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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.
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.
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.
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.
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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Ben Cairn (Yarra Ranges National Park)
Ben Cairn visitor site closed to vehicles
Due to a landslip affecting the Donna Buang Rd, VicRoads have enacted a road closure which effectively closes the road to the Ben Cairn visitor site. Vehicles are therefore unable access the site.Due to the dangers associated with the landslip, the road closure is applicable to all members of the public on all forms of transport as well as pedestrians.Please access the VicRoads Traffic website for further details on the road closure - https://traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/incidents/4787119. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Donna Buang Road closure between Warburton Highway and Rainforest Gallery
The Department of Transport are undertaking road works to the landslip along the Donna Buang Road. The road will be closed between the Warburton Highway and Rainforest Gallery from Monday 2 October to Friday 13 October.During this time, there will be no access to the Mt Donna Buang summit and Rainforest Gallery. Access to private properties will be maintained.Please note these dates are subject to change due to weather conditions.Cambarville Toilet Block Closed
Cambarville Toilet Block Closed until further notice.Lady Talbot Drive access
Lady Talbot Drive has recently been reconstructed. To protect the road from damage in the wetter months the section beyond The Beeches to Upper Taggerty Road will remain closed unil 2nd November 2023.Access to Keppel Hut is via Mt Margret Road - Lady Talbot Drive - Keppel Hut Track (4WD only)All Barbeques temporarily closed
All barbecues within Yarra Ranges National Park are temporarily closed for service and maintenance. Locations include:- Upper Yarra Reservoir Park- Maroondah Reservoir Park- Badger Weir- Donnelly's Weir- Fernshaw Picnic Ground- Mt Donna BuangParks Victoria apologises for the inconvenience.Park Information: 13 1963Park 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. -
Little Peninsula Picnic Area (Yarra Ranges National Park, Yarra River)
Little Peninsula Bridge Closed
Little Peninsula Bridge closed due to storm damage.
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Big Peninsula Picnic Area (Yarra Ranges National Park, Yarra River)
Big Peninsula Stepping Stones Closed
Big Peninsula Stepping Stones closed due to flood damage. -
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. -
Phantom Falls (Yarra Ranges National Park, MARYSVILLE STATE FOREST)
Phantom Falls walk closure
The walking track to Phantom Falls is currently closed due to extensive storm damage. The second bridge and viewing platform are damaged and deemed unsafe. The track is overgrown and has numerous fallen tree obstructions.Access beyond the first bridge, overlooking the Taggerty River is not permitted.Access to the carpark, picnic area and first bridge is still permitted. -
Cambarville circuit walk (Yarra Ranges National Park)
The lower section of Cumberland walking track at Cambarville is closed until further notice (Cora Lynn falls remains open)
- The lower section of the Cumberland walking track is closed until further notice, however Cora Lynn falls remains open.
- The upper section of Cumberland track including the Elephant Tree and the Big Tree are still open.Attachments: Cambarville_A4_0412 (1,190KB)
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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. Please plan your visit accordingly. 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.Works to provide continued access to the trail are being investigated. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Seasonal road closures 2023
Seasonal road closures apply to areas within and tracks bordering this park from 15 June 2023. See MapshareVic for locations of the closures. Visit the seasonal road closures page for more information
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.