Guided park walks

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Park walks

Did you know that walking is the most popular type of leisure activity in Australia? No surprise really, it’s free, doesn’t require any equipment beyond comfortable walking shoes and it’s suitable for many people.

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Park Walks are free walks, guided by our trained volunteers. Park Walks allow you to enjoy walking in urban parks or bushland without having to worry about where the trail is or how long it might take. You will be free to enjoy the beautiful trees and wildlife or even just to relax and catch up with friends or family.

Go on a walk as a once-off to explore somewhere new or become a regular and add it to your wellbeing or fitness routine. The walks can be easy for those who are new to walking or can be a little more challenging for people who have some previous walking experience. Some walks include a catch up for a cuppa at the beginning or end if there is a café nearby.

Bookings are required (for most walks).

And did you also know that walking in nature is also good for you – mentally and physically? It can boost creative thinking, decrease stress levels and blood pressure and helps the whole family lead a happier more active life. Discover why walking in a park should be on your ‘to do’ list!

If you would like to become a volunteer park walks leader, please register your details on ParkConnect.

For other walking options please visit our partner Victoria Walks.

Guided park walks

What to expect at a Park Walk

Do you enjoy going out in nature, and want to be amongst like-minded people? Here's what you can expect on your first volunteer-led Park Walk.

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

Dandenong Ranges National Park

Join this 4km volunteer-led walk along the Lyrebird Loop circuit trail and enter a fantastic rainforest of spectacular Mountain Ash, eucalypts and lush tree ferns. Listen for the call of the lyrebird - you might even be lucky enough to spot one along the way!

Macedon Regional Park

Join knowledgeable Parks Victoria volunteers as you relax and explore the Sanatorium Eco Trail in Macedon Regional Park. This approximately 3km trail will take you along a circuit through beautiful forest and past the picturesque historic Sanatorium Lake. This trail is popular with photographers, so remember your camera!

Coolart Wetlands and Homestead

Enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings as you follow this easy 2.6km trail through the beautiful Coolart Wetlands. Admire the historic homestead and grounds as you chat to fellow group members and spot some of the birdlife that call these wetlands home.

Two friends in activewear walk away from the lake.

Lysterfield Park

Join a relaxing volunteer-led walk along a beautiful 2.2km circuit trail. Enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings, chat to fellow group members and spot some of the wildlife that call this park home.

A ground take a volunteer led tour through the Flying Fox environments on the banks of the Yarra River in Yarra Bend Park

Churchill National Park

Test out your walking shoes and come and enjoy the beautiful 360-degree views at Churchill National Park! Located in Lysterfield South, this intermediate to advanced trail is 7.5km and includes steep hills, uneven terrain and sections of narrow trails.

Gresswell Forest

Immerse yourself in nature whilst learning about this beautiful forest and the species that live here. Gresswell Forest is a remnant patch of bushland in the middle of suburbia that is home to a range of wildlife which can be seen when walking, including eastern grey kangaroos, wombats and many bird species.

You Yangs Regional Park

Join a volunteer-led walk through beautiful You Yangs Regional Park. On your walk enjoy, the serenity of the bush and get rewarded with stunning views from Big Rock.

Mindfulness walks in nature

The health benefits of spending time in nature are now widely accepted. Mindfulness walks take this a step further and help you slow down and focus on the present moment - each step, each breath – feeling calm and relaxed.

Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve

Take in the sights and sounds of Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve which follows the Heathland Bush Circuit. Just under 2km, this trail loops through damp heathy woodland and you will wander through upper canopy eucalypts, a shrub layer including wattles and tea-trees, and abundant ground level native grasses and sedges. Walkers will get to see an amazing diversity of wildflowers as well as the remnant bushland of Frankston South. Keep your eyes peeled for Blue-tongue lizards, Blue-billed Ducks and our two resident koalas who call this park home.

Three adults and a child standing, surrounded by bush.

Ocean Grove Nature Reserve

Enjoy a relaxing volunteer-led walk through beautiful Ocean Grove Nature Reserve. Enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings and spot some of the wildlife that call this park home. This Park Walk follows the Banksia Trail and takes visitors past the lake and through grassy woodland. Ancient Grass Trees and the endangered Bellarine Yellow Gum can be seen on the trail, and if you are lucky you may be able to spot wallabies, echidnas, lizards and birds including Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos.

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

Forest Bathing

Join us on a relaxing and restorative forest bathing walk at Ocean Grove Nature Reserve. Originating from Japan, Shinrin-Yoku, or forest bathing as it is known in Australia, is the practice of immersing in nature using your senses. The walk will be run by Karyn Folwell (INFTA) who will guide you to walk slowly and in quietness, introducing you to the different ways you can use your senses to experience and immerse yourself in nature. This walk will enable you to relax, experience a sense of calm and quieten your busy mind in the restorative environment of the forest.

Need to know

Park walks

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.

All abilities access

Park walks

A young girl uses binoculars to search for birdlife near a river.

Birding by ear

Birding by ear is a great alternative form of twitching for people with who are blind or visually impaired. Listen to some common Victorian birds here.

Kids walks

Playing outdoors in nature is an important part of growing up. Most of us have fond memories of running around our local park or greenspace, letting off steam and making friends. Our free Kids walks are all less than 1km (30 minutes or less) close to toilets, playgrounds and play spaces or somewhere your kids can run around. Are your kids ready for their next park adventure? Check back soon to find out when the next Kids walks will be available.

Four friends relax by the edge of the Yarra River as their curly brown dog gets ready to jump in the water.

Dog walking

Round up your dog, grab the lead and visit dog-friendly parks near Melbourne and across Victoria.

Guided Park Walks

Explore

Park walks

Guided park walks

Need to know

Park walks

Accessibility

Park walks

Kids walks