The granite peaks of the You Yangs rise dramatically in the Werribee lava plains. Although only 352 m in height, they dominate the landscape and are clearly identifiable from Melbourne and beyond.

Spring and summer are the best times to visit.

• Enjoy a picnic or barbecue.
• Walk to Flinders Peak, the highest point in the You Yangs. On a clear day you can see Mount Macedon, the Brisbane Ranges, Geelong, Corio Bay and the tall buildings of Melbourne.
• See the Aboriginal rock wells on Big Rock.
• Try to identify some of the 200 or more birds in the area.
• Take the Great Circle Drive which takes you to many features around the park.

• There are several picnic areas in the You Yangs, some of which have fireplaces, gas barbecues, tables and toilets.
• Four main walks cover the park - all are well signposted.
• Camping is not permitted within the park.

Mountain Bike Trails

The You Yangs has two designated mountain biking areas that contain over 50 kilometres of exciting and environmentally sustainable trails that cater for riders of all ages and ability.

The easier and flatter Kurrajong Plantation weaves for 20 kilometres and consists of three loop tracks through established Eucalypt plantations. The Kurrajong Plantation is ideal for family groups, wanting to experience mountain biking for the first time right through to experienced riders wanting to test their endurance and speed.

The more testing Stockyards area in the north of the park has a range of flowing single trails and steep technical sections through rocky landscapes totalling slightly less than 40 kilometres. This area contains two down hill tracks, a 4 cross track (under construction) and a range of cross country tracks that will test riders of all levels.

All trails are clearly sign posted with directional information and gradings. A map can be picked up from the Park Office or downloaded from the link below, detailing information on the trail.

Parks Victoria, together with the Geelong Mountain Bike Club, has carefully designed trail alignments to protect environmental values of the park, whilst providing a high quality Mountain Biking experience. The trail system has been designed for sustainable long term use. You can help ensure that these trails remain open for use by only riding on formally signed trails and not creating or using informally created trails (ie those not identified on the map).

There are a number of other trails within the park that are for other recreational user groups. Please respect these trails that are designated for walkers or equestrian use only and are signposted accordingly.

The name 'You Yang' comes from the Aboriginal words 'Wurdi Youang' or 'Ude Youang' meaning 'big mountain in the middle of a plain'. Aboriginal people enlarged natural hollows in the rocks to form wells that held water even in dry seasons.

Explorer Matthew Flinders was the first European to visit the You Yangs. On 1^st May 1802, he and three of his men climbed to the highest point. He named it 'Station Peak' but this was later changed to Flinders Peak in his honour.

Aboriginal Traditional Owners

Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria

The You Yangs protect a range of habitats for wildlife. More than 200 species of birds have been recorded in the area. Mammals such as kangaroos, koalas, sugar gliders, brushtail and ringtail possums are also commonly seen.

A variety of plant species can be found. Tall eucalypts such as Manna Gums, Yellow Gums and River Red Gums give way to a sparse undergrowth of native shrubs and ground covers. Patches of wattles and Drooping Sheoaks can also be seen.

The vegetation of the You Yangs has seen considerable change since the arrival of Europeans. As the native vegetation was cleared for farming and timber, plantations of Sugar Gum and Brown Mallet were established to supply local communities with firewood, posts and poles.

On 14^th January 1985, a wildfire burnt more than 80% of the park. The vegetation is now slowly recovering, although its composition is changing. Unfortunately Boneseed, a noxious weed, is thriving since the fire and is choking out large areas of native vegetation.

• Please take your rubbish with you.
• Light fires only in fireplaces provided.
• All plants and animals are protected.
• Please keep to the walking tracks.
• Dogs are allowed in the park but must be on a lead and restrained at all times.
• Horseriding is allowed only on the tracks in the plantation area.

You Yangs Regional Park is 55 km south-west of Melbourne and 22 km north of Geelong (Melway ref: Key map 11). Access to the park from the Geelong-Melbourne Freeway is clearly signposted via Little River or Lara. From the park entrance the sealed Turntable Drive (one way traffic) leads to many of the main picnic areas.

Visitor Centre

The path to the You Yangs Park Office is unsealed and relatively steep. There is a toilet at the Centre designated as an accessible facility, but the access path is fairly steep and is unsealed.

Picnic Areas

Rough surfaces, potholes and other obstacles reduce the accessibility of the picnic sites at the You Yangs. Valley Picnic Area has a designated accessible toilet, meeting many access criteria, across the car park from the picnic facilities. The tracks and the car parks are unsealed. At Big Rock Picnic Area the path leading up to Big Rock is steep with rocks and vegetation across the path.

Interpretetive information about You Yangs Regional Park is being incorporated into a website by the staff and students at Norlane High School, in partnership with the You Yangs Regional Park staff, as a joint venture between their involvement in the School Innovation in Science Project, ICT Achievers Program, Teachers of Technology and Science in Industry Program, and the Scientists and Engineers in Schools Program. Visit their website here.

• Brisbane Ranges National Park
• Serendip Sanctuary
• Steiglitz Historic Park
• The Mansion at Werribee Park