Start With Warburton’s Best Tracks
You will find nature walks in Warburton Victoria that are as unassuming as a riverside path or as demanding as a muddy track under the Mountain Ash. Which one you put on your agenda is a matter of what time you have, how fit you are and what the weather has in mind for the day.
An easy way to go about it is to take in the Warburton River Walk or part of the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail. The Old Warburton Trail and La La Falls, reached via Old Warburton Road access, are better suited to those in the mood for fern gullies and a bit of forest. For a more protracted outing there is the O’Shannassy Aqueduct walk, the Backstairs Track or something that puts you between the hills and the river.
I am Florence Hadley and I like a walk to be honest with me from the moment I get out of the car. Here in Warburton you should factor in time for a lyrebird at work in the leaf litter, damp roots on the ground, and the odd stop to decide if a track marker is being decorative or actually indicating the way forward, not to mention taking photographs.
Choose By Time And Fitness
There are walks in Warburton for the experienced hiker and the family, as well as the casual traveller who has made the mistake of donning trainers for a bushwalk and wishes he had not. Riverside options tend to be the most accommodating; in the forest you can expect steepness and after rain, things get slippery.
| Walk Or Trail | Indicative Distance | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warburton River Walk | 1–2 hours for a leisurely riverside section | Easy | Those wanting wet-weather flexibility, families |
| Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail | Some 40 km end to end | Easy/moderate (by distance) | Gradual grades, long days and cycling |
| Old Warburton Trail | Varies on where you turn around | Moderate | A taste of local history and the forest |
| La La Falls | 3 km return | Moderate | Waterfall views and a brief challenge |
| O’Shannassy Aqueduct | From short to several kilometres | Easy/moderate | Longer walks and historic infrastructure |
Do not read too much into the table above, it is for planning purposes, not an edict from a gum tree. Distances are subject to the route you take and any diversions. See what the official information and signage say before you set off.
No Guesswork Getting To The Trailheads
Warburton is in the Yarra Ranges east of Melbourne and most come by car given the good forest walks are some way from the town centre, though buses will see you to certain rail-trail and town points.
If you are heading for the Old Warburton Trail or its environs, make sure of your access via Old Warburton Road. A map pin is no substitute for knowing where the legal stopping places are when you have narrow shoulders and roadside parking to contend with. Do not put yourself in the way of emergency vehicles at a gate.
The First And Last Kilometre
One does not want the opening kilometre to become a dispute with one’s shoes. Ascertain the start of the track and if there is parking, and note that some point-to-point trails of length will require a transport plan or a second vehicle.
In the valleys the mobile signal is not to be relied on. Put your maps on your phone while you still can and inform someone of your plans. Bring ample water for any hold up. On a screen the trailhead may appear within easy reach but winding roads and traffic or a rough surface from the rain can put more time on it.
Riverside And Rail Routes Done Easily
When fresh air is wanted without the rigours of a full expedition the Warburton River Walk makes sense. With the town facilities at hand and the shade of the vegetation and bridges, it is simple to call it a day if anyone’s legs give in to their enthusiasm.
Then there is the former railway line of the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail. It is a broad route for cyclists and walkers with less of a gradient than you would find on a mountain track and towns to pass through. There is no need to put in a heroic effort to do the whole thing, a short stretch near Warburton will do.
Make Of The Rail Trail What You Will
It is fine for a recovery from a hard hike or a steady family stroll. Be aware that the surface is not always level and puddles and soft spots are a possibility in bad weather. One should make an assessment of the surface and access before putting prams or mobility aids to use on certain parts.
To have a varied day of it without making a race of it to beat the sunset, do a morning run of the rail trail for a one-day trip and head to Warburton for lunch, followed by a short walk by the river. Those with children in tow are well advised to have snacks that will not turn to crumbs at the first encounter with a backpack.
Steep Tracks And The Quiet Of The Forest
The forest walks in Warburton put you in close proximity to the Yarra Ranges, with their damp gullies, tree ferns, tall Mountain Ash and the water’s muffled way of moving through the undergrowth. You will notice the physical toll increase as the scenery alters from what is found on the flatter routes in town.
For a more pronounced forest experience there is the Old Warburton Trail, which is fine for the walker who does not wish to put together a remote expedition. The Backstairs Track caters to those at ease with some elevation and ground that is not level. Do not be swayed by distance in either case; a few fallen logs and mud can give a short walk an air of substance.
Mud, Roots And What Lives Here
Do not be surprised to find the tracks muddy and treacherous after a rain. Put on shoes with a good tread and a waterproof and leave your hands unencumbered for balance. A trekking pole is useful on the steeper bits, particularly coming back when one is weary and every root seems to be an affront.
You may come across lyrebirds, wallabies, echidnas or wombats but no guarantees. Observe them at a distance and do not feed them, and where allowed have dogs in hand. In the warmth of the season snakes are about so stay on the track and be mindful of your footing to let them have room.
Waterfalls, History And The La La Falls
There is a clear objective to the La La Falls walk. It is a favourite with visitors looking for something of note but not the rigour of a mountain route for the whole day; the track takes you through fern gullies and wet forest to get there.
On the return the climbs will make the terrain feel more of an effort than the way out, so if it is wet or you are stopping often, set aside more time than the figures would have you think. Smooth soled shoes are not for sprinting to the car park at La La Falls.
What The Landscape Has To Tell
In the walking routes of Warburton one can see the legacy of gold mining, timber tramways and water works. At Boinga Bob’s Place and around Scotchmans Creek the landscape is put in context with those who made their way through these forests.
Then there is the O’Shannassy Aqueduct which once saw water carried through the ranges. On some sections it offers a long and mostly gradual corridor for the walker. It is not for dramatic ascents but for covering quiet distance and taking in the valley and its engineering past.
Be Cautious With Longer Walks
You can link up rivers, aqueduct and forest roads in a longer outing to the approaches of Mount Donna Buang or Mount Boobyalla. But they are not to be preferred on account of the kilometres. There is more to be said for a shorter walk done in comfort than leaving a long route by the side of a damp log.
Plan according to daylight and transport. Some of the roads have little shoulder and traffic, and if a shuttle is needed do not put it off to the chance of a stranger turning up at the right bend.
A Day In Warburton
With a single day to spare the sensible thing is to put the Warburton River Walk and a part of the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail on the agenda, along with La La Falls or another of the forest routes. It is a way to see the Mountain Ash and the history of the place without a marathon.
The seasoned walker might opt for a lengthier section of the O’Shannassy or put two routes together, provided the elevation and state of the trail are in order. The aqueduct has the advantage of less climbing over a long distance but exposed and wet parts should be treated with due respect.
Weather And The Like
An hour is all it takes for the climate in Warburton to put a different complexion on a walk. Rain adds to the atmosphere of the forest but also to the puddles, the risk of a slip and any branches that have come down. In summer there is heat and the possibility of bushfire closures, the cooler months will have their dampness and less daylight.
Before you set off, make sure to consult the park and track information put out by Parks Victoria for any closures or warnings. Do not put your safety in the hands of an old social media post; storms, fires, flooding and maintenance work can alter conditions in a way that makes such things no guide at all.
A Proper Walk Calls For Packing
Run through this checklist:
- Water and food, an offline map and a phone with charge to spare.
- Rain jacket, warm layers and footwear you can stand on.
- Sun protection, insect repellent and first-aid.
- Some idea of where you will find parking and toilets, how you are getting back and when, so as not to be out after dark.
- And if rain is in the forecast, extra socks. There is nothing like wet feet to change one’s optimism to muttering.
In the damp parts of the forest leeches are not uncommon, especially post-rain. Long socks are advisable and should you come across one at the end of the walk, deal with it in a calm manner rather than in a panic. Mind your rubbish, stay on the formed tracks and do not disturb the rocks, timber and plants.
Put The Walk To Your Group
The Warburton River Walk or a bit of the rail-trail is a good place for a beginner to start; La La Falls can be left until they have got used to uneven ground. As for families, let the youngest walker set the pace, not the adults. The forest has little time for over-ambitious plans.
Those with poor footwear, unsteady knees or limited mobility would be better off elsewhere than on the Backstairs Track and the like of its longer mountain counterparts. Even the seasoned hiker should have his navigation equipment and count on being slowed down by the rain. When visibility is poor and you are tired, a moderate walk has a way of becoming arduous.
Reality And Expectation
One might expect a big sign, a tidy car park and perfect reception on every trail. In reality the access is sometimes modest, parking at a premium and the forest has a knack of putting an end to your signal. Or you may think a short distance is an easy matter until the mud, roots and stream crossings prove the map wrong. Elevation gain is more telling than kilometres. Plan for the terrain.
On Warburton Matters
We have put together some short answers to the questions that tend to cause the most confusion, but they should be taken with an eye to what your group can handle and the state of the weather.
Where does the Warburton Trail begin and end?
For the most part the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail follows the old railway corridor for 40 km between the two towns. You do not have to do the whole thing, there are several places to get on. But check the surface and exactly where you will be starting before you go.
What is there to do in Warburton?
You could put in a walk on the river side, see the Redwood Forest, go to La La Falls or make use of the town’s food and facilities. It is a question of what the weather and your time allow, and whether you are in the mood for something easy or a proper hike.
Where can you be walking?
There is the Warburton River, the Old Warburton Trail, the O’Shannassy Aqueduct and selected routes near Backstairs Track, to name a few. See what is open and closed, conditions being what they are.
If it is raining?
Stick to a short section of the rail trail or riverside if it is safe enough, or putter around the town’s shops and cafés. Leave the steep or exposed forest tracks alone in bad weather. You can still do things in the wet but sensible footwear and a waterproof layer are not optional.
Is experience necessary?
Not on the easier sections of the rail trail or river. But do not be under the impression that all the forest has to offer is gentle, the Backstairs Track for instance. If the track looks unsafe, turn back. Keep it short and have water with you.
Plan Accordingly
Warburton has what you need for a full day of walking or a weekend to while away. Do the river or rail trail and perhaps La La Falls or the Old Warburton Trail if it is right for it; save the aqueduct and the mountains for when you have made proper arrangements.
A word to the wise in the Yarra Valley: pack for the weather you have, not the one you would have liked, and give yourself more time than the map indicates. The forest will oblige, but it is not going to put in writing that you will stay dry.
