Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail

• All day parking - Lilydale Railway Station, Warburton Highway Lilydale
• Toilets
• Accessible facilities

The gateway to the Yarra Valley, just one hour by train or car from Melbourne. The trail begins at the rear of the Lilydale Railway Station car park. Enter the recreation reserve and cross the Olinda Creek bridge to start your journey.

• All day parking - Monbulk Road, Mount Evelyn

• Toilets

• Accessible facilities

An excellent downhill walk or ride to Wandin through fern lined gullies and remnant bushland rich in wild flowers and bird life. Cross the first of 17 restored bridges and pass through native wetlands where platypus are said to live.

The Mount Evelyn township has parking, toilets, bakeries and cafes. The station house has been restored and transformed into the local library. The station grounds provide picnic facilities and a bike rack.

• All day parking - Wandin Station site, Warburton Highway, Wandin North

Once the bustling centre for transporting the districts fruits and vegetables to Melbourne, the restored platform (located 100 metres past the car park) is now a tranquil setting for picnics among rich bushland and bird life. Excellent parking is located just off the Warburton Highway close by the Wandin North township which offers public toilets, shops and cafés to refuel your energy stocks. 

• Limited parking - Kylie Lane, Seville East

Take a small detour down into the Seville township to visit the Seville Water Play Park. Stop on the way to visit the unique Carriage Café, located in a beautifully restored train carriage.

Cruise through beautiful bushland down onto open pastures to Killara Station. The old stock yards and station platform were built in 1901 for the Syme family's major land holding which stretched to Woori Yallock, some of the best beef country in the state.

Rural views, picnic tables and horse yards make Killara an ideal rest stop.

• All day parking - Woori Yallock Station Site, Symes Road, Woori Yallock

The trail continues to descend into the Yarra River flood plains as you pass through rich grazing land and across the 175m Woori Yallock Creek bridge into Woori Yallock. Magnificent views of the Central Highlands to the north-east.

Be prepared to stop at closed crossing for farmers moving stock. Please leave gates as you find them.

• All day parking -  Woori Yallock Station Site, Symes Road, Woori Yallock

A close view of rural life in action as you pass through timbered grazing land on the banks of the Yarra River. Cross the highway with care to enter Launching Place, another popular starting point.

A carpark and amenities have been constructed near the Launching Place General Store for riders to access the trail.

A large car park, picnic tables and horse yards make Woori Yallock Station a popular stating point for those not wanting to complete the whole trail.

The Woori Yallock Township is a 5 minute walk from the car park. It offers cafes and public toilets. A children's playground is located across from the Woori Yallock station car park.

Woori Yallock is a good halfway point for the trail and a popular starting/finishing point for visitors.

• All day parking is available - Warburton Highway, Launching Place

The trail follows the Warburton Highway up into Yarra Junction. Once Australia's busiest timber centre it is now a charming township on the Yarra River. The town features a large recreation reserve, community markets, eateries, accommodation and the Upper Yarra Museum. The museum is located in the original Lilydale Railway Station building, built in 1882, located right next to the trail.

Public toilets are available at the Yarra Junction recreation reserve.

• All day parking - Yarra Junction Recreation Reserve, Warburton Highway, Yarra Junction (near Yarra Centre & playground)

• Toilets

• Accessible facilities

Cross bridges over the Little Yarra River into the floodplain and travel through diverse farmlands with magnificent views to the mountains of the Yarra Ranges National Park. The trail is edged by tall gums and re-vegetated areas. The Wesburn wetlands attract a variety of water birds and the Millgrove timber mills are a reminder of the past.

The last leg of the journey takes you through densely vegetated native forests, with the Yarra River bubbling away over its rocky bed & popular fishing holes. Nestled beneath the Yarra Ranges beside the river, Warburton is know as a place for travellers seeking revitalisation. It boasts fine restaurants, cafés, arts, crafts and accommodation.

The township is an excellent centre for many bushwalks and overnight hikes including connections to the O'Shannassy Trail. For those wanting something less adventurous the pleasant Riverside Walk meanders along the Little Yarra River with many picnic spots along the way.

Public toilets are available at the Millgrove Station site car park or via a short walk to the main street of Warburton.