Escape into nature this Spring

There’s no better way to escape the stress of daily life than by immersing yourself in nature. Daylight savings brings with it more opportunities to make the most of the great outdoors. Take a picnic against a stunning backdrop or walk to waterfalls and lookouts to take it all in.

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Before you go, remember to check the COVID-19 update page for information about restrictions and closures.

Picnics

When the sun is shining, there's no better way to enjoy nature than on a picnic with friends. Before you go, stock up on delicious local produce by visiting Click for Vic. Picnic with stunning coastal views, near cascading waterfalls, among tall forests or on beautifully manicured gardens. Make a day of it and explore the beautiful nature that surrounds you. How ever you enjoy nature, there's a picnic spot for you.

Visit our picnics page to plan your perfect day.

Popular picnic spots:

Four friends pat their two dogs next to Albert Park Lake with the Melbourne CBD skyline in the background.

Picnic areas in Albert Park

Albert Park has nine picnic areas around the picturesque lake, which can be used for picnics and barbecues. Each area has a range of facilities including free electric barbecues, playgrounds,shelters and wide open spaces.

A young mother and father walking behind their two toddlers along the Organ Pipes Track on their way to a picnic

Walk and picnic at Organ Pipes National Park

Stretch your legs on a leisurely walk to take in the weird and unique rock formations, and enjoy a scenic picnic in the shade.

A mother and her two sons play on a log while her partner sits at a picnic table looking on.

Grants Picnic Ground

Grants Picnic Ground sits within the Sherbrooke Forest, the largest section of Dandenong Ranges National Park. A number of walking tracks, starting from the picnic grounds, enable you to discover some of the plants and animals of Sherbrooke.

A young family eating at a picnic table at the Cape Schanck Lighthouse

Picnic Areas in Mornington Peninsula National Park

Embracing the wild ocean beaches between Portsea and Flinders, and the kangaroo haven of Greens Bush, Mornington Peninsula National Park is a favourite of Melburnians looking to escape the nearby city

Waterfalls

Spring is a great time to see waterfalls flowing, but without that winter chill. Remember, waterfalls may seem like an inviting place to take a dip, but swimming can be dangerous. There’s plenty of other ways to enjoy the beauty of waterfalls. They make for a spectacular end to a nature walk, with the opportunity to take great photos for your efforts.

Find your next waterfall adventure on by visiting our waterfalls page.

Popular waterfalls:

A young couple cross the stream on rocks in front a the spectacular MacKenzies Falls.

MacKenzie Falls

An easy stroll from the MackKenzie Falls carpark leads to a viewing platform overlooking the picturesque Broken Falls. To reach the base of MacKenzie Falls, follow the signs. Take care as this walk has many steps and is steep, slippery and strenuous in sections.

Masons Falls

Enjoy a picnic in the beautiful surrounds of Masons Falls Picnic Area. Set among towering gums, the large shelters and free gas barbecues make it the perfect place for a social gathering. The short waterfall walk is a real highlight.

Erskine Falls

Erskine Falls are at the end of Erskine Falls Road 10km north west of Lorne. There is a viewing point above the falls and a walking track, steep in places, leads to the base of the falls. The falls cascade over one of the highest drops in the Otways.

Sheoak Falls

The Sheoak Falls Walk weaves its way from the coastal woodland at the mouth of the Sheoak Creek and through wet forest to the hidden cascades of Sheoak Falls.

Four friends relax by the edge of the Yarra River as their curly brown dog gets ready to jump in the water.

Dights Falls

The park's best known geological feature is Dights Falls. Dights Falls is an artificial weir built on a natural rock bar across the Yarra. The weir was built in the 1840s to provide water to the 'Ceres' flour mill, one of the first in Victoria

Olinda-Falls

Starting at the Olinda Falls Picnic Ground, follow the Falls Track. After 300m, you will come to the top viewing platform across Olinda Creek as the steady flow of water cascades over the rocks. A further 140m leads to the lower viewing platform and a small bridge over the creek.

Sherbrooke Falls

Tracks leading from Sherbrooke and O’Donohue Picnic Ground provide the easiest walk to the falls through the attractive landscape of tall Mountain Ash and tree ferns. The falls are most inspiring after rain when the swollen Sherbrooke Creek rushes over the rocks.

Lookouts

One of the best places marvel at the beauty of nature is from a lookout. If you're up for a challenging hike, then you can take in incredible landscape views from the top of mountain peaks. For those who prefer a relaxing drive, lookouts make fantastic pit stops for your road trip along Victoria's beaches and coasts.

Visit our lookouts page to find your next view.

Popular lookouts:

London Bridge

A short drive along the Great Ocean Road from the Twelve Apostles just beyond Port Campbell, discover these three unique and spectacular rock formations. See Little Penguins come ashore at dusk from London Bridge Lookout, coastal vistas framed by the charming Grotto and the Arch precariously balanced on a rock platform smashed by waves.

A family take in the view of the Yarra Ranges from the elevated platform at Mt Donna Buang.

Mount Donna Buang

At an elevation of 1245 metres, the summit features a lookout tower which is 21 metres high and offers panoramic views over Melbourne, the Yarra Valley, Dandenong and Cathedral Ranges, Mount Baw Baw and the Alps. It is also a popular picnic area and starting point for walks on the mountain.

Powers Lookout

Powers Lookout provides a beautiful view of the King Valley. Just a short drive from Whitfield, It's very popular for day-trippers and those people who love a bit of Australian History as it is named after bushranger Harry Powers.

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.

Organ Pipes National Park