Floods and bushfires are becoming more frequent and severe under climate change, with detrimental impacts on freshwater ecosystems. These extreme events create complex challenges for water managers in determining how best to support ecological recovery and when intervention is required. Bushfire impacts on water quality in streams can be immediate (sedimentation, low dissolved oxygen) as well as long-term (elevated nutrients, increased sediment) persisting for several years and can emerge episodically following rainfall. The 2024–25 bushfires in western Victoria affected catchments across the central and southern Grampians National Park, including the Wannon River, Fyans Creek, Jimmys Creek and their tributaries. This project assessed post-bushfire water quality recovery (14 months+) across these fire-affected systems using targeted field sampling, water chemistry analysis and existing spatial datasets, including fire severity mapping, to evaluate potential impacts and track recovery. We measured water quality parameters relevant to aquatic ecosystem health across 20 monitoring sites that varied in fire severity, with sampling in autumn and winter to capture contrasting hydrological conditions. Parameters included chlorophyll a, nutrient concentrations, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and total suspended solids (TSS). Preliminary results show higher chlorophyll a and total phosphorus concentrations in autumn, and higher total nitrogen, oxidised nitrogen, DOC, DON and TSS concentrations in winter. These seasonal differences may reflect hydrological conditions and post-fire mobilisation of nutrients, organic matter and sediment, indicating that post-fire water quality risks can vary seasonally, with implications for the timing and targeting of monitoring and management actions. Linking post-bushfire water quality monitoring with fire severity and hydrological conditions enables managers to move from broad recovery responses to more targeted, adaptive interventions. This information can guide preparation and response actions that vary among locations, reflecting differences in catchment terrain, fire intensity, runoff risk and the sensitivity of downstream aquatic habitats.