Bunyip State Park

A view looking down at a landscape of trees and grasses with hills under a blue sky and wisps of clouds in the distance.

This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

Explore

Bunyip State Park

See a green mosaic as you traverse the diverse ecosystems of Bunyip State Park; from heathland swamps to towering mountain ash forests. Explore on foot, horseback, trail bike or in the comfort of your four-wheel drive. Keep an eye out for the southern-emu wren and swamp bush-pea, both rare sights.

Follow the Lawsons Falls Circuit Walk to the only waterfall within Bunyip State Park. The narrow trail meanders through dense bush and verdant fern gullies before emerging at a small clearing with views across to Lawson Falls.

Four-wheel drive and trail bike enthusiasts make your way to the Gentle Annie and Blue Range 4WD and Trail Bike Trails for a thrilling day out. Pitch a tent in the serene setting of Mortimer Camping Area, Nash Creek Campground, Forest Road Campground or the hike-in Freemans Mill Camping Area.

Bunyip State Park is one of the few places in Victoria where our state floral emblem, the Common Heath, and state fauna emblem, the Leadbeater’s Possum, along with our state avian emblem, the Helmeted Honeyeater, can all be found.

Bunyip State Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape that includes the traditional Country of the Bunurong People and the Wurundjeri People. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.

Things to do in the area

A four wheel drive crosses the Howqua River in the Alpine National Park.

Four wheel driving and trail bike riding

A number of roads and tracks within Bunyip State Park provide a range of experiences, great scenery and a sense of escapism.

Three horseriders saddle-up a pack horse before the day's riding.

Horse riding at Bunyip State Park

Horse riding is a great way to explore the distinctive bush atmosphere of Bunyip State Park and nearby Kurth Kiln Regional Park. The Heritage Horse Trail follows some of the course from the 2009 Tom Quilty Gold Cup ride – Australia’s national horse riding endurance event.

Camping at Bunyip State Park

There are several camping areas within Bunyip State Park. No fees apply for these campgrounds.

Wildlife and Nature

Kangaroos

Koalas

Lyrebirds

Wallabies

Wombats

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

Bunyip State Park

When you're there

Download a detailed map of Bunyip State Park.

Bunyip State Park visitor guide (PDF)

Related Sites

When to go

Spring

Need to know

Bunyip State Park

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.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

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.

Bunyip State Park

Operation Columbus

Operation Columbus

Parks Victoria, in partnership with Victoria Police and the Office of the Conservation Regulator, have launched a dedicated compliance operation, Operation Columbus, targeting unauthorised activities within Bunyip State Park, Kurth Kiln Regional Park and surrounding areas.

Unauthorised activities, particularly off-road four-wheel driving, damage to infrastructure and firewood collection are having devastating impacts on the natural and cultural values of these areas. Parks Victoria have a legal and moral obligation to conserve and protect these areas in line with the National Parks Act (1975) and the Crown Land Reserves Act (1978).

It is important when planning to visit a park that visitors are aware of the activities that are permitted and where there may be restrictions. For example, Bunyip State Park has different regulations to nearby state forests. Dogs, firewood collection, entering seasonally closed areas and driving off road (leaving the road or track to drive on fuel breaks or through the bush) are not permitted within Bunyip State Park. Offenders caught breaching park regulations may receive fines between $190 to $988 depending on the offence.

Operation Columbus will be continuing throughout the coming months, occurring on both weekends and weekdays.

Fox and Cat Control

Fox and Feral Cat Control Program – Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area, Bunyip State Park and Kurth Kiln Regional Park.
Parks Victoria strives to protect Victoria’s special places. This includes the control of introduced plant and animal species. As part of an ongoing strategy, notice is hereby given that Parks Victoria will be laying buried baits containing Sodium Monofluoroacetate (1080 poison) and PAPP (4-aminopropiophenone) on public land for the control of foxes. Parks Victoria will also be deploying Canid Pest Ejector bait stations containing Sodium Monofluoroacetate (1080 poison) PAPP (4-aminopropiophenone) on public land for the control of foxes. Humane trap cages will be used for controlling feral cats.
Baits containing 1080 poison will be laid from November 2025 to July 2026.
These works will assist in protecting threatened animals such as the Helmeted Honeyeater, Lowland Leadbeater’s Possum, Southern Brown Bandicoots, Broad tooth rat and Glossy Grass Skinks from predation by foxes and cats.
Bait and Trapping Stations will be laid at strategic sites, and other known areas of fox and cat habitat, within the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area, Bunyip State Park and Kurth Kiln Regional Park.
Notification signage will be posted throughout the Pest Animal Control areas and members of the public who are living, visiting, or working in the above-named areas are advised to take particular care not to disturb or interfere with bait stations or cages. While domestic dogs and cats are particularly susceptible to 1080 and PAPP poisons, they are not permitted in Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area or Bunyip State Park and dogs must be always on lead when in Kurth Kiln Regional Park.

How we keep it special

We aim to ensure that our valued parks, and the natural assets and cultural heritage they hold, can be enjoyed now and by future generations.

Bunyip State Park Management Plan (PDF)