We're creating three new national parks covering more than 65,000 hectares in Central West Victoria. We're also creating new:
- conservation parks
- regional parks
- nature reserves
- bushland reserves
The new national parks as well as new conservation parks, nature reserves and bushland reserves in Central West Victoria will protect our environment and let locals and visitors enjoy more of our great outdoors.
These changes, announced by the Victorian Government, respond to the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council’s (VEAC) 2-year Central West Investigation of our public land estate.
New and expanded regional parks, located close to towns, mean more places to ride your horse, walk the dog and go recreational prospecting.
Through the $105.6 million Victoria’s Great Outdoors program, the Victorian Government will upgrade public facilities throughout the region, including campgrounds, 4WD tracks and walking trails.
Many of the new parks and reserves will be given Aboriginal place names as they are established.
UPDATE May 2023: The government response committed to staging the creation of the national parks to align with the Victorian Forestry Plan and the phase out of native timber harvesting by 2030. Through the Victorian Budget 2023/24, the Victorian Government has provided an expanded transition support package for the timber industry and brought the phase out of native timber harvesting forward to 1 January 2024. The parks will therefore now be created in their entirety once legislation commences.
Read the Victorian government response to VEACs Central West Investigation (PDF, 1.2 MB)
Victorian government response to VEACs Central West Investigation (DOC 6.6MB)
See the Central West Investigation area (PDF, 2.5 MB)
VEAC investigation
VEAC looked at 3 blocks:
- the Mount Cole-Pyrenees block, near Avoca and Beaufort
- the Wombat-Macedon block, near Daylesford and Trentham
- the Wellsford block, near Bendigo.
We're creating:
- the Pyrenees National Park (15,126 hectares, including 4,443 hectares of existing nature reserve)
- the Pyrenees Regional Park (3,099 hectares)
- the Mount Buangor National Park (5,282 hectares including 2,498 hectares of existing State Park)
- the Ben Nevis Nature Reserve (1,088 hectares), and
- a 276-hectare addition to the existing Wimmera Heritage River along the upper 7-kilometre reaches of the Wimmera River.
We’re also:
- retaining areas of the Pyrenees and Mount Cole State Forests (3,099 and 5,037 hectares respectively), and
- revoking the Mount Cole Game Sanctuary to provide increased opportunities for deer hunting in the state forest.
Through the $105.6m Victoria's Great Outdoors package, campgrounds in the Mount Cole and Mount Buangor area will be upgraded, including toilet, shelter and signage upgrades, which will enhance the visitor experience in these areas. These include The Glut and Mugwamp campgrounds as well as Ditchfield Camp and the Firth Park Loop.
We're creating:
- the Wombat-Lerderderg National Park (44,698 hectares including 20,474 hectares of existing state park)
- the Hepburn Conservation Park (2,714 hectares) and Cobaw Conservation Park (2,532 hectares)
- four new regional parks near Barkstead, Blackwood, Spargo Creek and west of Macedon (totaling over 15,000 hectares) and adding almost 3,000 hectares to the Hepburn Regional Park.
The Wombat-Lerderderg National Park provides habitat for many threatened species, including the Greater Glider.
New regional parks and additions to these parks are close to regional towns. They will be great for horse-riding, dog-walking and recreational prospecting.
Through the $105.6m Victoria's Great Outdoors package the Victorian Government will progress several initiatives in this area including upgrading the Carrolls Springs and Western Wombat campgrounds, the Wombat 4WD Tour tracks, and developing new and upgraded walking trails and walking trail facilities.
We’re expanding the Bendigo Regional Park by 7,101 hectares. This will:
- support many recreational activities
- provide another area for domestic firewood collection (from designated sites) until June 2029.
All recreational uses except recreational hunting are permitted.
See the Wellsford block (PDF, 1.2 MB)
What can I do in these new parks?
Permitted activities
A guide to the activities that are generally allowed in different types of parks, reserves, and state forests in the Central West Investigation area.
Activity | National | Conservation | Nature reserve | Bushland reserve | Regional park | Historic reserve | State forest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bushwalking, nature observation, and picnicking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Camping | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Car touring, including 4WDriving | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Trail bike riding | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mountain biking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Horse riding | Yes, as specified by the land manager | Yes, as specified by the land manager | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Dog walking | No, except as specified by the land manager | No, except as specified by the land manager | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Prospecting | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Recreational hunting | No, with some exceptions | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Permitted uses
Resource uses generally permitted in each public land use category in the Central West Investigation area.
Activity | National park | Conservation | Nature reserve | Bushland reserve | Regional park | Historic reserve | State forest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apiculture at licensed sites | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Grazing by domestic stock | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Timber harvesting | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Domestic firewood collection | No | No | No | No | No, with some exception until 2029 | No | Yes, in designated areas |
Exploration and mining | No, except where a licence predates the park | Yes, subject to National Parks Act minister's consent | Yes, subject to Crown land minister's consent | Yes, subject to Crown land minister's consent | Yes, subject to Crown land minister's consent | Yes, subject to Crown land minister's consent | Yes |
Note: The permitted uses generally apply for each type of park or reserve, but there may be exceptions. These are generally determined through management planning.
Recreational Hunting
We recognise the social, environmental and economic value that recreational hunting provides to Victoria. We're ensuring that hunting continues to be a safe, responsible and sustainable activity.
There will be changes to where recreational hunting can take place. These changes will be implemented when the new national and regional parks are established. All hunters must have a licence and adhere to any seasonal restrictions.
Hunting can continue in the significant areas of retained state forest. The Mount Cole Game Sanctuary will also be revoked to allow deer hunting in this area.
Seasonal recreational deer hunting (by stalking) will be allowed in the new Pyrenees National Park. This will be restricted to areas where it is currently permitted.
Seasonal recreational deer hunting (by stalking) will be allowed in the new Wombat-Lerderderg National Park, in areas where it is currently permitted. The season will be between May and the start of the spring school holidays.
Recreational hunting will no longer be allowed. All other recreational activities presently allowed will still be permitted.
Domestic firewood collection
Some areas currently available for domestic firewood collection will be affected. However, we do not expect supply to be impacted in the next two years.
Domestic firewood will be available from designated sites in state forests and designated sites in most of the new regional parks until June 2029. Domestic firewood may also be available from forest management activities (e.g. hazardous tree removal and forest health operations).
We’re supporting the transition away from domestic firewood. We will research the demand for firewood and limits to supply, and investigate alternatives that meet community needs.
Domestic firewood collection will be available from designated sites within:
- 11,901 hectares of state forest
- harvested coupes in the Pyrenees Regional Park for up to two years.
Domestic firewood collection will be available from designated sites within:
- the four new regional parks and addition to Hepburn Regional Park, until June 2029.
Domestic firewood collection will be available from designated sites within:
- the additional areas in Bendigo Regional Park, until 2029.
Recreational prospecting
Prospecting is a part of our history and remains an important recreational activity across the Central West Victoria. Recreational prospecting will continue within state forests, regional parks, bushland reserves and historic reserves. There will be some changes to where you can prospect when the new national parks are established.
Read Earth Resources Regulation's Recreational Prospecting Guide.
There will be opportunities for recreational prospecting in:
- the Pyrenees and Mount Cole state forests
- Pyrenees Regional Park
- Percydale Historic Reserve
- the bushland reserves across the block.
There will be opportunities for prospecting in:
- the Barkstead, Blackwood, Spargo Creek and Fingerpost regional parks
- the additions to the Hepburn and Macedon regional parks
- the bushland and historic reserves across the block.
There will be opportunities for prospecting in the additions to the Bendigo Regional Park.
Dog walking
Dogs and their owners can enjoy the great outdoors:
- in state forests, regional parks, and historic reserves
- in bushland reserves, where specified.
Dogs are not permitted:
- in national parks or conservation parks (with some exceptions)
- in nature reserves.
Changes to where you can walk your dogs will come into effect when the new parks and reserves are established.
Where dogs are allowed, owners must respect others, keep their pets under control, and dispose of dog waste appropriately.
You can walk dogs in:
- the new Pyrenees Regional Park
- the Percydale Historic Reserve,
- the Mount Cole and Pyrenees state Forests
- numerous bushland reserves across the block.
In the new Pyrenees and Buangor national parks, you may be able to walk a dog on lead in specified visitor areas and some tracks.
You can walk dogs in:
- the Barkstead, Blackwood, Spargo Creek, Fingerpost, Hepburn and Macedon Regional Parks
- in numerous bushland reserves across the block
- on lead in the Bacchus Marsh Trench Nature Reserve.
In the new Wombat-Lerderderg National Park and Cobaw and Hepburn Conservation Parks, you may be able to walk your dog in specified visitor areas and some tracks.
You can ride horses:
- on roads and tracks in state forests
- in most bushland reserves
- on roads and tracks in designated areas of national parks, conservation parks and regional parks.
You can camp with horses in state forests and some regional parks.
Horse riding is not permitted in nature reserves.
Changes to where you can ride horses will come into effect when the new national parks, conservation parks and regional parks are established.
Riders must stay on designated roads and tracks, and respect other road users.
Other activities
You can enjoy four-wheel driving, trail bike riding, mountain biking and cycling on all public roads and tracks.
In national parks, conservation parks, regional parks and state forests, you’ll be able to enjoy mountain bike riding and cycling on other tracks and paths as specified by the land manager.
Drivers and riders must stick to designated roads and tracks and respect other people.
You can enjoy bushwalking and picnics on nearly all public land.
You can camp in state forests You can also camp in designated campgrounds and specified areas in:
- national parks
- conservation parks
- regional parks
There will be opportunities for camping outside of campgrounds in the new national parks.
Forest-based industries
We're supporting the needs of forest-based industry and activities.
Victoria's timber industry will transition from native forest harvesting to a plantation-based industry under the Victorian Forestry Plan. The Victorian Government has provided an expanded transition support package for the timber industry and brought the phase out of native timber harvesting forward to 1 January 2024.
In the forests of central west Victoria, operations will be permitted to continue until existing community forestry licences expire in mid-2024.
Fact sheets about activities in the Central West are available in 10 languages
English - Domestic firewood collection in the Central West (PDF, 3.1 MB)
Arabic - جمع الحطب المنزلي في الغرب الأوسط (PDF, 1.9 MB)
Filipino - Pangunguha sa lokal na kahoy na panggatong sa Central West (PDF, 325.8 KB)
Greek - Συλλογή ξύλων καύσης οικιακής χρήσης στο Central West (PDF, 333.2 KB)
Hindi - मध्य पश्चिम में घरेलू जलाऊ लकड़ी संग्रह (PDF, 728.0 KB)
Italian - Raccolta di legna da ardere per uso domestico nell'area centro-occidentale (PDF, 305.0 KB)
Persian - جمع آوری هیزم خانگی در منطقه مرکزی غرب (PDF, 1.6 MB)
Punjabi - ਮੱਧ ਪੱਛਮੀ ਇਲਾਕੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਘਰੇਲੂ ਬਾਲਣ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਲੱਕੜਾਂ ਇਕੱਠੀਆਂ ਕਰਨਾ (PDF, 179.1 KB)
Simplified Chinese - 中西部地区的家用木柴收集 (PDF, 432.4 KB)
Traditional Chinese - 維多利亞州中西部的家用木柴收集 (PDF, 2.2 MB)
Vietnamese - Thu gom củi đốt để sưởi ấm nhà ở Central West (PDF, 326.4 KB)
English - Recreational activities in the Central West area (PDF, 4.7 MB)
Arabic - أنشطة ترفيهية في الغرب الأوسط (PDF, 1.9 MB)
Filipino - Mga Libangan na gawain sa Central West Gitnang Kanluran (PDF, 331.1 KB)
Greek - Ψυχαγωγικές δραστηριότητες στο Central West (PDF, 334.2 KB)
Hindi - मध्य पश्चिम में मनोरंजनात्मक गतिविधियाँ (PDF, 698.5 KB)
Italian - Attività ricreative nell'area centro-occidentale (PDF, 298.3 KB)
Persian - فعالیت های تفریحی در منطقه مرکزی غرب (PDF, 2.4 MB)
Punjabi - ਮੱਧ ਪੱਛਮੀ ਇਲਾਕੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਨੋਰੰਜਕ ਗਤੀਵਿਧੀਆਂ (PDF, 178.8 KB)
Simplified Chinese - 中西部地区的休闲活动 (PDF, 433.0 KB)
Traditional Chinese - 中西部的休閒活動 (PDF, 631.5 KB)
Vietnamese - Hoạt động giải trí ở Central West (PDF, 328.7 KB)
English - Recreational hunting in the Central West area (PDF, 3.4 MB)
Arabic - الصيد الترفيهي في الغرب الأوسط (PDF, 2.5 MB)
Filipino - Pangangaso sa Central West (PDF, 290.2 KB)
Greek - Κυνήγι στο Central West (PDF, 327.8 KB)
Hindi - मध्य पश्चिम में शिकार करना (PDF, 654.4 KB)
Italian - Caccia nell'area centro-occidentale (PDF, 275.9 KB)
Persian - شکار در منطقه مرکزی غرب (PDF, 2.3 MB)
Punjabi - ਮੱਧ ਪੱਛਮੀ ਇਲਾਕੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼ਿਕਾਰ (PDF, 217.4 KB)
Simplified Chinese - 中西部地区内的狩猎 (PDF, 429.7 KB)
English - What's changing in the Mt Cole Pyrenees area (PDF, 814.8 KB)
Arabic - منتزهات جديدة في منطقة Mt Cole-Pyrenees (PDF, 2.5 MB)
Filipino - Bagong mga parke sa lugar ng Mt Cole-Pyrenees (PDF, 323.8 KB)
Greek - Νέα πάρκα στην περιοχή Mt Cole-Pyrenees (PDF, 326.5 KB)
Hindi - माउंट कोल-पिरेनीस क्षेत्र में नए पार्क (PDF, 327.8 KB)
Italian - Nuovi parchi nell'area di Mt Cole-Pyrenees (PDF, 296.1 KB)
Persian - پارک های جدید در ناحیه ماونت کول - پیرنه (PyreneesMt Cole) (PDF, 2.4 MB)
Punjabi - ਮਾਊਂਟ ਕੋਲ-ਪਾਇਰੀਨੀਜ਼ ਖੇਤਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਵੇਂ ਪਾਰਕ (PDF, 2.0 MB)
Simplified Chinese - Mt Cole-Pyrenees地区内新的公园 (PDF, 424.2 KB)
Traditional Chinese - Mt Cole-Pyrenees地區的新公園 (PDF, 434.9 KB)
Vietnamese - Các công viên mới trong khu vực Mt Cole-Pyrenees (PDF, 140.2 KB)
English - Recreational prospecting in Central West area (PDF, 3.4 MB)
Arabic - التنقيب في الغرب الأوسط (PDF, 1.8 MB)
Filipino - Paghahanap ng potensyal sa Central West (PDF, 320.0 KB)
Greek - Αναζήτηση κοιτασμάτων στο Central West (PDF, 323.7 KB)
Hindi - मध्य पश्चिम में पूर्वेक्षण (PDF, 633.9 KB)
Italian - Prospezione nell'area centro-occidentale (PDF, 290.5 KB)
Persian - اکتشاف طلا، مواد معدنی و فسیل ها در منطقه مرکزی غرب (PDF, 2.4 MB)
Punjabi - ਮੱਧ ਪੱਛਮੀ ਇਲਾਕੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਖਣਿਜ ਲੱਭਣ ਜਾਣਾ (PDF, 1.2 MB)
Simplified Chinese - 在中西部地区探宝 (PDF, 410.9 KB)
Traditional Chinese - 在中西部探礦 (PDF, 567.0 KB)
Vietnamese - Dò tìm khoáng sản ở Central West (PDF, 314.4 KB)
English - Expanded regional park in the Wellsford region (PDF, 311.9 KB)
Arabic - Wellsford منتزه إقليمي موسّع في منطقة (PDF, 2.1 MB)
Filipino - Pagpapalawak ng panrehiyong parke sa rehiyon ng Wellsford (PDF, 306.8 KB)
Greek - Διευρυμένο περιφερειακό πάρκο στην περιοχή Wellsford (PDF, 311.0 KB)
Hindi - वेल्सफोर्ड क्षेत्र में क्षेत्रीय पार्क का विस्तार (PDF, 632.3 KB)
Italian - Parco regionale ampliato nella regione di Wellsford (PDF, 287.0 KB)
Persian - پارک منطقه ای گسترش داده شده در منطقه ولزفورد (Wellsford) (PDF, 1.6 MB)
Punjabi - ਵੈਲਜ਼ਫੋਰਡ ਖੇਤਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਧਾਈ ਹੋਈ ਖੇਤਰੀ ਪਾਰਕ (PDF, 366.1 KB)
Simplified Chinese - Wellsford地区内扩大的地区公园 (PDF, 390.3 KB)
Traditional Chinese - Wellsford 地區的邊遠區域公園擴建 (PDF, 559.1 KB)
Vietnamese - Công viên vùng mở rộng ở khu vực Wellsford (PDF, 308.8 KB)
English - New parks in the Wombat Macedon area (PDF, 1.4 MB)
Arabic - Wombat Macedon منتزهات جديدة في منطقة (PDF, 1.7 MB)
Filipino - Bagong mga parke sa lugar ng Wombat Macedon (PDF, 417.6 KB)
Greek - Νέα πάρκα στην περιοχή Wombat Macedon (PDF, 330.6 KB)
Hindi - वॉम्बैट मैसेडॉन क्षेत्र में नए पार्क (PDF, 679.4 KB)
Italian - Nuovi parchi nell'area di Wombat Macedon (PDF, 298.6 KB)
Persian - پارک های جدید در ناحیه وامبت مسدون (Wombat Macedon) (PDF, 1.7 MB)
Punjabi - ਵੋਮਬੈਟ ਮੈਸੀਡਨ ਖੇਤਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਵੇਂ ਪਾਰਕ (PDF, 396.8 KB)
Simplified Chinese - Wombat Macedon地区内新的公园 (PDF, 434.5 KB)
Traditional Chinese - Wombat Macedon地區的新公園 (PDF, 643.3 KB)
Vietnamese - Các công viên mới trong khu vực Wombat Macedon (PDF, 144.5 KB)
Victorian Environmental Assessment Council's role
VEAC is an independent body. They investigate, assess and provide advice for the Victorian Government on the protection and sustainable management and use of public land.
In 2017, the Victorian Government requested VEAC investigate public land in the Central West region.
VEAC investigated:
- the condition of public land
- natural and biodiversity values
- cultural, social and economic value
VEAC made recommendations on:
- appropriate management
- balancing the needs of different park users
- conserving natural and cultural values.
Read the full terms of reference at VEAC's website.
Page last updated: 19/03/24