Highfield Park@Camberwell (my Rating C)

We went to this park, thought the entire park was offleash.  And we were happy to see the playground equipments, the kids were having fun and my baby was having fun on the oval next to the playground...........

 

(playground and the oval next to it)

Until, a kind lady came, and told me that the council changed the rules a few weeks ago.

Now, only South Oval is offleash.  The one next to the playground is now ONLEAD.

 

 (Map of the park)

 

There's a car park in between the 2 ovals.  How can I take my baby to the offleash oval and leave the kids the other side of the park to play at the playground?  No, I won't feel comfortable doing that.

 

(facing the offleash oval)

(offleash oval)

That's why I rate this park C, it was on my A List the moment we came.

Macedon Regional Park @ Macedon (my rating A):

Macedon Regional Park is about 1.5 hrs drive from City.

Part 1:
We parked at Harbison Picnic Ground, and did the walk to Camels Hump Car Park.  The whole walk is 4.8km.  It took us nearly 3.5 hrs to complete the trail and return.  The walk starts near the tea house.

 

(Map from Park Victoria)

Some sections are quite steep, loose stones are throughout the path.  Wearing walking boots would be wise.

(entrance to the trail)

 

(this is the sign to follow)

 

(This sign is at McGregors Picnic Ground)

Suggest you to get the map / Park Note from ParkVic beforehand.

Part 2:
Hello, Macedon!  Again................

This time we parked at the McGregors Picnic Ground, had lunch, and started the walk towards the Camels Hump Lookout.  I've found my favourite Picnic Ground!  It's here, at McGregors!  Quiet and Paceful and Relaxing, surrounding by the big tall trees, green grass, several picnic tables and benches.  It's not as popular as Harbison Picnic Ground, thus not as noisy as at Harbison.

 

(McGregors Picnic Ground)

The walk was easy, especially from Camels Hump Car Park to the Lookout, it's all paved.

 

(trail to Camels Hump Lookout)
 

 (to Lookout)

 

(Lookout)

 

(View from Lookout)

 

(View from Lookout)

The whole walk took 1 hr return, at the leisure pace.  We spent an additional hour at the Lookout!

Great Ocean Walk: Bird Rock to Bells Beach (my rating A)

It's hard not to give this coastal walk an A!  Like other coastal walks on Great Ocean Road, this is just another awesome one.......

 

(Great View along the Walk)

 

We parked at the Birk Rock lookout at Jan Juc, had packed lunch there, admiring the surfers with their great passion to the sport.

The walk took us about 3 hrs return, including short beach walk & a snack break on Bells Beach.

 

(Bells Beach)

 

 

(Bells Beach)

There are benches along the road for walkers to rest / enjoy the snack time.

 

(Map from Visitor Centre)

 

(Description from Visitor Centre)

Middle Brighton Beach (my rating B)

Middle Brighton Beach at Brighton is an offleash beach between April and October.

I rate this beach B because it is a big and nice beach and just 40mins drive from the City.  It doesn't get onto the A list because the sand isn't as silky as my all-time favourite beaches, and also because of the offleash time restrictions.

There are toilet facilities there which is definitely a bonus.

Looks like it's a popular spot for water gliding.


Maybe it was Autumn, we could easily find a parking spot.

Middle Brighton Beach is highlighted in Green.

• Off leash rules 1 November - 31 March: Dogs are prohibited between 10am and 7.30pm, and dogs are permitted off leash between 7.30pm and 10am.
• Off leash rules 1 April - 31 October: Dogs are permitted off leash at all times.

 (Info extracted from Bayside council website)

 

(Map from Bayside Council Website)