Taking kids bushwalking can go either way - excited running and big eyed wonder... or snack strikes and tired legs. 

But when you pick the right trail and make it fun (see tips), it becomes a family day out everyone can enjoy! 

Here are some of our favourite kid-friendly bushwalks in and around Melbourne. Some of these are in our Melbourne Adventure Guides too!

Five Minute Read

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Bushwalks in Melbourne's Inner West

Newport Lakes Reserve, Newport

2km loop trail with stepping stone crossings!

This old quarry is now a stunning natural park complete with twin lakes, an incredible stepping stone crossing, picnic spots, mosaics, and 4 loop trails! There are even fairy doors to find now. 

From the main carpark - you simply walk down towards the lakes and choose your trail (they all connect). 

We always see turtles swimming in the shallows - so take time to have a look!

Brimbank Park, Keilor

Small river walk or 4km loop with views!

The Maribyrnong River winds through this large park - with low river crossings, big old River Red Gums full of hollows, areas to picnic and a walk that takes you up for an amazing view (see above)!

You can choose to simply play at the river crossings (with adult supervision); or cross the river and take the trail up to an amazing view all over Brimbank Park! 

 It's a steep climb in parts, but we made it when our daughter was three! Then it's downhill all the way.

Woodlands Historic Park, Greenvale

Creek walk or easy hill climb for kangaroo and aeroplane spotting!

This park is HUGE. It has ancient and gnarly River Red Gum giants, big boulders to climb, a mob of roaming kangaroos and the perfect view of aeroplanes leaving Melbourne airport. 

Park at Somerton Rd Picnic Grounds and choose your direction - you can follow the cultural walk along the creek (these River Red Gums are unique), or create your own loop walk. 

If it's a lovely day, walk up Gellibrand Hill for some kangaroo spotting, elephant boulder scrambling, airplane viewing, and a café break at Living Legends. Here you will find an old homestead, ponies and more to see. Then walk back to the picnic grounds. 

Outer West

The You Yangs, Lara

3km Big Rocks walk for views and cubbies!

Imagine the biggest boulders you can find, perched at the top of a mountain with amazing views all over the bay and Geelong (it can be windy). At the base of the rocks is an easy loop walk with LOTS of cubbies and endless places to explore. 

There's the very short version (park at the Big Rocks), or the longer 3km walk from the You Yangs Visitor Centre carpark. 

Werribee Gorge, Bacchus Marsh 

River walk - up to 5km (or shorter)

This dry rugged Gorge is full of history and trails to explore - there's even a natural beach! 

We followed the Short Circuit Walk along the river from Meikles Picnic Area and had a snack break on the rocks below the steep cliffs (magic). 

Near the end of the river walk is a section that maybe tricky with young children - there's a cable crossing that goes out over the water. If if it's too hard to cross, simply walk back the same way (it's still a lovely walk(. 

 

Lerderderg Gorge, Bacchus Marsh 

7km return walk to Grahams Dam

This Gorge is unique - with stunning red cliffs, stepping stone crossings and a lovely shallow creek to paddle in Summer. 

Follow the low trail from Mackenzies Flat to Grahams Dam and back (3.5km one way). Rock hop the river (twice), squeeze through boulders on the skinny pathway and arrive at the spectacular dam (shown in picture) for a swim and/or picnic. 

Wear water shoes if you're paddling in the creek in summer and go early as it can get busy.

Bushwalks in Melbourne's inner North

Merri Creek Labyrinth and Quarries Park, Clifton Hill

Short easy ramble.

Along the Merri Creek in Clifton Hill you disappear from sight! The tall cliffs hide a magical labyrinth, wishing tree and areas to play on the creek. 

Park at the Quarries Park Adventure Playground (which is fun too) and then walk down the hill towards the Merri Creek! Here it's all laid out for you to play and explore. 

Less of a walk - and more of an exploration day out!

 

Gresswell Forest, Bundoora

3km nature walk loop - or just ramble

This untouched little wilderness is green, full of birds, kangaroos and bush cubbies! There are little trails everywhere that invite you to explore! 

The nature loop walk is where the kangaroos tend to hang out - however the connecting reserve is even nicer to walk around.

 

Plenty Gorge, Plenty

2km Blue Lake loop

This amazing blue lake was an old quarry - which means that rocks of all colours are on display. Known as 'the beach of the north' (the signs say no swimming), it's full of Yellow Gum trees, kangaroos and epic views. 

It's a slice of the Grampians just outside of Melbourne's North (30kms from the city)!

Park at the Yellow Gum Picnic Area and take the loop walk down to the Blue Lake and back up the other side. 

 

Outer North

Hanging Rock, Mount Macedon

1 hour return walk - steep in parts

This iconic climb to the top of the rock is steep and intense! But if you stop and play along the way - you don't notice the burn! Take snacks to picnic at the top and enjoy the 360 degree views.

There are lots of rocks to scramble over, little nooks and caves to explore and an epic view at the top.

You have to pay for parking, there's an information centre and cafe as well. 

 

Macedon Regional Park, Macedon

Easy 3km loop walk around Sanitorium Lake 

This magical fairyland walk is wonderful in Autumn and even Winter - with ferns, fungi, forest and sunken lakes. 

It's called the Sanatorium Lake eco trail and is a 3km loop that goes slowly down into the valley and along horse trails (gumboots needed).

Or you can just walk around the lake to see burnt out hollows and this amazing lake.  

Kinglake National Park, Kinglake

Masons Falls - Easy 1.5km return walk

1.5 hours North-East of Melbourne is the wonderful Kinglake National Park - lyrebird country! 

Masons Falls is an easy trail (700m one way) to the waterfall and great to see after rain. There are lots of trails to choose from at these picnic grounds if you are ready to walk further. 

Bushwalks in Melbourne's inner East

Pound Bend River Walk - Warrandyte State Park

2km easy loop walk

This is a lovely walk and a history tour back to gold rush times! This tunnel was cut out in 1870 to divert the Yarra River and search for gold.

Today the 145m long tunnel and water hole is a popular swimming spot on hot summer days (always check the water conditions, don't swim after rain). 

The easy river walk starts from the picnic grounds, crosses bridges and takes you under big old Manna Gum trees. There are also kangaroos to spot! 

 

Currawong Bush Park, Doncaster East

2.5km trail loop

This bushland has areas that are over 200 years old! It's an open woodland with lots of places to roam, cubbies to build, kangaroos to see and sculptures to climb on. 

From the top carpark, walk down the slopes to see the sculptures and follow the discovery circuit loop (there are maps and signs here to follow). 

Birdsland Reserve, Belgrave Heights

2.5km loop walk

This is Lysterfield Lakes little cousin! It's smaller, beautiful and more accessible for families. There are easy walks, areas to play and lovely viewpoints everywhere. 

There are platypus in the creek, turtles in the lakes and lots of birds to spot! 

It's an easy walk or bike ride around the two lakes, that will take around 40 minutes. There are also more challenging walks up to viewpoints.

 

Outer East walks

Toolangi State Forest

1km easy boardwalk

The Wirrawilla Rainforest Walk in Toolangi is magical. It's Melbourne's answer to the Daintree rainforest! 

It's an easy boardwalk trail that takes you up into the trees and down amongst the creek and ferns. It's about a 1km return walk. 

There are other walks to explore nearby as well.

Dandenong Ranges bushwalking trails (3)

Easy walks to longer walks

The Dandenong Ranges is a hotspot for amazing bushwalks! It's lush, green and full of soaring trees, ferns, waterfalls and beautiful spots. Here are three of our favourites. 

Grants Picnic Grounds (30 - 45 minute walks)

The Hardy Gully Nature Walk (45 minute easy loop), takes you through huge Mountain Ash giants, lush rainforests and birds everywhere! 

The Margaret Lester Forest Walk is a short (30 minutes) pram and wheel-chair friendly walk, with lots of signage. 

Sherbrooke Falls walk (2.5km)

This lovely little falls is an easy walk with trees to climb in and lots of ferns to walk past. It's flat, easy and not challenging. It can get muddy after rain - so wear gumboots!

Sassafras Creek Track (6km return)

This narrow rainforest trail takes you through giant trees, ferns and over mossy bridges. It starts in Sassafras town (with many steps down), or you can start in the middle of the trail and walk 3kms one way and 3kms back. 

The official walk is a lot longer - however we did as much as we could with a child in tow.

 

Badger Weir, Healesville

3km loop walk

Step into lyrebird country in this beautiful little spot. Badger Weir has HUGE trees, creeks to play, stunning ferns and lyrebirds. (We saw one)!

It's a 3km loop from the picnic ground that takes you past hollowed out mountain ash giants, and then down into an enchanting moss and fern wonderland along the creek. 

Bushwalks in Melbourne's South-East

Valley Conservation Reserve - Mount Waverley

2.5km easy loop walk

This tiny slice of bushland is a lovely escape from the shops and streets nearby! There are lots of easy trails to explore, an old scar tree, a frog sanctuary and an award-winning adventure playground as well. 

The Valley Loop track is about a 30 minute walk, and the historic Woodlands Track is the oldest part of the reserve. All the tracks are clearly labelled. 

Sweetwater Creek Reserve, Frankston South

3km loop walk

Splash in the creek, wander the winding boardwalk, and take the enchanted forest path high above the creek, on the way to the beach! It has so much variety and areas to explore along the way.

We started from the middle, and walked down the path away from the beach. We found the 'Big Rocks' at the centre of the walk - which were lovely to splash in on a hot day. 

 

Outer South-East walks

The Briars Wildlife Sanctuary, Mount Martha

Lots of walks

This place is HUGE - with a historic homestead, wildlife sanctuary, information centre, great nature walks, and lots of interactive places to play along the way. 

There are short walks (600ms), to bigger loops of 4km (The Woodlands Walk). We did a combination of both and saw amazing birds through the birdwatching hut and swamp wallabies on the track. 

Important tips

Remember to always check the official park conditions before you go, to stay on the path, pack plenty of snacks, and follow the official rules at each park or reserve. 

Many places don't allow pets, so please check before you go.