A true hidden gem not too far from Melbourne, perfect for a hiking day trip.
Located just 20 km west of Melbourne CBD and right beside Melbourne Airport, Organ Pipes National Park is an impressive rock formation and remains largely under the tourism radar. These rocks are formed by basalt lavas cracking during cooling down into vertically standing rocks, which resembles the organ pipes in a church.
The impressive rock formation at Organ Pipes National Park
There is also the Rosetta Stone that some people said looks like the underneath cup of a rose bulb, or others referred its appearance to the spokes of a wheel. Either way, it is an extraordinary creation from nature that will surely surprise you.
The famous Rosetta Stone. It indeed looks like a rose bulb, right?
Nearby the Rosetta Stone is the Tessellated Pavement, a formation that reminds you of the world-famous Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. While we all love traveling through the wonders of the world, it's not a bad idea to explore our very own backyard, especially when the travel restrictions are still there, right?
If Ireland has the Giant's Causeway, we have the Tesselated Pavement at Organ Pipes
Besides the impressive formations, Organ Pipes is also home to the Australian echidna, sugar gliders and you may also spot some wallabies hoping on your way. The park has easy walking tracks and several picnic areas, but if you think the main tracks aren't fun enough, try the hidden tracks within the valleyways and feel your adrenaline rush down your back (but please make sure you have appropriate footwear and hiking gears).
Tranquility with the creek flowing through the tracks
If you think the main tracks aren't fun, try the hidden ones - but ensure you have appropriate footwear
Organ Pipes National Park is situated just off the Calder Freeway in northwest Melbourne. If you travel by public transport, board a train to Sunbury, Diggers' Rest or Essendon Station and take bus 483 towards Moonee Ponds. Get down at Organ Pipes National Park/Calder Fwy and the park is right there. Please note that there are no buses on Sundays, the last bus departs from Organ Pipes at 7:05 pm and the bus frequency are 60 to 75 mins, so plan your travel carefully to avoid any disappointment.
