Lysterfield Park is a 1,398-hectare natural playground that offers a diverse range of recreational activities within a stunning natural setting. Here you’ll discover hiking trails, well-equipped picnic spots, and barbecue facilities, all accompanied by a charming playground situated by the scenic lake.
Lysterfield Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape that includes the traditional Country of the Bunurong People and the Wurundjeri People. When combined with the adjacent Churchill National Park, the two parks comprise 1,668 hectares in the Dandenong Valley and the Dandenong Ranges that are a haven for native birds, mammals and reptiles.
Picnic Facilities and Visitor Area
Lysterfield Park’s main visitor area is an expansive grassy and tree-filled area great for picnics, BBQs and games, next to the carpark, with two toilet blocks and two drinking water fountains. The park has excellent facilities including ample car parking, barbecues, benches, a small beach for swimming, and bike hire at a little kiosk.
The visitor area includes:
- Free electric barbecues
- Covered picnic tables
- Playground facilities
- Clean toilet blocks
- Drinking fountains
- Large grassy areas for games and sports
The picnic facilities and trails have accessible options including the Visitor Area and Dam Wall walk, and the Logan Park Track Accessible Walk.
Walking Trails
The park offers a delightful and accessible circuit suitable for all, including children and those with strollers. These trails also provide an excellent opportunity to spot and walk alongside the native wildlife that graces the area. From kangaroos and wallabies to native birds and even echidnas, this trail unveils the wonders of the park’s ecosystem in a family-friendly and enjoyable manner.
Lake Circuit Trail (5.5-6km, 1.5 hours)
The Lake Circuit Trail is Lysterfield Park’s most popular trail for walkers, runners and families, featuring a mostly flat wide gravel surface with two short hills and distance markers every 1 km making navigation easy. Here you’re almost guaranteed to see kangaroos and other wildlife along the way.
Cross the dam wall and enjoy panoramic views of Lysterfield Lake, and as you wander deeper into the forest, you’ll catch glimpses of the sparkling water peeking through the trees.
Granite Peak Trail (13 km return, 3-4 hours)
The Granite Peak Trail starts along the same route as the Lysterfield Lake Circuit Walk, but the well-signed trail veers off to the left once you’re on Casuarina Track, following an old granite quarry tramline up to Trig Point; which is the highest point in the park. It offers a stunning 360-degree views across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs all the way to the CBD. This longer walk combines the Lake Circuit Trail with trails that head to the top of Lysterfield Hill and its lookout, featuring nice views of the city and outer suburbs plus varied terrain of narrow and wide dirt tracks.
This trail is not suitable for prams or wheelchairs.
Other Trail Options
The Lake Circuit Trail links to a vast network of walking and cycling tracks in Lysterfield Park, which connects to neighboring Churchill National Park. Numerous trails branch off the main circuit, allowing you to customize your walk from short 30-minute strolls to all-day adventures. All trails are marked with green circle symbols and arrows, making navigation straightforward.
Trig Point Lookout
Nestled within the Lysterfield Park Zone, the Trig Point Lookout can be conveniently reached by either walking or biking. To reach this scenic viewpoint, embark on a steep gravel track from the carpark at Churchill National Park. The journey entails a 3.2-km walk each way, classified as moderate to challenging due to the presence of steep segments along the track.
Upon arrival, you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent panorama. The vantage point offers splendid views of the encompassing region, featuring landmarks like Mount Macedon, the You Yangs, Arthur’s Seat, and the picturesque Western Port Bay. It’s an experience that’s sure to leave a lasting impression.
The Lake – Heart of the park
The centerpiece of Lysterfield Park is the picturesque Lysterfield Lake, created for water storage but now serving as Melbourne’s favorite multi-use recreational lake. You can sail, kayak or canoe in the lake, while runners love the network of gravel bush tracks. On hot days, swimming at Lysterfield Lake is incredibly popular, with two designated bays sectioned off for swimmers where the water depth increases gradually.
Please note: The lake isn’t patrolled by lifeguards, so children should be supervised at all times, and all water users should follow basic water safety guidelines.
However, it’s essential to stay attentive to the signs. The water quality of the lake is closely monitored, and warning signs are posted if swimming conditions are unsafe.
Important Information: The presence of pets or dogs are not permitted within the park zone. This rule is in place to ensure the preservation of the local wildlife and to maintain the tranquil environment.
Mountain Biking
Lysterfield Park holds the distinction of hosting one of Australia’s most bustling mountain biking trail networks.
Spanning an impressive 24 kms, the Lysterfield MTB offers a range of experiences, from the approachable green trails, action-packed black-graded runs, tight single tracks, high-speed descents, timber boardwalks and rocky technical sections, plus a skills park at the base of the dam wall. Notably, the State Mountain Bike Course, which played a role as a venue during the 2006 Commonwealth Games, is also located within this dynamic network.
All blue graded trails are single direction, and riders must stick to designated trails as Parks Victoria has been cracking down on unauthorized use. The Lysterfield District Trail Riders maintain excellent maps of the mountain bike trail network.
Trail Etiquette:
- Check the map to ensure you’re using a walking trail and not a mountain bike only trail
- Walkers should be aware that many trails are shared with cyclists
- Stay on designated paths to protect sensitive vegetation
Explore more nearby
Birdsland Reserve (Adjacent)
Features walking tracks that connect to Lysterfield Park’s northern trails.
Cardinia Reservoir
Cardinia Reservoir is an impressive man-made water supply reservoir, was finalized in 1973 with an investment exceeding A$11.4 million! This remarkable reservoir stands as a testament to human ingenuity in harnessing natural resources for the greater good.
I love a water body and often find myself going here during the serene hours of early morning or late evening. It’s also a great place to walk! Read more in our blog on Cardinia-reservoir-park that shares all that you want to know about the reservoir in details.
Berwick (11.0 km via Ernst Wanke Rd and C404)
Berwick offers a charming mix of heritage, nature and suburban ease.
Dandenong Ranges National Park (20km, 25 minutes)
Explore towering mountain ash forests, fern gullies, and charming villages like Sassafras and Olinda.
Puffing Billy Railway (25km, 30 minutes)
The famous heritage steam train through the Dandenong Ranges, departing from Belgrave.
Location and Distance Guide
Address: Lysterfield Park, Horswood Rd, Lysterfield, VIC
Entry Fee: Entry and parking at Lysterfield Park are completely free.
Narre Warren North: 5km
Berwick: 11 km
Rowville: 10 km
Dandenong: 15 km
Emerald: 17 km via Wellington Rd/C413
Belgrave: 15 km
Glen Waverley: 18 km
Ringwood: 30.4 km
Frankston: 35 km
Melbourne: 40 km
Warburton: 56.3 km via Wellington Rd/C413
While some visitors find the trails “quite boring” with “lots of gravel and bush basically,” others recognize it as “an easy trail with an epic lake view” that’s “teeming with wildlife”. The reality is that Lysterfield’s appeal lies not in dramatic scenery but in reliable, accessible nature close to Melbourne and for us and hundreds of thousands, this is exactly what we seek!
Local Vic 