Lysterfield Park

A woman and man, both dressed in excercise clothing, run together along a dirt path surrounded by trees.

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Explore

Lysterfield Park

Lysterfield 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.

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.

Lysterfield Park is a great place to get active. You can sail, kayak or canoe in the lake, while runners love the network of gravel bush tracks. It is also home to one of Australia's busiest mountain biking trail networks – including the State Mountain Bike Course, which was a venue at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, easy green trails and action packed black diamond trails for experienced riders.

Lysterfield is a great place to see kangaroos and wallabies in the wild close to Melbourne, so please ensure you leave your dog at home and don't disturb the local wildlife. The kangaroos and wallabies are most active during the mornings and evenings. Walk or jog the Lake Circuit Trail to catch a glimpse.

As rivers, lakes and reservoirs are natural environments, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Lysterfield Park is a safe and enjoyable one.


Looking at the recent history of Lysterfield Park

Follow Ranger Sandie as she uncovers the rich history of Lysterfield Park, and describes what makes this a special place for her.

Things to do

 
A man takes a photo from the bank of his partner on a stand-up paddle board on Lysterfield Lake.

Lysterfield Lake

Go canoeing, kayaking or sailing on Lysterfield Lake. Two beaches near Beach Carpark at the southern end of the lake are suitable for walk-in swimming access. The lake is not patrolled by lifeguards and children should be supervised at all times.
Two friends in activewear walk away from the lake.

Lake Circuit Trail

Walk, run or cycle this popular trail, which weaves among native vegetation around the picturesque Lysterfield Lake. You're almost guaranteed to see kangaroos and other wildlife along the way.
Three mountain bikers turn left through a berm.

Mountain biking at Lysterfield Park

Explore a 24km network of purpose-built mountain bike trails at Lysterfield Park, suitable for all skill levels.
Three friends share a picnic on the shores of Lysterfield Lake.

Picnic areas in Lysterfield Park

There are two picnic areas along the lake shore and both have toilets, picnic tables and free electric barbecues.
A ground take a volunteer led tour through the Flying Fox environments on the banks of the Yarra River in Yarra Bend Park

Guided Park Walks

Meet new people and connect with nature on a free guided Park Walk in one of Victoria’s beautiful parks. Walks are led by our trained and friendly volunteers, so you can relax, enjoy the serenity of the bush and chat with other group members. 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.

Lysterfield Park

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

Kangaroos
Wallabies
Koalas
Echidnas
Wombats
Platypus

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

Lysterfield Park

Lysterfield Park

When you're there

Download the Lysterfield Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders. 

Please note: dogs are not allowed in Lysterfield Park. 

Related Sites

When to go

Summer is very busy at Lysterfield Park and there is limited parking. Arrive early and make sure you have a backup plan.

Need to know

Lysterfield Park

Safety

Planning a trip to Lysterfield Park over the summer? Here’s what to know before you go:

  • This is a popular park and carparks may fill quickly. Try arriving before 10am to beat the crowds.
  • If the car park is full, the park is too!
  • Have a backup plan in case the park is full when you arrive.
  • Don’t park illegally and block emergency access. For visitor safety, roadside parking is not allowed due to the narrow roads.
  • During busy times, consider other local parks including Cardinia Reservoir Park or Dandenong Police Paddocks Reserve.

Accessibility

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.


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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.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Lysterfield Mountain Bike Trails - Repair and Improvement Works

    Planned repair and upgrade works are scheduled for the Lysterfield Mountain Bike Trails from late January 2025 through to May 2025, focusing on Lower Buckle, Upper Buckle, Middle & Redgum Trails.

    Trails will be temporarily closed one at a time during works, to ensure that riders can still access trails across the MTB network. Detour maps will be in place to provide visitors with alternative routes while works are underway. 

    Order of Works / Trail Closures:
    1. Redgum Trail
    2. Middle Trail
    3. Upper Buckle & Lil Shorty Trails
    4. Lower Buckle Trail (north section)
    5. Lower Buckle Trail (south section).

    Please follow website for regular trail updates and closure status.

  • Lysterfield Picnic Area (Lysterfield Park)

    Some barbeques not in operation

    Parks Victoria is carrying out inspections in all of our barbecues in our parks. Following these inspections, some barbecues have been temporarily closed until they can be attended by a licenced contractor. We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.
    Visitor safety is our top priority and we advise people to please not to use any barbecue facilities that have been closed. We expect the impacted barbecues to reopen in the coming weeks.

  • State Mountain Bike Course (Lysterfield Park)

    State Mountain Bike Course - Partial Closure

    Part of the downhill section of the State Mountain Bike Course between Lysterfield Hills Track and Granite Peak Trail is temporarily closed due to unsafe trail conditions.

    A detour has been made temporarily available along a section of Granite Peak Trail. Granite Peak Trail is usually a single use running and hiking trail. The detour section will temporarily function as a shared use trail. Please ride slowly and consider other park users.

    For public safety please follow all detour and safety signage.

    See detour map attached.

    Attachments: Information - SMBC Boardwalk Detour Map (238KB)

  • Lysterfield Park

    Notification of Deer Control Program within Lysterfield Park

    Lysterfield Park (northern conservation zone) will be closed while ground shooting operations targeting deer are undertaken.
     
    Park area closures will apply to affected areas overnight, from 4:00pm until the following morning, during the following dates:
     
    Tuesday 18th February 2025 (until the early hours of Wednesday)
    Thursday 20th March 2025 (until the early hours of Friday)
    Tuesday 6th May 2025 (until the early hours of Wednesday)
     
    Closures will be in place at park entrances on operation nights to prevent entry.
     
    Please see the attached map of the control area.
     
    For more information about the program please visit this link or call 13 19 63.

    Attachments: Control Area LNCZ (470KB)

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Parks

    Notification of Fox Control Program in Lysterfield Park, Churchill National Park, Baluk Willam NCR and Cardinia Creek Parklands

    Parks Victoria are undertaking fox control in Lysterfield Park, Churchill National Park, Baluk Willam Nature Conservation Reserve and Cardinia Creek Parklands to relieve predation of vulnerable and threatened native fauna, and minimise impacts on neighbouring livestock. 
     
    Programs involve the use of Canid Pest Ejectors with para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) poison and soft-jaw leghold traps to reduce fox numbers in strategic locations.
     
    Fox control will occur until May 2025.
     
    Dogs are prohibited from entering Lysterfield Park, Churchill National Park and Baluk Willam Nature Conservation Reserve. At Cardinia Creek Parklands, dogs must be on a leash and restrained to defined tracks. Dogs should not interfere with bushland areas and natural features of the park area.

    If pets are suspected of having consumed a PAPP bait during the baiting period, a vet should be consulted immediately. An antidote to PAPP (methylene blue) is available and is stocked by many vets in the local area. If pets become caught in a leghold trap, they should be released by a professional and a vet should be consulted.

    Please see the attached map of the control areas.

    For more information about the program please visit this link or call 13 19 63. 

    Notification of Fox Control Program in Lysterfield Park, Churchill National Park, Baluk Willam NCR and Cardinia Creek Parklands

    Parks Victoria are undertaking fox control in Lysterfield Park, Churchill National Park, Baluk Willam Nature Conservation Reserve and Cardinia Creek Parklands to relieve predation of vulnerable and threatened native fauna, and minimise impacts on neighbouring livestock. 
     
    Programs involve the use of Canid Pest Ejectors with para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) poison and soft-jaw leghold traps to reduce fox numbers in strategic locations.
     
    Fox control will occur until May 2025.
     
    Dogs are prohibited from entering Lysterfield Park, Churchill National Park and Baluk Willam Nature Conservation Reserve. At Cardinia Creek Parklands, dogs must be on a leash and restrained to defined tracks. Dogs should not interfere with bushland areas and natural features of the park area.
     
    If pets are suspected of having consumed a PAPP bait during the baiting period, a vet should be consulted immediately. An antidote to PAPP (methylene blue) is available and may be stocked by vets in the local area. If pets become caught in a leghold trap, they should be released by a professional and a vet should be consulted.
     
    Please see the attached map of the control areas.
     
    For more information about the program please visit this link or call 13 19 63. 

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.

The Western Port and South-east Melbourne Conservation Action Plan provides directions for environmental conservation management across the diverse landscape, including Lysterfield Park. This covers the varied ecosystems across the area which range from heathlands to woodlands, wetlands and other marine environments.

Lysterfield Park

Horswood Road
Lysterfield VIC 3156
13 1963
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