Be Bushfire Smart

Visit the Public Access Interactive Map for information regarding road and visitor site closures within areas of Victoria managed by Parks Victoria and DSE that have been affected by fire during the 2008/2009 bushfire season.

• 38% of Yarra Ranges National Park was burnt by the Black Saturday bushfires.
• Parks Victoria has completed assessment of its fire-damaged assets and is now in the recovery, rehabilitation and planning phase aiming at opening and rebuilding as quickly as possible.
• Fire damaged sections of the park will be reopened progressively.
• When in the vicinity of burnt areas be aware of the added risk of tree or limb fall, increased traffic and animal movement at night. Flash flooding in fire affected areas has been identified as a new threat.

• Oxfam Trailwalker (Fri, 16 Apr 2010)

• Lake Mountain Alpine Resort is open for business. This includes the main visitor centre, Heights bistro and toilet facilities. Further information is available from the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort website: www.lakemountainresort.com.au.
• The Rainforest Gallery with it's spectacular observation platform and rainforest walkway is on the southern slopes of Mount Donna Buang.
• Take the scenic drive to the summit of Mount Donna Buang. Snow in winter, great views from the twenty-one metre lookout tower all year round.
• Delightful drives along the Acheron Way between Warburton and Marysville, or along the Warburton-Healesville Road.
• Enjoy cross-country skiing, tobogganing and snow play at Lake Mountain.
• See spectacular rainforest at The Beeches Rainforest Walk on Lady Talbot Forest Drive.
• Drive the world famous Black Spur between Healesville and Narbethong and have a picnic and short walk at Fernshaw along the way.

• Please note: The toilets at the Rainforest Gallery are closed due to vandalism. The nearest toilets available are at 10 Mile Picnic Area.
• Much of this park forms the catchment for Melbourne's water supply, and access is limited to protect water quality. However, there are many interesting visitor areas such as Mount Donna Buang, Badger Weir, Fernshaw, Keppel Falls, Cambarville, Lady Talbot Forest Drive, Lake Mountain or the Big Peninsula Tunnel.
• Camping is permitted at Upper Yarra Reservoir Park and in the towns of Warburton and Marysville.
• Motel, hotel and guest house accommodation is available in Warburton, Healesville and Marysville.
• The Marysville Information Centre (in the main street) has maps and park notes.
• Baby changing facilities.

The dense forests of this area were not particularly favoured by Aboriginal people, and were a barrier to European settlement. Europeans first settled the area in the 1860s to access Woods Point goldfields and soon the area was recognised as a valuable source of timber. The water catchment value of the forest was also recognised last century, and dams were built at Maroondah and later at Upper Yarra.

The Black Spur (or Blacks Spur) gained its name from the route taken by displaced Aboriginal people from northern Victoria on their way to a mission settlement at Corranderk near Healesville.

Severe fires, such as those experienced in 1939, have burnt this area, but the vegetation and wildlife are adapted to survive or regenerate after such events.

Aboriginal Traditional Owners

Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria

Around 40 native mammals are known to occur in the park. The large areas of undisturbed old and mixed-age forests are particularly important for the conservation of hollow-dwelling species including bats, owls and parrots. Among the most significant of these is the endangered Leadbeater's Possum.

The park provides habitats for 120 recorded species of native birds. Significant hollow-using species 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's most significant features are its tall Mountain Ash forests, with their understorey of tree ferns, and adjacent gullies of cool temperate rainforest. Large pristine areas of these and other vegetation types within the catchment are of national and state botanical significance.

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.

• Stay on roads and tracks open to the public. Observe signs, particularly in relation to protected catchment areas.
• Dogs and other pets are not permitted.
• Firearms are prohibitted.
• Please take all rubbish away with you.
• Please do not disturb or remove any plants or animals.
• Camping in the park is not permitted.
• Light fires only in fireplaces provided.

• If you are walking in the snow you should hire Sorrels (or other snow boots) as normal walking boots become saturated after a time and VERY cold. If you're not intending to walk in the snow, sturdy walking boots are recommended.
• During winter you should always have good water proof pants and jacket, and a warm jumper/polar fleece as the weather can change quickly bringing rain and snow. Always tell some one where you intend walking and report to them when you return.
• You can take a mobile phone, however, there are few places where they work in the Yarra Ranges. Having a good map (and knowing how to read it) and not leaving the track are your best safety measures.

The 80 km drive from Melbourne via the Maroondah or Warburton Highways takes between one and two hours. The park stretches from Healesville to Warburton and beyond to the headwaters of the Yarra River and north to Marysville. Some public bus transport is available.

Annual Parks Passes are available which include entry to Mount Donna Buang during periods of snow. These can save entry fee costs for regular users, local residents and interstate visitors. Further information is available here.

• Baw Baw National Park
• Cathedral Range State Park
• Maroondah Reservoir Park
• Upper Yarra Reservoir Park