Cement Creek Redwood Forest
Cement Creek Redwood Forest sits in the Yarra Ranges National Park, a 15-minute drive from Warburton and about an hour and a half from Melbourne. Walking in among the Californian Redwoods here feels genuinely out of place for Victoria, and that’s because it is: these trees weren’t part of the original landscape. They were planted in the 1930s as part of a hydrology project, alongside Douglas Firs and Bishop Pines, and they’ve grown into orderly rows with their distinctive cinnamon-coloured bark. They’re younger than their Californian counterparts, but the effect of standing under them hasn’t suffered for it. The Cement Creek area has been the traditional home of the Wurundjeri people for thousands of years, and that connection to the land continues today.
Visiting in summer
In summer the forest canopy filters sunlight down in a way that makes the whole grove feel alive rather than static. The air cools noticeably as you move deeper into the Redwoods, which is a welcome change if you’ve driven up on a hot day. Look down as well as up: native orchids like greenhoods and cinnamon bells show up here if you know where to look, and the calls of native birds carry through the trees along with the sound of the nearby Yarra River.
Beyond the Redwoods
The rest of the area is worth the time too. Cement Creek itself winds its way down toward the Yarra River, and the walk along it takes you through a genuinely diverse stretch of native flora, ferns like the delicate Blechnum nudum (wonga fern) and Doodia aspera (rough rasp fern) unfurling their fronds under towering Eucalyptus regnans (mountain ash) and Eucalyptus obliqua (messmate). Yellow robins flit through the dappled light as you walk, which is one of the small details that makes this stretch worth slowing down for.
If you want to extend the walk, the nearby O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail is a good next step. For something more demanding, the trails of Mount Donna Buang offer a proper climb with views to match the effort.
Before you go
Weather and track conditions here can change quickly, so check the Parks Victoria website before you head out. The car park at the Redwoods gets busy, particularly on weekends, so if it’s full when you arrive, park at the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail instead and walk in from there, it’s a scenic approach in its own right rather than a compromise.
The site has become noticeably more popular over the last few years as the Redwoods have picked up attention online, and Yarra Ranges Council has responded with better access and facilities alongside stronger protection for the environment around them.
A few facts about the forest
- The tallest Redwood in the forest stands at an impressive 55 metres.
- The Redwoods are estimated at 80 to 90 years old depending on the source, consistent with a 1930s planting date.
- The forest is a popular spot for picnics, walks, and photography.
Getting there
The main entrance to Cement Creek Redwood Forest via Cement Creek Road is open following works completed by Yarra Ranges Council to upgrade the bridge and road. From Warburton, follow Warburton Highway/Woods Point Road for about seven kilometres to find Cement Creek Road on your left. Less than one kilometre along this unsealed road leads to a small car park and entrance.
