You Yangs Regional Park
Little River, Victoria, 3211
Rising from the flat Werribee Plain, the You Yangs are a series of granite hills between Melbourne and Geelong, reaching an elevation of 1047 feet (319 meters) at Flinders Peak. You Yangs Regional Park is a protected area that covers the southern side of the range and falls within the traditional boundaries of Wadawurrung Country.
The basics
Among the outdoor activities at You Yangs Regional Park, hiking is popular, with many visitors climbing to the top of Flinders Peak for views that can reach Melbourne and Geelong in good weather. The park also offers mountain bike trails that are well-suited to different levels of experience, and there are multiple picnic areas for a more relaxed visit. A newer addition to the park is the Bunjil Geoglyph in the shape of a wedge-tailed eagle, a sculpture added in 2006 that can be seen from overhead on a helicopter ride.
Things to know before you go
Outside of opening hours, the front gate off Branch Road is closed to vehicles.
Visitor facilities at the park include picnic tables, accessible toilets, a drinking fountain, and free gas barbecues.
Turntable Car Park is the main place for parking, but there’s an overflow parking lot nearby at the Lower Valley Picnic Area.
You Yangs Regional Park is the rare park that allows dogs, as long as visitors keep them on their leashes.
How to get there
Most visitors arrive in the remote location of You Yangs Regional Park by driving from Melbourne or Geelong. From Melbourne, take the Princes Freeway to Little River, just east of the park. Coming from Geelong is much quicker, though, as you only need to drive north through Lara along Forest Road.
When to get there
Since summer and winter in the park generally bring unappealing conditions for exploring the hills—such as intense heat and mud—visiting on either side of summer will offer the nicest weather for outdoor activities. And if you’re planning a hike or mountain biking in the You Yangs, it’s always a good idea to arrive in the morning to give yourself as much daylight as possible.
Wildlife in the You Yangs
Wildlife spotting may not be the most well-known activity at the park, but the hills are home to many native animals that visitors come to Australia to see. Kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and echidnas all call the park home, not to mention more than 200 species of birds, so it’s always wise to keep your eyes peeled.
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