Immerse yourself in ferny gullies, messmate forest and towering mountain ash on this accessible walk in the Dandenong Ranges just an hour from Melbourne. The route is highly customisable, with multiple tracks providing plenty of options to choose your own adventure. Utilising well-formed tracks, the walk is mostly flat bar for a few (very!) steep but mercifully short sections. The route suggested below is one of many possible options.
Beginning at the edge of the carpark at Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve, follow the short steep rocky path to the left of the road leading to the camp to join the main pipeline trail. Turn left, climb the hill and follow your choice of the Pipeline Track or Track 10, keeping to the left at junctions. After around 3.4km, Olinda Creek Walking Track is signed to the left – follow this foot track to a pretty clearing.
The main Grey Gum track continues ahead (to the right) with the option of choosing to stay on Olinda Creek or following the Circuit Track. Once you have skirted the fenced water infrastructure, continue up the hill, turning right onto a foot trail before reaching the next fence. Cross the road to Silvan Reservoir Park for lunch. Arriving at Silvan Dam is tricky, with fences and tracks leading off in several directions: the use of online maps is helpful.
Leaving the park, turn left and cross the road, where shortly a track branches off the right. This will take you back to Grey Gum track: instead follow the small foot track to the left (prior to the gate) which runs alongside the road (crossing over at one point). Crossing the road, follow Track 18 and turn right onto Track 11. Take the next left onto Track 24 and climb steadily up and over the hill. Make sure to look behind you to take in the view with glimpses of the reservoir.
At the top of the hill, ignore Track 12 to the right and continue down to the bottom, turning right onto Track 13. Roughly 400m later turn left onto the signed Wallaby Track, where again a small footpad runs alongside the main track, making for pleasanter walking. Note the many mountain bike tracks leading off Wallaby Track – leave these to the riders to avoid being mown down! Continue along Wallaby Track crossing the intersection with Richardson Track and descend to the junction with Wols Track. A dogleg to the right/left enables you to follow Wols Track back to the start and car park.
This walk can be completed in either direction and also started at Silvan Reservoir, however this is a nice mid-way stop for lunch.
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the
AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
- There are several steep dirt tracks which can be slippery even when dry.
- Toilets are available at Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve and Silvan Reservoir Park.
- Hiking poles are recommended.
- There are many walking, maintenance and bike tracks in this park. Some are sign posted, some once were and many aren’t.
- Mobile reception in this area is good and online maps are recommended for navigation as it’s very easy to end up on an unintended track. Beware that Google Maps does NOT show all tracks.
- Mountain bikers use the many tracks in the park – please respect them and leave the designated paths to them.
- Gravel Track
- Rough Track
- Well Marked Track
- Mountain Bike Trail
- Trail Running
- Rainforest
- Steep Terrain
- Drinking Water
Total distance: 9717 m
Max elevation: 389 m
Min elevation: 166 m
Total climbing: 373 m
Total descent: -373 m
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Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.
Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Getting to the trailhead: Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve.
Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve is about an hour from Melbourne past Ringwood. Public transport is available via a bus from Lilydale Station.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
- 2WD Access
- Public Transport
- Bitumen Road
- Drinking Water
- Picnic Shelter
- Picnic Table
- BBQ Facilities
Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.
Nearby towns: Lilydale, Montrose, Mount Evelyn
Rising just east of Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges offer a cool, green escape defined by towering mountain ash forests, fern-filled gullies, and winding ridge-top tracks. The landscape around Silvan Dam is especially tranquil, where dense native bushland meets expansive water views and gently undulating hills. Well-marked trails weave through damp forests alive with birdlife, providing a sense of seclusion despite the area’s proximity to the city. This part of the ranges is ideal for reflective, steady-paced hiking, with frequent vantage points that reward walkers with glimpses of the dam and the surrounding valleys.
Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve is a well used local space offering a mix of open parkland, sporting facilities, and quiet natural corners that suit a short stop or gentle outing. The reserve is located in Mount Evelyn, Victoria, approximately 45 kilometres east of Melbourne, making it a convenient option before or after nearby hikes.
Facilities include a large sports oval for cricket and football, netball courts, public toilets, open grassed areas, and a playground. A network of walks and short bushwalks winds through and around the reserve, providing easy hikes and all trails style paths that suit families, casual walkers, and those looking to link into longer routes nearby.
Olinda Creek curves around the edge of the reserve and adds a peaceful feel to the area. Platypus have been sighted in the creek, especially during quieter periods. The reserve is also home to a pair of Powerful Owls that are often seen roosting or flying through the trees, adding a memorable wildlife moment to these relaxed walks.
Looking for more walks in or near Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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Dandenong Ranges National Park
Details and photos: Ania Hampton
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