Explore nature this autumn
As autumn arrives, we find ourselves looking for ways to make the most of the warmer days, cooler nights and the last few golden hours of daylight saving. It's no wonder autumn is a season favourite and a popular time to make plans for lasting memories in nature with family and friends.
Here you’ll find some last-minute inspiration of things to do where the Wi-Fi is weak and the connection with nature is strong.
Places to visit this Autumn
Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary
Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary protects partially exposed granite reef that is home to abundant marine life and is a haul-out site for Australian and New Zealand fur seals.
Barmah National Park
Barmah National Park, together with the adjoining Murray Valley Regional and National Parks, forms the largest River Red Gum forest in the world. The complex ecology is closely linked to the flooding of the Murray River, creating a diverse natural habitat for a variety of wildlife, particularly waterbirds.
Loch Iel (Pink Lake) Lake Reserve
Follow the Western Highway, north of Dimboola and Little Desert National Park, to discover one of Victoria’s most picturesque pink salt lakes. For budding photographers, this incredible, sometimes surreal, landscape is a dream.
Mitchell River National Park
Mitchell River National Park protects impressive river scenery, serene rainforest gullies, rugged landscapes and some of Victoria's more unusual vegetation communities.
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.
Maldon Historic Area
Located in and around the township of Maldon, the Maldon Historic Reserve protects many relics from the gold mining era as well as box and ironbark forests.
Kooyoora State Park
With magnificent views, a rich variety of plants and wildlife and stunning granite boulders, Kooyoora State Park protects some of north‐central Victoria’s outstanding natural features. The Dja Dja Wurrung name for Kooyoora is Guyura meaning mountain of light.
Herring Island flora and fauna
Herring Island forms an environmental corridor of wildlife and regional vegetation. Wander the indigenous forest and grassland landscape and keep your eyes peeled for a huge variety of birds along with possums, lizards, and snakes.
Vaughan Springs and Southern Castlemaine Diggings
In the southern section of Castlemaine Diggings Heritage Park is Vaughan Mineral Springs. Take a stroll along the Loddon River and spot the various birdlife. Make sure you stop and sample the mineral water along the way!
Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park
Point Gellibrand is one of Victoria’s richest heritage sites. It was Victoria’s first permanent European settlement and seaport. Visitors can explore the maritime history of Timeball Tower, retrace Ned Kelly’s steps along Battery Road, and enjoy the native revegetation projects.
Hepburn Regional Park
Nestled around the famous mineral springs townships of Daylesford, Hepburn and Hepburn Springs, Hepburn Regional Park is a real treasure rich with picturesque waterfalls, spectacular views, natural springs and relics from the Gold Rush era.
Little Desert National Park
The best time to visit the park is between late winter and early summer when the temperatures are comfortable and the park is full of blossoms and wildflowers. Camp beside the Wimmera River, and enjoy bushwalks, birdwatching or four-wheel driving.
Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary
Teeming with marine life from colourful anemones to the rare Black and White Sea Star, Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary is a fascinating place to explore. At low tide, a magnificent mushroom-shaped reef is exposed to reveal an intricate honeycomb of bays and pools.
Woowookarung Regional Park
A park by the people, for the people - come and explore; walk, ride, drive, relax, gather and picnic.
Gresswell Nature Conservation Reserves
The Gresswell Nature Conservation Reserves, made up of Gresswell Forest, Gresswell Hill and Gresswell Habitat Link, protect 70 hectares of important flora and fauna habitat.
Bunyip State Park
Escape where you can breathe fresh air and enjoy native plants and animals. See a mosaic of green from heathland on river plains to Mountain Ash forest covering steep slopes.
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.
Jawbone Marine Sanctuary
Jawbone Marine Sanctuary protects a diverse ecosystem within its 30 hectares of coastal waters. Named for its shape, this forgotten and unspoilt place protects a unique collection of intertidal habitats and is a haven for coastal and marine life right next to Melbourne.
Things to do
Escape the city this autumn
Autumn is the perfect time to take a trip out of the city and into nature. The milder conditions are great for exploring further afield, without the crowds!
The paws, prints and claws you might spot along the autumn/winter trail
Autumn and winter mark a time when many of our native mammals, insects, amphibians and birdlife are at their most active. Which will you spot on your next hike or bushwalk?
Ride into autumn fun
Whether it's horse riding, bike riding or riding a wave, our parks have plenty of options. Get your adrenaline rush in nature this autumn.
The best parks to visit for Autumn colour
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.
Everything you need to know about Victoria's pink lakes
It may come as a surprise, but these are the natural changing colour of some of Victoria’s lakes. These bubblegum pink lakes are a natural wonder that many will never get to see, but there are a few right here in Victoria.
Explore the rich history of the Goldfields
Victoria’s central goldfields around Castlemaine, Maldon, and Hepburn, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, have some of the most intact remains of the 1850s gold rush anywhere in the world. If you enjoy ornate historic architecture, learning about life on the goldfields, and discovering the techniques used by miners during the gold rush then a trip to these parks in the area is a must.
Hiking
Grampians Peaks Trail
The spectacular Grampians Peaks Trail is a challenging 13-day/12-night hiking experience through a variety of terrain covering 164km in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park.
Great Ocean Walk
The Great Ocean Walk is a one-way, long-distance coastal walk extending just over 110km. This once-in-a-lifetime hike will take you eight days, shadowing the iconic Great Ocean Road.
Camping
Buchan Caves Campground
Watch the autumnal leaves change colour in Buchan Caves Reserve as you camp in one of the roomy campsites. While you’re there, take a tour of the caves system or explore the walking trails.
Banksia Bluff Campground
Banksia Bluff is a tranquil wooded campground in Cape Conran Coastal Park where the peace is only broken by dawn chorus and waves crashing off Bass Strait. Take in the rich diversity of flora and fauna.
Get into nature
Get social in autumn
Looking for the perfect place to gather with friends and family? With free barbecues and gorgeous picnic spots, parks are a great place to bring people together. There’s also plenty of opportunities to meet new people!
Where to walk this Autumn/Winter
Autumn's crisp days and cooler temperatures make it great bushwalking weather. Here’s a selection of some of our top walks this season.
Dog-friendly walking trails
Your A-Z guide to Victoria’s dog-friendly walking trails. There’s plenty of great places where you can get into nature with your pooch. So, grab a lead, a handful of treats, and whistle up the dog.
Keeping you walking this autumn and beyond
It’s time to pull out your comfy shoes and look for a walk that is just right for you. Whether it’s a short stroll, a wander in an urban park or a more rugged adventure you’re looking for, Victoria’s parks and reserves have hundreds of options.
4 hidden-gem spots to dive and snorkel in Victoria
No need to travel to see some of the world’s most unique underwater life. We’ve put together a list of 4 lesser-travelled snorkeling and diving spots for you to escape the city and discover an underwater world.
Fun things to do in nature after dark
Just because darkness is falling doesn’t mean parks aren’t great places to experience. In fact, there are some special experiences to be had in parks at dusk or after dark.
Discover an underwater world
We’ve rounded up some of the best ways to explore marine protected areas. So, pack your togs, wetsuit, a mask and snorkel and head to the coast!
Top circuit walks
There’s nothing better than a circuit walk taking in great scenery and interesting natural and cultural landmarks. For a taste of Victoria’s best, check out this selection on your next getaway.
Woven Together By Spirit
For many Victorians, Castlemaine Diggings is synonymous with the gold rush but Castlemaine Diggings Heritage National Park and its surrounding areas have a history much older and richer than the precious metal industry that briefly but dramatically occupied the landscape.
Experience Aboriginal culture in parks
Victoria’s parks provide a range of guided and non-guided experiences that provide unique insights into Aboriginal cultural values and stories.
For more inspiration or exciting things to see and do in Victoria’s parks and reserves, subscribe to our monthly Outdoor Inspiration e-newsletter.