Be Bushfire Smart

• The park is an excellent place for picnics, walks, bird observing and photography.
• Stand on the viewing platform - the basalt Keilor Plains all around you are part of one of the world's largest lava flows.
• Walk down the path to view the 'organ pipes' - a set of basalt columns formed by lava.
• Look for yellowish sandstones and mudstones across the creek 200 metres downstream from the 'organ pipes'.
• Fossils in these rocks suggest they are sedimentary rocks laid down under the sea about 400 million years ago. Walk upstream about 400 metres past the 'organ pipes' and see Rosette Rock - a radial array of basalt columns like the spokes of a wheel.
• Look at the Tessellated Pavement, the tops of basalt columns.
• Enjoy a picnic while looking out for waterbirds, blue wrens, cockatoos, rosellas, magpies and wedge-tailed eagles.

• Walking tracks, picnic tables, water and toilets are provided.

The park’s important geological heritage includes the basalt 'organ pipes', formed about a million years ago when a massive lava flow spread over the plains from nearby volcanic hills. At this point it filled an ancient creek valley so some 20 metres deep. A surface crust formed and the lava beneath cooled very slowly and shrank. Vertical cracks developed, and as the lava continued to harden the cracks lengthened until the basaltic mass was divided into columns. Jacksons Creek then cut a deep valley through the basalt, exposing the ‘pipes'.

Aboriginal people had camped and hunted on the open, grassy plains for thousands of years with little adverse effect on the environment, and the area supported kangaroos, dingoes, tiger cats, bandicoots, gliders and platypuses as well as native grasslands with abundant wildflowers.

Ideal for sheep, the grassy Keilor plains were among the first parts of Victoria to be occupied by European settlers from Tasmania in the 1830s. With settlement and the introduction of exotic plants and animals, the number and variety of native plants and animals soon diminished. The bluestone walls of an early farm can be seen in the park today.

Naturalists were aware of the volcanic formations well over 100 years ago but the area was not protected until 1972, when 65 ha (later increased to 85 ha) of land were set aside for a national park. In the meantime the land had become degraded and weed-infested. With the creation of the park, volunteers (including Victoria’s first park Friends group) and staff set about restoring the indigenous vegetation, a task that continues today. Many native fauna species have also returned. Small insectivorous bats are a special feature.

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 number and variety of native birds recorded has increased greatly since the park was established. Some mammals, such as possums, wallabies and echidnas, can be seen too. Reptiles are abundant. Sugar Gliders were released early in 1989 and other species will be reintroduced as native vegetation develops and the habitat becomes suitable.

Since 1972, volunteers have spent many thousands of hours removing weeds (mainly thistles and boxthorn), planting and tending trees, searching surrounding areas for seed, and propagating plants to restore the indigenous vegetation. Approximatley 145 species of native plants (and 106 species of weeds) have been recorded in the park.

• All plants and animals are protected. Rocks are not to be disturbed or removed from the park.
• No dogs or other pets.
• No wood fires, however, portable gas barbecues are permitted.
• No camping is allowed.
• Please keep to the walking tracks to minimise erosion and trampling of vegetation.

Organ Pipes National Park is close to the Calder Highway, 20 km north-west of Melbourne (Melway ref: 3 D4).

The park is open from 8:30am to 4:30pm daily, extending to 6:00pm during daylight savings.

Organ Pipes Lookout
The valley and Organ Pipes rock formation can be viewed from the upper and lower viewing platforms, reached by a short walk from the car park and main picnic area. The unsealed path to the upper viewing platform is generally accessible and not very steep. The lower platform is reached by stairs. There is a picnic area near this viewing area.

• Brimbank Park
• Horseshoe Bend Farm
• Pipemakers Park
• Woodlands Historic Park