Redwood Forest

Two females carrying hiking packs walk amongst the towering Redwoods as the sun filters through the canopy.

This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

Explore

Redwood Forest

Yarra Ranges National Park

Plan your visit:

We are expecting large crowds at the Cement Creek Redwood Forest over the coming months.

To help you plan your visit and to get the best experience, we recommend that you:

  • Consider if you can visit mid-week or early in the morning when it may be quieter.
  • Avoid the busy carpark and walk or ride your bike via the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail - a 16km round trip when starting from the Yuonga Road Carpark.
  • Please take not of the 'no standing' areas along Cement Creek Road. Parking outside the designated parking area can damage vegetation, and cause safety issues for the public. If the main carpark is full, you can visit some other beautiful areas in Yarra Ranges National Park. We recommend visiting Mount Donna Buang or Upper Yarra Reservoir Park. 
  • There are no rubbish bins or toilet facilities at the Cement Creek Redwood Forest. Please take your rubbish with you. Nearby public toilets are located in the Warburton township.

 

Popular with day-trippers from Melbourne and local residents from Warburton and surrounding areas, the Redwood Forest offers the opportunity to relax on the lawns with a picnic and wander through the towering Californian Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forest. 

Now more than 90 years old, the first Californian Redwoods were planted alongside the plantations of Bishop Pine and Douglas Fir as part of a hydrology experiment conducted by the Board of Works in the 1930s. Further plantings occurred from 1960-1963 of Radiata Pine, Western Red Cedar and more Californian Redwoods and these subsequent plantings are now more than 60 years old. 

Californian Redwoods grow to be the tallest trees in the world at up to 115m and they can live for more than 2000 years. Despite being relatively young, the trees at Cement Creek are captivating in their uniformly planted arrangement. 

Summer is a great time to visit. Once you step amongst the towering Californian Redwoods you will enter a cooler quieter climate. For those with keen eyes, some beautiful native orchids can be found over the summer months including greenhoods and cinnamon bells. The occasional Monarch Butterfly can be spotted from time to time. Listen out for the squeals, shrieks and cackles of a seasonal population of Grey Headed Flying Fox that roost in the canopy of the Redwood Forest in summer.   

Explore beyond the main stand of Californian Redwoods by following Cement Creek to where it meets the Yarra River. This beautiful perimeter walk takes in native vegetation including ferns and Eucalypt trees and if you are lucky you will see a variety of birdlife including yellow robins flitting amongst the dappled light.

Just north of Cement Creek Rd, you'll find the O'Shannassay Aqueduct Trail, a popular spot for walking or cycling. 

Please note the popularity of this site and where possible choose an off-peak time to visit as weekends, school holidays and public holidays can be extremely busy.

 

Things to do in the area

 
A section of the O'Shannesy Acquaduct near Warburton.

OShannassy Aqueduct Trail

Nestled above the floor of the Upper Yarra Valley, O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail follows the historic open channelled aqueduct. Stretching 30km, the trail passes fern gullies, creeks and plantations and offers spectacular views of the valley below.
A family take in the view of the Yarra Ranges from the elevated platform at Mt Donna Buang.

Mount Donna Buang

At an elevation of 1.2km, the summit features a lookout tower which offers panoramic views over Melbourne, the Yarra Valley, Dandenong and Cathedral Ranges, Mount Baw Baw and the Alps. It's a great picnic spot and starting point for walks on the mountain.
Rainforest Gallery in Yarra Ranges National Park

Rainforest Gallery

Take a stroll through the rainforest. This beautiful walk features a 40m long observation platform (one of only three of its type in Australia) which takes you into the rainforest canopy high above the ground.

Upper Yarra Reservoir Park

Nestled at the top of Yarra Valley lies the popular Upper Yarra Reservoir Park – the uppermost point of the Yarra River accessible to the public.

How to get there

Redwood Forest

 
Redwood Forest

When you're there

Please note:

  • There are no toilets on site (closest are located at the East Warburton Public Hall)
  • No picnic tables or shelters are available
  • Phone reception can be limited, depending on your provider 
  • No dogs are permitted
  • No fires are permitted
  • No camping is permitted
  • No firearms/shooting is permitted
  • All rubbish must be taken home as no bins are provided
  • No drones

When to go

Enjoy an escape from the summer heat in the cool of the Redwood Forest. Keep your eyes peeled for plants and animals like orchids, Monarch Butterflies and Grey Headed Flying Foxes. 

Need to know

Redwood Forest

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however, in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

 

Filming and Photography

A permit (minimum 10 business-day turnaround) is required for commercial filming and photography. A permit is also required for filming with a drone, commercially or privately (minimum 20 business-day turnaround). 

 

Cement Creek Redwood Forest Facility upgrades

The Cement Creek Redwood Forest in the Yarra Ranges National Park has become an increasingly popular site for visitation over the last few years thanks to the enchanting and photogenic Californian Redwood trees.

Visitors to the Yarra Ranges National Park will soon enjoy greater accessibility, new facilities and increased protection of the environment through the Cement Creek Redwood Forest Facility upgrades. 

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Dom Dom Saddle Picnic Area (Yarra Ranges National Park)

    Dom Dom Saddle Picnic Area - Toilet Closure

    Dom Dom Saddle Picnic Area toilets are permanently closed and will be removed in their entirety at a later date.
    The nearest toilets are at Fernshaw Picnic ground.

  • Phantom Falls (MARYSVILLE STATE FOREST, Yarra Ranges National Park)

    Phantom Falls walk closure

    The walking track to Phantom Falls is currently closed due to extensive storm damage. The second bridge and viewing platform are damaged and deemed unsafe. The track is overgrown and has numerous fallen tree obstructions.

    Access beyond the first bridge, overlooking the Taggerty River is not permitted.

    Access to the carpark, picnic area and first bridge is still permitted. 


  • Cambarville circuit walk (Yarra Ranges National Park)

    The lower section of Cumberland walking track at Cambarville is closed until further notice (Cora Lynn falls remains open)

    - The lower section of the Cumberland walking track is closed until further notice, however Cora Lynn falls remains open.
    - The upper section of Cumberland track including the Elephant Tree and the Big Tree are still open.

    Attachments: Cambarville_A4_0412 (1,190KB)

  • Yarra Ranges National Park

    O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail - Dee Rd Trestle Bridge Closed

    The Dee Road Trestle Bridge has been closed for public safety
    Subsequently, the O'Shannassy Aqueduct trail now terminates at the bridge near the Dee Road Picnic Ground.  We recommend accessing the western section of the Trail from the Dee Road Picnic Ground in Millgrove and the eastern section from the Yuonga Road Picnic Ground in Warburton. Please plan your visit accordingly.  

    Works to provide continued access to the trail are being investigated.

    Southern Fall of Donna Buang Deer Control night closures

    Parks Victoria will be undertaking deer control works on the southern fall of Mt Donna Buang between April 22nd and 30th August 2024. During this time sections of the O'shannassy aqueduct, the Mt Victoria walking track and a number of access points to this area will be closed between the dusk and dawn, approximately 5pm in the evening and 6am in the morning. These specific times will change with daylight hours. Signage will be placed at all access points to the control zone. Please read these signs and for public safety reasons do not enter the site if they state control is taking place. Please refer to the attached map for more information or call 131963.

    Temporary closures for southern fall of Mount Donna Buang

    Parks Victoria will be undertaking deer control works on the southern fall of Mt Donna Buang between April 22nd and 30th August 2024. During this time sections of the O'shannassy aqueduct, the Mt Victoria walking track and a number of access points to this area will be closed between the dusk and dawn, approximately 5pm in the evening and 6am in the morning.  Signage will be placed at all access points to the control zone. Please read these signs and for public safety reasons do not enter the site if they state control is taking place. Please refer to the attached map for more information or call 131963.

  • Big Peninsula Picnic Area (Yarra Ranges National Park, Yarra River)

    Big Peninsula Stepping Stones Closed

    Big Peninsula Stepping Stones closed due to flood damage. 

  • Little Peninsula Picnic Area (Yarra Ranges National Park, Yarra River)

    Little Peninsula Bridge Closed

    Little Peninsula Bridge closed due to storm damage. 

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