The best national parks near Melbourne and in Victoria

People bang on about the Grampians for good reason: it’s positively glorious. Populated by high sandstone peaks, gorgeous wildflowers and the epic Pinnacle Trail, it’s the perfect place to shirtfront some nature. Known to the traditional owners of this land as Gariwerd, the area is also home to one of the biggest collections of Indigenous rock art sites in southeastern Australia.

Don't miss: The Grand Canyon Loop Walk has just reopened after a facelift, making it more safer for hikers. 

Distance from Melbourne: Three hours.

Get a date to bring you to the Prom. No, not that prom. Wilsons Promontory is mainland Australia’s southernmost point which just so happens to lay claim to a rugged national park ripe with beaches, greenery and friendly wildlife. Whether you’re up for an overnight hike to Sealers Cove, a day hike up Mount Oberon or just a chill one at the well-equipped campsite at Tidal River, the Prom is a true stunner every Melburnian needs to see.

Don't miss: Squeaky Beach – yes, it really is squeaky and it was also crowned Australia's best beach in early 2024.

Distance from Melbourne: Three hours.

Visiting this national park is a no-brainer if you’re driving the Great Ocean Road, especially if you like waterfalls. The park stretches from Torquay towards Princetown, and up towards Colac, and is one of the best places in Victoria to embrace a cool temperate rainforest. Head out on one of the many coastal walking trails and you’ll discover lush forests, quiet sandy beaches and more than one koala poking its head through the gum trees.

Don't miss: Getting an adrenaline rush at Live Wire Park. It's home to ziplines, high wire courses and giant swings

Distance from Melbourne: Three hours.

Welcome to Victoria’s High Country. Mount Buffalo gets covered in a cool blanket of snow for half of the year, meaning you’re welcome to cross-country ski (or toboggan) your way across 14 kilometres of marked ski trails. In the warmer months, you’re in for over 90 kilometres of walking tracks. If you’re thinking about camping, make a beeline for the snow gum woodlands that surround Lake Catani.

Don't miss: The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail has just gained a 32-kilometre extension, and now spans some of the High Country's most gorgeous landscapes.

Distance from Melbourne: Four hours.

Fang it down the Western Highway towards the South Australian border and enjoy the profound quiet at Little Desert National Park. The landscape is quite arid, but there are plenty of self-guided nature walks, ranging from 30 minutes to three days long, if you’re up for some bushbashing. 

Don't miss: The best time to visit is in spring when the wildflowers are blooming and the temperatures are calm.

Distance from Melbourne: Four hours.

Yes, it’s possible to have a Yarra Ranges experience without the crowds – you just need to know where to look. We suggest having a picnic at the lakeside Alfred Nicholas Gardens, biking along the historic O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail and driving the scenic Black Spur Drive between Healesville and Narbethong, where tall trees and lush mountain ferns decorate every winding turn.

Don't miss: The Californian redwood forest in East Warburton – these giant trees need to be seen to be believed. 

Distance from Melbourne: Two hours.

Continue driving past the Great Otway National Park and you’ll find this icon of Victoria. Named after the high limestone stacks that sit out from the coast, the entire park actually encompasses 17 kilometres of scenic coastline and the deep, colourful reef that lives below the waves.

Don't miss: A brand new lookout at the 12 Apostles has just opened, with stunning views of the site.

Distance from Melbourne: Three hours.

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape is in southwestern Victoria, about an hour’s drive inland from Port Fairy. In 2019, Budj Bim was formally recognised on the UNESCO World Heritage List, making it the first world heritage property in Australia to be recognised solely for its Indigenous heritage. The site was recognised for its sophisticated aquaculture system devised by the Gunditjmara people 6,600 years ago. With dams, weirs and stone channels hundreds of metres long, the Budj Bim waterways enabled the Gunditjmara to catch eels throughout the year. The UNESCO World Heritage site also features the remains of 300 basalt stone houses, which showcase a former Gunditjmara permanent settlement. 

Don't miss: Go on a cultural tour led by Gunditjmara guides to hear the full history of the region.

Distance from Melbourne: Four hours.

Looking to get off grid? Pack your car with camping gear and head towards the far-eastern coastline of Victoria and Croajingolong National Park, found just below the border with New South Wales. It’s here you’ll find secluded coastal camping spots that are perfect for boating and fishing fans. Those who like beach walks and native animal spotting will also fare well, as there’s plenty of eucalypt forest and heathland to get lost in.

Don't miss: The Thurra River Dunes are the biggest sand dunes in Victoria, towering 30 metres over the coastline.

Distance from Melbourne: Seven hours.

Kinglake National Park is the closest national park on the list and sits on the slopes of the Great Dividing Range, a stretch of mountains and valleys more commonly known as the Australian Alps. It’s a popular spot for mountain bikers, campers, picnickers and those in search of dramatic views across the Yarra Valley, the You Yangs and even the Melbourne skyline. 

Don't miss: Be sure to check out Masons Falls and explore the fern forests and gullies that surround it.

Distance from Melbourne: 1.5 hours.

It’s the largest coastal island in Victoria, and over 70 per cent of it is national parkland, meaning French Island is relatively unpopulated (they say there are only about 60 permanent residents). Once you reach the island, you’ll discover open woodlands, vast bush and completely empty beaches. Walk towards the Pinnacles where you’ll get views over Phillip Island and back to the mainland. 

Don't miss: It has one of the densest populations of koalas in Australia, so keep your eyes peeled for the furry cuties.

Distance from Melbourne: 1.5 hours from Melbourne to Stony Point, then a ten-minute ferry to French Island.