Anakie offers different highlights to consider when planning a trip: Fairy Park, with its fairy-tale scenes, hillside trail and views, and walking destinations in the surrounding area. There, trails pass through a dry gorge; picnic areas and wildlife viewing are also among the options described. If you are considering Anakie as a destination, you can first weigh up whether fairy-tale worlds or a nature trail better match your interests. The following places differ considerably in character.
Fairy-tale scenes and views at Fairy Park
Fairy Park is considered Australia’s first theme attraction; it began operating in 1959. The site includes 32 scenes in castles, cottages and caves, surrounded by landscaped gardens. Depicted scenes include Cinderella at the Grand Ball, Jack in his beanstalk story, the Teddy Bears at their picnic and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The visitor trail follows paved paths up a hill and back down, with more fairy-tale scenes along the way. From the summit, there are 360-degree panoramic views of the extinct volcano Mt Anakie and the landscape beyond. The story-themed scenes and the view are two distinct aspects of a visit to the park.
Activities and facilities
At Camelot Playground, children can explore secret passages, climb towers and encounter mystical creatures. Visitors can set a large model railway in motion at the push of a button. Alongside these specific activities, Fairy Park has an adventure playground, a kiosk, a dining venue, a gift shop and picnic areas.
Trails and picnic areas in the surrounding area
The Anakie Gorge Walk is an easy family trail along Stony Creek through a dry gorge. Along the way, visitors can spot wallabies, koalas, native wildflowers and birds. A Parks Victoria visitor guide with maps dated June 2017 lists the trail as 3.5 kilometres long, with a walking time of 1.5 hours one way. As these details refer to the maps available at that time, it is advisable to check current conditions before setting out.
At Anakie Gorge Picnic Area, visitors can picnic or relax and choose from several trails, including the relatively flat Anakie Gorge Walk. Stoney Creek Picnic Area is a separate location: it is the starting point for the Anakie Gorge Walk, the Wadawurrung Walk and the Ted Errey Circuit Walk. For planning purposes, both the specifically described Gorge Walk and other named trails in the regional area are relevant; picnic areas and starting points each have their own names and functions.
Other places of interest in Anakie
The Anakie District Memorial Gates in Anakie Reserve commemorate those who fought in the First and Second World Wars. Anakie Vineyard is in the Moorabool Valley at the foot of an extinct volcano. Another activity is offered by Hot Shots Paintball Adventure Park, which provides paintball at 895 Granite Road in Anakie. These places have different focuses: remembrance, a vineyard’s location in the valley and paintball complement the fairy-tale world of Fairy Park and the nature trails in the surrounding area.
Discover more destinations: Beeac, Burnbank, St Andrews Beach, Murtoa, Brooklyn, Mount Buller, Lorne, Merrigum.
For the broader travel overview: Victoria.
