Mathias Track (Olinda)

The Mathias Track is a lovely walking trail through the Dandenongs where dogs (on leash), horses and mountain bike riders are permitted. It is an 8km return walk from one end to the other and there are small car parks at the Falls Road end and the Silvan Road end. The track is also accessible from the RJ Hamer Arboretum through which the track passes.

Part of the track passes beside the old Olinda Golf course which is a popular dog off leash area.

Review:

This is a beautiful walk along forest tracks through varying and interesting landscape and plenty of bird life to see and hear. We saw kookaburras, cockatoos, parrots and a range of other birds. There is a small car park off Falls Road at the corner of the Rhododendron Gardens. The track is 3.5km each way.

The dirt road gradually climbs up through tall forest trees dotted with tree ferns before descending. The track is quite shady along most of its length. There are a number of tracks which lead off Mathias track. Black Hole Track leads off to the north where dogs are not allowed. Rock Track is an interesting side branch and leads to the Lookout Rock which is a distance of 1330m. You can get back on to Mathias Track further along the route from Lookout Rock (along Sequoia Track). The track passes through area of Japanese Maple and Birch trees.

There are some blackberry bushes along the side of the track but don't eat any blackberries because they are sprayed with poison.

Further along is a side track, Yallambie Way, which goes to Valley Picnic Ground, 1335m away.

The forest now opens out a bit and there are views of the Rhododendron Gardens. There is a side track, Simmons Avenue, which is 745m to Boundary Road and the steep Sequoia Track which is 640m to Lookout Rock. This is the path to take if you want to take a diversion of the main track.

Soon you reach an old tin shed (Red Dog Hut) with some seats and then pass through an area of Monarch Birch, Canoe Birch and European Ash trees (which are lovely in Autumn).

There is a branch track to Chalet Road carpark, 523m away. The trees in this area are labelled and include Manna Ash, Claret Ash and Common Lime.

You then reach the end of the track where it crosses Silvan Road where there is a small parking area. There are some seats to rest on and then it is time for the return journey.

Be sure to bring suitable clothing (in layers) during the cooler months of the year because it can be very cold here. The track can be fairly muddy and slippery after rain.

Access for Dogs:

Some sites state that this track is a dog off leash area but this is not true. Dogs must be on leash along the track. However, the unused Olinda Golf course is a dog off leash area. There are no bins or water taps along the route.