Kinglake National Park
Park Victorian national park with eucalypt forests, mountain ranges
Northeast of Melbourne, Kinglake National Park protects box-ironbark forests and granite ridgelines with walking trails, lookouts and picnic areas. The park’s fire recovery landscape is part of its recent history and ecology.
Kinglake National Park is a protected area in central Victoria, Australia, north-east of the Melbourne metropolitan area that conserves eucalypt forest on the Great Dividing Range. It is notable for its forested ridgelines, lookouts and picnic areas.
Walking tracks and lookouts provide views across surrounding forest and agricultural land; the park also contains waterfalls and short walking circuits such as Masons Falls. Recreational uses focus on day walks, birdwatching and scenic drives rather than extended alpine treks.
The park was established to conserve the region’s native forest and to provide public recreation. Large areas of the park and nearby communities were badly affected by the February 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, after which recovery and management work has continued.
The park lies north-east of Melbourne, surrounding the township of Kinglake and adjacent to other forest reserves on the Great Dividing Range. It is accessed from regional roads north of the metropolitan fringe.
- Bushfire impact: Many areas of the park were severely affected by the Black Saturday bushfires in February 2009; check current access and track conditions before visiting.
What to See #
- Masons Falls: Masons Falls picnic area includes a short walking track to a small cascade and is one of the park's more accessible natural attractions.
How to Get to Kinglake National Park #
Kinglake National Park is approximately 60 km north-east of Melbourne CBD. Access is by car via the M80 and local arterial roads; some areas are reachable by regional bus services to nearby towns, but a car gives the most flexibility. Check Parks Victoria for track status and closures.
Tips for Visiting Kinglake National Park #
- Avoid the peak summer holiday weekends if looking for solitary trails; early mornings on weekdays are best.
- Stick to signed trails - after the 2009 bushfires much of the park was rehabilitated and some areas remain fragile.
- Combine a walk with a visit to nearby Kinglake village cafes after hiking.
Best Time to Visit Kinglake National Park #
Best in spring and autumn; summer can be hot and winter cold and wet. Check park alerts for trail closures.
Weather & Climate near Kinglake National Park #
Kinglake National Park's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 5°C to 26°C. Abundant rainfall (1041 mm/year), wettest in August.
January
January is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm).
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February
February is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm).
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March
March is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).
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June
June is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 11°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).
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August
August is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (109 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).
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December
December is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm).
