Kinglake National Park, Victoria: Walks, camping, waterfalls & mountain biking

The best things to do in Kinglake National Park near Melbourne include walking to Masons Falls and Wombelano Falls. You can also try camping at the Gums Camping Area and mountain biking at the Bowden Spur Mountain Bike Area.

Kinglake National Park in Victoria is one of the closest national parks to Melbourne. This small Victorian national park is about 65km north-east of the city centre.

Kinglake National Park is on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range, around the town of Kinglake. Bushfires in 2009 devastated the area, and it is still in recovery. That said, Kinglake National Park is a good spot for walking, camping, picnics and mountain biking. You’ll also have the chance to see nearly 40 native mammal species, 90 native bird species and almost 600 different native plants.

Kinglake National Park camping and picnics

There’s only one campsite in Kinglake National Park. The Gums Camping Area is off Eucalyptus Road on a bend of Island Creek. There are 18 sites, only five of which are suitable for caravans. Facilities are very basic – expect to bring out what you brought in. Bookings for this Kinglake National Park camping option are essential – book your spot at the Parks Victoria website.

If you don’t want to stay over night but fancy making a day of it, there are a few picnic areas in this national park near Melbourne. Most popular is the Masons Falls Picnic Area, which offers shelter, tables and toilets. There are also gas barbecues for anyone wanting to do more than sandwiches and salads.

Alternative Kinglake National Park picnic areas include the Island Creek Picnic Area, Blackwood Picnic Area near Mt Sugarloaf and the smaller picnic spot in Jehosaphat Gully.

Kinglake National Park walks

Top of the list of things to do in Kinglake National Park, however, are the walking trails. There are several to choose from. The Masons Falls Walk to the Masons Falls viewing platform is the classic walk here. It’s a 700 metre track one way, and can be combined with other short walking trails around the Masons Falls Picnic Area for a more invigorating workout.

Walking track near Masons Falls in Kinglake National Park, Victoria. Photo courtesy of Parks Victoria.

Other popular Kinglake National Park walks include the 1.5km circuit track to Wombelano Falls from Captains Creek Road. There are plenty of old growth trees in the forest on the way. There are also walks in Jehosaphat Gully and around Mt Sugarloaf. Further details and maps are available on the Parks Victoria website.

Kinglake National Park mountain biking

It’s also possible to go mountain biking in the Kinglake National Park. There’s a 2km downhill trail called Shepherds in the Bowden Spur Mountain Bike Area. It’s a very tough, technical trail, with several dirt jumps and off-camber sections. There’s a double black diamond rating for good reason. Should you still wish to take Shepherds on, the Bowden Spur Mountain Bike Area is off Bowden Spur Road, about 200m from the intersection with the Kinglake-Whittlesea Road.

Kinglake is a short drive north-west of Healesville, and the national park is essentially an extension of the Yarra Ranges National Park.

More national parks in Victoria