Victoria’s Midwest has welcomed a significant expansion of protected public land, providing exciting new opportunities for visitors, tourism operators and local communities alike.
From 5 October 2026, more than 78,000 hectares of land across Victoria’s Central West transitioned into a network of new and expanded parks and reserves managed by Parks Victoria. The initiative includes three new national parks, three conservation parks, seven new or expanded regional parks and almost 30 new and expanded nature and bushland reserves.
Visitors will continue to enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities across the new parks and reserves, including bushwalking, camping, mountain biking, four-wheel driving, trail-bike riding, fishing, horse riding, dog walking and picnicking,
For the Tourism Midwest Victoria region, the changes bring a collection of remarkable new and expanded nature destinations spanning the Pyrenees, Hepburn and Moorabool municipalities.
Parks within the TMV Region
The new and expanded parks relevant to Victoria’s Midwest include:
National Parks:
Pyrenees National Park
The creation of Pyrenees National Park recognises the outstanding environmental and recreational values of the Pyrenees Range. The park offers opportunities for bushwalking, nature appreciation and exploration of one of the region’s most significant natural landscapes.
Wombat-Lerderderg National Park
Covering more than 44,000 hectares between the Daylesford and Bacchus Marsh areas, Wombat-Lerderderg National Park stretches across parts of Hepburn and Moorabool and is one of the largest additions within the new park network.
Conservation Parks:
Hepburn Conservation Park
Located north-west of Hepburn Springs, this new conservation park helps protect important natural values while providing opportunities for visitors to enjoy the area’s unique landscapes and biodiversity.
Regional Parks:
These new and expanded regional parks further enhance the region’s network of nature-based visitor experiences, featuring forests, bushland, trails and opportunities for outdoor recreation close to local communities.
- Pyrenees Regional Park
- Blackwood Regional Park
- Spargo Creek Regional Park
- Hepburn Regional Park
Outdoor experiences continue
Importantly, many of the outdoor activities enjoyed by visitors will continue across the new parks and reserves, including:
- Bushwalking
- Camping
- Mountain biking
- Four-wheel driving
- Trail-bike riding
- Fishing
- Horse riding
- Dog walking
- Picnicking
Some activities may be subject to different regulations depending on the park classification and location, with visitors encouraged to review updated visitor information before travelling.
Supporting nature-based tourism
Nature-based tourism is one of the strongest drivers of regional visitation, and the expansion of Victoria’s protected area network provides new opportunities to attract visitors seeking outdoor experiences, wellness escapes, active adventures and meaningful connections with nature.
The new parks also recognise the enduring connection of the Dja Dja Wurrung, Wadawurrung, Wurundjeri, Taungurung, Eastern Maar and Gunaikurnai peoples, whose ongoing role in caring for Country will continue to be central to the future management of these landscapes.
Over the coming 12 months, Parks Victoria will work alongside Traditional Owners, local communities, recreational users and stakeholders to develop management plans that help shape the future of these treasured places.
For tourism businesses, these new and expanded parks provide another compelling reason for visitors to extend their stay, explore beyond the main tourism centres and discover the natural beauty that makes Victoria’s Midwest brilliantly unexpected.
Discover more via Parks Victoria