Wurundjeri Spur Lookout

Wurundjeri Spur Lookout sits above the Yarra in Yarra Bend Park, reached on a 7.2 km loop that opens out over the river, Dights Falls and the Melbourne skyline. Dogs are welcome on lead across most of the park, but Galatea Point is closed to them completely, so the route you pick matters here more than usual.

The walk. A 7.2 km loop, rated moderate, at an hour and a half to two hours. The surface switches between technical dirt track and sealed shared path, and there is enough climbing in the spur section to make it a real walk rather than a stroll. The track passes a large grey-headed flying-fox colony, which is worth seeing and worth keeping a dog moving past.

The rules. Parks Victoria manages Yarra Bend Park. Dogs are on lead across most of it, with off-lead areas at Westfield and Deep Rock. Galatea Point is designated a no-dog area on the Parks Victoria dog walking fact sheet, meaning no dogs at all rather than dogs on lead, so check the fact sheet map against your intended loop before you set out. Dogs are also excluded from playgrounds and from sporting events, must be on lead within 10 metres of a sports ground in use, and the limit is four dogs per person.

Water and facilities. Limited at the lookout itself. The Bellbird Picnic Area has toilets and bins, and it is the sensible place to build a break into the loop.

Getting there. Street parking along Yarra Boulevard, which is competitive on weekends. Fairfield Station is a 20 to 25 minute walk away, and the Main Yarra Trail runs straight to the park if you are riding.

Nearby with the dogs. The wider Yarra Bend Park page covers the rest of the network. T H Westfield Reserve is the off-lead area named in the park rules. Fairfield Park Boathouse and Tea Gardens is the classic stop afterwards, with Hoppa and Joe closer to the station.

When to go. A mid-week morning, or late afternoon if you want the skyline at sunset. Weekend afternoons bring the parking problem and the cyclist traffic together. Give it a day or two after heavy rain, when the steep dirt sections turn to mud.

Sources

• Yarra Bend Park dog walking fact sheet - Parks Victoria · www.parks.vic.gov.au
• Wurundjeri Spur Lookout Loop - AllTrails · www.alltrails.com

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.