Redwood Forest

Two females carrying hiking packs walk amongst the towering Redwoods as the sun filters through the canopy.

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Redwood Forest

Yarra Ranges National Park

The Redwood Forest is currently closed to all vehicle and pedestrian access via Cement Creek Road due to improvement works to upgrade the Cement Creek Road Bridge. It is anticipated it will stay closed well into 2023 when Yarra Ranges Council complete the bridge works. Visitors can access Redwood Forest by bike or on foot via the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail - a 16km round trip.

 

Popular with day-trippers from Melbourne and local residents from Warburton and surrounding areas, the Redwood Forest offers the opportunity to relax on the lawns with a picnic and wander through the towering Californian Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest. 

Now more than 90 years old, the first Californian Redwoods were planted alongside the plantations of Bishop Pine and Douglas Fir as part of a hydrology experiment conducted by the Board of Works in the 1930s. Further plantings occurred from 1960-1963 of Radiata Pine, Western Red Cedar and more Californian Redwoods and these subsequent plantings are now more than 60 years old. 

Californian Redwoods grow to be the tallest trees in the world at up to 115m and they can live for more than 2000 years. Despite being relatively young, the trees at Cement Creek are captivating in their uniformly planted arrangement. 

Summer is a great time to visit. Once you step amongst the towering Californian Redwoods you will enter a cooler quieter climate. For those with keen eyes, some beautiful native orchids can be found over the summer months including greenhoods and cinnamon bells. The occasional Monarch Butterfly can be spotted from time to time. Listen out for the squeals, shrieks and cackles of a seasonal population of Grey Headed Flying Fox that roost in the canopy of the Redwood Forest in summer.   

Explore beyond the main stand of Californian Redwoods by following Cement Creek to where it meets the Yarra River. This beautiful perimeter walk takes in native vegetation including ferns and Eucalypt trees and if you are lucky you will see a variety of birdlife including yellow robins flitting amongst the dappled light.

Just north of Cement Creek Rd, you'll find the O'Shannassay Aqueduct Trail, a popular spot for walking or cycling. 

Please note the popularity of this site and where possible choose an off-peak time to visit as weekends, school holidays and public holidays can be extremely busy.

 

Things to do in the area

 
A section of the O'Shannesy Acquaduct near Warburton.

OShannassy Aqueduct Trail

Nestled above the floor of the Upper Yarra Valley, O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail follows the historic open channelled aqueduct. Stretching 30km, the trail passes fern gullies, creeks and plantations and offers spectacular views of the valley below.
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 1.2km, the summit features a lookout tower which offers panoramic views over Melbourne, the Yarra Valley, Dandenong and Cathedral Ranges, Mount Baw Baw and the Alps. It's a great picnic spot and starting point for walks on the mountain.
Rainforest Gallery in Yarra Ranges National Park

Rainforest Gallery

Take a stroll through the rainforest. This beautiful walk features a 40m long observation platform (one of only three of its type in Australia) which takes you into the rainforest canopy high above the ground.

Upper Yarra Reservoir Park

Nestled at the top of Yarra Valley lies the popular Upper Yarra Reservoir Park – the uppermost point of the Yarra River accessible to the public.

How to get there

Redwood Forest

Yarra Ranges Council is completing important works to rehabilitate and upgrade Cement Creek Road Bridge. Vehicle access to the forest will remain closed into 2023 as bridge works are being completed.
 
Visitors can still access the Cement Creek Redwood Forest by bike or on foot via the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail, however please note this journey is approximately a 16km round trip.
Redwood Forest

When you're there

Please note:

  • There are no toilets on site (closest are located at the East Warburton Public Hall)
  • No picnic tables or shelters are available
  • Phone reception can be limited, depending on your provider 
  • No dogs are permitted
  • No fires are permitted
  • No camping is permitted
  • No firearms/shooting is permitted
  • All rubbish must be taken home as no bins are provided
  • No drones

When to go

Enjoy an escape from the summer heat in the cool of the Redwood Forest. Keep your eyes peeled for plants and animals like orchids, Monarch Butterflies and Grey Headed Flying Foxes. 

Need to know

Redwood Forest

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.

 

Filming and Photography

A permit (minimum 10 business-day turnaround) is required for commercial filming and photography. A permit is also required for filming with a drone, commercially or privately (minimum 20 business-day turnaround). 

 

Cement Creek Redwood Forest Facility upgrades

The Cement Creek Redwood Forest in the Yarra Ranges National Park has become an increasingly popular site for visitation over the last few years thanks to the enchanting and photogenic Californian Redwood trees.

Visitors to the Yarra Ranges National Park will soon enjoy greater accessibility, new facilities and increased protection of the environment through the Cement Creek Redwood Forest Facility upgrades. 

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.

  • 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)

    BBQ's temporarily closed at various locations

    Some bbqs within Yarra Ranges National Park are temporarily closed for service and maintenance, or during upgrade of facilities.  Locations include:
    - Fernshaw Picnic Area
    - Donnellys Weir Picnic Area
    - Mt Donna Buang Summit
    - Maroondah Reservoir Park.  BBQs near the main car park (at the former kiosk) and near the top car park are operational. 

    Parks Victoria apologises for the inconvenience.

    Park Information: 13 1963

  • Big Peninsula Picnic Area (Yarra River, Yarra Ranges National Park)

    Big Peninsula Stepping Stones Closed

    Big Peninsula Stepping Stones closed due to flood damage. 

  • Little Peninsula Picnic Area (Yarra River, Yarra Ranges National Park)

    Little Peninsula Bridge Closed

    Little Peninsula Bridge closed due to storm damage. 

  • 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.

  • 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. 


  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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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