Californian Redwood Forest walk, Warburton
Californian Redwood Forest walk, Warburton
This cool, mysterious Redwood Forest is a spectacular place for a day trip from Melbourne, offering up beautiful scenery for photos. You may want to pick a quiet time to visit though.
Summary
This cool, mysterious Redwood Forest is a spectacular place for a day trip from Melbourne, offering up beautiful scenery for photos. You may want to pick a quiet time to visit though.
Description
Car access to the Redwood Forest via Cement Creek Road has been restored following flooding which caused a landslip on the Warburton Highway and a bridge closure during 2023.
But please see Parks Victoria's Redwood Forest page for updates as facilities are to be upgraded and access may be limited.
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This cool, mysterious Redwood Forest is a spectacular place for a day trip from Melbourne, offering up beautiful scenery for photos. You may want to pick a quiet time to visit though.
Warburton's cool, mysterious Redwood Forest is a spectacular place for a day trip, offering up beautiful scenery to explore and feed the imagination.
Covering a small area within the Yarra Ranges National Park, about a 10 minute drive from the town of Warburton, the forest of exotic pines was planted by the Board of Works in about 1930, meaning the trees are nearing a century of growth.
The Californian Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), the tallest tree species in the world, have here grown to about 50m, though in their native forests in North America with a few more centuries under their belt they can reach heights of 115 metres.
One of the most interesting things about a visit is seeing how the introduced species have impacted the landscape. Native eucalypt species, cleared to make way for the plantings, still surround the forest and soften the edges - allowing light and other species to thrive.
This walk takes you through the pine forest, down to the banks of Cement Creek, up to a clearing and then back around the edges of the pine forest to the entry and car park area.
Things to note:
Dogs are NOT permitted in the Redwood Forest as it lies within a National Park.
There are no toilets yet (part of planned Parks Victoria works), so you may want to stop at Warburton or Millgrove on the way.
Plan your trip and if you're coming on a holiday perhaps plan to come early or late in the day to avoid peak traffic.
Fancy a longer walk that avoids the car parking chaos at Cement Creek Road? See alterative access information at this link but note it is a 16km round trip by foot.
Zoom out on above map to see point 11 where the alternative, longer walk beings.
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Points of Interest
1. Spectacular trees
The Redwood Forest is popular with tourists and those seeking a unique landscape to enjoy and take photos. The grid of trees was planted about 1930 resulting in this cool, dark, special forest.
2. Consider walking in
During busy periods, the Redwood Forest attracts thousands of visitors. The parking area and Cement Creek Rd fill quickly with cars and access is tricky. Consider parking elsewhere and walking in.
3. Entrance to Redwood Forest (no dogs)
This is where you will find the main entrance to the forest, with access via some cattle gates. Please note dogs are NOT permitted past this fence into the forest at any time.
4. The trees
The Board of Works planted Bishop Pine, Douglas Fir and Californian Redwood species. In 1960-63 Radiata Pine, Western Red Cedar and Redwood were added. Pictured here are the California Redwood.
5. Forest path to creek
Make your way to the edge of the Redwood forest where you will see a change to more native vegetation and a path leading to the lovely gurgling sounds of the creek.
6. Cement Creek
A delightful little creek with native forest vegetation allowing some light through and growth of species such as tree ferns. Take care as the banks are very slippery.
7. Giant birds?
Yes, Californian Redwoods are the tallest tree species in the world and we think they may have attracted some very large bird species also? Or, perhaps someone is just having fun!
8. Clearing and different tree species
You will see the different pine species planted around the edges of the California Redwoods. Notice the pine species abut local eucalypts (cleared to make way for the 1930s experiment).
9. Dense dense forest
It is interesting to look down and see how the floor of the Redwood Forest is empty of almost all other plant species. The pines allow very little light to penetrate and allow growth of other layers.
10. Busy times and path back to gate
We visited Queen's Birthday holiday and it was very busy! While it was great to see so many people out and about enjoying nature, you may want to pick a quieter time to plan your trip.
11. Walk-in start point (Yuonga Rd Car park)
You could walk to the Redwood Forest from here (6.25km one-way) during the Warburton Road / Cement Creek Road closure Dec 2022 - Deb 2023). Head north-east along the O'Shannassy Aqueduct trail.
Features
Picnic spot
Public toilets
Historical interest
Local treasures
Nature trail
Park / Garden
