Bunyip State Park

Bunyip State Park is a large bushland destination east of Melbourne, with forest walks, basic camping, horse trails and designated routes for four-wheel driving and trail bikes. Its mix of tall forest and lower heathland rewards a planned outing rather than a single stop at a central visitor precinct.

Choose the part of the park that matches your activity before driving. A family nature walk, a tent-camping trip and a challenging vehicle route involve different access roads, facilities and preparation. Allow a full day for an unhurried first visit, or stay overnight at a suitable designated camping area.

Forest, Heathland and the Shape of the Park

The landscape changes from moist low-lying areas to forested slopes, giving different walks noticeably different settings. Near a creek, a shorter outing can focus on ferns and birds; a rock viewpoint adds a broader view of the country.

Bunyip has separate recreation zones to reduce conflicts between activities. The northern areas cater more to four-wheel driving and trail bikes, while the southern areas focus on walking, cycling and horse riding. Choose a quieter walking precinct if spending time with young children rather than seeking the vehicle trails.

Plan one main activity and leave room for lunch and travel between trailheads. Forest road distances take longer than an equivalent suburban drive, and crossing the park is not always the most useful way to add another stop.

Walks and Lookout Stops

Mortimer Nature Walk

Mortimer Camping and Picnic Area is a useful starting point for a shorter nature walk. The roughly 1.2km loop gives an introduction to the creek environment without committing to a long hike. Allow about 45 minutes, with extra time for children or a picnic.

Four Brothers Rocks

Four Brothers Rocks is a granite formation with views over the surrounding landscape. From the nearby car park, the short approach is about 500m each way. This makes a compact outing when the access road is open, but the rocks need care: exposed edges have no protective barriers.

Lawson Falls

Lawson Falls is a small cascade approached through bush and fern gullies in the north-eastern part of the park. Use the picnic ground as the starting point and follow the signed falls route. The walk and creek setting are part of the attraction; do not expect a large waterfall or a developed swimming destination.

Choose a simple return to the same trailhead if that suits your available time. Longer combinations of forest tracks require a mapped route, appropriate fitness and a clear understanding of how to return. Avoid adding distance simply because another track branches off nearby.

Choosing a Camping Area

Designated campgrounds are free and operate on a first-come basis without bookings. Facilities are basic, so bring drinking water, food and everything needed for the night. Arrive with enough daylight to find a suitable place and establish camp, plus a backup if your preferred area is full.

Mortimer and Nash Creek

Mortimer is a tent-camping option beside walking tracks, with picnic tables and basic facilities. Nash Creek has a grassy tent area reached from the adjacent car park. Confirm the current site and vehicle arrangements with Parks Victoria before bringing a motorhome or trailer; do not assume you can drive onto the grassy tent area.

Forest Road and Freemans Mill

Forest Road Camping Area accommodates campervans or campertrailers and has a non-flush toilet; it is unsuitable for caravans. Its position serves recreational vehicle access, so consider the activity around the area when choosing a place for a quiet family stay.

Freemans Mill, also called Bunyip Weir, is a hike-in camping area near the Bunyip River. It requires a roughly 6km walk from the car park off Bunyip River Road and has no toilet. Treat it as a self-sufficient overnight walk rather than an accessible drive-in campground.

Use only the designated camping area and follow the site’s current signs. Keep your setup compact, leave shared tables available and take all rubbish home. A free campground still needs careful selection according to equipment, access and the facilities your group requires.

Four-Wheel Driving, Trail Bikes and Horses

The park offers routes of different difficulty for registered four-wheel-drive vehicles and trail bikes. Blue Range and Gentle Annie are established touring areas, with steep or rough sections that require suitable equipment and experience. Track classifications and current conditions matter more than a route’s reputation.

Drivers and riders must be licensed, and vehicles must be registered for the road. Stay on open designated routes and respect management-only tracks. Seasonal closures protect vulnerable roads through the wetter months, with additional closures possible after storms or other damage.

Check the latest route map and closure list before travelling. A navigation app suggesting a shortcut is not evidence that the road is open or suitable for your vehicle. Carry recovery equipment appropriate to the planned route and do not tackle an unfamiliar difficult track alone.

Horse riders can explore designated trails from suitable unloading areas, including Cannibal Creek. Keep horses and bicycles off walkers-only tracks and picnic areas. Shared sections require room, lower speeds and consideration for other users.

Getting There and Preparing for the Day

Approaches include Gembrook and roads north of the Princes Freeway around Tynong and Labertouche. Enter the exact trailhead or campground in navigation rather than using only the park name. Select roads suitable for your vehicle and allow extra travel time on unsealed sections.

Download the park map before departure because mobile reception is limited. Carry drinking water and a weather layer, and tell someone the planned route and return time when walking or driving away from the main recreation areas.

Dogs are not permitted in Bunyip State Park. Nearby Kurth Kiln Regional Park has different on-lead rules, but those do not apply across the boundary. Watch wildlife quietly and avoid leaving food where animals can reach it.

Fire restrictions and emergency closures can change a trip quickly. Check Parks Victoria and VicEmergency before travel, follow any closure signs and use fires only where permitted. Bring your own supplies and leave the campsite and trails ready for the next visitor.

Bunyip State Park FAQs

Do I need to book a campsite?
The free designated campgrounds operate first come, first served without bookings. Arrive before dark with a backup if your preferred area is full, and bring drinking water and supplies because these are basic bush camps.

Can I bring a campervan or caravan?
Forest Road accommodates campervans and campertrailers and has a non-flush toilet; it is unsuitable for caravans. If considering Nash Creek with a larger setup, confirm the current vehicle arrangements and intended site with Parks Victoria before travelling.

Do I need a four-wheel drive for a day visit?
Choose a suitable access road to a picnic area or walking trailhead for an ordinary outing. Blue Range and Gentle Annie vehicle trails include challenging terrain and require suitable equipment and experience; check the grade and current road access before driving.

What is a manageable first walk?
The Mortimer Nature Walk is a shorter creek-side introduction, around 1.2 kilometres with roughly 45 minutes to explore. Allow extra time for children and a picnic, and check ground conditions rather than assuming a short walk is always easy.

Can I drive to Freemans Mill camp?
Freemans Mill, also called Bunyip Weir, is hike-in only, about six kilometres from the car park off Bunyip River Road. It has a shared table but no toilet, so prepare for a self-sufficient overnight walk.

Are dogs permitted?
Dogs are prohibited in Bunyip State Park. Rules at nearby Kurth Kiln differ, so a permitted on-lead outing there does not allow you to continue over the boundary into Bunyip.

Are all vehicle tracks open throughout the year?
Seasonal closures and damage can restrict roads or tracks. Check the current Parks Victoria notices for the specific route, obey gates and signs, and carry an offline map because mobile reception is limited.

Can I climb around Four Brothers Rocks?
The formation offers broad views, but exposed edges have no protective barriers. Keep children close, avoid slippery rock after rain and stay within your confidence rather than treating the viewpoint as a supervised climbing activity.