Mt Donna Buang (18km)

Warburton

Victoria

18km

7 hrs

Grade 4

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Mt Donna Buang is a 18km, grade 4 hike located in the Warburton, Victoria. The hike should take around 7 hrs to complete.

Length: 18km
Duration: 7 hrs
Grade: 4
Style: Return
Start: Warburton Main Street
End: Warburton Main Street
Location: Warburton
Closest town: Warburton
Victoria
From state capital: 92km
Longitude: 145.6813819
Latitude: -37.70664386
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Hike overview

Whether you're training for a seriously steep overseas trek a la Kokoda or Kilimanjaro or just want to complete the best mountain climb close to Melbourne, the Mount Donna Buang Walking Track is for you.

Donna Buang boasts enough natural beauty in its own right to guarantee it is a bushwalking gem that can be done at a leisurely pace. However, shooting up 1170-vertical metres in 9km, the Track comes into its own as a hill training venue.

Located only an hour (80km) from Melbourne's CBD, the sheer slopes of the mountain deliver an ascent profile that gets lungs bursting and thighs burning, making it prime training ground, especially for hikers heading to Kokoda in Papua New Guinea or to overseas mountain summits. Indeed, Donna Buang's jungle-like environment make it the perfect Kokoda preparation.

Those tackling its length rise up through towering mountain ash and ancient myrtle beech trees, pushing on into a dense rainforest jungle populated by gigantic tree ferns. The trail reaches Mount Victoria before nearing Donna's summit (1245m), the prior saddle featuring a mystic atmosphere, especially when the mist rolls in, as it often does.

The finale is stepping up the viewing tower, a 21m rise that on a clear day delivers views across the Upper Yarra Valley.

For more information about this trail go to Visit Warburton

More information

For more information about this trail go to Visit Warburton

Route and GPX file

Total distance: 9239 m
Max elevation: 1260 m
Min elevation: 152 m
Total climbing: 1181 m
Total descent: -76 m
Download file: Mt Donna Buang - Long.gpx

Alternative Trail

For an easier, shorter walk that does not require a car shuffle, drive to the summit car park. Walk back along the trail towards Mount Victoria, eventually popping out on Mount Donna Buang Rd. Walk roadside uphill for approximately 1km until you reach the 10 Mile Picnic Area. Pick up the linking trail at the rear of the car park taking you back on to the main Donna Buang Walking Track you came down on. Walk back to the summit. Approximately 6km.

Total distance: 6513 m
Max elevation: 1253 m
Min elevation: 998 m
Total climbing: 290 m
Total descent: -290 m
Download file: Mt Donna Buang - Short.gpx

Tips

Best completed in summer and shoulder season; muddy, slippery, potentially snowbound and difficult going in winter; car shuffle required if walking one way.

For more information about this trail go to Visit Warburton

Trail location

Getting there

From Melbourne City to Yarra Valley (via Eastlink Tollway) - Make your way onto the Eastern Freeway and travel towards Ringwood. The Eastern Freeway turns into the Eastlink Toolway after Springvale Road. If you have an Eastlink or Citylink pass, continue on the Eastlink Tollway and go through the Mullum Mullum tunnel - make sure to stay in the left lane as the turnoff is straight after the tunnel ends. Turn left after exiting the tunnel towards Ringwood. Turn left onto the Maroondah Highway towards Lilydale. Once past Lilydale, turn right at the Warburton Highway turnoff to explore the Warburton Valley. Pass through the villages of the Warburton Valley, arriving at Warburton, about 40km from Lilydale. The Donna Buang walk can be commenced from anywhere within the Warburton township, and is reached by walking up Martyr Road, beside the golf course.

By Public Transport Public Transport Victoria has regular trains heading to Lilydale Station. From Lilydale Station, catch a Martyrs bus to travel to Warburton .

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Mt Donna Buang

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.

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