Bushfire impacts on Victoria's environment

Fire affected parks

Travel to regional Victoria in summer

Best rivers to canoe

Stay safe in the water this summer

Explore

Two teenage girls kayaking on Mallacoota Inlet with mountains in the background.
Canoeing and kayaking
A young couple paddle kayaks on a sunny afternoon across Lake Eildon.
Lake Eildon National Park
Two men fish along 90 mile beach.
Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park
A pelican on the water at the Lakes National Park in Gippsland.

The Lakes National Park

The Lakes National Park is a peaceful bushland retreat in the Gippsland Lakes, fringed by the waters of Lake Victoria and Lake Reeve. The park includes Sperm Whale Head peninsula and Rotamah and Little Rotamah islands.

The sun sets over the water near Cape Liptrap.

Cape Liptrap Coastal Park

Stretching along the coast from the sand barrier of Point Smythe to the sheltered waters of Waratah Bay, Cape Liptrap Coastal Park has strikingly beautiful scenery.<br />The coastal park transforms from being a peaceful coastal area to wild, windy and awe inspiring in stormy weather. Whatever the season, Cape Liptrap Coastal Park is worth exploring.

The Yarra River heading upstream from Hawthorn.

Yarra River

The Yarra River’s journey begins on the southern slopes of the Great Dividing Range and twists through the forested valleys of the Yarra Ranges and its quaint regional towns before concluding its journey on the muddy flats of Port Phillip Bay.

A group of five children play in the rock pools at Ricketts Point late in the afternoon.

Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary

Crystal clear shallow waters, sandstone reefs, sea caves, and rockpools make Ricketts Point the perfect place to discover the wonderful sea creatures of Port Phillip Bay.

Two campers relax at their campsite after a long paddle.

Lower Glenelg National Park

The Glenelg River has carved a spectacular limestone gorge through the heart of Lower Glenelg National Park. Immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of the landscape. Camp riverside and go fishing, paddle the Glenelg River Canoe Trail, follow the Great South West Walk or visit the spectacular Princess Margaret Rose Cave.

Waves crashing in the shallows

Discovery Bay Coastal Park

This remote coastal park protects 55km of ocean beach. Inland, the park encompasses high coastal cliffs, huge rolling sand dunes and freshwater lakes and swamps. Coastal vegetation and wildlife thrive.

Two friends in activewear walk away from the lake.

Lysterfield Park

Rising from the southern foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, Lysterfield Park is the perfect place to explore nature with friends with a huge variety of recreational activities. Spot kangaroos while walking or jogging the 6km Lake Circuit Trail, ride 24km of mountain bike trails or relax at the lakeside picnic areas.

Two women in activewear follow a path through tall mountain ash trees.

Dandenong Ranges National Park

The forested slopes of the Dandenong Ranges are a place of tranquil forest walks, quaint hilltop towns and charismatic animals such as lyrebirds and wallabies. Conquer the famous 1000 Steps, discover Olinda Falls and enjoy commanding views over Melbourne and the Yarra Valley.

Three friends follow the track alongside the Cumberland River near Lorne in the Great Otway National Park.

Great Otway National Park

Great Otway National Park stretches along the world-famous Great Ocean Road and up through the Otways hinterland. Discover windswept coastlines and breathtaking waterfalls in tall mountain forests, walk the iconic Great Ocean Walk, immerse yourself in the Otway Lightstation's history, or surf some of the best breaks in Australia.

The green ferns and mountain ash that line the roads of the black spur.

Yarra Ranges National Park

Situated between Melbourne and the Victorian Alps, the Yarra Ranges National Park is a place of epic views, majestic rainforest scenery and fun-packed snowplay. Enjoy the panorama from Mount Donna Buang, or go deeper into the park on the Black Spur Drive, and wind through towering Mountain Ash forests to Lake Mountain.

An elderly couple standing and talking on the boardwalk at Bay of Islands

Mornington Peninsula National Park

Embracing the wild ocean beaches between Portsea and Flinders, and the kangaroo haven of Greens Bush, Mornington Peninsula National Park is a favourite of Melburnians looking to escape the nearby city. Experienced surfers flock to Gunamatta Beach, while rockpools at Sorrento Ocean Beach, close to town, are perfect for families.

A women walks up the walkway from a beach at Point Nepean National Park.

Point Nepean National Park

Point Nepean has played an important role in shaping the early settlement and defence of Australia. Walk or cycle through this rugged coastal landscape. Explore military forts and tunnels, learn about the people who passed through the Quarantine Station - and see fascinating artefacts spanning back over 150 years.

Experience

Discover more activities in parks this summer

A couple watch the sunset at a picnic table on the edge of Lake Catani at Mount Buffalo National Park.

Sunrises and sunsets

Spectacular sunsets from the summits and to west, and picturesque sunrises in the east , top-and-tail your day the perfect way.
A couple in their twenties chat at the Lakeview lookout in the Grampians National Park.

Lookouts

Observe the dramatic landscapes and coastal scenery of Victoria from lookout vantage points dotted across state and national parks.
A three year old boy leads his mum and younger brother through the forest near Grants Picnic Ground.

Family activities

Stash some supplies into a back pack and take the family out for a day trip and in only a short drive from Melbourne you can be surrounded by nature.
Two friends go for a swim in Lake Elusive in Croajingolong National Park.

Freshwater swimming

Take a cool, invigorating dip in fresh waterholes, streams and lakes. Be sure to observe safety signs and take caution when swimming in nature.
Four children and a ranger take a closer look at a rockpool.

Junior Rangers

Encourage the kids to explore Victoria's surprising plants and wildlife with a real Park Ranger, or download activities to complete anytime.
Two friends fish off the back a boat on a misty morning on Lake Eildon.

Fishing

In quiet lakes and gently flowing rivers, in the pounding surf or in the depths beneath your boat – the waters of Victoria’s parks and reserves offer some prize catches.
Two teenage girls take part in a sailing race on Port Philip Bay in a small boat called Inkspot.

Boating and sailing

Take to the waves of Port Phillip and see Victoria's coast from the water or sail inland lakes and rivers by boat or charter.
A diver takes a photo a school of fish in the Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park.

Scuba diving

Dive to the depths of the ocean floor in marine national parks or explore shipwrecks at the bottom of the bays.
Two women ride horses along a dirt path in the You Yangs Regional Park.

Horse riding

Explore the landscape on horseback to appreciate the solitude and peace of the natural environment. Victoria's parks offer a variety of horse riding experiences.
A mother and daughter kicks a football in front of dad and two younger children in front of tents at Buchan Caves Reserve.

Camping

Victoria’s parks have some great places to camp and there is something to suit all tastes. Choose from fully serviced sites with luxury tents to remote locations with nothing but bush.
A mother and daughter linger at the end of a pier on the Mallacoota Inlet

Piers and jetties

Stroll along coastal piers and jetties or cast a line and fish at popular catchment areas in Port Phillip and Western Port.

Camping and Accommodation

Summer is a popular time to go camping in parks and make the most of the holiday season and the warmer weather. Find the perfect campsite for your next getaway.

Where to stay
Tent
Camper Trailer
Car
Caravan

What we do

Conservation and science

Parks Victoria manages a diverse network of parks that are home to over 4,300 native plant species and 948 native animal species. These parks include some of Victoria’s largest and most undisturbed ecosystems - landscapes like the Alps, the mallee, grasslands and inland waters and wetlands. It covers Victoria’s marine national parks and sanctuaries that protect a wide array of marine life.

Volunteering

Volunteering in parks is a great way to contribute to conserving Victoria’s special places. The many personal benefits of volunteering include learning more about plants and wildlife, gaining new skills, being in the outdoors, improving health and well being and meeting new friends. Discover volunteer opportunities around Victoria and learn about groups working in your local area.

Managing Country Together

Parks Victoria recognises that Aboriginal people have lived across Victoria for over a thousand generations, maintaining complex societies with languages, kinship systems, laws and spiritualties. Aboriginal people are the original inhabitants, or First Peoples, of this state. Land forms the basis of Aboriginal existence and identity which, along with water and natural resources were sustainably managed according to traditional laws and customs.

News

Endangered chicks born at Serendip Sanctuary

Three Bush-stone Curlew chicks were recently born at Serendip Sanctuary near Geelong, the first new arrivals at the sanctuary since 2018.
Barmah National Park

Autumn firewood season in Barmah Island

In the interest of public safety, the opening date for domestic firewood collection on Barmah Island will be delayed until mid-March to avoid potential dangerous weather conditions.
Notley Picnic Ground in the Greater Bendigo National Park

Autumn Firewood season opening in Robinvale

The Autumn Firewood Collection Season for 2020 starts across Victoria on Sunday 1 March and closes on Tuesday 30 June.
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Two hikers reach the summit of Mount Nelse at Bogong High Plains
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