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There’s a whole lot of noise in the world right now, and if you ask us, the pull of the great outdoors has never been stronger. If you’re keen to get into nature but not sure how to make it work with kids in tow, we’re here to help. We spoke to the good people at Hipcamp and Alltrails for the best pram-friendly campsite and hike options in Victoria, so you and the little ones can escape the city without worrying about getting the Bugaboo stuck on the wrong side of a river.
Read on for the best pram-friendly hike and camp combos in Victoria.
Yarra Valley Vineyard Views and Yarra Valley Trail: Lilydale to Yering
Distance from Melbourne CBD: ~45km (about one hour)
If your ideal weekend involves getting your fix of fresh air then hopping between top-tier cellar doors, this Yarra Valley combo ticks every box. Camp among rolling countryside at Yarra Valley Vineyard Views, then roll the pram along the Lilydale-to-Yering stretch of the Yarra Valley Trail – a wide gravel rail trail that’s famously flat and family-friendly. The 15-kilometre return track follows the route of an old railway line through farmland, paddocks and vineyard country, with barely a hill in sight. The biggest challenge is deciding which winery to stop at afterwards.
Galea Ranch and Phillip Island Bike Path
Distance from Melbourne CBD: ~140km (about two hours)
Phillip Island is best known for penguins and the MotoGP, but it’s also brilliant for pram-friendly strolls. Set up camp at Galea Ranch, then cruise along the island’s bike paths – particularly the coastal paths around Cowes and Newhaven – where sealed shared trails run beside beaches, wetlands and farmland. The routes are smooth, scenic and blissfully easygoing, perfect for a slow-paced push with a pram.
Cathedral Views Campsite and Steavenson Falls Lower and Upper Lookouts
Distance from Melbourne CBD: ~100km (about two hours)
For maximum scenery with minimal effort, base yourself at Cathedral Views Campsite near Marysville and make the short trip to Steavenson Falls. One of Victoria’s tallest waterfalls at roughly 84 metres, the falls are reached via a gentle all-abilities path that winds through lush fern forest to a viewing platform at the base. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can tackle the staircase up to the upper lookout for sweeping valley views – but even the lower platform delivers the kind of misty rainforest magic that makes you forget you’re only a couple of hours from Melbourne.
Berry’s Beach Farm, Phillip Island and The Nobbies Blowhole and Seal Rocks Lookout
Distance from Melbourne CBD: ~140km (about two hours)
If coastal drama is what you’re after, this Phillip Island pairing delivers in spades. After camping at Berry’s Beach Farm, head out to Nobbies Boardwalk – a short, pram-friendly stroll that hugs the cliffs at the island’s western tip. The walk is less than one kilometre return and rewards you with panoramic views of Bass Strait, rugged volcanic rock formations and the chance to spot seabirds, penguins or even seals lounging on nearby Seal Rocks. It’s quick, wildly scenic and guaranteed to make your camera roll look like a brochure for Visit Victoria.
Hampton Park and Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail: Port Fairy to Koroit
Distance from Melbourne CBD: ~290km (about four hours)
For a pram-friendly adventure on the Great Ocean Road side of Victoria, this rail trail delivers serious countryside charm. Base yourself at Hampton Park near Port Fairy, then follow the Port Fairy–to–Koroit stretch of the Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail – a gentle path tracing an old railway line through farmland, wetlands and volcanic plains. Expect big skies, grazing cattle and the occasional historic bridge along the way.
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