Jells Park to Wesburn Park - 100km
The trail begins with the wide open spaces of Jells Park in Wheelers Hill. Passing south-east through the Corhanwarrabul Wetlands then east through the Churchill and Lysterfield National Parks, the trail heads north through Belgrave and into the beautiful Dandenong Ranges National Park.
From here it travels east along the Warburton Trail before looping south of Warburton to the ups and downs of Mt Little Joe, finishing in the expansive Wesburn Park. There are eight checkpoints between the start and finish located approximately every 11 kilometres along the trail.
Download the the Mapbook (25.2MB PDF) - Please note: this is map book version is not intended for printing. Four copies of the map book are sent with the registration pack to the Team Leader following confirmation of each team's registration.
Start - Checkpoint 1 12.5km
Jells Park Tea house (Mel Ref: 71 K6) to Churchill National Park Picnic Grounds (Mel Ref: 82 C10). Cumulative total: 12.5km
A magnificently quiet and peaceful setting featuring stunning gardens, lush open parkland, and a glistening wildlife lake, Jells Park is an oasis nestled in the heart of Wheelers Hill. With sweeping views into the Dandenongs, Jells Park offers Trailwalkers the opportunity to contemplate the challenge ahead.
The trail follows the Dandenong Creek almost the entire 12.5 km to Churchill National Park using existing bike and walking tracks, sneaking under busy highways, winding through reclaimed wetlands and finally leaving the suburbs behind - arrive checkpoint 1.
Checkpoint 1 - Checkpoint 2 9km
Churchill National Park Picnic Grounds (Mel Ref: 82 C10) to Lysterfield Lake Picnic Area (Mel Ref: 108 D2). Cumulative total: 21.5km
Now you are in the bush! Steeped in history, Churchill National Park escaped settlement when, in 1837, it became the police corps headquarters for black trackers and grazing land for police horses. Today members of the Wurundjeri community of Melbourne are involved in park management and recovering Aboriginal heritage.
Plant life is plentiful and includes 20 different eucalypt species, 14 wattles and 12 native orchids. The trail takes all this in as it climbs its way through the park to its highest outlook, Trig Point, offering spectacular 360 degree views of Melbourne. From here, the trail descends down Wallaby Track (early morning and dusk are best for wildlife glimpses), and before you know it, Lysterfield Lake is in your sights - welcome to checkpoint 2.
Checkpoint 2 - Checkpoint 3 13.3km
Lysterfield Lake Picnic Area (Mel Ref: 108 D2) to Grants Picnic Ground (Mel Ref: 75 E1) Cumulative total: 34.8km
An ideal spot to meet your support crew for the first time, Lysterfield Lake National Park offers great parking, numerous shady BBQ areas and the opportunity to take a refreshing swim in one of two protected swimming bays with sandy beaches.
This all sounds too easy! Well, the luxury is short-lived - it's a long 13.3km to the next checkpoint. After departing Lysterfield Lake, the trail follows the old Logan Park Track north through bush and farmland before linking to the Dargon track and the picturesque Birdsland Reserve. From here the trail climbs up into Belgrave, past the home of Puffing Billy, before heading north through the heavily wooded Sherbrooke Forest trail that leads you into Grants Picnic Ground and checkpoint 3.
Checkpoint 3 - Checkpoint 4 11.7km
Grants Picnic Ground (Mel Ref: 75 E1) to Olinda Reserve (Mel Ref: 66 J7). Cumulative total: 46.5km
This section takes you into the heart of Lyrebird territory which is Sherbrooke Forest - a stunning, wet, thick forest of the Dandenong Ranges. Towering mountain ash, stunning ferns, blackwoods, manna gums and wildlife - welcome to mountain country! This forest's trails alternate between tough and challenging to easy and gentle - and always beautiful. From here enter the delightful Alfred Nicholas Gardens, follow the magnificent Sassafras Creek Track, climb through the steep Piriander Gardens with its exotic mixture of local and imported flora - and a final push to reach checkpoint 4.
Checkpoint 4 - Checkpoint 5 8km
Olinda Reserve (Mel Ref: 66 J7) to Silvan Reservoir Park (Mel Ref: 120 G11). Cumulative total: 54.5km
The picturesque township of Olinda, 600 metres above sea level, affords the opportunity for rest. Head through the village to the Olinda Reserve where many trailwalkers meet their support crew, refuel and take stock; you may wish to camp on the grounds at the reserve - after all, you are more than halfway to the finish line. Now, suck in the cool air and you are off again. Heading out from the show grounds, skirt the golf course and this time head down the other side of the Dandenong Ranges.
The countryside weaves its way deep into the primordial forest, thick with towering gums, their canopies gracing the sky and providing shade while you walk. The trail passes via Bartlett and Georges tracks through gullies containing ferns and mountain grey and manna gums. Eventually the trail opens out into the stunning Silvan Reservoir Park - welcome to Checkpoint 5.
Checkpoint 5 - Checkpoint 6 8.5km
Silvan Reservoir Park (Mel Ref: 120 G11) to Graham Colling Reserve (Mel Ref: 118 H11). Cumulative total: 63.0km
Silvan Reservoir Park is set in the foothills of the Dandenongs. Established in 1931, the park is home to exotic trees including cypress, spruce, liquid amber, poplar and maple, and local fauna such as beaked echidnas, sugar gliders and wombats. This beautiful oasis is a great place to rest and rejuvenate with your support crew. It also makes an ideal place to camp for the night with around 20ha of landscaped picnic grounds and open lawns.
Head out from here and follow the leafy Olinda Creek track as it winds through easy walking trails leading you ever deeper into the forest valley. Look out for platypus when passing over Olinda Creek and listen for echidnas, native rats and goannas rustling in the bushes. The trail eventually breaks through the forest and joins the long, straight Pipeline Track into Mt Evelyn Reserve. Heading north through the reserve, it's a short trip along the Warburton Trail and into checkpoint 6.
Checkpoint 6 - Checkpoint 7 13km
Graham Colling Reserve (Mel Ref: 118 H11) to Worri Yallock Primary School (Mel Ref: 286 F10). Cumulative total: 76.0km
Graham Colling Reserve is a hive of activity on Trailwalker weekend as first-aiders, masseurs, and podiatrists work tirelessly to get participants back on the trail. The place buzzes with support crews tending teams, pitching tents and preparing food. This next section is a tough one: uncompromisingly flat and often exposed to changing weather conditions. It will physically and mentally test even the most experienced trailwalker - this is the Warburton Trail!
Built in 1901, this old railway line from Warburton once carried produce to Melbourne and transported tourists to the area on the return trip. Now, with a well-compacted fine gravel surface, the Warburton Trail with take you past the rural township of Wandin North, past numerous grazing properties and through the small farm hamlet of Seville East before you reach Woori Yallock and Checkpoint 7.
Don't be lured into a false sense of security by its gentle topography and groomed trails, the Warburton Trail can drain your precious energy and sap your spirit. Many past Trailwalker campaigns have ground to a halt here - prepare well for this section!
Checkpoint 7 - Checkpoint 8 14.5km
Woori Yallock Primary School (Mel Ref: 286 F10) to Millwarra Primary School (Mel Ref: 289 C4). Cumulative total: 90.5km
The challenge of the Warburton Trail continues; it's a 14.5km stretch to Millgrove and the next checkpoint. The scenery is peaceful as you pass along the fertile Yarra River flood plain, past wineries and flower farms, but the trail remains flat and unchanging. Ahead, the Yarra Ranges look spectacular and daunting, as they loom ever closer rising to encompass you as you head into the valley surrounded by these spectacular ranges. The trail continues past the Launching Place Hotel, through Yarra Junction, the long straight trail stretching into Millgrove where you finally alight the trail at checkpoint 8.
Checkpoint 8 - Finish 9.5km
Millwarra Primary School (Mel Ref: 289 C4) to Wesburn Park (Mel Ref: 289 B9). Cumulative total: 100.0km
From Millwarra Primary School the trail picks up the Warburton Trail for one last brief time. Take a turn right off the trail and back into the bush on the Backstairs track - you are on your way to Mt Little Joe. Undulating but always ascending, the thick and wet trail takes you through the Dolly Grey picnic grounds. Winding up a steep, narrow goat track through ancient ferns and towering 65m gums, you eventually plateau on a fire trail. It's time to rest as this track winds and descends gently around Mt Little Joe for the next 4km - but the rest is short-lived as you start your final ascent over the steep, rocky and challenging trail.
Take in the sights across the Wesburn valley - the toughest section is now behind you. Begin your final descent on the open Conduit track as it rolls off to flatter trails below, leading you step by step closer to your target. Finally your feet are on the lawns of Wesburn Park - another 100m ahead is the finish gantry: you have made it! Congratulations!
You have committed, endured and achieved, and we thank you!
