Hike at a Glance

Quick overview: Experience the challenging 22.7km Mount Donna Buang to Dom Dom Saddle hike in Australia's stunning Yarra Ranges forest. As a Grade 5 difficulty trail near Warburton & the Black Spur, it offers experienced hikers undulating terrains, breathtaking views of Yarra Ranges at Carters Gap, and encounters with ancient trees. Ensure a car shuffle, comparative map, GPS, and early start for this exciting one-way, 8-hour journey that tests your hiking skills and rewards with an off-beaten track experience.

Length:

22.7km

Duration:

8 hrs

Grade:

Style:

One Way

Max elevation: 1250m

Min elevation: 534m

Total Ascent: 805m

Start: Mount Donna Buang

End: Dom Dom Saddle

Yarra Ranges National Park

Victoria

Nearby town: Warburton

From state capital: 90km

Latitude: -37.70669515

Longitude: 145.68157553672793

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Hike overview

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. The scenery is breathtaking with some very old and tall trees and amazing views over the Yarra Ranges at Carters Gap.

Depending on track conditions, it can take up to 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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Walk map and GPX file

Mount Donna Buang to Dom Dom Saddle Hike (22.7km)

Total distance: 22757 m
Max elevation: 1250 m
Min elevation: 534 m
Total climbing: 805 m
Total descent: -1514 m

Getting there

Closest towns to this walk: Belgrave, Emerald, Healesville, Lilydale, Marysville, Monbulk, Montrose, Mount Dandenong, Olinda, Warburton

Getting to the trailhead in Yarra Ranges National Park.

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.

Get there with Google Maps

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.

Similar trails nearby

Looking for hikes and trails in Yarra Ranges National Park or nearby? Try these walks with a similar grade.

Track grade

Grade 5 (Difficult) - Walks for the Most Experienced: Grade 5 represents the most challenging walking tracks on the AWTGS. These are only recommended for very experienced and fit walkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks are likely to be very rough, very steep, and unmarked. Walks may be more than 20 kilometers. These challenging walks demand a high level of fitness and experience to navigate difficult terrain, significant elevation changes, and potentially unformed paths.

Explore safe

Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.

Packing checklists

What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.

Let someone know

Before heading out, take a moment to fill out your trip intentions form. It’s a quick way to share your hike details with family or friends. If something goes wrong, they can notify emergency services, ensuring a faster response and peace of mind. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure

Reviews

Mount Donna Buang to Dom Dom Saddle Hike (22.7km)

5 Reviews on “Mount Donna Buang to Dom Dom Saddle Hike (22.7km)”

Overall rating

Cleo Dane

Mt Boobyalla track cleared by Parks Vic and volunteers from Melbourne Walking club!

18/04/2024, 16:03

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Glenn Carey

The key variable with this walk is how long it has been since the walking track over Mt Boobyalla has been cleared. If it has been a long time, you will need hot-pink plastic coloured tape to tie to bushes to mark the trail, because you will be following a single rut through impenetrable chest high undergrowth. If you lose that rut, you need to be able to back-up to where you had it. The problem is worse where a 70m eucalpt has fallen across the track, creating a slippery mess of broken branches and crushed undergrowth. Bashing your way around the mess and finding that rut as it continues on the other side of the mess is difficult. However, if the path has recently been cleared it would be a walk in the park. As for the other bits – the fire-breaks are really hard yakka, but impossible to lose. The roads are beautiful.

18/09/2023, 08:51

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1. Darren Edwards Trail Author
  
  That’s a great comment and update. You are right, this is not often walked, so its a lot about picking your timing or expecting a lot of challenging navigation.
  
  18/09/2023, 09:31
  
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Acknowledgement of Country

Mount donna buang to dom dom saddle hike (22. 7km)

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.

Hike at a Glance

Hike overview

Gallery

Walk map and GPX file

Mount Donna Buang to Dom Dom Saddle Hike (22.7km)