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

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. When wanting an alternative to the busy Redwood Forest car park, visiting via this scenic route is a 16km round trip when starting from the Yuonga Road car park.

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

Vehicle access to the Redwood Forest is via Cement Creek Road, off Woods Point Road/Warburton Hwy. Please take note of the ‘no standing’ areas along Cement Creek Road, and park in the designated car park only.
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
  • Park in the designated car parking area only
  • 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.

  • 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 September
    2nd -4th October 
    16th-18th October
    28th -30 October
    These 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 131963

    Attachments: Site map Donna Buang (640KB)

    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.

  • 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 

Similar Trails

 
Two retired men go on a long walk through lush temperate rain-forest near Eagles nest picnic ground.

Dandenong Ranges National Park

Protecting the tall forests of the Dandenongs, this park is well known for its spectacular Mountain Ash trees and lush fern gullies, and is ideal for relaxing picnics and tranquil forest walks.
Three friends standing at the Erskine Falls lookout admiring the waterfall.

Great Otway National Park

The park features rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, rock platforms and windswept heathland. In the north, the park features tall forests, ferny gullies, magnificent waterfalls and tranquil lakes.
Two people stop and take in the view from the Corrigan Suspension Bridge at Tarra-Bulga National Park.

Tarra-Bulga National Park

Tarra-Bulga National Park on Brataualung Country, is highly significant to Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners due to its remarkable Aboriginal cultural heritage. Known for its giant Mountain Ash trees, beautiful fern gullies and ancient myrtle beeches, it has some of the best examples of original cool temperate rainforests of the Strzelecki Ranges.
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