Pound Bend Yarra Loop Walk, Warrandyte

Pound Bend Yarra Loop Walk, Warrandyte created by Victoria Walks

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Summary

This river loop sees the Yarra at its best. The Warrandyte Manna / Box Forest is lovely. The tracks are good for easy bush walking in Melbourne’s outer suburbs the way it used to be.

Description

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The walking at Pound Bend is great. Watch the river and keep your eyes open for bird and wildlife observations. 100 bird species have been recorded in the area and marsupial sightings are likely – you might even spot a koala or platypus.

Pound Bend riparian vegetation is exemplary. This loop walk takes full advantage of extensive preserved natural bush tucked into this tight bend in the river. Look out for native grasses, wildflowers and orchids.

This location is a fascinating site for its deep history and cultural significance. A trail of interpretive signs tells the story of the Wurundjeri people’s long and turbulent presence at Pound Bend. You can also visit where the Yarra River water continues to flow through the gold mining era’s Evelyn Tunnel.

Parks Victoria also provide other information signs describing local features and maps.

The track initially stays close to the riverbank with many handsome water views. About half way it rises to Tank Track via a modest slope. Tracks mainly consist of dirt and boarded bridging. Bushland vegetation grows very close to the tracks in many places. Note: surfaces may be uneven and can be slippery when wet.

There are steep steps to Evelyn Tunnel from Tank Track. The track from the car park to the tunnel is formed and short.

Swimming is very popular in this stretch of the Yarra. Flows can vary dramatically and there may be deep water. Take care. Canoeing is also popular. A canoe launching site is available.

There are several picnic tables and a few seats on the flat area beside the car park. Public toilets are located on the opposite side of the car park up a mild slope.

The gravel car park can accommodate quite a lot of cars, but be warned it can get busy!

Gates open 7am and close 8pm.

Dogs, horses, bicycles, camping and fires are not permitted.

There are no bins. Please take your rubbish home with you.

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3186 Views

Points of Interest

1. Canoe launch site

If you have come equipped for a floating paddle, this is the place to launch.

2. You never know what you might see

Look all around you for local birds and wildlife. You never know what you might see.

3. Wurundjeri Story

A series of interpretive signs tell the story of the presence of the Wurundjeri people on this site. These signs are a must read. Other signs also offer worthily information about local features.

4. Picnic tables

On the flat between the river and the car park you will find several picnic tables and seats amongst grassy lawns. Note: solid fuel fires and BBQs are not permitted.

5. Footbridges

There are a number of footbridges across small waterways entering the river. Note the no dogs and no bicycles signs.

6. River views

Take in the beautiful views of the Yarra as you walk.

7. Paddling

There is more to the idea of paddling in the river than just by foot. Paddling in various sorts of boats is also popular.

8. Directional signs

You will sometimes encounter other tracks crossing your path. Directional signs are placed throughout the walk to keep you on track.

9. Service tracks

There aer places where the route uses vehicle service tracks. Please leave gates as you find them.

10. Site of Victoria's first Youth Hostel

A plaque commemorates the 1940 location of the first Youth Hostel in Victoria.

11. Road crossing

Pound Bend Rd is crossed by the walking track. The road has little traffic, but watch out just the same.

12. Wildflowers

Most seasons will deliver some sort of floral display along the track.

13. Tank Track

Tank Track travels the ridge above the river through open woodland with a sparser understory and dryer surface.

14. The steps

There is a relatively steep descent down these steps to the Evelyn Tunnel.

15. Evelyn Tunnel

Built by gold miners in the 1870s, the Evelyn Tunnel connects the narrowest land bridge of the Yarra River bend. The idea was to drain the bend bed for alluvial mining. Costs were too high to mine.