The Mount Donna Buang to Dom Dom Saddle hike is set in the Yarra Ranges forest between Warburton & the Black Spur, starting at the top of Mount Donna Buang and finishing at Dom Dom Saddle. A car shuffle is required. Donna Buang is 1260 m above sea level and Dom Dom Saddle is 510 m, so it is downhill on average. The track is undulating with some very steep climbs and descents. The peaks to be covered in the walk are Mount Boobyalla (1224 m), The Knobs (1113 m) and Mount Vinegar (1020 m). The track is not well-marked and some of the signage is confusing, so comparative map and GPS readings were required. In a couple of places some serious bush bashing was necessary. It is not a popular trail, but very rewarding for well-prepared and experienced hikers who don't mind a bit of hard work. In April there was a cool and foggy start at Mount Donna Buang that changed about halfway to a very warm clear day towards Dom Dom Saddle. The scenery is breathtaking with some very old and tall trees and amazing views over the Yarra Ranges at Carters Gap. Although a reasonably fast group of hikers and not stopping for too long, we took the full 8 hours to do this hike - allowing for stops for map-reading, lots of bush bashing and some very steep hills. An early start is important if the daylight hours are short. This hike is a lot of fun if you like getting off the beaten track and testing your hiking skills.
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For car shuffle, drive to Black Spur and leave cars at Dom Dom Saddle Picnic Ground Car Park, then drive via to Mount Donna Buang via Healesville and take Donna buang road/C505 to Mount Donna Buang Summit Road and car park (NB this road is not open in winter, when you will need to go through Warburton to get to Mount Donna Buang.
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.
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.
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Cathedral Range State Park
Cathedral Range State Park
