Home to the majestic Dandenong Ranges, close to the awe-inspiring Grampians and a stone’s throw from places like Phillip Island and the Mount Macedon Ranges, visitors to Melbourne are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to nature walks.
Amazed has a growing number of bushwalks and hiking experiences that immerse visitors in the great outdoors, so read on for some of our top picks!
Just a 45-minute drive from central Melbourne, a Dandenong Ranges hike is the perfect choice for nature lovers with a time constraint. In fact, there are fewer gifts more special than a private tour of the Dandenong Ranges for someone who loves nature. Amazed has an experience that includes a private visit to William Ricketts Sanctuary, where visitors can discover the unique sculptures of Aboriginal people in the forest. From there, the tour continues to the main forest in the mountains to soak in the sights and sounds of nature on a leisurely and fairly easy walk. The Dandenong Ranges are also home to some of the tallest eucalyptus trees and oldest ferns in the world!
Book your Grampians Hike through Amazed and discover the magic of this special National Park with a highly knowledgeable tour guide. We have experiences including a small group hiking tour in The Grampians National Park that visits ancient rock formations, including the Grand Canyon and Silent Street, and the iconic Pinnacle (you know the one!). After visiting this famous jagged cliff face, hikers will then head to MacKenzie Falls - one of Victoria’s largest and most beautiful waterfalls. Other stops on the trip include Boroka Lookout and the delightful local village of Halls Gap to meet the kangaroos.
The tranquil Bellarine peninsula is just 30 km from the city of Geelong and under 90 minutes from Melbourne. A nature walk of the You Yangs is a must, with many bush trails to cover and the chance to spot native koalas, kangaroos, echidnas and other wildlife along the way.
Slightly further north is the Brisbane Ranges National Park which also makes an excellent nature walk. Discover Victoria's richest wildflower habitat or engage in a bit of bird spotting (there are more than 170 different birds that live in the area).
Want to explore more of Victoria’s great outdoors? Check out Amazed’s growing number of Nature Park experiences.