The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Bunyip State Park

Our guide features three family-friendly hiking routes within Bunyip State Park, all offering a moderate challenge suitable for active families. The park itself offers a wider range of trails, including shorter, easier options like the Mortimer Nature Walk, which is ideal for younger children.

Bunyip State Park offers a diverse range of landscapes, from tranquil heathland swamps to towering mountain ash forests. You'll traverse varied terrains including dense eucalyptus forests, serene fern gullies, and open grassy plains. During spring, the park is particularly vibrant with wildflower displays.

Yes, the park is home to Lawson Falls, which is particularly beautiful after rainfall. While not directly on the routes listed in this guide, the Lawson Falls Circuit Walk is a popular moderate trail to experience it. You'll also encounter impressive granite outcrops, such as those found on the Four Brothers Rocks trails.

Spring is an excellent time to visit, as the park comes alive with vibrant wildflower displays, including orchids, wattles, and bush peas. The weather is generally pleasant for hiking during spring and autumn. Summers can be warm, while winters can be cool and wet, making trails potentially muddy.

Yes, all the routes featured in this guide are circular, making them convenient for families. For example, the Four Brothers Rocks loop is a popular option that brings you back to your starting point.

Bunyip State Park is rich in wildlife. You might encounter kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats. Birdwatchers can look forward to spotting various species, including the lyrebird, known for its mimicry, and potentially rarer birds like the southern emu wren. The park is also one of the few places where the Leadbeater's Possum and Helmeted Honeyeater coexist.

The komoot community rates the trails in Bunyip State Park highly, with an average score of 4.0 stars. Hikers often praise the diverse forest scenery, the challenging yet rewarding climbs, and the peaceful atmosphere of the park.

The trails leading to Four Brothers Rocks, such as the Four Brothers Rocks – Bunyip State Park loop from Bunyip State Park Mortimer Picnic Ground, offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape from large granite outcrops. These provide excellent photo opportunities and a chance to appreciate the park's expanse.

Bunyip State Park has several designated parking areas. Many of the popular trails, including those featured in this guide, start from picnic grounds like Mortimer Picnic Ground, which offers convenient parking facilities for visitors.

Yes, Bunyip State Park is well-equipped with facilities. There are several picnic areas, including Mortimer Picnic Ground. For those looking to extend their stay, camping areas like Mortimer Camping Area, Nash Creek Campground, and Forest Road Campground are available.

The family-friendly hikes in this guide are generally moderate in difficulty. For example, the Bunyip State Park loop from Bunyip State Park Mortimer Picnic Ground covers about 14.2 kilometers with an elevation gain of around 414 meters, typically taking over 4 hours to complete. These are best suited for families with some hiking experience.