Address: The Briars Community Forest, 442 Nepean Hwy, Mount Martha VIC 3934, Australia.
Located in the heart of Mornington Peninsula, the Briar Community Forest is a lush green area just about an hour’s drive away from Melbourne.
Have you ever wondered what you would find in the Forbidden Forest if you were sent in there for a detention period? Well, now’s your chance to find out! Head to this nighttime woodland trail experience where you can encounter Buckbeak and other magical forest creatures from the Harry Potter series and try your hand at casting spells! We've curated a handy guide for you to make note of the best ways to get to your destination.
Address: The Briars Community Forest, 442 Nepean Hwy, Mount Martha VIC 3934, Australia.
Located in the heart of Mornington Peninsula, the Briar Community Forest is a lush green area just about an hour’s drive away from Melbourne.
Travel time: 2.5 hours
Closest railway stop: Frankston Railway Station
Timings: The Frankston train is available every 20-30 minutes. From the Frankston Railway Station, you can get a bus every 40-60 minutes.
The journey from Melbourne city to the Harry Potter: Forbidden Forest is a little tedious through public transport. You will first have to take a train to Frankston Railway Station, from where you’ll get a bus to the Briars. It will take you around 1 hour and 10 minutes from Flinders Railway Station in the heart of Melbourne, to Frankston Railway Station. From there, another 45 minutes via bus.
Travel time: 1.3 hours
From Melbourne City Centre, drive along M1 until you reach the Eastlink exit. Take this exit and then continue on M3 until Carrum Downs. From here, take the route M11 towards Portsea and then take the 19th exit. This takes you onto a roundabout where you’ll need to take the 3rd exit to get onto C784. Continue until you reach Craigie Road and then turn left onto Craigie Road. Take the exit to B110 and then follow the signs to The Briars.
Parking: There is paid parking on-site for AU$20. However, you can also pre-book your parking pass online for AU$16 or a premium parking spot closer to the entrance for AU$27.
Budget-friendly: The train and bus combination is the most inexpensive way to reach the Harry Potter: Forbidden Forest. However, it has a much longer travel time. Additionally, since the hike is at night, getting back to Melbourne City via public transport might be tricky.
Convenient: The fastest and the most convenient way to reach the Harry Potter: Forbidden Forest is by car. You could opt for your personal vehicle, taxi, or a ride share, and park it at the venue.
To sight-see: Traveling by car or taxi is one of the best ways to catch the views en-route to the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest. You can follow the Beach Road and the Nepean Highway to get spectacular coastal views all the way from Melbourne.
Driving to the Forbidden Forest is the best and fastest way to reach the location, as it cuts about an hour from your travel time as compared to public transport.
If you are not using your private vehicle, it is advisable to book a taxi in advance to pick you up after the experience, or stay overnight at Mt. Martha and return the next day.
You can find plenty of stay options near the Briars within Mornington Peninsula. Check out the Seppelt House Bed & Breakfast, Boardwalk Cottages or the Mt Martha Beach House.
Yes, visitors can reach out to the organizers while purchasing the parking pass to inform them of a special requirement.
No, the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest trail is quite a distance from Melbourne making it a difficult walk. Instead, opt for ride sharing to optimize for time and costs.
We recommend you reach at least 15 minutes prior to your ticket time in order to ensure a smooth check-in process.