Bushwalking Victoria

01/06/2026

01/06/2026

Visitors to Victoria’s parks and forests are being reminded that majority of the seasonal road and track closures will begin from 11 June, following the King’s Birthday long weekend.

Closures help keep visitors safe and protect roads and tracks from winter damage caused by rain and snow.

Each year, Forest Fire Management Victoria, Parks Victoria and the Conservation Regulator enforce road and track closures across public land from June to November.

Before heading out, check road and track closure and local conditions:
➡️ Check the weather forecast
➡️ download the VicEmergency app
➡️ Check which roads are open and suitable for your vehicle

For more information, visit ffm.vic.gov.au/permits-and-regulations/closures-of-parks-and-forests or contact DEECA Customer Call Centre on 136 186.

01/06/2026

01/06/2026

HELP NEEDED to create the missing walk/cycle link on the Bellarine

Imagine a weekend adventure - catch the ferry from Melbourne to Portarlington, walk through coastal scenery and visiting wineries as you go, on off-road shared paths to Geelong, then jump on the train back home.

A proposed 7km trail link between Portarlington and Drysdale would connect the Bellarine Rail Trail to the Coastal Trails and help make this kind of adventure a reality.

If that sounds like something you'd enjoy, the Bellarine Bicycle Users Group have created a project to get council, business and community support. Please add consider adding your support.

https://ridewalkbellarine.org/our-vision/

Bicycle Network

29/05/2026

Have you ever wondered what happens during a Police search and rescue operation for a missing hiker, adventurer or other missing person?

This a great, in-depth look into what happens behind the scenes of a search, written by Caro from Lotsafreshair. In her words: "This story is a work of fiction, based on my 19 years of actual search jobs with NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue (BSAR), formerly Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad. It first appeared in Wild Magazine #187 Autumn 2023."

From the moment of the first alert, to its conclusion, this article tracks a search and rescue for a missing hiker in NSW.

29/05/2026

Charges have been laid after campfires were found burning on Total Fire Ban days in Victoria’s north-east.

Conservation Regulator Authorised Officers detected the three campfires during patrols in early February.

One campfire was located in the Mansfield State Forest and two at Lake Eildon.

Following further enquiries, ten men and two women have now been charged with keeping a fire alight in the open air during a Total Fire Ban.

Illegal campfires can cause bushfires, threatening lives, property and the environment – and on Total Fire Ban days, that risk is extreme.

Read more here: https://www.vic.gov.au/12-charged-over-campfires-states-north-east

29/05/2026

🚧 Heads up for forest and park visitors 🚧

Seasonal road and track closures across Victoria’s forests and national parks begin on Thursday 11 June and will be in place until November.

These annual closures help keep motorists safe and reduce the risk of damage to roads during the wet winter conditions.

Our Authorised Officers will be in forests over the King’s Birthday long weekend reminding visitors about the upcoming changes, ahead of patrols enforcing the closures.

Before you head out, check which roads and tracks are open and stay on them.

For more information about public land road closures, visit https://bit.ly/4uBBur9

29/05/2026

Thanks to all involved in what looks like challenging work on the Sealers Cove Boardwalk project. We look forward to the reopening later this year.

Parks Victoria

28/05/2026