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Yarra
Valley and Dandenong Ranges
Walks
of the Dandenongs & Yarra Valley
Get out and walk amongst some of the most beautiful and
picturesque
countryside in the world.
The Yarra Valley and Dandenongs offer hundreds of walks
for the person
who wishes to explore the region on foot.
Below are just a few of them.
* Starting off at Grants Picnic Ground Kallista.
1. Walk to Belgrave.
2. Walk up to Sherbrooke Falls.
3. Take the forest walk starting off
behind the shop.
* Starting off at Silvan Reservoir.
1. Olinda Creek Walking Track - 5.6
km from Silvan to Mt Evelyn.
2. Messmate Circuit Loop - 1.2 km
3. Stonyford Creek Guided Trail - a 30 minute
stroll.
* Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track
This track extends from Main Street Sassafres
in the north-west (Melway Ref 66 F9) to the Telopea steps, Telopea
Road,
Clematis in the south-east (Melway Ref 127 C2) The distance of the
tourist
track is 17 km or 7 hours one way - Alternately you can walk a shorter
section of the track.
* Warburton Trail
Choose your starting point along the 38km
trail linking Lilydale and Warburton. This is the site of the old
steam railway which once carried timber and produce to the city
markets.
* River Walk - Warburton.
Beginning at Signs Bridge and following the
Yarra behind the Caravan Park and out onto Woods Point Road. -
Approximately
9 km.
* Riverside Walk - Warburton
The Riverside walk can begin or end at any
of the six bridges crossing the yarra behind the township. Watch
out for a platypus particularly at dusk.
* La-la Falls - Near Warburton
1.5 hours return. The track has a
moderate
grade and passes through attractive ferny glades and tall
Mountain
Ash forest before reaching the picturesque falls.
* Richards Tramline - Near Warburton
7km one way, 3 hours each way This walk
follows an old logging tramline and winds up the southern side of the
Mississippi
Creek valley.
* Mt Donna Buang to 10 Mile Picnic Area
1.2km - 30 minutes
* Mt Donna Buang to Rainforest Gallery
3 km - 1.5 hours Moderate to hard. This
beautiful site features a 40 metre long observation platform which
takes
you into the rainforest canopy.
* The Ada Tree Walk (33 to 35 km from Warburton)
3.6km Loop - 1.5hours return An enormous
Mountain Ash 76 metres tall and extremely wide. The tree can be
accessed
via the Island Creek track which passes through cool temperate
rainforest.
* Badger Weir - Near Healesville
A number of walks can be taken from the car
park reserve, but make sure you include the walk along the western side
of the creek, down from the weir. Lyrebirds are common and can be seen
and heard to best advantage on those cooler days, or even in the rain,
when the park is quieter. Just before sunset, (when the park closes) is
also a special time.
* Maroondah Reservoir Park
Just a couple of kilometres east of
Healesville,
the Maroondah Dam is a popular picnic spot. There are also walks
across the dam and up to a lookout overlooking the Maroondah water
catchment.
* Mt Riddell - Healesville
On the south-eastern edge of town, off Don Rd, Mt Riddell provides
a challenging climb to anyone who hasn't kept up with their exercise
classes.
With great views from the top, the route also allows foot access to
many,
many miles of native bush.
* Mt St Leonards Lookout - near Healesville
Quite literally, one of the high points around town. The old
fire-spotters
tower has been turned into a lookout than commands views that reach as
far as the eye can see. The tower is at the end of a 1.5km walk from
the
nearest bush road, or is just the first stop on the National Trail,
after
a steep trek from Donnelly's Weir. Healesville is at the southern end
of
the National Trail.
* Wirra Willa Walk - Toolangi
This special little board walk is well worth
the round trip, 15km out to Toolangi via Myer's Creek Road, and back
down
Chum Creek Road. The board walk is quite new, but the ferns are as old
as history. An enchanting, cool spot, to visit on a hot day. The walk
can
be completed in half an hour, but allow much longer.
* Donnelly's Weir - near Healesville
Close to town, this secret place is accessed
by car through a wide ford that crosses the Watts river. The riverside
picnic area is a tranquil spot, enclosed by whispering pines, that is
well
worth the visit. Walk to the Echo Tunnel, the aqueduct outlet to
Maroondah
Dam. |
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