Warby-Ovens National Park

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Warby-Ovens National Park

Warby-Ovens National Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Yorta Yorta Peoples. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Yorta Yorta Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.

This diverse park offers visitors the chance to enjoy spectacular views, great walking and cycling, canoeing, or the opportunity to simply relax at your campsite and watch the local wildlife.

Located between the Victorian Alps and the Murray Valley, Warby‐Ovens National Park includes some of the State’s most significant bushland. It protects three very different ecosystems. Along the heritage-listed lower reaches of the Ovens River there are majestic River Red Gum forests. Because the river is unregulated by dams, it supports one of the most intact floodplain forests in northern Victoria. The Killawarra section has a very distinctive box-ironbark forest. It contains some patches of large old trees and is the most important part of the park for threatened birds such as the Swift Parrot, Hooded Robin and Speckled Warbler. The Warby Range contains a mix of grassy and healthy woodlands punctuated by granite outcrops. This area of the park offers wildflower displays in spring and several spectacular lookouts.

Only 10 kilometres from Wangaratta, it’s easy to access for a day trip to enjoy walks, picnics, birdwatching, bike rides, or a scenic drive. The views from Ryan's Lookout and Kwat Kwat Lookout are exceptional, especially in winter, with snow-covered peaks in the distance.

Explore the maze of walking tracks in the Warby Range and Killawarra Forest and enjoy the park's diverse birdlife and spring wildflowers. Or relax by the river with a picnic or barbecue.

Bring your gear and spend a few days camping, hiking, birdwatching, or even boating. The Ovens River provides some of the best still-water canoeing in the state, ideal for paddlers of any ability.

Look out for Black Wallabies or Eastern Grey Kangaroos darting off into the bush as you walk along the tracks. Early morning and late afternoon are generally the best times to see birds and other wildlife. Observant visitors also have the chance of seeing a spectacular Turquoise Parrot, Koalas or Lace Monitors.

Things To Do

 
A boardwalk in the Warby-Ovens National Park

Walking in Warby-Ovens

Explore Warby Ranges and Killawarra Forest with a variety of walks along designated tracks, ranging in length and difficulty. There are no defined walking tracks along the Ovens River, but visitors can explore the River Red Gum forests by following the vehicle tracks and riverbanks. A GPS or topographic map and compass is recommended.
The reflection of the sky in the Ovens River wetlands in the Warby-Ovens National Park

Camping in Warby-Ovens

Choose from a range of unpowered camping options, including Wenham's Camp, Killawarra Forest Camp and dispersed bush camping along the Ovens River. No fees or bookings are required. Campers must be self-sufficient and bring their own firewood and drinking water.
The reflection of the sky in the Ovens River wetlands in the Warby-Ovens National Park

Water activities

Boat, canoe, fish and swim at a variety of spots along the Ovens River.

Warby-Ovens National Park

This area is well known for its wildlife. Keep an eye out for:

Koalas
Wombats
Kangaroos
Wallabies

Tours and adventure experiences in parks

One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.

There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.

Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more. 

Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest.

Find a Licensed Tour Operator

How to get there

Warby-Ovens National Park

Warby-Ovens National Park is 240km north east of Melbourne and 10km west of Wangaratta. It is best accessed from Wangaratta via Wangandary and Yarrawonga Roads.

When to go

Escape from the heat of summer along the Ovens River. Enjoy swimming, fishing, canoeing, boating or camping. In summer, the waterfalls in the Warby Ranges dry up and the temperature can be uncomfortable for bushwalking. Avoid walking in the heat of the day, and carry plenty of water.

Need to know

Warby-Ovens National Park

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Sunrise Walk (Warby-Ovens National Park)

    Sunrise Walk closure due to storm damage

    Sunrise Walk within the Warby-Ovens National Park will be closed until further notice from Friday 6 September 2024, due to hazardous trees and track conditions from recent storm damage. Once Parks Victoria staff have completed a thorough inspection and the hazardous trees and track conditions have been controlled, Sunrise Walk will be reopened.

    The following tracks will be closed as part of this temporary closure:

    Colsons Track; Sunrise Track; and Bracken Link Track

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