National park · Australia
Brisbane Ranges National Park
Go for a half day from Melbourne or Geelong: walk the 1.5 km (0.9 mi) Anakie Gorge circuit, add the Ted Errey Nature Circuit if you have 2–3 hours, and come in Sep–Nov for orchids; skip it in a total fire ban day.Go for a half day from Melbourne or Geelong: walk the 0.9 mi (1.5 km) Anakie Gorge circuit, add the Ted Errey Nature Circuit if you have 2–3 hours, and come in Sep–Nov for orchids; skip it in a total fire ban day.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
87 km² (34 sq mi)34 sq mi (87 km²)
approximate
Established
1973
Best months
Sep–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
- Victoria ↗Myki covers Melbourne trains, trams and buses, and V/Line within the commuter belt; beyond that you need a booked V/Line ticket.
- Victoria ↗Fresh fruit, vegetables, plants, seeds and soil cannot cross into Victoria; quarantine bins sit at airports and on the Hume and Princes highways.
- Victoria ↗V/Line daily fare cap is A$11.40 (2026 estimate) — regional trains are the cheapest way to move around the state.
- Greater Geelong ↗Myki covers V/Line trains and local buses in the region; tap on and off.
- Greater Geelong ↗A car makes the Bellarine and the You Yangs practical; without one, stay in Geelong city.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 87 km² (34 sq mi)34 sq mi (87 km²)
- Roughly 80–90 km² across several blocks west of Bacchus Marsh; boundary figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1973
- Best months
- Sep–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Geelong
Brisbane Ranges National Park sits on the western outliers of the Great Dividing Range, about 80 km west of Melbourne and 45–60 minutes from Geelong, on Wathaurong country. It was declared a national park in 1973 and covers roughly 80–90 km² of low, stony ridges and steep gullies rising to about 500 m, cut by Anakie Gorge where a seasonal creek runs through basalt cliffs and river red gums. The park is known for its biodiversity — dozens of orchid and wildflower species, eucalypt forest, heathy woodland and grassland — and for wildlife typical of dry forest: kangaroos, wallabies, koalas in the taller eucalypts, parrots, honeyeaters and kookaburras. There is no entry fee for Victorian national parks, so the cost of a visit is fuel plus any camping charge. It stays quieter than the parks closer to Melbourne, which makes it a workable half-day from Geelong or Bacchus Marsh and a longer day out from Melbourne or Ballarat. The main constraint is fire: summers are hot and dry, temperatures can pass 35°C, and on a declared total fire ban day the park is closed to visitors.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1973.
Size and age
87 km² (34 sq mi)34 sq mi (87 km²) · national park since 1973
Roughly 80–90 km² across several blocks west of Bacchus Marsh; boundary figures vary by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Geelong.
Why go
- Anakie Gorge packs cliffs, creek crossings and river red gums into a 1.5 km (0.9 mi) loop you can finish in under an hour.Anakie Gorge packs cliffs, creek crossings and river red gums into a 0.9 mi (1.5 km) loop you can finish in under an hour.
- One of the better wildflower and orchid spots in Victoria, with dozens of species recorded and a spring peak.
- Quieter than the parks closer to Melbourne, so the car park and trails stay calm on most weekends.
- Koalas, kangaroos and parrots on a walk that needs no guide and no booking.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecCaution
- JanHot and dry; total fire ban days close the park
- FebPeak heat and fire risk
- MarCooling; still dry underfoot
- AprMild walking weather, some autumn colour
- MayCool and quiet; frost in gullies
- JunCold, wet tracks; few visitors
- JulColdest month; creek may run
- AugEarly orchids start; frosty mornings
- SepWildflowers begin; mild days
- OctOrchid and wildflower peak
- NovStill flowering; warm but not hot
- DecHeating up; start early
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildflowers and native orchidsAug–Nov · Dozens of species recorded; spring is the peak. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Kangaroos and wallabiesAll year · Most active around dawn and dusk. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| KoalasAll year · In some of the taller eucalypts; look up, do not approach. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Parrots, honeyeaters and kookaburrasAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Reptiles, including snakesNov–Mar · Common in warm months; watch where you step off track. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Melbourne
Western Freeway to Bacchus Marsh, then Anakie Road and local roads to the Anakie Gorge car park.
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Geelong
Via Anakie or Steiglitz to the southern and western sections.
45–60 min
Open the page →
From Bacchus Marsh
Local roads via Anakie to the eastern side and Anakie Gorge.
30–40 min
From Ballarat
Via Meredith and Steiglitz to the northern and western entrances.
1–1.25 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Anakie Gorge | The main walking area: a seasonal creek through basalt cliffs, ferns and river red gums. | Open; car park at the trailhead, no booking. |
| Ted Errey Nature Circuit | A longer loop through heathy woodland and eucalypt forest on the eastern side. | Open; signed walking track. |
| Steiglitz and the northern blocks | Historic gold-mining relics, ruins and quieter walking country. | Open; roads are unsealed in parts. |
| Camping areas | Basic designated sites used as a base for longer walks. | Book or arrive early; no powered sites. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation only; the park covers several separate blocks west of Bacchus Marsh.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entry fee for Victorian national parks; you pay only for camping where charged. |
| Camping (designated sites) | AUD 0–15 (≈ US$0–10) | person per night | 2026 estimate; some Victorian parks charge a small per-person fee and some are free (check). |
| Parks Victoria seasonal pass | Free | vehicle | Not required here; passes apply to a few fee-charging Victorian parks only (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping permit or guide
Total fire ban days no permit
Park rules
- Total fire ban days
- On a declared total fire ban day the park is closed; check the CFA and Parks Victoria status before driving out in summer.
- Fires
- Campfires only in provided fireplaces and only outside fire-danger periods; bring your own wood.
- Dogs and pets
- Not allowed in the national park; leave them at home.
- Wildflowers and orchids
- Do not pick or dig plants; stay on marked tracks.
- Wildlife
- Do not feed or handle kangaroos, koalas or birds.
- Litter and drones
- Carry out all rubbish; drone use needs permission from Parks Victoria (check).
Where to stay
In the park
Camping in the park
Basic designated sites, no power; book where required and expect no showers.
Near the park
Bacchus Marsh
Motels and pubs about 30–40 minutes from Anakie Gorge.
Near the park
Geelong
The widest choice of hotels and hostels, 45–60 minutes away.
Near the park
Ballarat
Hotels and guesthouses for the northern entrances via Meredith.
Safety
Bushfire high
Heat medium
Snakes medium
Rough unsealed roads low
Patchy phone signal medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Anakie Gorge has a formed, mostly flat loop with small bridges; some sections are uneven and can be muddy.
- The Steiglitz historic area can be seen largely from the car and short level walks.
- Longer circuits and ridge tracks are rough, stony and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked tracks in spring so orchids and wildflowers are not trampled.
- Take all rubbish out; there are few bins in the park.
- Keep to designated camping areas and use existing fireplaces only.
- Do not feed wildlife or leave food scraps that attract animals to the road.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Brisbane Ranges National Park?
Nothing. There is no entry fee for Victorian national parks, so you pay only for fuel and any camping fee where a site is charged (2026 estimate; check the current camping rate).
What are the best hikes in Brisbane Ranges National Park?
The 1.5 km Anakie Gorge circuit is the easy classic, about 45 minutes to an hour. The Ted Errey Nature Circuit is the longer half-day option at 2–3 hours, and the Steiglitz historic area adds an easy 1–2 hour walk among gold-rush ruins.
When is the best time to visit Brisbane Ranges National Park?
September to November, when wildflowers and orchids are out and temperatures are mild. April and May are also good for walking. Avoid January and February, when it is hot and the park can close on total fire ban days.
How do I get to Brisbane Ranges National Park?
It is about 80 km west of Melbourne. From Bacchus Marsh the Anakie Gorge side is 30–40 minutes via Anakie; from Geelong the southern and western sections are 45–60 minutes; from Ballarat the northern entrances are about an hour via Meredith.
Can I camp in Brisbane Ranges National Park?
Yes, at basic designated sites with no power and few facilities. Some sites need a Parks Victoria booking and some are first-come; check before you go and bring water.
Can I take my dog?
No. Pets are not allowed in the national park, including in the car parks and on the walking tracks.
Is the park closed on hot days?
On a declared total fire ban day the park is closed to visitors. Check the fire danger rating and Parks Victoria status before driving out in summer.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go