A Guide to the Enchanting Redwood Forest of Warburton
Once a hidden gem of the Yarra Valley, the Warburton Redwood Forest is now a major tourist attraction and one of the best day trips from Melbourne. Our guide covers how to get there, what to do, how to visit responsibly, and more.
It was 8 years ago that Mark’s father, a resident of Warburton, first let us in on a local secret: the otherworldly Redwood Forest of East Warburton in the Yarra Valley.
Home to thousands of towering Californian Redwoods planted in orderly rows, the site was little known, save for a select few in-the-know locals.
When we visited back then we’d have the entire forest to ourselves; we’d explore the endless rows of towering sequoia, and spend hours photographing as the sun pierced the fog. We’d hike along the lush pathways that follow Cement Creek and bask in the sounds of nature.
On each trip back to Warburton over the last few years, we’ve made the trip east to visit this enchanted environment; it remains our favourite place to visit in Warburton (check our complete guide to Warby here).
Since then, Warburton’s Redwood Forest has (bittersweetly) become a major tourist attraction in the region, beckoning day-trippers from Melbourne to enjoy the magical environment. Each come to enjoy the simple beauty of the Redwood Forest, and mysterious tree art scattered throughout the forest.
Beyond the towering Sequoias, there’s plenty of natural beauty to admire, from the intriguing tree art that dots the forest floor, to the ever-flowing cement creek and the early flow of the Yarra River.
Below is our guide to the Redwood Forest in Warburton, including how to get there, what to do when you visit, and how to treat this beautiful natural environment with respect on your visit.
REDWOOD FOREST WARBURTON | A GUIDE
HOW TO GET TO THE REDWOOD FOREST, WARBURTON
First up, we’ll share the nitty gritty info with you.
Many of you will be coming to the Warburton Redwood Forest from Melbourne, which is around a 1.5 hour drive. We’ve included a full rundown of how to get to Warby in this guide.
From Warby, drive straight out of town towards East Warburton on Woods Point Rd (C511) for around 7kms.
Shortly after passing through East Warburton, you’ll see a sign on your left for Cement Creek Road. Turn left, and follow the road around 500m before you arrive at a one-way bridge.
Pass over the bridge slowly and follow the unsealed road for another 500m before arriving at the carpark on your right.
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THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE REDWOOD FOREST IN EAST WARBURTON
We’ve visited the Redwood Forest in Warburton during every month of the year, and each time it’s been utterly perfect.
However, to avoid the crowds that will no doubt visit during the peak summer holiday periods, we recommend visiting during Autumn.
At this time, it’s much quieter, and the surrounding area is green and lush. Warburton is also beautiful during this time, as the autumnal colours light up the town with hues of orange, red and yellow.
Alternatively, try to visit out of school holidays/public holidays.
We also recommend arriving early (pre 10am), to avoid the day-trippers that arrive from Melbourne. We recently visited at 9am and had the forest to ourselves, but by 10am there were over 100 people there.
THE HISTORY OF THE REDWOOD FOREST IN WARBURTON
You’re probably wondering why there’s a massive Californian Redwood Forest in Warby - we certainly did.
As it happens, the Warburton Redwood Forest forest was planted in the 1930s as a non-native tree experiment by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. It was initially planted as part of the board’s hydrology research program, and the area encompasses more than just California Redwoods; other trees planted include Bishop Pine, Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir and Radiata Pine.
The now abandoned East Warburton Redwood Forest has become a National Trust heritage-listed site.
The recent rise in popularity is a result of a TV programme broadcast on Network 7 (Better Homes and Gardens for those wondering), the ethereal tree art installed by David Digapony, as well as the advent of social media, fuelled by Instagram.
Now, the 1476 trees across the plantation form part of the Yarra Ranges National Park, managed by Parks Victoria.
THINGS TO DO AT THE REDWOOD FOREST, WARBURTON
GET LOST AMONGST THE REDWOODS
For the city-slickers among us, a walk through the Redwoods is highly cathartic; spending hours amongst their mysterious web and discovering each corner is highly recommended.
These towering Redwoods are the stuff of fairytales; let your imagination run wild as you get lost among the 1400 Redwoods that reach endlessly towards the sky above or enjoy the otherworldly tree art that sometimes adorns the forest floor.
It’s also a dream playground for kids or grandkids, who will adore hiding between the giants and running along the soft, leaf-littered forest floor.
Take your time discovering each corner, shadow, light beam, dappled leaf and above all, enjoy the silence.
WALK ALONG CEMENT CREEK
A short stroll north of the Redwoods is the ever-flowing Cement Creek, which snakes its way from Mt. Donna Buang to the beautiful Yarra River.
Bound by the greenest of green tree ferns and Aussie natives, the walk along Cement Creek provides a heap of opportunities to enjoy nature at its finest (and it really is mightttty fine here!).
The walk follows Cement Creek in an easy-to-follow, circular route, which starts at the Redwood forest, passes the confluence of Cement Creek and the Yarra and cuts back to the Redwood forest car park.
In winter/after rain it can be quite muddy under foot so we recommend walking the track in boots, or at least shoes with a sturdy sole.
TAKE A SWIM IN THE YARRA
For those brave enough, a swim in the Yarra during the warm summer months is a delightful escape from the blistering heat.
There’s a picturesque swimming spot on the Cement Creek walk, just past the confluence of Cement Creek and the Yarra. It’s a large waterhole which has a sandy bank, allowing for easy access into the river.
Be warned though - even in summer the water is freezing.
Note | We only recommend swimming in the river if you’re a confident swimmer. Never swim alone and do not dive/jump into the water head first. Click here for more instructions. Also remember to respect those around you.
PHOTOGRAPH THE REDWOODS FROM EACH ANGLE
For the photographers out there, the Warburton Redwood Forest is a dream.
If it’s foggy, the mood provides some epic shots. If it’s sunny, the dappled light allows for creative compositions. And if you have a drone, the view from above is awe-inspired (just don’t fly in the forest).
The best photos are taken in the first few rows of the forest, where the ground is flat and the trees neatly lined up, however some creative photos can be taken low to incorporate the towering canopy or from the corners to showcase the scale of the forests.
RELATED | Read our travel photography tips guide here.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING THE REDWOODS IN EAST WARBURTON
While the Redwoods of Warburton are pretty easy to find and navigate, there are a few essential things you need to know before visiting:
There is limited parking on site (200 parks), so arrive early or park on Warburton Hwy
The road leading in is very narrow, unsealed, and prone to sticky ditches and mud, so be careful with oncoming vehicles or when it’s wet
There are no public toilets on site, so use the public toilets in Warburton. Not the trees in the forest, as we saw on our last visit
There are no other public facilities such as bins, bbqs or picnic tables
In summer, beware of snakes. We’ve seen a few in our time
No dogs are allowed
RESPECT WARBURTON’S REDWOOD FOREST
The huge increase in tourists to the Warburton’s Redwood Forest recently has left the natural environment a little worse for wear. Unfortunately, we’ve seen litter scattered throughout the forest and car park, and even seen a grown man using one of the trees as a toilet (when it was busy, btw), among other things.
Therefore, it’s super important to preserve the natural environment for those in the future by to following these simple rules:
Don’t be an idiot
Take your litter with you. Why you’d visit a pristine natural environment and leave your litter behind is beyond us
This isn’t a toilet, so don’t use it as one. Visit the public toilets in Warby, or just hold on like a grown-ass adult.
Leave the natural environment undisturbed as much as possible. Stay to the paths and leave things as they are
If it’s too busy, head into Warburton for a coffee, visit Mt. Donna Buang peak, the Rainforest Gallery, or return later
Cement Creek Road is home to a number of homeowners, so please respect their property
RELATED | Our top responsible travel tips
WHERE TO STAY IN WARBURTON
We’re big on supporting local economies by staying in regional towns, so if you can, we recommend staying in Warby for a night or two - that way you’ve got more time to enjoy the Redwoods, and a few other of the town’s attractions.
Below are a few of our favourite picks to suit all budgets:
AIRBNB
19 on the Hill | Perfect for a couple’s getaway, 19 on the Hill offers mountain views (the best are from the very large bathtub!), a peaceful balcony, and all the creature comforts you could need.
Book here
The Riverside Cottage | Perfect for group weekends away, the Riverside Cottage sleeps up to 8 comfortably and has an open plan kitchen perfect for any catering plans you have. There’s a beautiful garden and mountain views, making it the perfect country retreat!
Book here
Sign up to Airbnb using our Airbnb code for up to £30 / $40 off your booking!
HOTELS
Warburton Motel | The recently refurbished Warburton Motel has comfy beds, is walking distance from town, and staff are extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the surrounding area - plus their blue Kombi wins us over every time!
Book here
Oscar’s on the Yarra | Set in a1920’s boutique country homestead on the banks of the Yarra river, Oscar’s on the Yarra is a tranquil country retreat for those looking to slow down, enjoy nature, and authentic family-feel hospitality.
Book here
ECO-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION
The Canvas Barn B&B | A unique eco-friendly property, The Canvas Barn B&B is a hand-built wooden barn built from recycled timber, and full of sustainable, zero-waste initiatives.
Book here
TRAVEL BETTER WITH THESE ESSENTIAL POSTS
THE BEST OF THE YARRA VALLEY | Our complete guide to the Yarra Valley, a guide to wonderful Healesville, and the East Warburton Redwood Forest
DAY TRIPS | 9 amazing day trips from Melbourne
THE BEST OF THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD | Everything to do on the Great Ocean Road, our guide to Hopetoun Falls, and the mystical Otway Californian Redwoods, The ultimate guide to visiting Loch Ard Gorge
LOCH VILLAGE | Our guide to Gippsland’s cutest little town, Loch
VICTORIA ROAD TRIP | Our ultimate 7-day Victorian road trip guide
DAYLESFORD | Our Daylesford airbnb guide, and the best things to see and do in this central Victorian gem
PHILLIP ISLAND | Top things to do on Phillip Island, plus our guide to the best airbnbs on Phillip Island
AIRBNB GUIDE | Our essential guide to getting the best out of Airbnb
TRAVEL INSURANCE | Don’t leave home without travel insurance (seriously, don’t!). Click here to get the best deals with World Nomads, our trusted travel insurance provider
PHOTOGRAPHY | Love our photography? Wondering what gear we use to get all of our photos around the world?
Click here to view our detailed photography gear guide, as well as our top travel photography tips!
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL | Responsible travel is important. REALLY IMPORTANT.
Learn our top responsible travel tips to help you, your family and friends travel more consciously around the globe
ECO FRIENDLY PACKING ESSENTIALS | Don’t leave home without our favourite eco-friendly travel essentials
EXPLORE MORE OF AUSTRALIA WITH OUR GUIDES
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