National Parks and Reserves

The Gunbower Island Canoe trail is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the unique wetlands of Gunbower State Forest.

The wetlands are recognised as having international significance and play a critical role in supporting the breeding of birds, mammals and amphibians.

The idyllic canoe trail is a return route of approximately five kilometres and will take around two hours to complete. Yellow-numbered floating buoys mark the trail. When you reach the end of the trail, take some time to explore the wetlands before returning along the trail at your leisure.

The trail is suitable for paddling at any time of the day or night, with wildlife more active at sunrise and sunset.

An all-abilities canoe launcher is located at Canoe Site, the starting point of the Gunbower Island Canoe Trail. This site does not have accessible toilets, the nearest public toilets are located in the Koondrook township.

The canoe trail is three hours drive north of Melbourne.

Note, creek levels may be too low for paddling between May and August. Access to the start of the trail is limited in wet weather or during flood events.