Explore
Plenty Gorge Parklands
Plenty Gorge Park offers a wide range of natural and cultural experiences only 20 km from Melbourne, where the spectacular gorge sets a backdrop for stunning landscape views and the abundant native wildlife are always on show. Walk the tracks to the beautiful gorge and marvel at the diverse wildlife living within the park. Shaped by volcanic activity, the Plenty River is a dividing line between two distinct geological types.
The basalt on the west and sedimentary rock on the eastern side generate a wonderful diversity of habitats, making the park an important refuge for both threatened and regionally significant species.
Enjoy a picnic or barbecue in the park with a range of recreation and picnic areas to suit everyone.
Family-friendly Red Gum Picnic Area features a children’s adventure playground, picnic tables and toilets with both parenting and disabled facilities. Nearby walking tracks lead to the Morang Wetlands and the Hawkstowe Picnic Area.
With views of the Plenty River, a backdrop of the wooded Plenty Gorge and a historical homestead, the Hawkstowe Picnic Area was once part of the larger Hawkstowe Farm that was established in the 1850's by the Le Page family, and is the perfect spot for a quiet picnic or barbecue.
Middle Gorge features spectacular views of the gorge and river from the viewing platform and walking tracks. Enjoy a secluded picnic in peaceful surroundings with facilities along the river.
There's plenty of wide-open space for playing games and on-lead dog-walking at Yarrambat Picnic Ground, or simply take in the views of Kinglake National Park and Mt Disappointment.
Enjoy bird and wildlife watching, bushwalking, picnicking and barbecuing in the natural surrounds at Yellow Gum Recreation Area. If you have a current Victorian Amateur Fishing Licence, bring your own bait and try your luck at fishing in Blue Lake. As the sun sets, take a moment to admire the pink hues of the cliffs rising above the lake.
If you want to stay a little longer, Nioka Bush Camp is a great place for group camping, with bunkhouse accommodation available.
Plenty Gorge fire recovery
Find out more information about the recovery and rehabilitation of Plenty Gorge Park following the 2019 fire.
Things to do
Nioka Bush Camp

Le Page Homestead

Blue Lake
Guided Park Walks
Picnics
BBQ
Bird watching
Cycling
Dog walking
Family activities
Hiking and bushwalking
Wildlife viewing
Facilities
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.
How to get there
Plenty Gorge Parklands
When you're there
Need to know
Plenty Gorge Parklands
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.
Red Gum Picnic Area, Howkstowe Picnic Area, Yarrambat Picnic Area, Yellow Gum Recreation Area at Plenty Gorge Park were assessed for accessibility in July 2021, providing information about the accessibility of these areas and photos.
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.
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Nioka Bush Camp (Plenty Gorge Parklands)
Wonga Walk is closed
Wonga Walk trail near Nioka is closed due to flood damage, fallen trees, debris and potholes.Warning - Nioka Bush Camp is currently closed
Nioka Bush Camp is currently closed. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Temporary closures at Plenty Gorge Parklands
Parks Victoria will be undertaking a Deer Control Program in the Plenty Gorge Parklands with the assistance of a professional
shooting contractor on the dates listed below. No deer carcasses will remain within the parklands, unless they fall in a location where the carcass is too difficult to retrieve.
26/27 April
16/17 May
22/23 May
29/30 May
For public safety reasons, no access to this area will be available between 6pm and 6am on the nights of control operations. Signage will be placed at all access points to this section of the parklands two weeks prior to control works commencing, and additional signage will be placed at these access points on the nights of operations. A drone will also operate on these nights to ensure the security of the site.Attachments: Plenty Gorge Deer Control area map (1,258KB)
Blue Lake track is closed in some areas
Rockfall has closed the southern end of Blue Lake track. The main loop access is open.
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.
Reducing bushfire and grassfire risk at Plenty Gorge Parklands
Find out more about reducing bushfire and grassfire risk at Plenty Gorge Parklands (PDF).
Plenty Gorge Park upgrades
A project is underway to create the new Plenty River Trail, upgrade the Hawkstowe Picnic Area and make improvements to Nioka Bush Camp, to offer visitors new and accessible experiences to walk, ride, play and stay in Plenty Gorge Park. Find out more about the Plenty Gorge Park upgrades project.