Parks Victoria

Canoeing creates many opportunities for exploring, photographing wildlife and sunlit landscapes, a healthy workout and fishing. Spend a few hours on the weekend or a week or more on the water. The best time for canoeing is September to April. Get your canoe ready, dust off your life jacket and check out some of the best rivers in the state. Yarra River - Warrandyte State Park, the closest State Park to Melbourne, 24km east of the city, is lightly wooded and dominated by the Yarra River. The jour

Explore more ways to get into nature and learn from the experts.

When the weather gets hot over summer, people naturally head to the water to cool down. Our beaches, lakes and rivers across the state are inundated with people wanting to swim, play, paddle and have fun in the water. However, it's important to be aware of the risks of swimming in nature whether it's at the beach, in a lake, river or near a waterfall. In 2021, 61 people drowned in Victoria and each year there are over 350 new cases of spinal cord injuries reported. Nine per cent of these are cau

Before you go, there’s a few things to know to make your time in nature this summer – even better.

Accessibility advocate Ryan Smith details some of Parks Victoria’s best all abilities walks in parks to inspire you get active and connect with nature.

See spectacular displays of autumnal colour and enjoy your favourite outdoor activities in milder weather – discover the best things to do in this prime season to explore Victoria’s parks.

Spring brings warmer days and vibrant flora. Victoria's parks are the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature.

Working as a ranger is as varied as the environments they manage.

Find out more about opportunities to become part of the Parks Victoria team that is committed to making a difference to our natural environment through professionally managing one of the world's great park systems.

Caring for Country is the fabric of Aboriginal social, spiritual, economic and overall health and wellbeing. Parks Victoria is committed to being a culturally safe workplace, and supporting Aboriginal people to work in the park management sector.

Parks Victoria charges a range of fees for services and regulatory purposes, including licensing and registering certain activities.

Parks Victoria partner with Australian Recoveries and Mercantile Agents Pty Ltd (ARMA) who are an authorised agent contracted to manage our parking enforcement process.

The Parks Charge is collected once every year on behalf of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Funds raised go to Parks Victoria, Zoos Victoria, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance.

As the state's largest employer of Rangers, our rangers play an important role in protecting our planet’s natural treasures, cultural heritage and biodiversity. They also contribute to the ongoing management, wellbeing and legacy of the parks we manage, protect and conserve now and for future generations.

Under the Parks Victoria Act 2018, Parks Victoria’s responsibilities are to provide services to the state and its agencies for the management of parks, reserves and other land under the control of the state.

The Board is responsible for directing and monitoring the business of Parks Victoria and is accountable to the Minister for its overall performance.

Parks Victoria is responsible for managing a diverse estate of more than 4 million hectares including 3,000 land and marine parks and reserves making up 18 per cent of Victoria’s landmass, 75 per cent of Victoria’s wetlands and 70 per cent of Victoria’s coastline.

When grass in parks throughout Melbourne starts to dry out, our annual fuelbreak slashing program is ready to begin. From late Spring to Summer you may notice slashing works taking place

The Victorian Freedom of Information Act 1982 gives you the right to apply for access to documents held by Parks Victoria.

Healthy Parks Healthy People is a global movement which is helping communities around the world realise the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in parks and nature. Our aim is to unlock the power of nature and parks for their preventative and restorative health and wellbeing benefits, while conserving biodiversity.

Parks Victoria serves to protect our state’s natural and cultural heritage on behalf of all Victorians. Together with Traditional Owners and the community, we care for Country and value environmental conservation combined with an accessible and sustainable visitor experience that encourages current and future generations to get into nature.