Monda Track is a 18.1km, grade 3 hike located in the Yarra Ranges National Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 5 hrs to complete.
Hike summary
The Monda Track is a very picturesque track following various access roads and tracks, plus firebreaks, through the Yarra Ranges National Park. There are many very beautiful segments where you are surrounded by great specimens of the Mountain Ash.
The track begins just before the access gate at the South End of the Carpark. Follow the road to your left, then take Dom Dom Creek Road to your left after roughly 400 metres. After approx another km you will see Hermitage Walking Track to your left (not signposted). Follow this to the highway.
You will need to walk along the highway until you see Black Spur Caravan park. Be very careful along the highway as traffic moves fast. Cross the highway then head uphill on Rough Road (the signs say Rouch Road!?).Keep following this until you hit the junction (roughly 8km since beginning). You'll then need to take a couple of lefts until you are on Lookout Spur Road. Keep following this until you arrive at Archer lookout. This is a good lunch spot, it is recognisable by having large stones placed.
After this follow Monda Track and continue along this and then downhill. You will come to a gate which you will need to climb over. You can then take the firebreak to Archer Hill and then righ and downhill where you will join Road 9. Keep following this downhill and eventually you will arrive at the road. The section from Archer Hill back to the road is the most scenic.
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 960 m
Min elevation: 386 m
Total climbing: 831 m
Total descent: -835 m
Tips
You may encounter leaches on this hike. Make sure you have a good map as there are many different roads passing through and it would be easy to take a wrong turn.
Gear you might need
As well as including the Ten Essentials, my planning, food and packing checklists provide an summary of things to consider on your day, overnight and multi-day hikes. Every person and every hike is different, so customise your kit according to your needs. Download your free checklists here >>
Location
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Getting there
Make your way to Healesville, then continue on the Maroondah Highway for roughly 18km until you see the entry to Dom Dom Saddle Carpark on your right. Be careful as it comes up quickly, but there is a sign notifying of picnic area 300 metres beforehand.
Let someone know before you go
It’s a good idea to let someone know where you’re going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact. If you are lost or require help and have phone reception, call 000 and ask for police. The international standard emergency number is 112, if you dial this number in Australia you will be treated exactly the same as a 000 call. If you believe your life is at risk, activate your personal locator beacon (PLB), then make your position visible to rescue teams and keep warm and dry.
About the region
Situated between Melbourne and the Victorian Alps, the Yarra Ranges National Park is a place of epic views, majestic rainforest scenery and fun-packed snowplay. Enjoy the panorama from Mount Donna Buang, or go deeper into the park on the Black Spur Drive, and wind through towering Mountain Ash forests to Lake Mountain.
The Yarra Ranges spans an extensive, mountainous area of cool temperate forest around the three towns of Marysville, Healesville and Warburton. This national park is home to the world's tallest flowering tree, the Mountain Ash, which towers over lush tree ferns and mossy Myrtle Beech. Dark gullies are home to clear streams which feed the Yarra River and major reservoirs from which Melbourne draws its drinking water.
The Yarra Ranges boasts some stunning lookouts, one of the best being Mount Donna Buang. From here you can see awesome views of Westernport Bay and Port Phillip - or walk the Rainforest Gallery and see the Mountain Ash from a different perspective. In the winter, Mount Donna Buang is Melbourne's closest winter playground. Many Melburnians have enjoyed their first sight of snow here through the years.
Healesville is the start of the Black Spur Drive, a short but beautiful scenic car journey. The road winds through majestic Mountain Ash forest to Narbethong, passing a number of pleasant walking trails and picnic areas, such as Donnelly’s Weir, Dom Dom Saddle and Maroondah Reservoir Park.
Let someone know before you go. Register your trip intentions here. Your trip intentions will be emailed to your emergency contact.
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Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.