Mathias Track and Old Olinda Golf Course loop
Mathias Track and Old Olinda Golf Course loop
Mathias track in beautiful Olinda is one of Victoria's most popular on-lead walks for dog owners and their four-legged pals. The track is closed to vehicles and borders the Dandenongs National Park.
Summary
Mathias track in beautiful Olinda is one of Victoria's most popular on-lead 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. As it borders the Dandenongs National Park, Mathias track is strictly an on-lead only walk.
Fox baits are laid in the National Park another very good reason not to let your dogs off-lead if the threat to native fauna and flora is not enough incentive.
This map begins at the Falls Road entrance to Mathias Track, where it backs onto the the National Rhododendron Gardens. There is a small car park 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 Golf 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 golf 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.
Dogs must be on-lead along the Mathias and surrounding track, however the Falls Road end of Mathias track runs adjacent to the Old Olinda Golf Course, which now has an area for off-leash dog walking.
DOGS AT OLD OLINDA GOLF COURSE:
See location of dog off-lead area at point 11 of this map (updated 2022)
The Olinda Precinct Plan was released by Parks Victoria in 2017, and was informed by community feedback through extensive community consultation. In May 2017, the Victorian Government announced funding for key elements of the project, including a sports oval, a dog off-lead zone, a series of tracks and trails and a nature-based Play Space.
Dogs are permitted in most of the Old Golf Course (except the PlaySpace) but must be kept on a lead at all times (except within the designated dog off-lead area).
When exercising your dog in the off-lead area, dog owners must:
• Remain within voice or hand control of your dog at all times and ensure your dog is within sight
• Stop your dog from being a nuisance, or aggressive towards other dogs, people or wildlife
• Clean up after your dog and take all rubbish home
• Always carry a lead and use it if necessary
• Bring a friend if you wish to walk more than two dogs.
Also see our: Whole Mathias track Walking Map
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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.
11. Dog off-leash area Old Olinda Golf Course (yellow)
Parks Victoria is implementing a precinct plan for the Old Olinda golf course. Dogs are permitted on-lead everywhere but the Play Space. They can be off-lead in the yellow area if under control.
Features
Picnic spot
Pram friendly
Nature trail
Park / Garden
