Discover the Kinglake Ranges. Delicious local produce, fine wines, stunning walks and waterfalls - and all only 50 minutes from Melbourne!
Whether you’re into fast paced adrenalin sports, sniffing out the best culinary fare or experiencing a gentler pace, Kinglake Victoria has every intrepid explorer covered. From fresh local produce, fine wines, forest walks, secluded camping spots, picnic spots, horse riding and mountain biking trails, and wildlife at every turn - and all only 50 minutes from Melbourne!
Situated on the majestic slopes of the Great Dividing Range, Kinglake National Park is the largest, and closest national park to Melbourne, making it an ideal spot for a day trip or a weekend getaway.
Kinglake Victoria: a slice of nature with a sprinkle of serenity.
HIGHLIGHTS
BOLLYGUM ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND
Step into a storybook setting full of wonder, awe and enchantment at Bollygum Park, Kinglake. This two-and-a-half-acre wonderland, based around the award-winning children’s book ‘Bollygum’ by Garry Fleming, features a climbing wall, monkey bars, rope bridges, flying fox, wave slide, bird nest swings, dual metal slide and an architecturally designed skate park, all set within natural bushland.
WIRRAWILLA RAINFOREST WALK
Unleash your inner Tinkerbell and feel right at home here within the fern gullies and sassafras trees in the Toolangi State Forest. This enchanting walking trail takes in the sounds and scents of the cool, temperate rain forests, providing a magical experience for the young at heart. The boardwalk circuit is a gentle easy walk (approximately 2km in length), so a great one for families with little ones in tow, including the four-legged variety. Just beware of those rowdy goblins!
FRANK THOMSON RESERVE
Lady Stonehavens Lookout is located within the Frank Thomson Reserve, and boasts an elevation of 630 metres, offering spectacular views of Melbourne’s skyline rising from the southern plains and the rolling hills of the Yarra Valley to the east.
EAT & DRINK
Philip Lobley Wines
Philip Lobley Wines nestled in the upper reaches of the Yea Valley (bordering the Kinglake National Park), just 90 minutes drive from Melbourne – but far enough away to warm the soul; is a boutique winery that heightens your senses.
The Lobley family established their close-planted vineyard in 1995. Philip and Lyn offer salt of the earth hospitality in their rustic winery-cum-warehouse, overlooking a tranquil lake teeming with birds, fish and a backdrop of undulating bush and paddocks.
Located within the misty valleys of Glenburn, Philip Lobley Wines produce handcrafted small batch wines which are a true reflection of the terroir, consisting of consisting of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Shiraz and Cabernet Franc
The high-density vineyard is self-sustaining with no artificial inputs. Sustainability and environmental consciousness are ethical values on which the vineyard is based. The wines undergo wild yeast fermentation and are not filtered or fined. This results in their wines showing a unique character. Being all-natural these wines are vegan friendly.
Open Saturdays for wine tastings and sales and Sundays they are open for wood-fired pizza, and wine – come, sit, relax and reconnect with nature, whilst enjoying the Estate made wines.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Kinglake Market
The Kinglake Market has a variety of stalls, a great scenic country location and something for all ages.
You will find fresh fruit and vegetables, chutneys, jams, relishes, soaps, candles, hot and cold food, both sweet and savoury, wines, crafts, a variety of handmade giftware, plants, quilts, cheese, meat, breads, great coffee and much more. Children’s activities vary every month.
They do all the research to ensure that only quality products are available for you.
Held at the Kinglake Community Centre, there are stalls indoor, under verandahs and outside. Ample parking is available at the Kinglake Football grounds, just across the road and the venue is close to Kinglake National Park, with its walks and waterfalls, Bollygum Children’s Park and only five minutes from the Kinglake Township with supermarket, bakery, cafes, pub and more. March and December dates may vary due to public holidays.
Visit the website for details.
STAY
Kinglake Forest Adventures Camp
Kinglake Forest Adventures Camp’s key difference is their ability to seamlessly blend wellbeing and personal development outcomes into age appropriate traditional camp experiences. Kinglake Forest Adventure deliver inspirational school camps that develop leadership, well being and resilience.
In a mountain forest setting only 60 minutes from Melbourne, Kinglake Forest Adventures Camp can accommodate up to 120 guests in 23 cabin rooms, all with toilet and showers. There is a main leadership centre containing 37 beds plus three large tipis for up to 39 guests.
A full catering service can be provided, as well as self catering kitchen facilities for guest use if required.
The dining room has full audio visual equipment, sky chairs and bean bags. Other indoor spaces include a leader’s retreat, training room and meeting room. All rooms are heated and cooled.
Other facilities include a treetops course, zip line course, challenge ropes, leap of faith, in-ground pool, volleyball, mountain bike tracks, a licensed wallaby enclosure and the new soft adventure park.
For a relaxed and rustic forest wedding venue quite close to Melbourne, there are few that compare.