Parks Victoria is looking to tempt Melburnians into taking a quick getaway with its pick of parks that are within a one hour’s drive from the city.
In a statement, Parks said most of its picks offered great recreational activities or ways to cool off by a lake or river.
“Getting out of the city and into nature with friends and family is a great way to spend a weekend or day out over the holidays,” Parks said.
“One of the highlights of living in Melbourne is that you don’t always have to travel long distances or stay overnight to get your dose of the great outdoors,” it said.
Parks said that just 20 km north of Melbourne on Wurundjeri Country was Plenty Gorge Parklands, offering walks, multiple picnic areas, playgrounds and a bush camp for school or community groups.
It said the Gorge treated visitors to beautiful landscape views of native vegetation, unique geological formations of basalt and sedimentary rock and, of course, the Plenty River.
“There are several walking tracks within the Park, including family-friendly walks, designated areas for on-lead dog walking and opportunities to spot unique native wildlife,” Parks said.
It also recommended Warrandyte State Park, 23 km north-east of Melbourne on Wurundjeri Country, a large park that follows the banks of the Yarra River; Karkarook Park, 18 km south-east of Melbourne on Bunurong Country, a community park, complete with a 15-hectare lake and native vegetation; and Organ Pipes National Park, 22 km north-west of Melbourne on Wurundjeri Country, hosting a volcanic rock formation that is renowned worldwide.
Parks Victoria also recommended Lysterfield Park, 35km south-east of Melbourne on Bunurong and Wurundjeri Country, which it said offered everything from relaxed picnics by the lake to adventurous mountain biking.
