Hike, Camp, Horseride: The Best of Bunyip State Park

Only 65 kms from Melbourne, time spent at Bunyip State Park makes the city feel much further away than it really is. With 16,600 hectares of fern gullies, creek valleys, forest and towering Mountain Ash trees everywhere you look, there's plenty of variety for casual bush walkers to adventurous explorers.

The park forms part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape encompassing the traditional Country of the Bunurong and Wurundjeri peoples, whose deep and continuing connection to the land and waters is recognised by Parks Victoria.

Whether you have an hour or a weekend, these are some of the best walks and activities to add to your Bunyip State Park itinerary.

Four Brothers Rocks

Distance: 500 metres one way
Time: Around 10 minutes each way

For maximum scenery with minimal walking, start with Four Brothers Rocks. A broad management track leads from the car park to a striking collection of enormous granite tors that appear to have been carefully stacked among the trees.

On a clear day, the views stretch across Black Snake Creek Valley towards Blue Range and Seven Acre Rock. The rocks are also culturally significant to the Bunurong People, so please tread carefully and treat the site with respect. There are no barriers around the formation, making sturdy footwear and active supervision of children particularly important.

This short walk is an easy addition to a longer day and a good option for anyone who wants a rewarding viewpoint without committing to a lengthy hike.

Lawson Falls Walk

Distance: 750 metres one way
Time: Around 15 minutes each way, or approximately 45 minutes using Discovery Track as a loop

Tucked into the north-eastern corner of the park, Lawson Falls is Bunyip State Park’s only waterfall. The trail begins near Lawson Falls Picnic Ground and winds through thick bushland and fern-filled gullies before reaching the modest cascades.

This is not a thunderous, spray-soaked waterfall experience. Its appeal is quieter, with a narrow forest trail, a leafy approach and the pleasure of discovering water hidden within the bush. Walkers can return the same way or use Discovery Track to create a longer loop of about 45 minutes.

Conditions and water flow will vary with the weather, so this is an especially appealing choice following rainfall.

Mortimer Nature Walk

Distance: 1.2 kilometres return
Time: Around 45 minutes

Beginning at Mortimer Camping and Picnic Area, the Mortimer Nature Walk is a self-guided loop and one of the best introductions to the park’s natural environment. The trail explores the area around William Wallace and Diamond Creeks, passing through contrasting forest types and heathy woodland.

It is short, relatively easy and well suited to families, casual walkers and anyone more interested in pausing to inspect the bush than chasing kilometres. Keep an eye out for small birds in the understorey and swamp wallabies moving through the shadows. Many of the park’s mammals are nocturnal, but wallabies and sunbaking goannas are sometimes spotted during the day.

Buttongrass Nature Walk

Distance: 3.5 kilometres return
Time: Around one hour

Starting from Guide Track, Buttongrass Nature Walk passes through wet heathland and offers one of the park’s most distinctive landscapes. Spring is an excellent time to visit, when wattles, hakeas, tea-trees, buttongrass and other plants bring extra colour and texture to the trail.

The changing vegetation also makes this a rewarding birdwatching walk. Bunyip State Park provides habitat for species including Superb Fairy Wrens, Southern Emu-wrens, Yellow-rumped Thornbills and White-throated Treecreepers.

Although the visitor guide describes it as an accessible walk, track conditions can change, so check the latest Parks Victoria advice before setting out.

Ferres Silvertop Loop

Distance: 4.3 kilometres
Time: Around 1.5 hours

For walkers seeking something a little more energetic, the Ferres Silvertop Loop delivers a steady climb and a broader taste of the park’s forest scenery.

Starting at Mortimer Picnic Ground, follow Ferres Track uphill before turning left onto Silvertop Ridge Track. The route then returns to Mortimer via Triangle Road. Parks Victoria classifies it as a medium-challenge hike, making it a good step up from the shorter nature walks without consuming the entire day.

Pair it with Four Brothers Rocks or a leisurely picnic to turn it into a relaxed full-day outing.

Start at Mortimer Picnic Area

Begin in the morning, when temperatures are generally cooler and wildlife may be more active. A good itinerary might combine the Ferres Silvertop Loop with lunch at Mortimer Picnic Area, followed by the short walk to Four Brothers Rocks.

For a gentler day, choose Mortimer Nature Walk in the morning, pause for a picnic and then drive to Lawson Falls for an afternoon wander. Buttongrass Nature Walk can also be combined with Four Brothers Rocks, giving you two very different landscapes without attempting a long-distance route.

Bring lunch, snacks and plenty of drinking water. Drinkable water is not available at the park’s picnic and camping areas, and there are no rubbish bins, so everything you bring in needs to leave with you.

Wear closed shoes, carry sun and rain protection, and prepare for weather conditions to shift during the day. Mobile phone reception is limited, so download the park map through Avenza Maps before leaving home. The app can use your phone’s GPS to show your location even when there is no signal.

Downloading the app will also provide access to all things Bunyip State Park offline, including the Bunyip State Park Visitor Guide, Four Wheel Driving & Trail Bike Riding Visitor Guide, and Heritage Horse Riding Trail Visitor Guide. Once downloaded, your phone's GPS tracks your location in real-time.

Dogs are not permitted in Bunyip State Park, fires may only be lit in designated fireplaces when restrictions allow, and visitors should remain on constructed tracks.

BYO Horse

Horseback riding is allowed in Bunyip State Park. The trail network begins and finishes at the gate to Cannibal Creek Track at the Cannibal Creek Horse Unloading Area (off Tynong North Road, Tynong North). Here you'll find horse tie rails, a picnic area and float parking. There is NO bathroom or water access here. The nearest facilities are at the nearby Mortimer Camping and Picnic Area.

Specific information on trails suitable for riding (with maps) and all you need to know about bringing your horse to the park can be downloaded here from Parks Victoria.

Where to Camp

Bunyip State Park has a few locations suitable for camping, whether you're toting a swag or towing a luxe caravan. The best bit? It's all free. It is, however, limited and operates on a first-in basis.

You'll find a wealth of information on the different camping areas and facilities courtesy of Parks Victoria by clicking here.

In brief, camping areas include Mortimer Camping & Picnic Area, Nash Creek Campground, Dyers Camping & Picnic Area or Lawson Falls Picnic Ground. Some locations are only suitable for tents, while others allow for motorhomes and trailers. Check the link above for specific information.

Please note: there are no rubbish bins provided in this park. Please take all your rubbish home for recycling and disposal.

Check conditions before leaving home

Road, track and visitor-area conditions can change at short notice due to weather, fire risk, maintenance or land-management operations. Parks Victoria currently advises that some access gates and visitor areas may be affected by temporary closures, so always check the official park page on the morning of your visit.

With its mix of easy nature trails, ferny gullies, granite formations and more challenging forest loops, Bunyip State Park makes it easy to tailor the day to your energy level. Pack a picnic, download the map and leave enough time to linger. This is a park best enjoyed without racing the clock.