Yarra Ranges National Park

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Yarra Ranges National Park

Yarra Ranges National Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Wurundjeri People. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Wurundjeri Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.

Situated between Melbourne and the Victorian Alps, the Yarra Ranges National Park is a place of epic views, majestic rainforest scenery and fun-packed snowplay. Enjoy the panorama from Mount Donna Buang, or go deeper into the park on the Black Spur Drive, and wind through towering Mountain Ash forests to Lake Mountain.

The Yarra Ranges spans an extensive, mountainous area of cool temperate forest around the three towns of Marysville, Healesville and Warburton. This national park is home to the world's tallest flowering tree, the Mountain Ash, which towers over lush tree ferns and mossy Myrtle Beech. Dark gullies are home to clear streams which feed the Yarra River and major reservoirs from which Melbourne draws its drinking water.

The Yarra Ranges boasts some stunning lookouts, one of the best being Mount Donna Buang. From here you can see awesome views of Westernport Bay and Port Phillip - or walk the Rainforest Gallery and see the Mountain Ash from a different perspective. In the winter, Mount Donna Buang is Melbourne's closest winter playground. Many Melburnians have enjoyed their first sight of snow here through the years.

Healesville is the start of the Black Spur Drive, a short but beautiful scenic car journey. The road winds through majestic Mountain Ash forest to Narbethong, passing a number of pleasant walking trails and picnic areas, such as Donnelly’s Weir, Dom Dom Saddle and Maroondah Reservoir Park.


Two friends walking along the Rainforest Gallery trail in the Yarra Ranges

5 best beginner hikes near Melbourne

Immerse yourself in lush temperate rainforests with these five top beginner-friendly hikes and nature walks close to Melbourne.

A family take in the view of the Yarra Ranges from the elevated platform at Mt Donna Buang.

Mount Donna Buang

At an elevation of 1245 metres, the summit features a lookout tower which is 21 metres high and offers panoramic views over Melbourne, the Yarra Valley, Dandenong and Cathedral Ranges, Mount Baw Baw and the Alps. It is also a popular picnic area and starting point for walks on the mountain.

Redwood Forest

An hour and a half from Melbourne in the Yarra Ranges, you will find an enchanting Redwood Forest. Once a hidden gem, this forest has become a popular destination for its uniformly planted trees and tranquil natural surrounds.

A road winds through a lush temporate rain forest.

Lady Talbot Drive

The Lady Talbot Drive is a scenic rainforest car journey which passes a number of fantastic walks and waterfalls in the Yarra Ranges National Park. The drive from Melbourne includes the famous Black Spur Drive, another road known for its scenic beauty. Bring a picnic and escape the city for a day.

Need to know

Yarra Ranges National Park

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Dom Dom Saddle Picnic Area (Yarra Ranges National Park)

    Dom Dom Saddle Picnic Area - Toilet Closure

    Dom Dom Saddle Picnic Area toilets are permanently closed and will be removed in their entirety at a later date.
    The nearest toilets are at Fernshaw Picnic ground.

  • Cambarville Picnic Area (Yarra Ranges National Park)

    Partial walking track closure on Cumberland Circuit walk (South of Woods Point Road)

    There is a partial closure in place on the Cumberland Circuit walk due to hazardous tree fall risk south of Woods Point Rd (see map attached) 

    Attachments: Cambarville_A4_0412 (1,190KB)

    Cambarville toilet block closed until further notice

    Cambarville toilet block is closed until further notice due to water supply issues and structural problems 

  • Badger Weir Picnic Area (Yarra Ranges National Park)

    Badger Weir Picnic Area BBQ's Out of Order - Vandalism

    Four of the six BBQ hotplates at Badger Weir Picnic Area are currently out of order due to repeated thefts of the BBQ Batteries, Hotplates and Gas Bottles.  Due to this and an associated arson attack on one of the picnic area's shelters, we are currently investigating increasing security to the park.  These four BBQ hotplates will be reopened as soon as we can find a solution.

    If you have any information on these repeated thefts and arson events in Badger Weir Picnic Area, please contact Parks Victoria (13 1963) or Crime Stoppers (1800 333 000).

  • Yarra Ranges National Park

    O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail - Dee Rd Trestle Bridge Closed

    The Dee Road Trestle Bridge has been closed for public safety
    Subsequently, the O'Shannassy Aqueduct trail now terminates at the bridge near the Dee Road Picnic Ground.  We recommend accessing the western section of the Trail from the Dee Road Picnic Ground in Millgrove and the eastern section from the Yuonga Road Picnic Ground in Warburton. Please plan your visit accordingly.  

    Works to provide continued access to the trail are being investigated.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Park Open Hours – Badger Weir and Donnellys Weir

    Park Open Hours
    Maroondah Reservoir Park
    Badger Weir
    Donnellys Weir
     
    8am to 8pm – Early October to Early April (Start of Daylight Savings Time to End of Daylight Savings Time)
    8am to 6pm – Early April (End of Daylight Savings Time) to end of April
    8am to 5pm – May to August
    8am to 6pm – September to Early October (Start of Daylight Savings Time)
     
    These parks and visitor sites are protected for water security purposes by automatic gates.  The gates close at the above posted times, but they do allow for visitors to leave the park for 30 minutes after these times.  From 30 minutes after the posted closing time however the after hours exit turns off and exit from the park is no longer possible.  We are obliged to do this to help strengthen water resource security. 
     
    If a visitor mistakenly gets caught behind the automatic gates after the park closing time, upon exit please drive to within two metres of the gate to activate the late exit trigger.  If the gate does not open as the vehicle is leaving too late, please call Parks Victoria on 13 19 63 to ask them to assist.  A late exit fee may apply.

Tours and adventure experiences in parks

One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.

There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.

Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more. 

Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest.

Find a Licensed Tour Operator

Yarra Ranges National Park

7-9 Symes Road
Woori Yallock VIC 3139
13 1963
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