You Yangs Regional Park

A family look out over the views of the park and farmland below.

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Explore

You Yangs Regional Park

You Yangs Regional Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Wadawurrung People. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Wadawurrung Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.

Opening hours

7.00 am - 8.00 pm daily, including weekends and public holidays.

Magnificent views, birdlife and a mecca for walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers - welcome to the You Yangs! The distinctive granite peaks of this park rise abruptly from the flat plains below. Flinders Peak and Big Rock have panoramic views out to Melbourne, which is just an hour away.

Explore over 50 kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike trails for beginners and experts. Ride easy, open dirt roads to technical, single-track and adrenaline-pumping downhill trailsor see the diverse scenery of the You Yangs from your car along The Great Circle Drive.

Climb Flinders Peak, the highest point in the You Yangs and be rewarded with uninterrupted views out to Melbourne and Geelong. Come with family or friends and picnic among the boulder-strewn landscape. Choose from nine designated picnic areas.

Things to do in the area

Two women walking for fitness at Big Rock in You Yangs Regional Park

Flinders Peak Lookout

Starting from the Turntable car park, this walk takes you to the highest point of the You Yangs. This is a challenging walk featuring 450 steps and rising 200m in elevation.

A young mountain biker attempts a drop while cheered on by his father and older sister at the You Yangs Regional Park.

Mountain biking at the You Yangs Regional Park

The You Yangs has two designated mountain biking areas that contain over 50 kilometres of exciting and environmentally sustainable trails that cater for riders of all ages and ability.

A ranger educating a group of seated kids at You Yangs Regional Park

Education excursions

The You Yangs Regional Park’s curriculum-based education program offers students an excellent opportunity to learn about Wadawurrung culture and the unique plants and animals that call the You Yangs home. An Education Officer can deliver a range of activities that are adapted to meet the specific Victorian Curriculum standards and VCE outcomes (fees apply for education services). For bookings, please contact 13 1963.

A ground take a volunteer led tour through the Flying Fox environments on the banks of the Yarra River in Yarra Bend Park

Guided Park Walks

Meet new people and connect with nature on a free guided Park Walk in one of Victoria’s beautiful parks. Walks are led by our trained and friendly volunteers, so you can relax, enjoy the serenity of the bush and chat with other group members. Go on a walk as a once-off to explore somewhere new or become a regular and add it to your wellbeing or fitness routine.

Two women ride horses along a dirt path in the You Yangs Regional Park.

Horse riding

Explore the landscape on horseback to appreciate the solitude and peace of the natural environment. Victoria's parks offer a variety of horse riding experiences.

Bird watching

From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot.

Two women follow the path through scrub up Mt Bogong with mountain views in the distance.

Walking

Whether you’re after a gentle stroll or something long-distance, there are walking trails to suit all levels of fitness and ability.

Wildlife and Nature

The You Yangs support a rich variety of plant species. Tall eucalypts such as manna gum, yellow gum and river red gum give way to sparse undergrowth of native shrubs and groundcovers. Patches of wattle and drooping sheoaks also occur. The endangered brittle greenhood orchid is one of 30 species of orchids found in the park.

The park provides a range of habitats for wildlife. More than 200 species of birds have been recorded and koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, brush-tail possums, echidnas and lizards are commonly seen.

Echidnas

Kangaroos

Koalas

Tours and adventure experiences in parks

One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.

There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.

Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more.

Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest.

Find a Licensed Tour Operator

How to get there

You Yangs Regional Park

When you're there

Download the You Yangs Regional Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders.

Related Sites

You Yangs Regional Park is a popular summer destination, especially on weekends and public holidays. Arrive early to beat the heat and avoid the crowds.

Enjoy the perfect mountain biking conditions in Autumn and Winter. With increased rain, the trails less dusty and soil more firm, making it ideal for riding.

The Mountain to Mouth event is a bi-annual art walk celebrating the contemporary song lines of the Wadawurrung people, recognising their land and traditions. Starting from the You Yangs, take part in the two-day 80km arts journey.

Need to know

You Yangs Regional Park

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

Education Excursions

This park offers curriculum-aligned ranger-guided excursions for school students. Download the Education Program to find out more and and email serendipeducationcentre@parks.vic.gov.au to make a booking.

Safety

Thinking of visiting You Yangs Regional Park this summer? This is a very popular destination. Here’s what to consider before you leave home:

Arrive as early as you can to beat the rush.
If Turntable carpark is full, there is an overflow carpark at the Lower Picnic Area – or why not try the Big Rock Walk?
Dogs are welcome on lead at You Yangs Regional Park. Please pick up all waste and take it away with you.
The park gates closes at 6pm during daylight savings.

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Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Park BBQ's closure

Parks Victoria is carrying out inspections in all of our barbecues in our parks. Following these inspections, some barbecues have been temporarily closed until they can be attended by a licenced contractor. We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.

Visitor Safety is our top priority and we advise people to please not to use any barbecue facilities that have been closed. We expect the impacted barbecues to reopen in the coming weeks.