Keen to get out and about with other nature lovers?

Our volunteer-led bushwalking and activities program and our citizen science programs will get you out and about exploring the places we love!

This latest program has adventures to suit everyone you could find yourself:

  • exploring the beauty of our native grasslands by bike
  • discovering the wildflowers of Fryers Ridge Nature Conservation Reserve
  • cruising on a coach excursion to the Bass coast or Phillip Island
  • being a citizen scientist surveying for wildlife in Bunyip State Park
  • hiking overnight at Dinner Plain in the Alps
  • taking an easy-going amble in nature close to the city

New to bushwalking and activities with VNPA?

We love having newcomers take part in our Bushwalking and Activities Program. If you’ve never been before check out Everything you need to know. This includes information on fees for trips, how to register, difficulty levels for activities etc.

Join our mailing list to stay in the loop about upcoming activities.

Join our activities newsletter

Spring activities

Check the list of great adventures below and follow the prompts to register your interest or book yourself a spot. 

The Great Victorian Fish Count & Youth Team Snorkel

Want to join the fish counting fun with the biggest marine citizen science event of the year? The 2022 Great Victorian Fish Count is now on. Registered groups are hosting surveys right around the Victorian coast – find one near you by exploring the interactive map on our Great Victorian Fish Count homepage.

When: Saturday 12 November – Sunday 11 December

Find a survey here

Please note: to join a GVFC survey, you will need to get in touch with the host organisation. Click a survey icon to see the date, time and host contact info.

Youth Team Snorkel

When: Saturday 10 December

Register here

Spotlight on Bunyip – wildlife spotlighting surveys at night!

Join the NatureWatch team in Bunyip State Park after dark! The possums and gliders that live in the park come out at night so that is the best time to survey for them. We will slowly walk 1-2km on gravel roads while using strong torches to search the ground and into the trees for nocturnal wildlife. We could see Greater Gliders in the wild and hear owls calling.  

When: Saturday 10 Dec, 8-10pm
Where: Bunyip State Park, near Gembrook. 70km SW Melbourne 
Rating: Medium level of fitness. Walking 1-2kms along uneven gravel roads at night.  No experience needed
Leader: NatureWatch activity 

Register here

Past activities and event

Spotlight on Bunyip State Park – Spring Community Discovery Day 
When: Saturday 3 December

U35 – Western Suburbs Coastal Bike Ride 
When: Saturday 3 December

Fryers Forest Nature Conservation Reserve walk 
When: Sunday 4 December

Spotlight on Bunyip – wildlife camera monitoring field days
When: Saturday 8 October

VNPA AGM – Celebrating 70 years of protecting nature together 
When: Tuesday 11 October  

Great Victorian Fish Count Celebration Night – Hidden Gems
When: Thursday 13 October

Cairnlea Grasslands by bike 
When: Saturday 15 October

Excursion by coach – Bass Coast
When: Saturday 15 October

U35 – You Yangs Meander 
When: Saturday 22 October

Hobsons Bay Grasslands by bike 
When: Sunday 23 October 1pm-3pm

Bushwalk – Fryers Ridge Nature Conservation Reserve 
When: Sunday 23 October

Williamstown Wander 
When: Saturday 29 October

Spotlight on Bunyip – wildlife camera monitoring field days
When: Saturday 29 October

The Magnificent Evans St Grassland
When: Saturday 5 November

Simon and Lorrain Jolly’s Parwon Grassland Tour 1
When: Sunday 6 November

Simon and Lorrain Jolly’s Parwon Grassland Tour 2 
When: Saturday 12 November

Excursion by coach – Phillip Island, Corinella and Corinette Bay
When: Saturday 19 November

Paramount Grassland Tour: Flower power by the Ring Road 
When: Sunday 20 November

U35 – Sherbrooke Forest and Grants Picnic Ground
When: Sunday 20 November

Spotlight on Bunyip – wildlife spotlighting surveys at night!
When: Friday 25 November