Section 1
Gembrook to Emerald
13.6km
Distance: 13.6km
Elevation Gain: 268m
Walking Time: 4 hours + time at points of interest along the walk
Food: Gembrook, Cockatoo, Emerald Lake Park, Emerald
Toilets: Gembrook, Cockatoo, Emerald Lake Park, Emerald
The Dandenong Ranges Trail starts in Gembrook at the old train station which is again in use as the final stop on the Puffing Billy train ride. Taking Puffing Billy is a great way to start your journey along the trail and if you have done this consider spending a night in Gembrook to explore the town and relax into what the locals refer to as ‘hills living’.
The first section of the walk to Cockatoo is one of the easiest sections of the trail, passing mainly through open farm land as it follows the train line. Cockatoo is a good spot to take lunch if the timing is right before heading into Wrights Forest where the trail gets a bit hillier but nothing too difficult. At Emerald Lake take a little time to relax by the lake and if open check out the excellent little Emerald Museum in the Nobelius Heritage Park for a look at the history of the region.
This section finishes in Emerald, where the town’s history can still be seen among the modern buildings. If you have time grab a walking tour brochure to check out some of the historic sites.
Transport
Getting There
Puffing Billy. Easily the best way to reach Gembrook is to use the beautiful Puffing Billy train from Belgrave. The journey takes 1 hour 50 minutes and takes you through beautiful native forest and over the iconic Monbulk Creek trestle bridge. Suburban trains travel to Belgrave (see below) and the Puffing Billy station is adjacent to the suburban station so it is an easy way to travel. Puffing Billy runs every day of the year except Christmas Day but the timetable does vary depending on the time of year and other activities the train does. See the Puffing Billy website for full details and bookings. We recommend booking in advance, particularly in peak season as tickets can sell out.
Suburban Train. Electric trains depart regularly from Melbourne city to Belgrave. The journey takes up 1 hour 15 minutes and takes you from the busy city centre out through the sprawling eastern suburbs,. finishing in the foothills of the Dandenongs at Belgrave. You can use the train and then link in with Puffing Billy or public bus to reach Gembrook. See the PTV website for timetables and details.
Bus. Three bus services end at Gembrook. Probably the most useful is the bus that departs regularly from Belgrave Station and travels via Emerald & Cockatoo. You can take the train from Melbourne City to Belgrave then transfer to the bus. Other buses available are one. from Pakenham Station and another from Fountain Gate Shopping Centre which goes via Dandenong, Emerald & Cockatoo.
Along The Trail
If you find you want to get in or out of the trail part way between Gembrook and Emerald the following options are available:
Puffing Billy. Puffing Billy stops at Cockatoo and Emerald Lake Park providing a way in or out of the walk at these points. See the Puffing Billy website for full details and bookings.
Bus. For much of this section the trail stays quite close to Belgrave-Gembrook Rd so there are plenty of opportunities to access a bus. See the PTV website for timetables and details. You could catch a bus to or from the following points:
3.6km Maple Ridge - bus stop here.
4.5km Fielder Station - bus stop at the corner of Fielder Rd and Belgrave-Gembrook Rd.
5.4km-6.2km - along Belgrave-Gembrook Rd there are a couple of bus stops.
6.2km Cockatoo - there is a bus stop on the main street.
Day Walk
This section is pretty easy to do as a day walk. We recommend driving to Emerald Village, parking in the shopping car park and taking the bus to Gembrook.
Emerald is split into two shopping areas both of which are located around a roundabout. Use the parking area near the roundabout that is the intersection of Belgrave-Gembrook Rd and Ferres Rd . Be mindful of not parking in the parking spots that have shorter time limits. There is a bus stop at the roundabout with regular buses taking you the 20 minutes to Gembrook. Then simply walk back to Emerald along the trail.
Accommodation
While there is more accommodation available in the area than on our list, these are the the places to stay closest to the trail so you don’t have to walk too far off-trail to get to your overnight stop.
$ = less than $100
$$ = $100-$200
$$$ = more than $200
For budget options take a look at AirBnB as they have a wide range of prices available. Their map view is useful to find a place to stay close to the trail.
Gembrook
Signal Box B&B $$$
Emerald
After Emerald (so you need to start on Section 2 to Monbulk to reach these places):
Map
View this section on the AllTrails website to navigate your way along the route. You can also download the AllTrails App and add our routes to your library.
Route Notes
0km
Gembrook
The walk begins in Gembrook, a lovely little town set on a high ridge at the south-eastern corner of the Dandenongs. This was the final stop on the steam train and since the restoration of the line has again been welcoming train passengers since 1998. The actual start of the trail is right at Gembrook Station so if you have come by train simply start following the tracks back the way you came.
The first section of the trail to Cockatoo is through open farmland where dairying and potato growing dominate. Beautiful views to the north allow you to see beyond the Dandenongs to the high peaks of Mt Donna Buang (1245m). The trail to Cockatoo is marked and easy to follow.
3.6km
Maple Ridge
For the few kilometres you walk simply follow the train tracks. After 3.5km you will veer away from the tracks to cross over Belgrave-Gembrook Rd. At the road crossing is a house named Maple Ridge. There are usually treats, cakes and snacks for sale in front of the house, all made by the local resident. An honesty tin is used to collect you money so be sure to have a little cash on hand.
After returning to the train tracks the route again veers away towards the road and the final one kilometre to Cockatoo is on a footpath alongside the road.
6.2km
Cockatoo
In Cockatoo head down the main street and take advantage of the shops which include a supermarket, bakery, cafe, pharmacy and post office.
6.4km
Ash Wednesday Memorial
At the bottom of the main street cross over Pakenham Rd and the train tracks to continue downhill. On your left is the Alma Treloar Reserve which contains the Cockatoo Ash Wednesday Memorial. Cockatoo was almost entirely destroyed in the Ash Wednesday bushfires of 1983. In the gardens of the Memorial is a tree planted by Prince Charles and Princess Dianna who visited here a month after the devastating fires.
6.5km
Wright Forest
At the bottom of the hill, just before the bridge at St Lukes Church turn onto the Emerald-Cockatoo Multi-use Trail which starts here and will lead you all the way to Emerald, just follow the yellow arrows. Almost immediately after starting on the track you enter the Wright Forest Bushland Reserve. While walking through Wright Forest you might notice blackened trees. This is the result of the 2009 Black Saturday fires which caused widespread destruction throughout Victoria.
10.8km
Emerald Lake Park
Following the yellow arrows will lead you out of Wright Forest, along a beautiful gully with farmland on one side and tree ferns on the left, before finally bringing you to Emerald Lake Park. While the yellow arrows direct you to the right of the lake, we suggest going over the footbridge and taking the longer way around the lake where there is a cafe and toilets.
11.2km
Emerald Lake Park Cafe
After passing the Rangers Office and paddle boats you will reach a basic cafe and toilets. No meals here, just basic snacks. The Park Puffing Billy Station is directly up the hill, about 100m from the cafe. Keeping the lake on your right cross over the bridge and walk past the wading pool. Immediately after this turn left to be back with the yellow markers and walk through to the back of the car park where you follow the arrows to take the right side track uphill through a beautiful stand of fern trees.
12.2km
Norbelius Heritage Park & Emerald Museum
Towards the top of the hill turn left (no sign) and then after 50m along this track turn right following the sign to Emerald Museum. You will enter a more open grassy area which is the Nobelius Heritage Park. The 4.5 hectare park was part of the world famous Nobelius Nursery, established in 1886 by Swedish immigrant Carl Axel Nobelius. The nursery covered 650 hectares at its peak and was the main employer in the town, supplying fruit trees both locally and internationally.
Within the park is the small Emerald Museum, a volunteer-run museum that is definitely worth a visit if open. Opening hours are quite limited and depend on when the volunteers are available.
After finishing in the park head uphill to the train line and turn right to follow the train tracks with the trail staying with the tracks all the way into the centre of Emerald.
13.6km
Emerald
As you enter Emerald town there is a park on the right with toilets. Continue on to the main intersection with Belgrave-Gembrook Rd where this section ends. There are numerous cafes, shops and a supermarket if you are looking for a meal or supplies. If you are here at lunchtime the delicious Emerald Village Bakery & Cafe is a great choice.