The Yarra Ranges National Park is a place of epic views, rainforest scenery and fun-packed snowplay - and the area around Warburton delivers all three. Mount Donna Buang offers panoramas towards Westernport and Port Phillip Bays and tobogganing in the winter, while the Rainforest Gallery will give you a new perspective on the Mountain Ash forests of the region.
Warburton, Donna Buang and the Upper Yarra spans much of the southern part of the Yarra Ranges National Park. The stunning natural beauty, wildlife and plantlife of this region can be enjoyed by all. There are accessible and family friendly walks and picnic areas as well as more challenging summit climbs that will appeal to the more experienced hiker.
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.
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
Yarra Ranges National Park is approximately 65km east of Melbourne. Visitor sites in the Warburton area can be accessed via the Warburton Highway.
When you're there
Yarra Ranges National Park visitor sites are open every day, including weekends and public holidays. Numerous picnic areas and walking tracks are open to the public, however sections of the park are designated closed water catchments and are not publicly accessible.
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.
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.
Need to know
Warburton Donna Buang and the Upper Yarra
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.
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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Yarra Ranges National Park
O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail - Dee Rd Trestle Bridge Closed
The Dee Rd Trestle Bridge has been closed for public safetySubsequently, the O'Shanassy Aqueduct trail now terminates at the bridge near the Dee Rd Picnic Ground, please plan your visit accordingly. We would recommend accessing the western section of the Trail from the Dee Rd Picnic Ground (Millgrove) and the eastern section from the Yuonga Rd Picnic Ground (Warburton).Works to provide continued access to the trail are due to commence in 2022 with completion expected in 2023. -
Other issues
Californian Redwood Forest, East Warburton, road access closed.
- Road access to the Warburton Redwoods Forest will be closed from 17 October 2022 - December 2022, while Yarra Ranges Council complete works to rehabilitate and upgrade the connecting Cement Creek Road Bridge.
- During this time, visitors will be unable to access the Redwoods Forest by car. Visitors can still access the site via bike or on foot via the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail.
- For enquiries about the Cement Creek Road bridge upgrade, please contact Yarra Ranges Council.
- Information about planned facilities upgrades can be found on "Redwoods Forest set for facilities boost" or "Cement Creek Redwoods Forest facility upgrades" pages on this website
- Road access to the Warburton Redwoods Forest will be closed from 17 October 2022 - December 2022, while Yarra Ranges Council complete works to rehabilitate and upgrade the connecting Cement Creek Road Bridge.
