Section 2
Emerald to Monbulk
11.2km
Distance: 11.2km
Elevation Gain: 263m
Walking Time: 4 hours
Food: Emerald, Monbulk
Emerald began with the prospecting activities of the Emerald Creek goldfields in November 1858 but life as a mining town was short lived. By the 1890s the largest employer was the nursery of Carl Nobelius and in 1900 the railway arrived which brought the town closer to the city and also allowed for tourism. The track that is the entire length of this section purports to follow the early tourist’s footsteps.
Meandering and criss-crossing the cool, clear waters of the Sassafras, Woori Yallock and Menzies Creeks is the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track which you will follow from Emerald until near Kallista. This intimate track passes through fern-filled gullies, eucalyptus covered ridges and over numerous bridges and boardwalks. The walk is graded moderate to easy with some undulating terrain and some steeper sections.
Many parts of the track may have originally been 'cut' to allow timber loggers to access wood for saw mills and prospective gold miners seeking their fortunes in the gravel beds of the numerous creeks in the forest. In the late 1800's day-trippers and tourist from Melbourne also used these tracks to explore nature and experience the bush. Hence the name Tourist Track.
Transport
Getting There
Puffing Billy. A great way to reach Emerald is to use the beautiful Puffing Billy train from Belgrave. The journey takes 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 Emerald. See the PTV website for timetables and details.
Bus. Three bus services pass through Emerald. Probably the most useful is the bus that departs regularly from Belgrave Station. You can take the train from Melbourne City to Belgrave then transfer to the bus. There are also two buses from Fountain Gate Shopping Centre, one via Beaconsfield and another via Narre Warren East. See the PTV website for timetables and details.
Along The Trail
There is no public transport available along this route so there are no options for getting to or from the trail apart from at the start in Emerald and the end in Monbulk.
In case of emergency this trail stays quite close to and regularly closes Emerald-Monbulk Rd so it would be easy enough to get to the road and flag down a passing car.
Getting Back
Bus. Buses are available from outside Monbulk Aquatic Centre heading to Belgrave or Lilydale. See the PTV website for timetables and details.
Day Walk
There is no direct transport between Monbulk and Emerald so the best way to do this section as a day walk is to start at Belgrave, take the bus to Emerald, walk to Monbulk, then bus back to Belgrave.
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.
Emerald
Before reaching Emerald or in the town (technically on Section 1 of the Trail):
Glenview Retreat $$$
After Emerald (so you need to start on Section 2 to Monbulk to reach these places):
Fernhem Cottages $$-$$$
Monbulk
There is no formal accommodation in Monbulk so if looking for a place to stay you will need to use AirBnB or continue to Kallista or Belgrave in section 3.
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
Emerald
The section begins at the roundabout which is the intersection of Belgrave-Gembrook Rd and Kilvington Dr.
Turn left to go west and follow the main road past the supermarket. Just after the petrol station is a small park created by the local Lions Club which contains a replica of a velocipede, a hand powered, three wheeled machine for one one person to travel along the train tracks.
Just after crossing the train tracks cross to the other side of Belgrave-Gembrook Rd and take the gravel trail that lies between the main road and train tracks.
TEMPORARY TRACK CHANGES:
Telopea Steps are currently being repaired due to deterioration of the wood used to make the steps. It is possible that by the time you read this the repair to the steps will be finished. If you need to avoid the Steps you can take a detour and walk via Ferris Ln, Waywood Rd, Prince St. You will join the Trail at the 2.2km mark. We have not changed the map to re-route the Trail.
Fallen Trees. There are a number of trees down across the track. It is possible, with care, to navigate around these.
Track Closure. From near Butterfield Reserve there are signs saying the track through to Barnes Rd is closed. We recommend using Rankin Rd and David Hill Rd to walk through to Monbulk.
0.5km
Pinnocks Rd
Where the trail crosses the train tracks at Pinnocks Rd, turn right and walk downhill along Pinnocks Rd. A short way down the hill there is a footpath to walk along. After 400m at Laurel Rd veer left to stay on Pinnocks Rd. There is no footpath anymore and the road becomes unsealed.
1.3km
Telopea Rd
At Telopea Rd turn right to go steeply downhill. This intersection is signposted “To Walking Track” to point you in the right direction.
1.7km
Telopea Steps
At the end of Telopea Rd, stairs have been built for the steep descent to Menzies Creek. There are 129 steps which were built in 1994. The stairs are in need of some repair so be careful as the wire in places can trip you up.
At the bottom of the steps is the beginning of a lovely single track which follows Menzies Creek downstream for more than 4km. Beautiful fern trees are abundant alongside the creek and huge mountain ash trees which have survived logging and fire are seen regularly along the trail.
200m after the start of the track you will need to veer left at a junction to continue along Menzies Creek.
3.2km
Avard Picnic Ground
Where the trail emerges onto an unsealed road (Caroline Cres / Avard Rd). Turn left here and walk along the road. After 200m reach Avard Picnic Ground. While a little overgrown and not well used this is a nice spot for a break. There is a picnic table here, but no toilets. After your break return to the unsealed road and continue in the direction you were walking with easy navigation following the signs and creek.
6.0km
Butterfield Reserve
Emerge at Emerald-Monbulk Rd. On the other side of the road and to the left is Butterfield Reserve. Enter the Reserve and if you need a break there are picnic tables here. To continue on the trail continue walking in a left direction to the back of the reserve where there is a sign for the continuation of the trail.
You will cross back and forth over Emerald-Monbulk Rd, now going uphill following Woori-Yallock then Sassafras Creeks.
10.2km
Priors Rd
Emerge from the bush at the intersection of Moxhams Rd and Priors Rd. Walk straight to go up Priors Rd. After 100m where there is an obvious orange arrow, turn right off Priors Rd onto a raised path over the creek.
DETOUR: The section from Moxhams Rd to Baynes Rd is currently closed for repairs. No end date has been provided for completion. You will need to make a detour:
turn right onto Moxhams Rd and walk 650m
turn left onto Centre and walk 160m to the end of Centre Rd
turn right onto Emerald-Monbulk Rd and walk 100m
turn left onto Baynes Park Rd and walk 450m to the bottom of the hill. This brings you to the 11.2km mark.
11.2km
Baynes Rd
The trail emerges at Baynes Rd. This is the end of this section of the walk. If you are continuing on to Kalista and Belgrave, cross over the road, slightly to the right is the continuation of the track.
There are toilets in Baynes Park, about 50m to the left. Baynes Park is home of the Monbulk Aquatic Centre. There is a cafe in the Aquatic Centre if you need a snack or a coffee. The Monbulk main street and shops are to the right with the first shop (an Aldi supermarket) 500m away and the furthest shop 1km away from here. Monbulk has an extensive main street with multiple banks, cafes, and bakeries.
If you need to catch a bus there is a bus stop at the Aquatic Centre and also in the main street of Monbulk if you decide to walk to town for supplies.