Our state forests are brimming with beautiful spots where you can perch yourself at a picnic table and tuck into a salad roll. There are over 250 spots, and that's not even counting the many scenic camping areas, riverbanks, and lookouts—all perfect places to pause for a picnic.

Here are 7 must visit spots for your next picnic adventure.

People having a picnic by the river at Bruntons Bridge
Picnic by the Thomson River at Gippsland gem, Bruntons Bridge.

Brunton's Bridge, Boola Boola State Forest

Gunaikurnai Country

If you have a 4WD, head over to heritage-listed Brunton's Bridge and picnic with stunning elevated views of the Thomson River at one of the picnic tables dotted along the river.

Located 30 minutes south of Walhalla, this site has several campsites and is a great base for adventure lovers.

While you're in the area

Choose from several 4WD tracks, or launch a canoe at the popular Thomson River Canoe Trail, a 3 hour paddle from Coopers Creek to Brunton's along the Thomson.

A bridge passing over a river in the forest.

- Brunton's Bridge is an 1886 heritage listed wrought iron bridge

A person kayaking along a river in the forest.

- Brunton's Bridge kayaking

This site provides direct access to the popular Thomson River Canoe Trail.

Goat Island, Gunbower State Forest

Or if you’re headed to north-central Victoria, seek out Goat Island on the Gunbower Creek near Cohuna, a stone’s throw from the Murray River. This peaceful picnic spot and campground is well known for its fishing, canoeing and wildlife watching.

While you’re in the area

Work up an appetite by paddling along Gunbower Island Canoe Trail, or enjoy the internationally recognised wetland Gunbower Island by car along the Gunbower Island Forest Drive—check out the route on the More To Explore app.

A picnic table beside the Gumbower Creek.

- Picnic among the river red gums along the Gunbower Creek

A picnic table beside the Gumbower Creek with trees dotted alongside. Gunbower Creek.

- Gunbower Creek is a popular fishing spot

Ditchfield Camp, Mount Cole/Beeripmo State Forest

Eastern Maar Country

Picnic among towering eucalypts as you breathe in the fresh forest air at Ditchfield Camp, about 20 minutes from Beaufort. This beautiful forest site is the perfect spot to lunch at, or you can stay overnight at one of the campsites.

It’s a fully accessible site and provides a range of amenities suitable for visitors with limited mobility.

While you’re in the area

Drive to the summit of Ben Nevis for a spectacular view over the Grampians and the surrounding district.

A picnic table and hut surrounded by tall trees in the forest.

- Ditchfield Camp is a great base for exploring the Mount Cole State Forest

A carpark, toilet block, picnic table and hut surrounded by trees in the forest.

- An all-abilities footpath connects the toilet and carpark

Richards, Mount Cole/Beeripmo State Forest

Eastern Maar Country

Just 11 minutes down the road from Ditchfield Camp and set among tall eucalypt forest is Richards which caters to picnickers, campers and hikers—a great spot to explore the surrounding forest.

It features a large picnic shelter, toilets, outside picnic tables and BBQ pits. This site is the overnight camp for the 2-day Beeripmo Walk.

Look out for wallabies and kangaroos where the forest opens into the clearing at this site.

While you’re in the area

Head out for an after-lunch stroll along the Fiery Loop—a 3.2 km walk which passes through mixed species of eucalypt forest and ferns the two other loop walks Grevillea and Paradise are both currently closed for works. Search for this walk on the More To Explore app.

A large picnic shelter and tables surrounded by forest.

- Richards campground and picnic area

A foressted campground, fire pit and picnic table surrounded by trees.

- One of the campsites at Richards

Waterfall Picnic Area, St-Arnaud-Pyrenees State Forest

Dja Dja Wurung Country

Waterfall Picnic Area is a beautiful forest campground and picnic area 15 minutes out of Avoca, set in a scenic valley with panoramic views of the jagged Grampians Ranges. If you’re keen to cook up your lunch, there are fire pits with cooking plates available.

A short walk from the carpark will take you to the Avoca Falls which are at their best after a heavy downpour.

While you’re in the area

Explore the beautiful Pyrenees Wine Region, where you’ll find over 44 vineyards.

Two people sitting at a picnic table with two cars and a caravan in the background surrounded by forest.

- Enjoy the beautiful natural surrounds of this peaceful picnic spot

A grassy picnic and campground surrounded by trees, two cars and caravan and a camper trailer.

- Waterfall Picnic Area is also a great spot to camp the night

A large grassy area with a forestes mountain range.

- The Pyrenees Ranges is the backdrop of this picnic spot

Lightning Creek, Mitta Mitta

Picnic at this popular picnic and camping site situated on the banks of the Snowy Creek about 25 minutes south of Mitta Mitta on the Omeo Highway. Surrounded by native forest, this open, flat grassy site is the perfect spot to shake out a picnic rug.

While you’re in the area

Stop off on the way to historic gold mining town on the edge of the Snowy Mountains, Omeo which is about an hour and a half south.

Picnic tables surrounded by a grassy area next to the Snowy Creek.

- Picnic on the banks of the Snowy Creek surrounded by native forest

Stony Creek Trestle Bridge, Colquhoun/Boyanga Gidi State Forest

Gunaikurnai Country

Picnic below the iconic heritage-listed Stony Creek Trestle Bridge—one of the largest bridges of its kind in Victoria. Located in the heart of East Gippsland between Nowa Nowa and Lakes Entrance.

It’s a popular stop along the East Gippsland Rail Trail, which stretches for almost 100 km between Bairnsdale and Orbost.

While you’re in the area

Hit the trails at Nowa Nowa Mountain Bike Park, or grab refreshments or accommodation at the nearby towns of Nowa Nowa, Bruthen or Lakes Entrance.

A picnic table with a large wooden trestle bridge in the background.

- Stony Creek Trestle Bridge is a popular stop along the East Gippsland Rail Trail

An old wooden trestle bridge in the forest.

- Stony Creek Trestle Bridge can be viewed from an elevated viewing platform at one of the abutments, or from the carpark at the base of the bridge

More information

Visit Picnicking in Victoria for more inspiration.

For the full list of over 800 forest sites and activities download the More to Explore app.

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Stay informed about autumn planned burns before you go and always check VicEmergency for Fire Danger Ratings, Total Fire Bans, advice and warnings.

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Person sitting on a rock overlooking a forested area

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Page last updated: 13/05/25