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Yarra Ranges National Park
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.
5 best beginner hikes in Yarra Ranges National Park
Immerse yourself in lush temperate rainforests with these five top beginner-friendly hikes and nature walks close to Melbourne.
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.
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.
When you're there
Need to know
Yarra Ranges National Park
Accessibility
Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.
Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.
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.
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Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Badger Weir Road Works
Notification of upcoming road works to Badger Weir Picnic Area.The planned works are to repair the entrance road which has deteriorated due to severe rainfall events over the last couple of years.In the course of the works the entire picnic ground will be closed with no public access to Badger Weir Picnic Ground or surrounding walking tracks.The closure is for an expected three week period with works starting from Thursday 24 October 2024 until Friday 15 November 2024Park Open Hours – Badger Weir and Donnellys Weir
Park Open HoursMaroondah Reservoir ParkBadger WeirDonnellys Weir8am 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 April8am to 5pm – May to August8am 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. -
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 -
Yarra Ranges National Park
Deer Control in Yarra Ranges National Park
Parks Victoria will be undertaking deer control in the Yarra Ranges National Park on the southern fall of Mount Donna Buang. This program will be taking place between the hours of 4pm and 7am on a number of nights between early September 23rd and November 29th 2024. These dates include:23rd -25th September2nd -4th October16th-18th October28th -30 OctoberThese control works are being undertaken by accredited and authorised contractors.For reasons of public safety, various areas of the park will be inaccessible during the evening throughout this period. This includes the O’Shannassy Aqueduct trail and the Mount Victoria walking track. Please refer to the attached map for further information.Signage will be in place at access points when control activities are occurring. For our own safety please observe the signage during these dusk to dawn times and do not enter any closed areas.For further information please call 131963Attachments: Site map Donna Buang (640KB)
O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail - Dee Rd Trestle Bridge Closed
The Dee Road Trestle Bridge has been closed for public safetySubsequently, 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.
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.
How we keep it special
Yarra Ranges National Park Management Plan
The Management Plan for Yarra Ranges National Park directs all aspects of management in the park until the plan is reviewed.
Parks Victoria is proud to be a key partner in the implementation of the Yarra Strategic Plan, Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo. Delivering the plan is a Victorian Government commitment to protect our treasured Yarra River, Birrarung, and its parklands for future generations.
Warburton MTB Destination
Parks Victoria is working in partnership with the Shire of Yarra Ranges, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Melbourne Water to construct a world-class mountain bike destination around Warburton.
Cement Creek Redwood Forest Facility upgrades
To improve access for diverse visitors to the Warburton Redwoods Forest a range of improvements are being undertaken. These include a new accessible public toilet, trails, boardwalks and viewing platforms, a shelter, increased carparking, environmental protection works and revegetation.