Mathias Track and Olinda Golf Course dog-friendly loop walk
Mathias Track and Olinda Golf Course dog-friendly loop walk
Summary
Mathias track in beautiful Olinda is one of Victoria's most popular walks for dog owners and their four-legged pals. The track is closed to vehicles and borders the Dandenongs National Park.
Description
Mathias track in beautiful Olinda is one of Victoria's most popular walks for dog owners and their four-legged pals. The track is closed to vehicles and borders the Dandenongs National Park.
While dogs must be on-lead along the track, the Falls Road end of Mathias track runs adjacent to the old Olinda Golf Course (no longer in use) - a very popular place for local dog owners to set their hounds free. Fox baits are laid in the National Park (so don't let your dogs off-lead on Mathias).
This map begins at the Falls Road entrance to Mathias Track, where it backs onto the the National Rhododendron Gardens. There is a small carpark at the entrance to the track.
While you could choose to walk the whole length of Mathias Track - about 7km one way to reach Silvan Road, this map takes a detour where Mathias Track meets the Gold Course track - and turns this walk into a shorter loop walk for dog owners.
As you walk along Golf Course track you may wish to cross the fence line and make your way up onto the gold course itself. Follow this map for the route we took.
This is a beautiful walk - and a rare one where dog owners can take in some fantastic, giant eucalypt forests together with their pet.
462 Views
Points of Interest
1. Dog's paradise
Mathis Track is a great place for dog-walking (on-lead!) It is relatively quiet and you can walk all the way from Falls Rd to Silvan Road (about 7km) without encountering any vehicles.
2. Start of the track, Falls Road
We began our walk form the Falls Road entrance, which is nicer and easier to find.
3. Giant trees!
Mathias track is popular with horse riders as well as dog owners. The forest here includes giant Mountain Ash, Manna Gum, Mountain Grey Gum and Messmate.
4. Detour onto Golf Course Track (for a loop walk)
At four-way intersection continue straight along Mathias, or turn left onto Black Hole Track, or we turned right onto Golf Course Track which takes you through this grove of Silver Birches.
5. Old Olinda Golf Course
Yarra Ranges Shire Council are currently in the process of turning the former golf course into 34 hectares of public parklands. See the plans in link, including proposed dog off-lead area.
6. Fence from golf course to track
To get back onto Golf Course track find an opening in the fence line (there are many) but be careful of blackberry bushes!
7. Back to Mathias via Cournus Track
You'll see a small sign pointing the way to Cournus Track (visible on Google maps also) from Golf Course Track. Either takes you back to Mathias Track.
8. Cournus Track cubbies
Turn left here to head back along Mathias Track to the Falls Road carpark. There are lots of open forested areas along the way to explore.
9. Back onto Mathias track
It's pretty easy to find your way back to Mathias track from where you can continue along Mathias towards Silva Rd, or head left back to the car park on Falls Road.
10. Other end of Mathias Track (Silvan Road)
If you opt for the longer walk and do the whole length of Mathias Track, this is where you will finish up.
Features
Natural Trail
Park(s)/Garden(s)
General
Picnic Spot
Dog off-leash area
Pram friendly
