Forests

Activities

Please click on the icons below to see general information on a range of activities, including links to Codes of practice and various guides and clubs

	Camping		Four-Wheel Driving		Horse-Riding		Picnicking		Walking
	Fishing		Hunting		Mountain-Bike Riding		Scenic Driving		Dog Walking

Forest Explorer Online Interactive Maps Find recreation and activity sites with our online mapping tool.

Camping Camping opportunities across public land in Victoria's State forests typically provide for tent-based camping with basic facilities (commonly pit toilets, fireplaces and picnic tables). Most of the camping areas are accessible by car for vehicle-based campers, though there are several 'walker-only' campsites in selected areas. For information on minimal impact camping, visit the Codes of practice section. To find out where you may camp, see maps and local information.

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Fishing The lakes, streams and rivers of Victoria offer numerous rewarding fishing spots. There are good opportunities for freshwater fishing in Victoria's State forests. Useful information on licensing, catch limits, seasons and sizes, protected areas, equipment and tips can be found in the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide.

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Four-wheel driving Four Wheel driving is an extremely popular sport in Victoria and a good network of four-wheel drive tracks can be found in Victoria's State forests. The best way to enjoy four-wheel driving is by joining one of the many four-wheel driving clubs in Victoria. The local knowledge and experience of the club environment enables those with less experience to explore new areas safely. Contact the Victorian Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs for more information. Many four-wheel drive tracks are seasonally closed from 1 June to 1 November each year to protect water quality and prevent damage to the tracks over winter. Telephone the Parks Victoria Customer Service Centre on 131 936 for information on which tracks may be closed. Visit the road closure section for information on road closures. For information on the four-wheel drive touring code, visit the Codes of practice section. To find out where you may go four-wheel driving, see maps and local information. To assist DSE in managing four wheel drives, a memorandum of cooperation has been signed with Four Wheel Drive Victoria; the peak body representing recreational four wheel driving in Victoria. See below: 4WD DSE Memorandum of Cooperation (PDF - 169 Kb)

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Horse riding Victoria's broad expanse of State forest provides many opportunities for horse riding. There are few purpose built horse trails, but safe horse riding can be undertaken along the network of existing back-country forest roads and tracks. Horse riding is generally permitted along vehicle tracks open to the public. Many access tracks are seasonally closed to horse riding from 1 June to 1 November each year to protect water quality and prevent damage to the tracks over winter. Telephone Parks Victoria's Customer Service Centre on 131 936 for information on which tracks may be closed. For information on the horse riding code, visit the Codes of practice section. To find out where you may go horse riding, see maps and local information.

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Hunting Generally, hunting for pest animals and game species is permitted in State forests, however some restrictions may apply. Hunters are advised to consult the local DSE office for specific information about any restrictions that apply to the area of State forest in which they wish to hunt. Some areas of State forest between Warburton, Noojee and McMahons Creek are closed to all forms of deer hunting and a small area to the north of the township of Marysville is closed to hunting Sambar Deer with dogs (scent-trailing hounds and gun dogs). Specific areas around the Rubicon Power Station have been closed to all forms of deer hunting and an area around the townships of Jamieson and Kevington has been closed to deer hunting with dogs. For a map of the areas closed to deer hunting, contact the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186. Pest animals may be hunted at any time. Hunting for game species is allowed only during the open season for that species. For information on the Firearm Safety Code, visit the Codes of practice section. For information on licence requirements, refer to the Victorian Hunting Guide.

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Mountain bike riding Mountain bike riders are welcome to use most areas of State forest, with many hundreds of kilometres of roads and tracks suitable for mountain bike riding. Whilst walking tracks are managed for walkers and are not available for use by bicycles unless specifically signposted otherwise, there are numerous mountain bike riding opportunities along existing forest roads. Many of these roads wind through picturesque forest and receive little traffic. Specific information on tracks and trails in State forest can be obtained from the local DSE office nearest to your riding destination. Many access tracks are seasonally closed from 1 June to 1 November each year to protect water quality and prevent damage to the tracks over winter. Telephone Parks Victoria's Customer Service Centre on 131 936 for information on which tracks may be closed. For information on the mountain-bike code, visit the Codes of practice section. To find out where you may go four-wheel driving, see maps and local information.

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Picnicking Victoria's State forests offers some great picnicking opportunities in a variety of natural settings. The settings range from fully serviced large picnic grounds with gas barbecues to more traditional small picnic areas with basic facilities (commonly pit toilets, fireplaces and picnic tables) in picturesque forest settings. These picnic grounds are generally accessible by car and linked to nearby short walking opportunities through the forest. For information on minimal impact picnicking, visit the Codes of practice section. To find out where to go picnicking, see maps and local information.

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Scenic Driving Victoria's diverse State forests and good road network provide some great two-wheel drive touring opportunities to enable you to explore some of the State's great natural attractions. These 'forest drives' are generally accessible by two-wheel drive vehicles and are linked to nearby picnic and short walk opportunities in the forest. For information on minimal impact scenic driving, visit the Codes of practice section. To find out where to go scenic driving, see maps and local information.

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Walking Bushwalking is a popular and rewarding pastime and there are many different types of walks through Victoria's State forests. Choose from walks through towering forests, lush rainforest, heathland or rocky escarpments. There is a walk for all tastes in this diverse and picturesque State. Most of the walks are easy and take no more than a few hours to complete. A few are more challenging and require experience and preparation. For information on minimal impact walking, visit the Codes of practice section. To find out where to go walking, see maps and local information. The Walking Trails Classification and Improvement Project will develop a standard classification system for walking trails in Victoria in conjunction with stakeholders.

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Dog Walking Exercising your dog in natural surrounds can be a pleasant activity on public land, however there are some restrictions on where and when dogs are allowed. Generally, dogs are not allowed in parks and reserves, and restrictions apply in many coastal foreshore reserves. Dogs are generally allowed in State forest but must be under direct control at all times and are must be kept on a leash in picnic and camping areas or when near other visitors. For information on minimal impact dog walking, visit the Codes of practice section. To find great places to walk your dog, see maps and local information.