Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail

The Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail runs about 39.6 km along a closed railway line through the Yarra Valley, and Yarra Ranges Council confirms dogs are welcome on lead for every metre of it. Because trains needed gentle grades, the whole route is flat or close to it on hard-packed gravel, which makes it one of the few long walks in Victoria a dog can do all day without a single scramble.

Leash status

On lead the entire way, with no off-lead sections anywhere on the trail. Council also asks dogs to stay clear of playgrounds, barbecues and picnic areas where the path passes through townships, so keep the lead short through the built-up sections.

Max: the trail is shared with cyclists moving quickly on a long straight line. Pick a side and hold it, because bikes come quietly and faster than you expect.

The walk

Nobody walks all 39.6 km in one hit, and the trail is built to be broken up: Lilydale to Mount Evelyn is about 6.9 km, and Warburton to Millgrove about 3.3 km. Between those ends the route passes through Mount Evelyn, Seville, Woori Yallock, Launching Place and Yarra Junction, with a station site or recreation reserve parking at nearly every stop.

The scenery improves as you head east: creek crossings near Lilydale, river flats alongside the upper Yarra around Woori Yallock, and a finishing stretch that runs right beside the Yarra River into Warburton. The surface stays fine compressed gravel throughout, wide enough for passing bikes and prams.

Water and heat

Township stops are close enough together that water is rarely the problem, but carry some between them in summer. The gravel holds heat on open sections and shade comes and goes with the farmland, so start early on hot days.

Getting there and parking

The western trailhead starts behind Lilydale Railway Station, about an hour from Melbourne by car or train, with parking at the station. At the eastern end, parking sits near the old Warburton station site and the Waterwheel visitor centre, and intermediate stops such as Yarra Junction have all-day parking at the recreation reserve.

More walks nearby

The La La Falls walk starts near the Warburton end for a shaded forest option, and the Lilydale Lake off-lead areas cover the off-lead fix at the western end. Carriage Cafe in Seville serves coffee inside a restored train carriage, and Paperbark Cafe sits on the Mount Evelyn section.

More routes are on the Victoria dog friendly trails guide and the Lilydale destination page.