activities will have different rules depending on the park classification and location. Visitors are encouraged to check updated maps, park pages and visitor information before visiting.

Subject to seasonal closures or safety risks, most existing roads, tracks and visitor destinations, including campgrounds, remain available.

Mountain biking, four-wheel driving, trail bike riding and horse riding will continue on formed roads and tracks that are open to the public.

As with all parks, some tracks may be closed from time to time for safety, environmental management or maintenance purposes. Visitors are encouraged to check updated maps, park pages and visitor information as they plan for their next trip. 

There are plenty of opportunities to camp across designated camping areas in the new parks and reserves.

Dispersed camping will also continue in former areas of state forest within the new national and conservation parks, as well as the addition to the Bendigo Regional Park.

Visitors should always check local conditions, campfire restrictions and park-specific information before visiting.

There will be no change to dog walking in areas where it is currently permitted. Dogs can continue to be walked on vehicle and walking tracks, and in picnic areas and campgrounds, where previously permitted.

Dog walking is also permitted in the addition to the Bendigo Regional Park.

Dogs are not permitted in nature reserves and visitors must comply with relevant park regulations to understand on-lead or off-lead requirements.

Visitors should check park-specific information before visiting and refer to on-site signage if unsure.

Most recreational activities will continue in places where they are currently permitted. However, some activities will change in specific locations.

The main changes relate to:

• recreational prospecting
• recreational hunting
• firewood collection.

Parks Victoria will provide clear information to help visitors understand where activities are permitted and where restrictions apply.

Recreational hunting will not be permitted within the new national parks, conservation parks and reserves, except for seasonal deer hunting by stalking in designated areas of the Wombat-Lerderderg and Pyrenees National Parks.

Visitors should check park information regularly as seasonal arrangements apply.

Firewood collection is not permitted within the new national parks, conservation parks, nature reserves and bushland reserves.

However, domestic firewood collection from will continue until 1 July 2029 in:

• the addition to the Bendigo Regional Park
• southern additions to Hepburn Regional Park
• Barkstead Regional Park
• Blackwood Regional Park
• Fingerpost Regional Park
• Spargo Creek Regional Park.

Domestic firewood collection remains subject to seasonal arrangements and confirmation of designated collection areas.

See ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood/find-a-firewood-collection-area for more information.

Visitors must continue to follow all existing campfire regulations, including seasonal restrictions, Total Fire Bans and local fire conditions. In most locations, campfires are only permitted in designated fireplaces and visitors should bring their own firewood where campfires are permitted.

Parks Victoria is progressively updating:

• signage
• maps
• website materials, including new and updated park pages
• visitor information materials.

Updates will be rolled out progressively over the coming months.

Given the size and complexity of the transition, some signage, maps and visitor information may take time to be updated. Parks Victoria is committed to providing clear and timely information throughout the transition.

Thank you for your patience as these changes are implemented. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our Customer Service team via info@parks.vic.gov.au or 13 1963.

Parks Victoria is adopting an education-first approach during the transition period. Our initial focus is on helping visitors understand the new arrangements through updated information, signage, ranger engagement and community awareness activities.

As with all parks, compliance and enforcement tools remain available where necessary to support public safety and ensure protection of cultural heritage and environmental values.

For the latest information, including recreation opportunities, visitor information, maps, project updates and future engagement opportunities, visit the Parks Victoria project page parks.vic.gov.au/projects/southwest-victoria/central-west-transition.

The new parks and reserves are located on the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung, Eastern Maar, Wadawurrung, Wurundjeri, Gunaikurnai and Taungurung peoples.

Traditional Owners have cared for these landscapes for thousands of years and will continue to play an important role in caring for Country, protecting cultural heritage and helping shape the future management of these parks.

As we progress toward park management planning and future park outcomes, Parks Victoria will continue to work alongside Traditional Owners through appropriate engagement and partnership arrangements.

The new parks will:

• Protect important forests, waterways and wildlife habitat.
• Strengthen conservation outcomes across the landscape.
• Protect cultural heritage and cultural values.
• Support recreation and nature-based tourism.
• Create opportunities for increased visitation and regional tourism.
• Help support local businesses, jobs and regional economies.

These benefits will help ensure these landscapes are protected and enjoyed by future generations. 

Parks Victoria is currently developing conservation priorities and programs for the new and expanded parks. This work will focus on protecting important native plants, animals, habitats, waterways and cultural values, and will be informed by Traditional Owner partnerships, environmental priorities and future park planning.

We will share updates on conservation initiatives and opportunities through the Parks Victoria project page, as this information becomes available.

Parks Victoria will commence the preparation of contemporary management plans within 12 months of assuming management responsibility for the parks. This includes:

• Working in partnership with Traditional Owners to ensure Traditional Owner knowledge, values, aspirations and priorities help shape the future management of the parks.
• Engaging with communities, visitors and stakeholders to understand what people value about the parks and help shape future management priorities.
• Ensuring park management is responsive to emerging challenges and opportunities, including climate change, biodiversity conservation, visitor demand and the long-term resilience of park landscapes.

Keep an eye on our project page and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on future engagement opportunities.