Kinglake National Park
Visit Kinglake National Park for beautiful messmate forests, fern gullies, panoramic lookouts and bushwalking tracks, all within a short distance from Melbourne.
The largest national park close to Melbourne (only 65km north), Kinglake National Park has 23, 210 hectares of tall forests, fern gullies and rolling hills. It also has an extensive network of walking tracks, as well as vantage points offering scenic views of the Melbourne skyline, Port Phillip Bay, the Yarra Valley and across to the You Yangs. Although Kinglake National Park was devastated by the bushfire of February 2009, extensive restoration works have allowed park access and camping to reopen.
If you live in Melbourne, Kinglake National Park is a good spot to go camping, enjoy a bushwalk or have a picnic. Continue reading to find the top things to do here including some of the best walking tracks in the area.
Top Things to Do in Kinglake National Park
1. Masons Falls Picnic Area
Enjoy a picnic in the beautiful surroundings of the Masons Falls Picnic Area. Set among towering gums, large shelters, lots of tables, free gas barbecues and toilets make this the perfect place for a social gathering.
Explore how the forest and fern gullies have regrown since the Black Saturday bushfire with several short walks that can also be combined to form a full day walk of around 13km.
One of the best walks in the area is Masons Falls Walk (700 metres one way) which leads to the spectacular Masons Falls lookout.
2. Mt Sugarloaf
Mt Sugarloaf offers spectacular views to Melbourne and access to Sugarloaf Ridge walking track.
Mt Sugarloaf is located at the end of Mt Sugarloaf Road and is accessible by car or via the Mt. Sugarloaf Ridge Walking Track.
The Sugarloaf Block which includes Masons Falls is open daily.
3. Blackwood Picnic Area
Located at the entrance to the Sugarloaf Block, Blackwood Picnic Area has picnic tables and a free barbecue set in a grassy clearing. It is the perfect place to take a break when exploring Mt Sugarloaf and Masons Falls.
4. Jehosaphat Gully
This pleasant open grassed picnic area is close to the township of Kinglake. Enjoy picturesque walking tracks or a social picnic or barbecue with family and friends here. Facilities include free electric barbeques, picnic shelter, picnic tables and toilets.
Enjoy a picnic or take a walk through the regenerating forest on Lavers Circuit (length 850 metres).
5. Frank Thomson Reserve
Located at the highest point of the district between Kinglake Central and Kinglake on the Whittlesea‐Kinglake Road, Frank Thomson Reserve offers panoramic views of the Melbourne city skyline.
The carpark offers access to an open grassy picnic area with gas barbecue and picnic tables making it a great place for a picnic with a view and for kids to roam (dogs on lead permitted).
6. Wombelano Falls
Located off Captains Creek Road, Wombelano Falls offers a 1.5km circuit walking track to view the falls. The walking track winds through forest with big old growth trees and leads to the falls viewing platform.
7. Island Creek Picnic Area
Located off Eucalyptus Road, Island Creek Picnic Area is a small and quiet picnic area nestled among tall manna gums with the tranquil sounds of Island Creek.
This is an ideal spot to relax and enjoy a picnic ‐ great for families and small groups.
Facilities include picnic tables, one fireplace and toilet facilities.
8. Bowden Spur Mountain Bike Area
In June 2012, a new downhill mountain bike trail opened at Bowden Spur in Kinglake National Park. This trail is the first of three that will eventually be built on the Spur. The new 2km trail, named Shepherds, will delight and challenge experienced downhill mountain bike riders.
The diverse technical downhill trail has a number of dirt jumps, rock gardens, bomb holes, flowing earth berms and large sections of off‐camber riding. The total drop along the length of the trail is 233 metres.
The trail is recommended for experts only as it runs over very challenging terrain and includes frequent obstacles. It has the extremely difficult rating of Double Black Diamond.
The Bowden Spur Mountain Bike Area is located on Bowden Spur Road, approximately 200m from the intersection of the Kinglake-Whittlesea Road in Kinglake Central.
9. The Gums Camping Area
Nestled in a bend of Island Creek and located off Eucalyptus Road, the Gums camping area is situated close to a meandering mountain stream and is nestled amongst tall eucalypts and ferns. This tranquil area is a popular base for relaxing or exploring the northern section of the park.
The Gums is ideal for families and small groups, with 18 campsites of which five are suitable for caravans up to 20ft in length. Each campsite is surrounded by vegetation providing a delightful bush setting.
Camp sites are provided with shared facilities including picnic tables and fireplaces. The campground also has one free communal gas barbeque.
Camping fees apply throughout the year and all sites must be pre-booked. Fees are charged per campsite per night, and camping is only permitted on numbered sites with the necessary permit. Each campsite may be booked for a maximum of 6 people and one vehicle.
There is no drinking water at this campsite, visitors must bring in their own drinking water.
Once you have viewed the campground map and chosen your preferred site, book online with your credit card prior to your visit to The Gums. Go to www.parks.vic.gov.au to book.
Kinglake National Park Map
How to get to Kinglake National Park?
Kinglake National Park is located 65km north‐east of Melbourne. Access from Melbourne is by three main routes: the Melba Highway from Yarra Glen or Glenburn, the Heidelberg‐Kinglake Road from St Andrews and the Whittlesea ‐Yea Road from Whittlesea.
Kinglake National Park Address
Kinglake West,
Victoria 3757,
Australia
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