1000 Steps Upper Ferntree Gully, Redwood Forest Warburton still shut

Huge crowds forced the closure of tourist hot spots the 1000 Steps and Redwood Forest, but it’s hoped new social distancing measures will allow the popular attractions to reopen soon.

Julia Suttle, Pauline Byrne, Hannah Willis and Genna Mancer at the 1000 Steps in May. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

New social distancing measures are being introduced at the 1000 Steps in a bid to keep fitness fanatics apart.

Parks Victoria closed the popular Upper Ferntree Gully fitness spot and the Redwood Forest in Warburton in June after huge crowds flocked to the sites, and they have remained shut.

Parks Victoria Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Ranges district manager Victoria Purdue said the sites were closed in the interest of public safety as they were unable to accommodate physical distancing requirements.

Hordes of people flocked to the Redwood Forest in Warburton East.

Ms Purdue said the local Parks Victoria team had been working hard to prepare the 1000 steps for reopening, including constructing new passing bays and implementing a permanent one-way loop on the narrow staircase.

She said both sites would reopen to the public when they could accommodate physical distancing requirements.

Details: parks.vic.gov.au/covid19

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