Chances to explore Victoria's natural heritage together
Our Activities Calendar includes everything from volunteer-led bushwalks and excursions to citizen science and nature-based learning. We also run special activities for young adults and for families with young kids.
Join us this autumn and you could:
Check out all the latest opportunities to get into nature in the activities calendar below.
New to bushwalking, nature-based learning and citizen science with VNPA?
We love having newcomers take part in our nature-based adventures. Here is a break-down of the types of activities we offer.
For the latest Autumn activities check out the calendar below.
Bushwalking and Excursions – These activities are organised by our wonderful team of volunteer leaders. There are a range of activities on offer, these are all listed in the calendar below. To learn more about how to register, difficult gradings etc. check out the Everything you need to know page.
ReefWatch and NatureWatch are citizen science programs with opportunities to find and record wildlife from sea slugs to possums on specially designed scientific projects.
Wild Families activities are adventures for families with kids up to 12 get into nature with VNPA. Activities are fun, interactive and a chance for parents and kids to learn about nature together.
Nature Stewards courses are 10 week programs that introduce people to local and Victorian nature.
We also offer special activities to learn more about nature such as photography workshops, fungi forays, grassland and forest activities etc.
Join our activities mailing list for regular updates on our calendar of activities.
Sign up to the activities newsletter
Check the diverse list of adventures below and follow the prompts to find out more or book yourself a spot.
On this excursion, our first stop will be in Gisborne for morning tea and a walk through the Botanic Gardens. This will be followed by a visit to Forest Glade, one of the finest private gardens covering over 14 acres. Lunch will be at Mt. Macedon followed by a walk to the famous cross and lookouts. Woodend will be our stop in the afternoon.
When: Saturday 25 March
Where: Macedon Ranges, 64km NW Melbourne, coach departs from St. Kilda Rd, Melbourne
Rating: Easy (formed tracks, level/undulating terrain, relaxed pace), up 6km walking broken up into different times through the day
Cost: $60 per person to cover cost of coach
Volunteer Excursions Leader: Larysa Kucan, [email protected] (03) 9347 3733
Enquiries: Contact the activity leader to enquire about this activity
Contribute to our knowledge of mammals in Victoria on a field day in Bunyip State Park. We’ll be setting up motion sensing cameras as part of our long-term monitoring project. Over the past 10 years we have recorded Southern Brown Bandicoots, Long-nosed Bandicoots and Antechinus. We meet in Gembrook and carpool or convoy to our research sites. Full training is provided.
When: Saturday 25 March
Where: Gembrook, 65km E Melbourne
Rating: Medium. Participants need a medium level of fitness. Some walking to field sites required.
Leader: NatureWatch program, Sera Blair, [email protected], (03) 9341 6500
Enquiries: Contact the activity leader to enquire about this activity
A ten-week program that will introduce you to your local and wider Victorian ecosystems and natural places including:
• Rocks and soils
• Fungi, plants and animals
• Climate change and seasons
• Ways to care for Country and manage private property
• Ways to get active for nature
When: Saturday 25 March – Saturday 3 June
Where: Merri-Bek and Moonee Valley
Leader: Nature Stewards program
Cost: Course fees available here.
Find out more or apply to join
A three-day field trip to East Gippsland to survey for wildlife following the 2020 bushfires. Volunteers will use motion sensing cameras, spotlighting surveys and audio recorders. Full training provided. This trip will take you deep into East Gippsland’s amazing forests. Self-sufficient bush style camping. BYO all camping gear, food and water.
When: Tuesday 28 March – Thursday 30 March
Where: Errinundra National Park, 450km E Melbourne
Rating: Medium. Volunteers need to be competent in a bush setting, with bush camping and in remote areas.
Leader: NatureWatch program, Sera Blair, [email protected], (03) 9341 6500
Enquiries: Contact the activity leader to enquire about this activity
Check out nature after dark and contribute to our knowledge of mammals in Victoria on a spotlighting survey in Bunyip State Park. This is a great opportunity to see and record possums and gliders. Full training is provided.
When: 7pm – 10pm | Friday 31 March
Where: Gembrook, 65km E Melbourne
Rating: Medium. Participants need a medium level of fitness. Some walking to field sites required.
Leader: NatureWatch program, Sera Blair, [email protected], (03) 9341 6500
Enquiries: Contact the activity leader to enquire about this activity
On this Autumn trip, there will be a stop at Nagambie Lake before we travel to Whroo Historic Reserve to view the spectacular Balaclava open-cut mine and visit the old cemetery. Our next stop will be Chateau Tahbilk, a historic winery, situated on the Goulburn River which was established in 1860 and compromises acres of vineyard, beautiful historic buildings, and the Tahbilk Wetlands.
When: Saturday 15 April
Where: Nagambie and surrounds. The bus leaves from St. Kilda Rd at 8.30am
Rating: Easy (formed tracks, level/undulating terrain, relaxed pace), up 6km walking broken up into different times through the day
Cost: $60 per person to cover cost of coach. BYO lunch and morning tea. Afternoon tea can be purchased at Chateau Tahbilk restaurant.
Volunteer Excursions Leader: Larysa Kucan, [email protected] (03) 9347 3733
Enquiries: Contact the activity leader to enquire about this activity
Registration opens 4 weeks prior to the activity
Sea Slug Census at San Remo – explore the highly diverse San Remo intertidal habitat with VNPA ReefWatch Coordinator and marine scientist Kade Mills, looking for sea slugs using the newly published Victorian Sea Slugs booklet. Learn more about the Sea Slug Census.
Suitable for all ages including families with kids.
When: Saturday 15 April
Where: San Remo 123km, SE Melbourne
Rating: Medium.
Leader: ReefWatch program activity
Contribute to our knowledge of mammals in Victoria on a field day in Bunyip State Park. We’ll be setting up motion sensing cameras as part of our long-term monitoring project. Over the past 10 years we have recorded Southern Brown Bandicoots, Long-nosed Bandicoots and Antechinus. We meet in Gembrook and carpool or convoy to our research sites. Full training is provided.
When: Saturday 15 April
Where: Gembrook, 65km E Melbourne
Rating: Medium. Participants need a medium level of fitness. Some walking to field sites required.
Leader: NatureWatch program, Sera Blair, [email protected], (03) 9341 6500
Enquiries: Contact the activity leader to enquire about this activity
A ten-week program that will introduce you to your local and wider Victorian ecosystems and natural places including:
• Rocks and soils
• Fungi, plants and animals
• Climate change and seasons
• Ways to care for Country and manage private property
• Ways to get active for nature
When: Saturday 15 April – Tuesday 27 June
Where: Melbourne
Leader: Nature Stewards program
Cost: Course fees available here.
Find out more or apply to join
This Masons Falls Circuit is a pleasant bushwalk through regenerating bush that shows the impact of Black Saturday fires. However, there are large parts of the track that did seem to escape the tragic fires. We will visit Mason Falls and Mt Sugarloaf on this walk.
We will be meeting at the Masons Falls Picnic Area at 9.30am. Bring boots, food, water and rain jacket.
When: Sunday 16 April
Where: Kinglake National Park, 70km N Melbourne
Rating: Medium difficulty ~16kms walking
Volunteer Bushwalking Leader: Darren McClelland, [email protected], 0449 167 776
Enquiries: Contact the activity leader to enquire about this activity
Registration opens 4 weeks prior to the activity
Come explore nature in Bunyip State Park! Activities for all ages.
Join a guided walk to learn about the plants, fungi, birds and mammals that live in the park. Visit our NatureWatch table to learn how we have been monitoring wildlife in the park for over 10 years and see how you can do it at home as well!
Unleash your creative side and join ‘Art in the Park’ with an experienced artist will be on hand to inspire you and set you up with materials to help you create something wonderful!
Explore our ‘Wild Families’ table with fun activities for kids and test your knowledge with treasure hunt sheets to see if you can identify some of the natural treasures in the park.
Suitable for all ages.
When: Saturday 22 April
Where: Dyers Creek Picnic Ground, Black Snake Creek Road, Gembrook, 67km SE of Melbourne
Rating: Easy (walking on gravel roads and unsealed tracks)
Leader: NatureWatch program, Sera Blair, [email protected], (03) 9341 6500
Enquiries: Contact the activity leader to enquire about this activity
This walk will take you through the best beach scenery with dramatic high cliffs as background. We check out the sweeping views at Pt Addis and then progress through Ironbark basin back to our starting point. We’ll have a BYO lunch along the way.
When: Sunday 23 April
Where: Meet at Southside Carpark off Bells Beach Road, 100km SW Melbourne
Rating: Easy/medium difficulty ~11.5kms walking
Volunteer Bushwalking Leader: Isolde Scherer, [email protected], 0405 910 815
Enquiries: Contact the activity leader to enquire about this activity
Registration opens 4 weeks prior to the activity
An undulating woodland walk with the loveable grass trees looking over us like wise old spirits. Walking mostly on well-formed tracks and a short gorge to cross along the way.
When: Saturday 29 April
Where: Brisbane Ranges National Park, 75km W of Melbourne
Rating: Easy/Medium difficulty ~14kms walking
Volunteer Bushwalking Leader: Richard Tagg, [email protected], 0404 808 242
Enquiries: Contact the activity leader to enquire about this activity
Registration opens 4 weeks prior to the activity
A ten-week program that will introduce you to your local and wider Victorian ecosystems and natural places including:
• Rocks and soils
• Fungi, plants and animals
• Climate change and seasons
• Ways to care for Country and manage private property
• Ways to get active for nature
When: Saturday 6 May – Saturday 17 June
Where: Strathbogie Shire
Leader: Nature Stewards program
Cost: Course fees available here.
Find out more or apply to join
This is a medium walk along a coastal trail and if the tides are out, we will walk along beaches. We will be meeting at 10am at the Punch Bowl car park on Punch Bowl Road about 7km from Kilcunda. There are variations of the trip and these will be considered depending on the interests of participants. Bring lunch and sunscreen and protective sun cover.
When: Saturday 13 May
Where: Kilcunda area, 124km SE Melbourne
Rating: Easy/Medium difficulty ~13kms walking
Volunteer Bushwalking Leader: Evelyn Feller, [email protected], (03) 5962 5227
Enquiries: Contact the activity leader to enquire about this activity
Registration opens 4 weeks prior to the activity
We meet at Turntable carpark to view the sweeping volcanic plains with the ocean in the horizon. We follow the Branding Yard trail through the lower woodlands. Passing the Bunjil Geoglyph and maybe spotting an echidna, ringtail possum or kangaroo. With one hill, this is an easy walk. After a BYO picnic, you may want to ascend the 450 steps of Flinders Peak and get 360 views of the area.
When: Sunday 14 May
Where: Meet at Turntable Carpark, You Yangs, 60kms SW Melbourne
Rating: Easy difficulty ~5kms walking
Volunteer Bushwalking Leader: Isolde Scherer, [email protected], 0405 910 815
Enquiries: Contact the activity leader to enquire about this activity
Registration opens 4 weeks prior to the activity
Our first stop will be at Werribee, for morning tea and a walk along the river. We will then travel to the Brisbane Ranges where we will start an easy 5km walk along the Anakie Gorge Walking Track. Expect wonderful scenery. Lunch (BYO) will be at the Anakie Gorge Picnic Area. On our return journey, we will stop at Bacchus Marsh for afternoon tea and a visit to fruit and vegetable stalls.
When: Saturday 20 May
Where: Werribee, Brisbane Ranges, Bacchus Marsh. The bus leaves from St. Kilda Rd at 8.30am
Rating: Easy (formed tracks, level/undulating terrain, relaxed pace), up 6km walking broken up into different times through the day
Cost: $60 per person to cover cost of coach
Volunteer Excursions Leader: Larysa Kucan, [email protected], (03) 9347 3733
Enquiries: Contact the activity leader to enquire about this activity
Registration opens 4 weeks prior to the activity
Come and learn about the wonderful world of trees. We’ll visit the tallest flowering trees in the world, learn skills in identifying and measuring eucalyptus trees and spend time getting to know a special tree using scientific, mindfulness and artistic techniques.
This activity has been designed for an adult audience.
When: 10am – 12pm | Sunday 28 May
Where: Kinglake National Park, Jehosaphat Gully Picnic Area
Leader: Caitlin Griffith, [email protected]
Enquiries: Contact the activity leader to enquire about this activity
Registration opens soon.
Join other wild families in learning about the wonderful world of trees. We’ll visit the tallest flowering trees in the world and spend some time getting to know a special tree using both art and science.
This activity is designed for families with kids under 12
When: 2pm – 3pm | Sunday 28 May
Where: Kinglake National Park, Jehosaphat Gully Picnic Area
Leader: Wild Families program, [email protected]
Enquiries: Contact the activity leader to enquire about this activity