Best spots for Bushwalking with Kids in and Around Melbourne

Spring is (almost!) in the air, and it's hands down the best season to bushwalk in and around Melbourne (followed closely by autumn). Everywhere you look blossom is blossoming, wildflowers are starting to bloom, sleeping bushes and shrubs are starting to grow buds, and everything is beginning to look green again - all while having sunny days with perfect weather to tamp around the environment in.

And where is good for kids? Well, these are our picks - good for either prams, kids who don't want to walk to far, or kids who are a little bit older and are looking for a challenge. Plenty to see from natural wonders to ancient artefacts. Pack up the thermos and get going!

Organ Pipe National Park

Enjoy a picnic, a walk, and the spring wattle blossom while ogling the Organ Pipes - a set of basalt columns formed by the cooling and cracking of molten lava.

A short but steep walk to Organ Pipes gives you a spectacular view of the park and Jacksons Creek and is easy to get to with kids. Start at the Visitor Information Centre and follow the sealed walking track to either Organ Pipes, Rosette Rock, or the Tessellated Pavement.

For the 800m Keilor Plains lookout walk, head through the gateway behind the visitors centre.

You can grab a map from here.

For more info, head here.

Braeside Park

A diverse walk that meanders through Red Gum grasslands, heathland and wonderful wetlands with plenty of opportunities for bird-watching along the way - it was also the park Phar Lap trained in!

The self-guided walk starts and ends at the visitors centre, along the formal tree-lined path heading south. Cross the road toward the bird-hide and follow the posted signs along the walkway until you return to the Red Gum Picnic Area, then head northwards again to the heathland area, along the park to the left. It's stunning scenery, and easliy doable with little ones.

The whole walk takes about an hour, and is almost 5km long.

Grab a map here.

For more info, head here.

Jells Park

The one-hour, 4km Dandenong Creek trail runs north-south through Jells Park on the eastern side of Jells Lake, nestled in the Dandenong Creek Valley, away from the manic energy of the city.

The park itself is home to more than nine kilometres of paths and trails that are mulit-use (choose between cycling, jogging, pram-walking, scooting, or strolling), 127 hectares of wide open spaces and enough picnic areas for everyone to enjoy.

The Dandenong Creek Trail shows wetlands billabongs, and native bird life such as the Purple Swamphen, the White-faced Heron and even pelicans.

Grab a map from here.

For more info, head here.

Warrandyte State Park

Choose from walks near the Blue Tongue Bend area of the Warrandyte State Park, including Black Flat Walk, and the Jumping Creek Nature Trail.

The 3.5km Blue Tongue Bend walk takes less than an hour and is great for kids, very woodsy, full of animals, and runs for a while along the creek. It feels exactly like a bushwalk should!

There is also a short, pram–friendly bush track leads from the car park to the Tunnel, where you’ll find a fantastic swimming spot and huge rocks for scrambling. Bring a picnic (there are a few tables along the way) and keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos, koalas and even the elusive platypus.

Grab a map from here.

For more info, head here.

You Yangs

The You Yangs walking tracks allow for incredible viewing of magnificent views and abundant animal life. 

Choose from:

Big Rock Walk – 3.0km, 1 hour return From the park office car park, wind your way around Big Rock and then back down the same path.

East-West Walk – 4.5km, 2 hours return Starting and finishing at the Turntable car park, this challenging walk provides excellent views of the park and surrounding countryside.

Flinders Peak – 3.2km, 1 hour return Starting from the Turntable car park, this walk takes you to the highest point of the You Yangs. There are 450 steps and some sections with steep gradients.

Branding Yard Trail – 5.0km, 2.5 hours return This gentle walk starts from either the Turntable car park or Branding Yard Road. From the Turntable car park, walk down a medium gradient to connect with the trail.

Northern Range Walk – 3.5km, 1 hour one way Extending from the East-West Walk and the Branding Yard Trail, this walk provides a more challenging walk, with some steep gradients. Walkers are rewarded with impressive water views.

For more info, head here.

Kororoit Creek Trail

The Koroit Creek Trail is a 7km sealed trail along the banks of Kororit Creek in the outer north west suburbs of Burnside, Deer Park, and Altona. It's a long walk but an easy one and should take about 2.5 hours if you do the whole thing. It's also possible to walk parts of it - the upper section in particular is uninterrupted and simple to follow.

There is plenty to see along the creek banks - see if you can spot a river red gum or even a white mangrove, a growling grass frog, or a striped legless lizard (yes they look like snakes so be careful!). It's such a beautiful walk, particularly in spring.

Grab a map from here.

For more info, head here.