Five forest day trips under 2 hours east of Melbourne

Just a short drive east of Melbourne lies a world of tall wet forests, cool temperate rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and tranquil walking trails.

These 5 state forest sites are the perfect day trip destinations from Melbourne—all within 2 hours—where you can reconnect with the wild beauty of Victoria’s forest landscape.

1. Toorongo Falls and Amphitheatre Falls, Noojee State Forest

Drive time from central Melbourne: 1 hour 50 minutes              

Just ten minutes from Noojee, Toorongo Falls Reserve is one of Gippsland’s must-see natural attractions.

Pack a picnic to enjoy at one of the picnic tables and head along the 2.5 km walking track to view the powerful 25 m Toorongo Falls and smaller Amphitheatre Falls further along the trail.

2. Wirrawilla Rainforest Walk, Toolangi State Forest

Taungurung Country

Drive time from central Melbourne: 1 hour 40 minutes

Nestled in the heart of Toolangi State Forest, the Wirrawilla Rainforest Walk is a popular circuit walk that winds through cool, temperate rainforest. Surrounded by ancient myrtle beech and southern sassafras trees, this walk offers a peaceful escape into nature.

Designed to be accessible for all abilities, the path is made up of boardwalk and a short section of formed dirt track. For those looking to explore further, 2 additional trails—the Myrtle Gully Circuit and the Tanglefoot Loop—offer extended walking options.

3. Ada Tree, Ada Tall Trees Reserve

Wurundjeri Country

Drive time from central Melbourne: 2 hours        

Visit the Ada Tree, one of Victoria's largest trees standing at 76 metres tall and more than 300 years old. The tree sits along the Ada Tree Walk; a 3.6 km loop walk that will take about 1.5 hours. You’ll walk past beautiful groves of ancient myrtle beech, sassafras and tree ferns.

The Ada Tall Trees Reserve is surrounded by the Latrobe State Forest and is one of the stops along the Walk into History walk.

4. Starlings Gap, Yarra Ranges State Forest

Wurundjeri Country

Drive time from central Melbourne: 1 hour 40 minutes 

Starlings Gap, is a great base from which to explore the Yarra State Forest and the Yarra Ranges National Park and is surrounded by beautiful mountain ash forest. It’s equipped with picnic tables, wood fired BBQ and also sits along the Walk into History route that follows historic timber tramways.

5. Seven Acre Rock, Beenak State Forest

Bununrong Country

Drive time from central Melbourne: 1 hour 35 minutes  

Enjoy a sweeping panorama of Beenak State Forest and Bunyip State Park, at granite outcrop Seven Acre Rock, 15 minutes from Powelltown.

An easy 1.3 km walk will take you through towering mountain ash and a smaller woodland of silver wattle before a small rocky climb to the lookout. On clear days, you’ll be able to see all the way across to Western Port and Port Phillip Bays!

Page last updated: 08/07/25