Best walks Melbourne: Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges family day out ideas

From the Dandenong Ranges to Yarra Valley, the ranges has some of the best family-friendly trails in Victoria. Here are the region’s best strolling locations.

Here are some of the best walks in the Yarra Ranges. Picture: Stuart Milligan

With COVID restrictions lifted and families looking to reinvigorate their fitness and motivation, what better way than to get some fresh air and soak in the scenery.

Whether you feel like a stretch in the Yarra Valley, or stroll in the Dandenong Ranges, we have compiled some of the best spots to get you moving.

Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail

Warburton Rail Trail.

Stretching along 38kms of track the trail is a favourite of walkers and cyclists alike.

There is a good three-hour ride – one-way – for cyclists, which varies from easy to moderate.

The good thing about this gorgeous route is you can begin your walk from any nine locations.

(1) Lilydale – Mount Evelyn 6.9km

(2) Mount Evelyn – Wandin 5.4km

(3) Wandin – Seville 3.4km

(4) Seville – Killara 3.3km

(5) Killara – Woori Yallock 4km

(6) Woori Yallock – Launching Place 6.4km

(7) Launching Place – Yarra Junction 2.1km

(8) Yarra Junction – Millgrove 5.2km

(9) Millgrove – Warburton 3.3km

Lillydale Lake, 435 Swansea Road, Lilydale

People exercising and social distancing at Lillydale Lake. Picture: Josie Hayden

Lillydale Lake is a local favourite for families, individuals, dog owners and fitness fanatics.

Not only is there an all-abilities playground, water play area, barbecues and shelters, two dog off-lead areas, fishing jetties, outdoor fitness stations and a sandy beach area — there is also 10km of trail to walk or cycle around.

If you don’t feel like walking you can kick the footy or soccer ball on the many green areas, or cast a rod into the lake.

O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail, Dee Road, Millgrove

The O’Shannassy Aqueduct trail is a 30km of walking and bike riding from East Warburton to Don Valley in the Upper Yarra.

Set in the mountain ranges, surrounded by tall trees and ferns, and offering amazing views of the Yarra Valley the track provides a different perspective from the parallel Warburton Rail Trail.

Following the historic O’Shannassy Aqueduct the track is on a gentle slope for people with all levels of fitness to enjoy.

There are a number of opportunities to Step-On and Step-Off the trail, to allow for shorter walks.

Mt Lofty Wonga Park – Reserve Road, Wonga Park

If you’re looking for a challenge and don’t feel like walking the 1000 Steps in Upper Ferntree Gully, this is the track for you.

While it isn’t technically the Yarra Ranges, Mt Lofty is within minutes’ drive of the Yarra Valley and the scenery and native wildlife is well worth the trip.

Set in the Warrandyte State Park, its 4.6km track can be steep in parts but boasts spectacular views of the Yarra Valley and surrounding hills and countryside.

The track offers several different landscapes including bush with manna gums, stringybark and tea tree, the cool flowing water of the Yarra River and if you’re lucky you might see kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, wombats and other amazing animals.

Grants Picnic Ground – 70 Monbulk Rd, Sherbrooke

Grants Picnic Ground is one of the Dandenong Ranges top attractions because of its amazing flora and fauna.

Situated in the Sherbrooke Forest it has 7km of trails for all ages and fitness levels that starts from the picnic ground and winds through tall trees, including the mountain ash and fern gullies.

While you cannot feed the birds anymore, there is an abundance of native wildlife, and if you keep your eyes peeled you might see the superb lyrebird, wallabies, echidnas or wombats.

Grants Picnic Ground has barbecues and picnic tables, toilets and parking.

RJ Hamer Arboretum, 10 Chalet Rd, Olinda

The Aboretum is one of the Dandenong Ranges hidden treasures.

It boasts 120ha of breathtaking views across to Silvan Dam and the Yarra Valley.

The gardens include more than 150 species of native and exotic trees with varying colours that stretch over the rolling hills.

Perfect place for a picnic and a stroll with the family.

Olinda Falls – Olinda Falls Reserve

Olinda Falls has lovely walks. Picture: Steve Tanner

If you’re after a lovely nature outing with the family and perhaps a picnic, Olinda Falls isn’t too strenuous.

The walk is only about 350m to the viewing platform and 500m to the base of the falls and only takes 10 to 15 minutes from the carpark.

It includes picnic tables, running water, toilets and plenty of shade to sit in.

Olinda falls is in the Olinda Reserve, which can be accessed via Falls Rd, straight off the Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd.