Plenty Gorge Park (Hawkstowe Picnic Area)

Last updated October 2026

A large park along the Plenty River gorge, about 20 km from Melbourne, with walking tracks to the gorge and plenty of native wildlife. The Hawkstowe Picnic Area, on the site of an 1850s farm, has new play spaces, barbecue areas and an accessible toilet; Middle Gorge has a viewing platform over the gorge and river, and Yellow Gum Recreation Area suits bird watching, bushwalking and picnics (swimming and fishing are not advised in Blue Lake because of blue-green algae). Yarrambat Picnic Ground has open space for games and views to Kinglake National Park. The Gordons Road gate to Hawkstowe opens 7am-5pm (7am-7pm in daylight saving).

Facts checked against the venue's own website on 23 October 2026.