Exploring Victoria's natural heritage together
Our volunteer-led bushwalking and activities program will get you out and about exploring the places we love!
This winter and spring, our team of experienced bushwalking and activity leaders are offering an array of great trips.
You could circumnavigate Mount Macedon, camp near Natimuk in western Victoria, create nature-based artwork by the Merri or blossom new knowledge about trees near Bendigo.
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.
Check the list of great adventures below and follow the prompts to register your interest or book yourself a spot. Registration will be available 4 weeks prior to the activity date.
Scar Tree Walk
This guided tour, led by an experienced guide from Koorie Heritage Trust is a cultural journey that connects traditional and contemporary Aboriginal cultures and histories of the local Kulin Peoples. This gentle walk, begins at the Koorie Heritage Trust and meanders through the Birrarung Wilam (Common Ground) Aboriginal art installations towards a traditional Kulin Nation meeting place and finishing at the Scar Trees.
When: 2.30pm – 4.30pm Thursday, 11 August
Where: Melbourne CBD
Rating: Easy
Leader: Caitlin Griffith, 03 93416500, [email protected]
Under 35s ART+NATURE: Merri Creek Trail
Experience the Merri Creek a bit differently this time – join us for walk & art activity. We’ll be walking a small section of the Merri Creek Trail and will make multiple stops along the way, to take in our surroundings and record what we see, using fun & creative methods.
When: Sunday 14 August
Where: Merri Creek, start and finish at Rushall Train Station, 5km NE Melb
Rating: Easy | Suitable for all levels of artistic creativity. 5km
Leader: Leader Eva Klusacek, 0423 053 318, [email protected]
Trip to Hurstbridge Wattle Festival
Walk from Eltham train station along Diamond Creek Trail. Diamond Creek to Hurstbridge recently completed. Go to website Hurstbridge Wattle Festival 2022 for full details. We can spend as long as any participant likes as there are regular metro trains for return. There may also be a steamer doing regular shuttles to and from Eltham with final trip right back to the city. Bring you plant books and see how many wattles we can identify.
When: Sunday 28 August
Where: Eltham Train Station, 25km NE Melbourne
Rating: Easy. 13km
Leader: Philip Sharp, 0448 838 055, [email protected]
Marysville to Keppel Lookout
A delightful walk near Marysville through lush forest with several scenic lookouts, culminating with Keppel lookout, with a few hills thrown in. Well-earned refreshments in Marysville or other town afterwards.
When: Sunday 4 September
Where: Marysville, 90km NE of Melbourne CBD
Rating: Medium
Leader: Ric Halford, 0408 304 607, [email protected]
Under 35s – Sherbrooke Forest & Grant’s Picnic Ground
Circuit walk in the lush Dandenongs. We will explore several trails in the Sherbrooke Forest. Highlights include Sherbrooke Falls, Alfred Nicholas Gardens; and being amongst the rainforest ecology of ferns & creeks, and so much more. Some steep walking will be involved, and it will potentially be muddy & slippery. Starting & ending at Belgrave train station.
When: Saturday 10 September
Where: Belgrave Station, 45km ESE Melb
Rating: Medium/hard. 13km
Leader: Eva Klusacek, 0423 053 318, [email protected]
Macedon forest area, incl Sanatorium Lake
A scenic Macedon Ranges walking trail on well maintained tracks between boulders and eucalypt forest to a great view of Hanging Rock area. Overall easy gradients, 1 – 2 slight hills but enjoyable for most fitness levels. Variety of sites of interest and habitats throughout the walk. Enjoying the summit and lake, also heads through a pleasant Picnic Ground (and a 400 mtr section along a road.) A relaxed pace to enjoy; BYO lunch along the way.
When: Sunday 18 September
Where: Macedon area, 65km NW Melbourne
Rating: Easy/Medium. 8km
Leader: Doug Palmer, 0407 883 689, [email protected]
Registration will be available 4 weeks prior to the activity date.
Invasive Species Search
This is a 3-day activity over the long weekend (Fri-Sun). We’ll search for weeds and possibly rabbit warrens on Trust-for-Nature protected property in western Victoria. We may undertake some removal where this can easily be done with hand tools. Most walking will be off-track and may involve pushing through scrub. Training will be provided for recognition of target species and in the use of mapping and GPS software on your phone.
This will be conducted as a base-camp. You’ll need a tent and other camping equipment however we will be camping close to cars so not carrying more than a day-pack.
Full trip notes including what to bring will be provided to participants in the weeks prior to the trip.
When: Friday 23 – Sunday 25 September
Where: Natimuk-Edenhope area, 400km NW Melbourne
Rating: Medium
Leader: Euan Moore, 0407 519 091, [email protected]
Registration will be available 4 weeks prior to the activity date.
Grow West Community Planting Day
Bring the family and help improve habitat on the Werribee River. You will be joining other volunteers to plant 4,000 seedlings and make up and install tree guards to protect the seedlings. This activity is hosted by Grow West and supported by VNPA.
When: 9am – 3pm | Sunday 24 July 2022
Where: Pelican Point | Hopetoun Park | VIC 3340
Mt Macedon Circuit
The classic Mt Macedon circuit walk. Starting/finishing at Macedon village with a good climb up to the views and snowgums. Some cold weather, steep sections, and rough uneven ground.
When: Saturday 6 August
Where: Mount Macedon, 65km NW Melbourne
Rating: Medium. 17km
Leader: Richard Tagg