Mount Donna Buang is a fantastic all-seasons playground. In spring, summer and autumn, the picnic area is a great base for walks up the mountain and views across to Melbourne and beyond. The Rainforest Gallery has a spectacular observation platform and walkway allowing you to stroll among the treetops.
Rising to 1245m, Mount Donna Buang often receives frequent snowfalls in the winter. Many Melburnians have enjoyed their first taste of snow play and tobogganing here over the years.
On the way up to Donna Buang from Healesville, Ben Cairn is a popular spot for rock climbing and there is also a take-off site for hang gliders.
One of the most popular walks in the Yarra Ranges is the Redwoods. In contrast to the Mountain Ash that are such a feature of the Yarra Ranges, the trees here are introduced from California. Californian Redwoods are a type of conifer and are the tallest of all plant species in the world, while Mountain Ash are the tallest flowering plant in the world.
Warburton is a popular centre for cycling, with the iconic 40km Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail ending here. The 30km O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail is suitable for cyclists of all ages and can be tackled in shorter sections. More energetic road cyclists like to climb to the summit of Mount Donna Buang.
Things to do in the area
The park provides habitat for 120 species of native birds. Hollow-using species found here are the Sooty Owl, Powerful Owl and Barking Owl. Other important species include the Pink Robin, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Australian King-Parrot and Grey Goshawk. Crimson Rosellas are common.
The park features tall Mountain Ash forests, with an understorey of tree ferns, and gullies of cool temperate rainforest. Large pristine areas of these and other vegetation types are of national and state botanical significance. Damp river valleys are home to stands of Myrtle Beech festooned with mosses, ferns and lichens.
The highest elevations, such as Lake Mountain and Mount Donna Buang, are characterised by sub-alpine vegetation, and receive regular snowfalls over the winter months.
Fourteen plant species occurring in the park have been identified as being rare or threatened, including the Slender Tree-fern and Tree Geebung.
How to get there
Warburton Donna Buang and the Upper Yarra
When you're there
In winter, following sufficient snow, Mount Donna Buang becomes a very popular family friendly snow playground. You might experience long delays in reaching the summit.
Car parking is available at the summit through the day, however the summit gate is locked when there is snow. At these times car parking is available at the gate and the summit can be accessed by a 300m walk along the road.
Accessibility
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Need to know
Warburton Donna Buang and the Upper Yarra
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 Parks
Extended seasonal road closures 2019
Some roads in this park are subject to extended seasonal road closures. Seasonal road closures generally operate after the long weekend in June through to the end of October, but may be extended due to seasonal conditions. View the list of 2019 seasonal road closures for details and check the corresponding map numbers with the seasonal road closure 2019 index map for locations of the extended closures and visit the seasonal road closures page for more information.
