Best Nature Walks Near Melbourne: 5 Top Parks

Melbourne National Parks 2026 — Overview

Melbourne is surrounded by a spectacular ring of national parks and nature reserves, from the lush Dandenong Ranges in the east to the Yarra Ranges, the Mornington Peninsula coast and the dramatic Otway Ranges along the Great Ocean Road. Here's a guide to the best national parks and nature experiences near Melbourne.

Dandenong Ranges National Park (1 hour east)

• Highlights — Towering mountain ash forests (some of the world's tallest flowering plants), Sherbrooke Forest (lyrebird habitat), Kokoda Track Memorial Walk (Ferntree Gully), the famous Skyhigh Mount Dandenong, Cloudehill and Mounts Botanical gardens and the William Ricketts Sanctuary. Accessible by train to Upper Ferntree Gully on the Belgrave Line.
• Best walks — Sherbrooke Falls Walk (2.4km return), Kokoda Track Memorial Walk (9.7km, Ferntree Gully), George Bass Walk (Monbulk area).

Yarra Ranges National Park (1 hour east)

• Highlights — The Rainforest Gallery at Warburton (massive mountain ash and tree ferns), Lake Mountain Alpine Resort (cross-country skiing July-September, wildflowers October-November), St Fillans Walk (Healesville). Marysville and Lake Mountain are accessible for day trips and overnights.

Mornington Peninsula National Park (1.5 hours south)

• Highlights — Cape Schanck Lighthouse, the wild surf beaches of the ocean side (London Bridge natural arch, Portsea Back Beach), Point Nepean National Park (former Fort Nepean, cycling track to the very tip of the peninsula).

Great Ocean Road and Otway National Park (2 hours south-west)

• Highlights — The Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Rainforest Gallery at Beech Forest, Cape Otway Lightstation, koala sightings on the Great Ocean Road (Kennett River is famous for roadside koalas). Check parks.vic.gov.au.

Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park (2.5 hours north-west)

The Grampians is one of Victoria's great wilderness destinations. Mackenzie Falls, the Pinnacle lookout (Halls Gap), the Balconies, wildflower season (August-October) and significant Aboriginal rock art sites. Best as an overnight trip from Melbourne.

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