Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail

One of Victoria's most popular rail trails, following the old Warburton railway line (opened 1901, closed 1965) through the Yarra Valley and Upper Yarra region, from Lilydale to the mountain retreat town of Warburton. Well-supported throughout with cafes at conveniently-spaced points and several historic disused train stations along the way - including Yarra Junction's, now the Upper Yarra Museum. Climbs gently from Lilydale to Mount Evelyn, then rolls through Wandin, Woori Yallock, Seville, Launching Place, Yarra Junction, Wesburn and Millgrove before finishing at Warburton. Connects at the Lilydale end with the new Yarra Valley Trail (Stage 1A, running 7.5km to Yering Station). Look out for kangaroos, birdlife and spring wildflowers between Lilydale and Mount Evelyn, bellbirds and tree ferns near Wandin, and views of the Central Highlands and Yarra Ranges National Park approaching Wesburn.

Lilydale to Mount Evelyn (6.9km): climbs from the Lilydale station car park. Mount Evelyn to Wandin (5.4km): descends through shady bushland. Wandin to Seville (3.4km) to Killara (3.3km) to Woori Yallock (4km): crosses the renovated Long Bridge at Woori Yallock. Woori Yallock to Launching Place (6.4km): crosses a floodplain, increasing gradient - Launching Place is home to the famous Home Hotel, a great stop. Launching Place to Yarra Junction (2.1km): the old railway station here is now the Upper Yarra Museum. Yarra Junction to Millgrove (5.2km): passes the operational original sawmill in Millgrove. Millgrove to Warburton (3.3km): the final stretch into Warburton and its many cafes. The last 8.5km (Yarra Junction to Warburton) is predominantly sealed.