Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail

Walk or cycle along the railway line that was built in 1901 to carry produce from Warburton to Melbourne and delivered tourists to the area on the return trip. The train line ran between 1901 and 1965.

This line changed the lives of the people in the towns it passed through, and well beyond. It transported goods and allowed industries to develop, and connected the upper reaches of the Yarra Valley with the city. In Warburton, the line provided a major boost for the local timber industry and the line was extended east to the river flats, known as La La Siding, where timber could be loaded for transport. The timber industry used the line heavily until the 1920s when congestion moved it off the line.

Seventh-Day Adventists arrived in Warburton in 1905, opening the SDA Hospital, Sanitarium and the Sanitarium Health Food Factory. At this station you would see louvre vans being loaded with Weetbix and other Sanitarium products to take into Melbourne. By the 1920s, a trip to Warburton was very popular with honey-mooners, who stayed at the many guesthouses in the area. The scenic route from Lilydale to Warburton was so popular that the Sunday service was increased in summer to cope with the demand of daytrippers and tourists.

Choose between a series of short walks or an exciting trail ride, and look out for kangaroos, bird life and spring wildflowers between Lilydale and Mt Evelyn, and butterflies and tree ferns on the way to Wandin.

Stop off at the old railway station at Yarra Junction, now a pioneer museum, before taking in the magnificent views of the Central Highlands and Yarra Ranges National Park along the section to Wesburn. Relax at the Sam Knott Hotel (licensed 1863) at Wesburn before setting off on the final five-kilometre stretch to Warburton, a popular retreat and the end of the trail.

Pass through beautiful bush, lush fern gullies, sweeping grazing properties on the fertile Yarra River flood plains, past wineries, flower farms, the Yarra River and the Yarra Ranges National Park and state forest.

Take time to enjoy the spectacular views of the Dandenong and Yarra Ranges, the beauty of the Yarra River and the surrounding bush.

Length: 38 kilometres
Cycle: Three hours one way
Track: Good
Grade: Flat
Start: Queen Road, Lilydale
Finish: Warburton Water Wheel and Visitor Centre

Cost:

Free

Services & Facilities along the Trail

Trail-side cafes:

Morrison's Cafe, Mt Evelyn Station site, Mt. Evelyn
Penny Olive Bakery, Mt Evelyn - at the Warburton Trail crossing of the Monbulk Rd
The Carriage Cafe, a few hundred meters west of the Seville station site
Home Hotel, Launching Place
Amanda's Cafe, Ranges Cafe, Yarra Junction township
Millgrove Bakery and Millgrove General Store, Millgrove village
COG Bike Cafe, at the Warburton Station site, adjacent to the Warburton township
A little further off-trail you will find a range of cafes, restaurants and hotels in the various towns and villages along the way.

For bike hire, sales and repair:

Yarra Valley Cycles, 108 Main Rd Lilydale
COG Bike Cafe, Trail-side, Warburton Station site (Thursday-Sunday)

For tourist information and details of local rides:

Waterwheel Visitor Information Centre, 3400 Warburton highway, Warburton - call (03) 5966 9600
Yarra Valley Cycles, 108 Main St Lilydale - call 03 9735 1483
COG Bike Cafe, Trail-side, Warburton call (03) 5966 2213 Thursday-Sunday

Shuttle and Pick-up Service:

Call Jenny Clarke at Pedal Pick-Ups, on 0413 263 558