Warrandyte Yarra River Water Frontage

The river frontage at Warrandyte runs along the Yarra through the gorge, about 40 minutes from the Melbourne CBD, on a mix of gravel track and river beach. Dogs are welcome on lead, but the land here is split between Parks Victoria and Manningham Council, and the council sections carry tighter rules than the state park, so the signs change as you walk.

The walk. The recorded route is 4.7 kilometres and about an hour, graded moderate, and the moderate rating is fair. The riverside track is gravel and uneven in places, with short pinches where it climbs away from the water. It is a there and back walk rather than a clean loop, and the river is in sight for most of it.

The rules. On lead, to protect the wildlife the gorge is managed for. Parks Victoria manages Warrandyte State Park, while Manningham Council manages the Warrandyte River Reserve frontage. The council leash controls require dogs on lead within 15 metres of any playground or barbecue area, plus a signed on lead stretch of about 260 metres between 183 Yarra Street and the Kangaroo Ground Warrandyte Road bridge. Dogs are not permitted inside the fenced wonguim wilam playspace at all. Check the signage at your entry point, because the boundary is not obvious on the ground.

Water. There are several shallow river beaches with easy entry, and this is one of the better dog swimming spots within an hour of the city. Two cautions. The Yarra runs fast and deep after rain, and water quality drops for a day or two following heavy falls, so keep dogs out of it then.

Getting there. Free parking at Webb Street, Stiggant Street and Taroona Avenue, all of which fill fast on weekends and on the first Saturday of the month when the riverside market runs. Bus 906 stops in Warrandyte. The reserve closes on days of high fire danger, so check before you drive out in summer.

Nearby with the dogs. Warrandyte River Reserve Dog Off Leash Area and Stiggant Reserve cover the off lead options, Westerfolds Park is the next big riverside walk downstream, and George's Milkbar is on Yarra Street for afterwards.

When to go. Weekday mornings. Avoid the first Saturday of the month unless you want the market as well. Good for nervous swimmers, thanks to the shallow gravel entries.

Sources

• Taroona Reserve, Warrandyte State Park - Parks Victoria · www.parks.vic.gov.au
• Warrandyte River Reserve - Manningham Council · www.manningham.vic.gov.au
• Dog leash controls in Warrandyte River Reserve - Manningham Council · yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au

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