Download Discover the natural wonders at Victoria`s National Parks, June 2012

NATURAL WONDERS
MEDIA RELEASE
June 2012
Leave the city behind and discover the natural wonders at
Victoria’s National Parks
Experience the beauty, diversity and wide open spaces in Victoria. With 36 national parks covering two and
half million hectares across Victoria’s regions, there's no better way to recharge the batteries and reconnect
with nature. Discover the wildlife in the Australian bush, hike through dense rainforests and misty waterfalls,
or unwind on secluded beaches and spectacular cliff tops.
The Great Otway National Park stretches 70km along Shipwreck Coast on the Great Ocean Road - one of
the world’s best tourist driving routes. Around four hours drive from the city, highlights of this relatively
undeveloped park, include the Great Ocean Walk, Maits Rest self-guided rainforest walk and the Cape
Otway Lightstation. The Otway Fly Treetop Walk provides visitors with an exhilarating bird’s eye view of the
national park. Fishing, canoeing, mountain bike and horse riding are available while day or overnight walks
explore the park’s rainforests and unique coastal scenery.
Famous for the Twelve Apostles and historic shipwrecks, highlights of the Port Campbell National Park
include scenic drives along the rugged coastline with spectacular limestone formations and stunning
underwater canyons of the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park. Take a self-guided walk at Loch Ard
Gorge to discover the shipwreck history or try the Port Campbell Discovery Walk that heads west from the
township.
The Grampians is another Victorian region with a reputation as a natural adventure playground. In the north
western part of Victoria, just a few hours drive from Melbourne, discover grand and rugged mountain ranges,
spectacular wildflower displays, a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities, and a wealth of
Aboriginal rock art sites in the Grampians National Park. Take in the fresh air and open space and get
active in the park. Go bushwalking and rock climbing at Mount Arapiles, known as one of Australia’s best
rock climbing locations, or fishing and canoeing. Brambuk, The National Park and Cultural Centre (Brambuk
NPCC) provides advice on walking, driving, camping and insight into the region’s Aboriginal culture and
heritage.
Visit some of the most remote and spectacular national parks in Victoria within the Gippsland region, just a
few scenic hours drive south east of Melbourne. Affectionately known as ‘the Prom’, Wilsons Promontory
National Park extends to 130km of the largest coastal wilderness area in Victoria and is framed by granite
headlands, mountains, forests and fern gullies. Relax on magnificent beaches, observe wildlife, experience
scenic drives or take a day/overnight hike to experience the view of the forested mountain ranges, rugged
headland and sandy coves of this park.
From sandy beaches to rainforests, explore the World Biosphere Reserve, Croajingolong National Park
Still in the Gippsland region see a vast array of landscapes from pure white sandy beaches, rocky coastal
headlands and granite peaks to rambling heathlands, lush rainforests and towering eucalypts. The park is a
great spot for hiking and walking, water sports such as surfing and freshwater fishing, swimming, diving,
snorkelling and sea kayaking, and touring by 4WD or mountain bikes. It is also a photographer's paradise
with countless opportunities to capture untouched nature on film.
The Murray region's national parks present a diverse set of sights, activities and environments in an
impressive and often otherworldly terrain. Explore the area by car or on foot or set up camp and overnight in
a park. Head to Murray-Sunset National Park to see the Pink Lakes, open landscapes, breathtaking
sunsets and starry nights. Its vastness and isolation makes the Park great for four wheel drive touring,
bushwalking and camping. Spot kangaroos and teeming bird life at Hattah-Kulkyne National Park whilst
enjoying the open native pine woodland camping, walking, bike riding or canoeing. The region is definitely
worth the journey and is about four or five hours in a car from the city.
The national parks and reserves of Victoria’s High Country protect some of the most spectacular natural
areas in the state and are destinations for all seasons, just three or four hours north east of the city. Alpine
National Park is Victoria’s largest, with some of Australia's most outstanding alpine landscapes and snow
gum woodlands. This magnificent national park contains ten of the eleven highest mountains in the state
including Mount Bogong and Mount Feathertop. The alpine huts are all major features of the park.
Bushwalking and cycling are popular, while excellent facilities are available for downhill and cross-country
skiing in the adjoining alpine resorts during the winter months.
The rugged plateau of Mount Buffalo is Victoria's oldest national park and is famous for its massive granite
tors, plunging waterfalls and cliff-top views. This all-seasons park is perfect for those with an adventurous
streak. Activities include downhill and cross-country skiing in winter (June to October) and bushwalking in
spring/summer (November to April). Rock climbing and hang gliding are available all year round as is the
magnificent view from the Gorge near the historic Chalet.
Gain perspective in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges' national parks, with their spellbinding fern
glades and majestic trees, thundering waterfalls and timid wildlife. An easy one hour drive from Melbourne,
Dandenong Ranges National Park is well known for its spectacular Mountain Ash trees and lush fern
gullies, and is ideal for relaxing picnics and tranquil forest walks. Explore the forest on a range of walks, or
enjoy a picnic at the Fern Tree Gully Picnic Ground, One Tree Hill or in Sherbrooke Forest. Keep your ears
out for lyrebirds, which have been known to mimic the sounds of babies crying to cameras clicking. Nearby
is the historic Puffing Billy train as well as restaurants, craft and antique shops and lush gardens.
Cradling the Yarra River headwaters and much of Melbourne’s water catchment, the neighbouring Yarra
Ranges National Park is dominated by majestic Mountain Ash trees. Scenic drives and walks lead through
fern gullies, past cascading water falls and to breathtaking lookouts. Drive the world famous Black Spur
between Healesville and Narbethong, and see luxuriant rainforest near Marysville. Enjoy cross-country
skiing and tobogganing at Lake Mountain during winter months.
The Mornington Peninsula, just an hour from Melbourne, is also home to wonderful walking tracks with
stunning coastal views, alternate between great heights and underwater environments, from tranquil
bushland to wild ocean beaches. The narrow strip of coast and bushland of Mornington Peninsula
National Park offers a wonderful blend of natural scenery and fascinating historic features. The park is
popular for swimming, walking, picnics and nature study, as well as surfing at ocean beaches like Portsea,
Sorrento and Gunnamatta.
Wander across a landscape teeming with bird life, kangaroos, wallabies and wildflowers, and discover
thousands of relics from Victoria's mining era in The Goldfields, 90 minutes drive from Melbourne. Greater
Bendigo National Park conserves some of north-central Victoria's most outstanding natural features. The
park itself is the product of intensive use over the past 150 years from gold mining, land selection, forestry,
and eucalyptus oil production.
From the remains of house sites and puddling machines to the gold mines and gullies that yielded up
fortunes Australia's first national heritage park, Castlemaine Diggings National Park harbours fascinating
tales of a golden past and retains much of its gold-rush character. Scenic drives, bushwalking, cycling,
guided tours and gold fossicking are some of the highlights.
Media contacts: Zoe Shurgold, Senior International Media Officer, Tel: +61 3 9653 9814; mobile +61
415254418
Email: [email protected]
Corporate website: www.tourismvictoria.com.au
Consumer website: www.visitmelbourne.com