Keep moving in winter
Don’t let cooler temperatures deter you from getting into nature this winter. Skip the city streets and head to the park for your morning run, or head further afield on a dry weekend for some winter bushwalking. If you’re an experienced cross-country skier, our mountain peaks are calling!
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Bushwalking
Winter can be a great time of year to experience the rugged beauty of nature on a bushwalking trail. Bushwalking in winter can be exhilarating with the clean, crisp air. Plus, you won’t have the same level of crowds on popular trails. So, keep an eye on the weather forecast, pick a dry day and take your waterproof jacket (just in case). Make sure to choose a good walk that is suitable for the season before you go.
You'll find some great options on our hiking and bushwalking page.
Popular parks for winter bushwalking:
Little Desert National Park
Murray-Sunset National Park
Budj Bim National Park
Wyperfeld National Park
Kinglake National Park
Trail Running
Trail running is a great way to improve your fitness and try something different to running on city streets. The main difference with trail running is the surface you're running on. Instead of concrete, it could be dirt, gravel, steps or compacted trails. The surface isn't always even so you need to think about where you place your feet – which makes it all the more interesting! Melbourne's extensive network of urban parks offer a variety of trail running opportunities for all ages, fitness levels and abilities.
Find great options on our trail running page.
Popular parks for trail running:
Albert Park
Lysterfield Park
Yarra Ranges National Park
You Yangs Regional Park
Arthurs Seat State Park
Skiing
Are you one to embrace the cold? There’s plenty of winter-lovers out there, and skiing is one of the reasons why. If cross-country skiing is your thing, you’ll find some great options in Victoria’s mountain peaks. At Cresta Valley you’ll find four marked cross-country ski trails. Mount St Gwinear is another great spot, with 12km of cross-country trails. Before you head out, remember that spots close to Melbourne can become extremely busy and may reach visitor capacity at peak times like on weekends.
Make your visit to the snow a safe and memorable one by following the tips on our skiing and snowplay