Only 65 km from Melbourne, this 21,600 hectare park lies on the slopes of the Great Dividing Range. Scenic lookouts offer dramatic views of the Melbourne skyline, Port Phillip Bay, the Yarra Valley and across to the You Yangs.
Things to Do
Visit Masons Falls, and the interpretive display in the Visitor Centre (western section).
Enjoy the wildflowers in Spring and the views from the Mount Everard Track in the Jehosaphat Gully (eastern) section.
Walk to Wombelano Falls in the Wombelano-Andrews Hill (northern) section.
Facilities
Masons Falls - sheltered picnic tables, gas barbecues (coin operated), water, toilets with disabled access and parking at the picnic area. A car park and picnic tables are provided at Mount Sugar Loaf.
Jehosaphat Gully - tables, electric barbecues (coin operated), water and toilets.
An admission fee is charged at Masons Falls.
Island Creek picnic area has picnic tables, fireplaces, toilets.
The Gums camping area provides for caravans and camping and has water, fireplaces and toilets with facilities for people with limited mobility. Bookings required.
Heritage
The Great Dividing Range was the boundary between the Wurundjeri people to the south and the Taunerong people to the north.
European settlers entered the Kinglake area in the hope of striking it rich. Shafts and diggings around the park are evidence of the gold mining days, but the gold fields were not very rich and soon timber cutting replaced mining in importance. By the 1920's the accessible timber supply was running out and potatoes and berry fruit became the principal products. Agriculture brought large-scale clearing - seen by several prominent local people as a threat to the natural value of the area - so Kinglake National Park was created in 1928. (The area was named after the celebrated English author and lawyer, Alexander William Kinglake). Since then it has grown through land donations and acquisitions.
Fauna
You may see a Black Wallaby, Platypus, water-rat or kangaroo especially in the Masons Falls area. The Superb Lyrebird, rosellas and kookaburras can also be seen in Jehosaphat Gully and Masons Falls picnic areas.
Vegetation
Fern gullies are a feature of many walks in Kinglake National Park.
In the Masons Falls area, there is a variety of vegetation including Messmate forest with bracken under-storey, open grassy areas, Austral Grass-trees, ferns, and Hazel Pomaderris. Spring brings a carpet of wildflowers including orchids, lilies, everlasting daisies, correas, grevillea and heath.
Bushwalks from Jehosaphat Gully pass through both wet and dry forest and lush fern gullies, banksia and grass trees. Wildflowers are abundant along the Mount Everard track in spring.
Shallow soil and drier conditions create a less towering, more open forest in the Wombelano-Andrews Hill section.
Looking After the Park
>> Please do not feed the birds.
>> Dogs are allowed only at Frank Thompson Reserve.
>> No firearms allowed.
>> Fires are to be lit in fireplaces only.
>> Horses are restricted to specific tracks.
>> No generators are allowed in the camping ground.
Precautions
When walking, warm clothing should be carried during winter as it can snow.
Water should be carried during summer walks.
How to Get There
Mount Sugarloaf section: National Park Road, Pheasant Creek
Everard section: Kinglake-Healesville Road (Mt Slide Road), Kinglake
Wombelano section: Glenburn-Eucalyptus Road, Kinglake, and Extons Road, Kinglake Central
Masons Falls Picnic Area
There is a designated accessible walk from the Masons Falls picnic area. It is a 500m sealed nature trail called the Lyrebird Walk. Lyrebirds are present in this area. The track has seating at regular intervals and is maintained by two volunteer groups. The track to the Falls is of a high standard and free of steps, but does have some steep sections. The picnic site is quite rough and sloping .
Jehosaphat Gully
Jehosaphat Gully picnic area has a sealed car park and a good standard of picnic furniture, barbecues and shelter. Gravel paths allow movement around the picnic area. There are only a few steep sections. The designated accessible toilet does not meet current access standards. There is a short circuit walk through the forest. It is only an informal path at this stage, and not designed for accessibility.
The Gums
A nature circuit walk from this site has a good flat and wide path, generally accessible to all abilities. Camp sites are flat, bare-earth under a tree canopy, and paths to the facilities are gravel. There are plans to build a larger group camping area near here, and the new facilities are likely to include design features for increased accessibility.
Nearby Parks
>> Mount Disappointment State Forest
>> Sugarloaf Reservoir Park
>> Toolangi State Forest/Murrundindi Reserve
>> Warrandyte State Park
Activities
Camping, Horse Riding, Walking
Guided Activities
1. Birdwatching
2. Bushwalking
3. Coach/Bus Tours
4. Four Wheel Drive Tours
5. Horse Riding
6. Mountain Bike Riding
7. Trail Bike Tours
