The Kokoda Track Memorial Walk (incorporating the 1000 Steps) departs from Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground, winding up a steep hill along a creek through lush rainforest, before emerging into a clearing where you can enjoy great views of Melbourne through the trees. Complete the loop by taking the Lyrebird Track back to the carpark.
The path is steep and beautiful, which makes it attractive to fitness walkers and tourists however please leave your dog at home, as this walk is not for your pets. Dogs are not allowed at the 1,000 Steps.
The 1000 Steps Cafe
The 1000 Steps Café is nestled under the tranquil gumtrees of the Dandenong Ranges. Start your day with a coffee while absorbing the picturesque surroundings of the national park, or take a seat and enjoy the great range of food and drinks off the menu. Inside you can take your time surrounded by locally-produced artwork and watch the world go by from our window seats. In front of the café is a large outdoor area with picnic tables allowing you to soak up the sun while taking in the wonderful environment with friends and family.
How to enjoy the 1000 Steps
The 1000 Steps is very popular. To get the most out of this place, it’s advisable to visit at a quieter time. That means midweek, early in the morning or both. That way you can appreciate the atmosphere of this magical rainforest and why Australian soldiers felt it was so similar to the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea where they fought in the Second World War. You’ve also got a better chance of spotting the noisy but very shy Superb Lyrebird.
1000 Steps alternatives
If you simply want to enjoy the majesty of the old trees around Ferntree Gully, and are not set on walking the 1000 Steps, try the Ramblers Track Loop. This is a gentle and quiet walk through old-growth forest. If you’re looking for a less popular but similarly demanding walk or run, the Granite Track in nearby Lysterfield Park is worth a go. You can even cool off with a swim in the lake afterwards!
Kokoda Track Memorial Walk or 1000 Steps?
At the foot of the 1000 Steps are a series of signs explaining this walk’s association with the Australian soldiers. Created in the early 1900s, the 1000 Steps Walk was originally made from tree fern trunks laid along the wetter areas of the track to make the climb a little easier. These were replaced by wooden palings, and more permanent concrete steps were installed in 1950.
The veterans of the Kokoda campaign adopted this park as their memorial site in 1998. The similarity of the walk to the first 100 metres of the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea resulted in the establishment of fourteen plaques along the walk, dedicated to the Australian Military Forces who fought and died on Kokoda. The 1000 Steps represent the ‘Golden Staircase’, a name given by Australian soldiers to the 2000 steps cut by the Australian Army Engineers and others into the track between Uberi and Imita Ridge.
Things to do
Bird watching
Walking
Wildlife
How to get there
1000 Steps Walk (Trail)
Facilities
When you're there
The 1000 Steps is a very popular walk and the car park at Ferntree Gully picnic area will be full by 10am on most weekend mornings. You might have better luck parking your car at One Tree Hill Picnic Ground at the top of the 1000 Steps. Alternatively, leave your car at home. It's a a leisurely 1200m stroll from Upper Fern Tree Gully train station to the bottom of the steps. Download the visitor guide before you go.
1000 Steps Walk
Need to know
1000 Steps Walk (Trail)
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. Grants, O’Donohue, Sherbrooke, One Tree Hill and Ferntree Gully picnic grounds were assessed for accessibility in June 2020, providing information about the accessibility of these areas and photos.
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.
-
Kalorama Park Picnic Ground (Dandenong Ranges National Park)
Kalorama Park toilets are closed with the disabled toilet open for use
Kalorama Park toilets are closed due to asbestos being discovered in the building, recent vandalism exposed the wall panelling revealing that it contains asbestos. For public safety the affected toilets are closed until works are completed to remove and replace the wall panelling. The disabled toilet does not have asbestos wall cladding and will remain open for the public to use. A time frame for the remediation works is unknown and as soon as funding is secured the works will commence. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Storm Damage affected track and trails
Approximately 15km of tracks and trails in the Dandenong Ranges National Park have been damaged by a heavy rainfall storm event in July 2024. Visitors are requested to remain alert to changing track/trail conditions and to observe any track/trail closures. This advice will stand until further updates are made as repairs take place, this may take several years due to lengthy delays involved with insurance claim processing.ngurrak barring - RidgeWalk Art Installation Works
Shire of Yarra Ranges contractors will soon be starting works across a range of sites within the Dandenong Ranges National Park, the works include path upgrades, wayfinding signage and Land Art Installations. For details regarding the project click on this link. https://shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/ridgewalk -
Valley Picnic Ground (Dandenong Ranges National Park, RJ Hamer Arboretum)
Valley Picnic Ground Access Road is closed to visitors cars
Valley Picnic Ground is currently closed to visitor vehicles. This decision has been made due to ongoing issues of vandalism, illegal firewood cutting, and rubbish dumping in the area.To protect the environment and the integrity of the picnic ground facilities, the access road will remain closed until further notice. Parks Victoria will continue to monitor the situation and will review the closure decision in due course. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping to protect the National Park. An alternative setting is the Doongalla Picnic Ground located via this link -
Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground (Dandenong Ranges National Park)
Removal of the Fitness Station at the top of the 1000 Steps Kokoda Memorial Walk
The Fitness Station at the top of the 1000 steps will be removed as it has been deemed unsafe. The work area will be partially closed whilst works are carried out, but the 1000 Steps will remain open. Some large timber benches will be installed in place of the Fitness Station. It is expected that the work will be completed by the end of January 2025. -
Eagle Nest Picnic Area (Dandenong Ranges National Park)
Eagle Nest Picnic Ground is now open
Parks Victoria is pleased to advise that the Eagle Nest Picnic Ground is now fully open. Car access is now permitted right through to the picnic ground. The access road will be closed after the Easter long weekend and re-open again on Melbourne cup weekend. The closure will occur annually to assist with reducing illegal firewood collection and rubbish dumping that regularly occurs in the area. -
Sherbrooke Picnic ground (Dandenong Ranges National Park)
Sherbrooke Picnic Ground Toilet is Closed due to tree damage
The Sherbrooke Picnic Ground Toilet has been severely damaged by a fallen tree, the toilet block is closed until further notice. Please use the nearby O'Donohue Picnic Ground ToiletsAttachments: Sherbrooke Toilet Damage (319KB)
-
Sherbrooke Track (Dandenong Ranges National Park)
Wattle Track Foot Bridge Replacement
Wattle Track Bridge in Sherbrooke Forest has been closed for an extended period due to damage caused by a fallen tree. The bridge was destroyed, and since then, Parks Victoria has been awaiting funding for its replacement.While plans for the new bridge have been drawn up, there are further delays in the project’s delivery. It is currently anticipated that work to replace the bridge will commence sometime in 2025. Once a specific start date is confirmed, it will be made publicly available.We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience as we work to restore this important infrastructure.For updates, please visit the Parks Victoria website or contact us directly.Thank you for your understanding. -
Olinda Falls Picnic Area (Dandenong Ranges National Park)
Olinda Falls Lower Viewing Platform and Toilets are Closed
The Olinda Falls lower viewing platform is currently closed due to severe damage caused by a fallen tree. All access to the lower falls area is closed to the public. The viewing platform is expected to be replaced sometime in 2025.
The picnic facilities and upper viewing platform remain open with the exception of the toilets, the toilets are closed permanently.