Heathcote-Graytown National Park

Heathcote-Graytown National Park is a protected area in central Victoria, Australia, conserving remnants of box-ironbark forest and woodland between the towns of Heathcote and Graytown. It is important for native flora and birdlife and for preserving landscape and goldfields heritage from Victoria’s 19th century gold rush.

The park offers a network of walking tracks and informal routes through woodland and mallee scrub, with opportunities for birdwatching, wildflower viewing and exploring relics from the gold-mining era. Tracks are generally low-key rather than developed visitor circuits, so expect short walks and scenic roadside viewpoints rather than large visitor centres or formal lookouts.

The area was extensively used for gold mining from the 1850s and for timber harvesting and grazing in later decades. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries the state government increased formal protections to conserve remaining box-ironbark vegetation and cultural heritage features.

The park lies in central Victoria between the small towns of Heathcote and Graytown, roughly 100-130 km north of Melbourne by road. The landscape is rolling, dominated by dry woodland and ridges rather than alpine terrain.

• When to visit: Best wildflower displays and bird activity occur in spring, typically September to November.
• Access note: Much of the park is reached on unsealed roads; a high-clearance vehicle may be required in wet conditions.