Touring the National Parks near Melbourne is a great way to discover more of nature on a day trip from the city.
Melbourne is a vibrant city, with many great attractions. However, it is also blessed with some fantastic day trip options – particularly to discover national parks
Join us on tour to explore the wild beaches on the Shipwreck Coast, or walk amongst the rainforest in the Otways. Follow your guide to marvel at waterfalls in the Grampians or walk the coastal trails at Wilsons Prom.
For any easy day trip, take one of our tours and let our guides show you the natural wonders on offer in Victoria. We will take care of the logistics and let you enjoy your tour of our fantastic national parks.
National Parks Near Melbourne
Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park
Tour with us to discover the natural beauty of the Grampians Gariwerd National Park. Walk with your guide on the bushland trails to explore the natural surroundings.
From bushland to tall eucalyptus trees, and even areas of rainforest – there is much to be admired. In Spring, the wildflowers blossom, changing the landscape and bringing colour to the trails. This National Park is also home to some spectacular waterfalls. The largest is MacKenzie Falls, flowing all year round with some fantastic viewpoints.
There are also plenty of opportunities to see local wildlife. Kangaroos, wallabies, emus and native birds call the National Park home. Traditionally known as Gariwerd, this region is home to many significant and ancient Aboriginal rock art paintings. Take in the views of this magnificent landscape from one of the many viewpoints. The Grand Canyon, Boroka Lookout and Reeds Lookout are all excellent places to explore the national park.
Where is the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park?
The Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is located west of Melbourne. It is an almost 3 hour drive from the city along the Western Highway and Grampians Way.
Visit the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park on our Grampians Day Trip from Melbourne. Discover the walks, waterfalls and wildlife on our one day tour of this incredible national park. You’ll visit the main attractions in the central Grampians region including MacKenzie Falls and Boroka Lookout.
Wilsons Promontory National Park
Wilsons Promontory National Park is located at the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. Traverse the coastal walking trails to discover magnificent views and local wildlife.
Wombats, kangaroos and emus are just some of the wildlife found there – along with many native Australian birds. The Prom’s Wildlife Walk is a great place to see these animals.
This national park is also famous for its many pristine beaches. Squeaky Beach is the most popular – the white quartz sand squeaks beneath your feet as you walk.
Where is the Wilsons Promontory National Park?
Wilsons Promontory National Park is located south east of Melbourne in the Gippsland region. It is approximately 2.5 hours drive from the city through some beautiful rural areas.
Visit Wilsons Promontory National Park on our day tour from Melbourne. Walk along the coastal trails and take in the magnificent views. Discover the local wildlife, and explore the incredible Squeaky Beach. It is a chance to break away from the crowds and explore a lesser-known national park.
Port Campbell National Park
The Port Campbell National Park is home to a world famous coastline with impressive rock formations such as the 12 Apostles. Located along the Great Ocean Road, the Port Campbell National Park features incredible locations such as the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and Gibson Steps. The towering limestone cliffs and spectacular rock formations have been carved by the wild Southern Ocean. The wind and rain have also contributed to creating this amazing landscape.
Standing at the coastal lookouts, you can’t help but marvel at the sight of the Twelve Apostles. They tower an impressive 45 metres above the ocean. Stepping down onto the beaches, you’ll be eye level with the waves rolling into the sand. A glance up at the cliffs will reveal colours and formations from years of erosion.
Port Campbell National Park is a good place to view marine animals, sea birds and some land mammals. During the winter months it is common to see whales passing by the coastline. Humpback whales and Southern Right Whales have been known to make the journey from Antarctica past the Port Campbell National Park.
Where is the Port Campbell National Park?
The Port Campbell National Park is located along the Great Ocean Road, approximately 4 hours drive from Melbourne. It is a scenic journey with many great places to stop along the way. However, you can also take an inland route to get there in approximately 2.5 hours.
Visit the Port Campbell National Park on our Great Ocean Road day trip from Melbourne. We tour the iconic road to explore the surf beaches, spot koalas in the wild and take in the amazing views. Following this, we spend the afternoon in the Port Campbell National Park visiting the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and Gibson Steps.
Great Otway National Park
The Great Otway National Park stretches along the Great Ocean Road. From the town of Torquay, to the Otways hinterland. A visit to the National Park lets you discover windswept coastlines and breathtaking waterfalls. There’s no better place to reconnect with nature than the Great Otway National Park. A visit to Maits Rest lets you discover rainforests and giant beech trees – some of which are up to 300 years old. It’s a great walk amongst tall eucalypt forests, and lush fern gullies in the Otway Ranges.
Where is the Great Otway National Park?
The Great Otway National Park is located along Victoria’s south west coast. It can be accessed from many different points along the Great Ocean Road. The closest area to the city is about 1.5 hours drive from Melbourne.
Visit the Great Otway National Park on our Great Ocean Road day trip from Melbourne. In addition to touring the iconic road for the coastal views, we explore the rainforest. Take a walk amongst lush green ferns at Maits Rest. It is a chance to breathe in the fresh air in an area rich in natural history.
Written by: Leah Furey – Digital Content Coordinator
