Warrandyte Riverside Walk (Warrandyte)
This is a relaxing and picturesque 4.7 km walk that can be taken at a brisk pace or leisurely stroll and is great for the entire family. After featuring points of interest along the Warrandyte Riverside walk, it is time to explore the historic village of Warrandyte.
The walk which is 1.5+ hours starts and finishes at Stiggants Reserve, Stiggant Street, Warrandyte.
Warrandyte was the town that became famous with Victoria's first official finding of gold in Andersons Creek. This sparked the gold rush of the 1850s. Despite such a lucrative beginning, the town has a rural village atmosphere with a focus on community, art and natural environs.
Your walk begins along the meandering Yarra River with interpretation about local artists. The walk circles the Warrandyte village to the historic Stonehouse Cafe before returning to the centre of town. You will learn about the town's colourful characters and the heritage behind many local landmarks.
Facilities include toilets, playground, cafes, parking, drinking fountain and shops.
Walk Route Map
Walk Description
The walk begins at Stiggants Reserve where there are toilets, a drinking fountain, picnic tables and a barbecue. The Yarra River is instantly relaxing and calming and there are colourful artworks along the path. The Warrandyte Market occurs at Stiggants Reserve on the first Saturday of the month.
Facing the river, turn right and head upstream for a kilometre and enjoy the views as you go.
1. The interpretation sign is about Clara Southern, a local artist who painted here in the early 1900s. The natural beauty and isolation of the area began to attract artists and writers with many settling here and giving Warrandyte a distinctive 'arty' appeal.
2. The Warrandyte Punt operated from this site ferrying locals across the river from 1856 until the bridge was completed in 1863.
About 160 metres up from here, to your right, is a cairn that identifies the site of the last water powered quartz crushing plant in Warrandyte, known as the Government Stamping Battery. The battery broke the quartz up to reveal the gold within.
It would have been a noisy but exciting sound as it heralded possible riches.
3. Continue to the Stonehouse Cafe. This is a great resting spot before heading back along the river to the Yarra Street roundabout. There is a soundpost on the corner of the Stonehouse and features stories about the gold rush.
4. At the roundabout, cross Yarra Street towards Folk Art. This rustic shop was established in 1890 as a wine saloon. In 1924, it became a sweet shop with adjacent tea rooms.
5. The random rubble sandstone footpath and stairs lead to the Warrandyte War Memorial. The memorial was built in 1922 and has plaques commemorating the First and Second World Wars and the conflicts in Malaya, Korea and Vietnam. The sandstone is local and gives Warrandyte its distinctive rustic style.
6. The first Mechanics' Institute was built in 1890 in Webb Street. The current building dates back to 1928. Mechanics' institutes offered workers books, lectures and demonstrations to improve their education. Later the hall became a focus for community life including dances, weddings and moving pictures. There is a listening post with stories about Warrandyte's hotels and dances.
Cross Yarra Street at the pedestrian crossing and turn right towards the bakery
7. The historic bakery has existed here since the 1880s. The old oven still bakes bread as it has for over 100 years (apart from a few years as a leather shop and wood-stove shop).
Enjoy a coffee and cake here, or veer right towards the Federation Playspace.
8. The Warrandyte Federation Playspace was inspired by the town's gold mining history and features a mineshaft, miner's hut, gold wagon and tunnels. There is a sound post just next to the miner's hut with some great sound effects on it - enjoyable for young and old. There is a ruin to one end that tells the story of Taffy, an ill fated local who never got to finish rebuilding his fire destroyed home and cafe.
Rejoin Yarra Street and turn right. You can stay on this side of the street or cross and visit the shops and hotel.
9. The Grand Hotel is a local landmark that features in many historic Warrandyte photographs. It dates back to 1896 and replaced the Andersons Creek Hotel. It was a site for the popular theatre restaurant craze from the 1970s-1980s.
10. The Old Post Office Museum is open afternoons on weekends and public holidays. The museum has a number of historical artefacts and a large collection of photographs. There is a sound post with stories about saving the building from the 1939 fires.
If the museum is open, head right through and out the back to join the river again. There are several steps to navigate. Otherwise keep to Yarra Street and take the ramp from any of the car parking areas along this stretch. Return to Stiggants Reserve.
This finishes your walk. Time to relax and plan your next adventure.
Location
Stiggant Street, Warrandyte 3113 Map
Web Links
→ Warrandyte Riverside Walk Guide and Map (PDF)
