Warburton

Leafy Warburton is a place of wellbeing, with surrounding tall forests of mountain encouraging visitors to walk, hike and cycle in the fresh air of the Yarra Valley. A centre for alternative medicines and therapies, Warburton is also a base to sample the best of Yarra Valley food and wine, offering a total escape from the bustle of everyday life. Opportunities to get active abound in Warburton. Cycle or walk the wonderfully scenic Lilydale to Warburton Centenary Trail. The 38-kilometre trail follows an old railway line built in 1901 to transport local produce and timber to Melbourne. Swim and fish in local rivers, and watch for local and rare birds in summer. A number of outstanding forest walks radiate outwards from the town into the forests of mountain ash. Hike to LaLa Falls, or stroll through myrtle beech rainforest to the Ada Tree. More than 300 years old, this mountain ash is thought to be one of the largest known flowering trees in the world. During the winter months you can play in the snow at nearby Mt Donna Buang. Stride out into the canopies of giant eucalyptus trees along the treetop skywalk at Mt Donna Buang Rainforest Gallery, a great way to see beautiful heritage rainforest year-round. A popular local event is the annual Warburton Film Festival. Prior to European settlement,Warburton's location on the upper reaches of the Yarra River was occupied by the Woiworung Aboriginal people. Warburton is approximately 75 kilometres from Melbourne, or around an hour and 20 minutes by car along the Eastern Freeway and Eastlink tollway and onto the Warburton Highway.