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.
10 Mile Turntable
Mount Donna Buang
OShannassy Aqueduct Trail
Rainforest Gallery
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.
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.
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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Rainforest Gallery (Donna Buang) (Yarra Ranges National Park)
Rainforest Gallery Closed for Repairs
The Rainforest Gallery boardwalk is closed until further notice. Urgent repairs are required for visitor safety. -
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 -
Yarra Ranges National Park
Summit Loop Trail - Partial Closure - Lake Mountain Summit
The Summit Loop walking trail is partially closed at Lake Mountain until further notice.Attachments: Lake Mountain Summit Loop Partial Track Closure (562KB)
Restricted night time access due to Deer control Program at Mount Donna Buang and along the O'Shannassy Aqueduct trail
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 5pm and 6am on a number of nights between the 1st of March and the 12th of June 2026. 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. Signage onsite will provide specific dates control will take place. 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 this time and do not enter any closed areas.For further information please call 131963Attachments: Donna Deer Control zone map (652KB)
Areas of Yarra Ranges National Park closed for aerial deer control operations
Areas of Yarra Ranges National Park closed for aerial deer control operations
Parts of the Yarra Ranges National Park will be closed from 7:00 am until 6:00 pm daily on the following dates:· Monday 15 June 2026· Tuesday 16 June 2026· Wednesday 17 June 2026· Thursday 18 June 2026· Friday 19 June 2026These closures are required for aerial shooting operations to control introduced deer species.For public safety, do not enter these areas before or during operations. Warning signs will be displayed at all official entrance points to the control zones and at visitor sites while the program is underway.Affected Areas & Closures
All campgrounds and visitor areas within the control zones will be closed while activities are active. Closed areas include:· Upper Yarra Reservoir Park – Picnic Area and Campground· Big Peninsula – The Goldfields Walk· O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail (Partial closure) – Closed East of Cement Creek Road· O’Shannassy Weir Picnic AreaWhy is this work being done?
Parks Victoria is responsible for conservation management to restore and protect park habitats, including the control of introduced plant and animal species.This program aims to:· Protect native vegetation: Reduce damage to rare and threatened plant species.· Preserve waterways: Minimise deer impact on significant waterways and vegetation within the Upper Yarra and Armstrong catchments.· Improve road safety: Reduce the risk of motor vehicle accidents involving deer on surrounding roads.More Information
For your own safety, please strictly observe all signage and do not enter any closed areas.For further information or updates, please call Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or visit the Parks Victoria website.Attachments: Armstrong Creek Aerial Shoot (1,094KB)
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Big Peninsula Picnic Area (Yarra River, Yarra Ranges National Park)
Big Peninsula access to tunnel entry viewing platform and Goldfields walk via Peninsula Rd temporarily closed during road works
Melbourne Water are repairing the crossing on Peninsula Rd. During this time, the walking track beyond the Big Peninsula maintenance vehicle gate will be inaccessible. Works are scheduled to start in early June 2026 and finish in late June or early July 2026.Attachments: Big Pen culvert works (238KB)
Big Peninsula Stepping Stones permanently closed due to erosion
Due to instability caused by erosion, the Big Peninsula Stepping Stones are permanently closed for visitor safety. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Mount Donna Buang BBQ's closed
The Mount Donna Buang BBQ's will be closed for the foreseeable future. We apologise for any inconvenience.Portable BBQ's and Heat Bead BBQ's are allowed to be used on site, so please bring your own. We ask that you take home any resulting waste items, including used heat beads.No campfires are allowed however, due to the resulting ground fire scar.