Plenty Gorge Park (Parks Victoria)

Plenty Gorge Parklands offers a substantial bushland escape around 20 kilometres from Melbourne, with walking tracks, gorge viewpoints, picnic areas and opportunities to see native wildlife. The Plenty River runs through the park, dividing basalt country to the west from sedimentary rock to the east and creating a varied mix of habitats. That geological contrast helps make the park an important refuge for threatened and regionally significant species.

There are several distinct places to explore. Middle Gorge has views over the gorge and river from its viewing platform and walking tracks, while the Blue Lake can be viewed from a platform along the track leading to the lake. Blue-green algae is present at Blue Lake, so swimming and fishing are not advised. Red Gum Car Park provides access to tracks leading towards the Morang Wetlands and Hawkstowe Picnic Area.

For relaxed visits, Hawkstowe Picnic Area has picnic and barbecue facilities, play spaces and an accessible toilet. Yellow Gum Recreation Area is suited to picnics, barbecues, birdwatching and bushwalking, and Yarrambat Picnic Ground has open space for games, views towards Kinglake National Park and Mount Disappointment, and on-lead dog walking. Dogs are allowed only in designated areas shown on the park map and must remain on lead.

The park also carries layers of local history and culture. Hawkstowe was once part of a farm established by the Le Page family in the 1850s, while the historic Le Page Homestead and outbuildings reflect the area’s farming period in the 1860s and 1870s. Plenty Gorge Parklands is on the traditional Country of the Wurundjeri Peoples, whose continuing connection to the land and waters is recognised by Parks Victoria. With family facilities, quiet picnic spots, walking routes and wildlife-viewing opportunities, it can suit a family day out, a group gathering or a solo bushwalk. Check current conditions before visiting, as access and facilities can change.