Best National Parks to Visit in Melbourne for Families
While Sydney gets the most attention, Australia has lot many cities and towns to offer for those looking for a memorable and unique holiday experience. Melbourne, in particular, is ranked among the top livable cities in the world. Also, Melbourne is renowned for hosting various international festivals, baristas and cafes, multicultural heritage, delicious food and plenty of national parks.
If you are planning to visit these national parks in and around Melbourne Rentola can help you find rental accommodations that suit your requirements and budget. If you are interested in an out-of-town adventure visiting national parks in Melbourne would be a great experience.
Let's take a quick look at the 10 best national parks to visit in Melbourne and surrounds for families.
Organ Pipes National Park
Around 20 kilometres northwest of Melbourne is Organ Pipes National Park which is probably the closest national park to the city. If you are interested in an easy day trip, Organ Pipes National Park is a brilliant option. Here you can find impressive rock formations called Organ Pipes formed by the cooling and cracking of volcanic lava. If you are planning a family hiking adventure, Organ Pipes National Park can offer you plenty of easy walking and hiking trails. Those looking for a day picnic can utilize picnic tables available near the car parking area.
Dandenong Ranges National Park
A short drive ex Melbourne offers you an excellent rainforest getaway in the form of Dandenong Ranges National Park. This is an ideal national park for couples and families wanting to explore nature on a weekend. For those, who love to take on challenges can climb the famous 1000 steps while those looking for a relaxed adventure can explore the quaint hilltop towns and local wildlife. With earthy fragrances and verdant sights, Dandenong Ranges National Park has plenty of walking and hiking trails.
Kinglake National Park
Bordering the Great Dividing Range, Kinglake National Park is an ideal national park for those looking for mountain biking, hiking, walking and camping activities close to Melbourne. Families looking for a day's picnic can enjoy the scenic walks and spend quality time together against the backdrop of sweeping views of Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra Valley. This is also an ideal place for bird watching as you can find a variety of native birds. If you have a vehicle you can drive up to Mount Sugarloaf to enjoy the panoramic Melbourne skyline. While you are here you can also enjoy a short walk to Mason Falls.
Yarra Ranges National Park
Sandwiched between the Victorian Alps and Melbourne, the Yarra Ranges National Park presents a spectacular rainforest landscape and panoramic views from Mount Donna Buang. Here you can also find the world's tallest flowering tree, the Mountain Ash. While you are exploring the national park with your family you can walk through the Yarra River and various streams that feed water to it. If you are planning to go on a picnic you can do that in the Redwood Forest which has uniformly planted trees.
Mornington Peninsula National Park
If you prefer coastal scenery, you can head to Mornington Peninsula National Park that not only offers gorgeous natural landscapes but one of the most popular surf beaches. While most avid surfers would choose Gunamatta Beach, families prefer Sorrento Ocean Beach for picnics. Located 107 kilometres south of Melbourne, this is one of the most preferred national parks for most families. If you love outdoor adventures with family you can hike through various cliff tops and coastal vegetation while admiring the stunning ocean beaches.
Grampians National Park
Approximately 3-hour drive northwest of Melbourne lays Grampians National Park which is one of the popular national parks amongst hikers. Traditionally known as Gariwerd, this part of the region has the most important and ancient Aboriginal rock art paintings in southern Australia. It is also possible that you might cross paths with kangaroos, emus, wallabies and other native birds. If you are looking for a challenge you can hike your way up to Mount William, the highest peak within the Grampians. However, when you are with family you can relax and do more activities like go fishing, kayaking and canoeing at Lake Bellfield and Lake Wartook.
Great Otway National Park
A little more than 200 kilometres southwest of Melbourne, the Great Otway National Park provides an excellent family adventure location. From breathtaking waterfalls, lush forests, windy coastlines, and stunning landscapes this park has so much to offer. When you are with your family you can enjoy the great outdoors and walk the Surf Coast Walk which lies from Torquay to Aireys Inlet. If you love to go on a drive you can take the iconic Great Ocean Road and enjoy the beautiful views of the Shipwreck Coast.
Twelve Apostles Marine National Park
Being the second largest marine national park in Victoria, Twelve Apostles Marine National Park has so much to offer. The park is home to a diverse range of species, unique rock formations and limestone reefs. You can bring your family here for a lovely outdoor adventure and you can walk through the landscape and picnic as well.
Wilson's Promontory National Park
Better known as 'The Prom', Wilsons Promontory National Park is an excellent family-friendly national park a little more than a three hour drive from Melbourne. There are plenty of camping sites here including one at Tidal River. You can enjoy swimming at Norman Beach, walk distant coastal trails and explore local kangaroos and wombats. If you are looking for a challenge you can hike up Mount Oberon for a panoramic view of the sea and enjoy some breathtaking sunset views.
Little Desert National Park
Home to the Wotjobaluk people, Little Desert National Park offers a very different landscape from most rainforest-based national parks. This one has vegetation and plants that survive on poor soil and dry climatic conditions. However, despite the arid environment, this national park is ideal for families wanting to go for an outing. The ideal time to explore Little Desert National Park is during the spring season.
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