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.
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.
Total distance: 22757 m
Max elevation: 1250 m
Min elevation: 534 m
Total climbing: 805 m
Total descent: -1514 m
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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.
If you have any photos from this hike and are happy to share them, please upload your .jpg files here.
Please note: Uploading photos does not transfer ownership of copyright away from you. If requested, you will be credited for any photos you provide and can ask they be deleted at any time.
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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While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
Trail changed? New features discovered? Has the route changed? Trail permanently closed? Help fellow hikers by suggesting edits! Click above to update route descriptions, GPX file, trail features (like boardwalks), or access conditions (like parking availability). Help me keep the trails info fresh!
2 Reviews on “Mount Donna Buang to Dom Dom Saddle Hike (22.7km)”
Mt Boobyalla track cleared by Parks Vic and volunteers from Melbourne Walking club!
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.
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.