RJ Hamer Arboretum Loop

This loop walk starts near the RJ Hamer Arboretum, Chalet Road, Olinda, looping around the Gardens of the Dandenong and along the Former Olinda Golf Course. Take a peaceful walk in the hills, through a mountain ash forest, and see the variety of international plantings in the arboretum, and a wonderful array of birdlife. There are plenty of sunny and shady patches to be enjoyed as you move between tall forests and wide open spaces, with many different paths to vary your walk, and great views of the landscape at the higher points. Dogs are allowed on a lead. Although there are multiple paths, there aren’t a lot of signs along the way. There are some long and steep hills on the walk, but overall, it’s popular with beginners. After heavy rain, expect the ground to be a bit soft and muddy. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-37.8601614,145.3812607)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Burwood Highway, 26 Turn on to C415 then drive for 10.2 km Turn sharp right onto Olinda - Monbulk Road, C406 and drive for another 1.5 km Turn left onto Woolrich Road and drive for another 380 m Continue onto Chalet Road and drive for another 50 m Keep left and drive for another 10 m Turn left onto Dam Track and drive for another 4 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 8 m head into the "RJ Hamer Forest Arboretum".
	After another 4 m (from the Dam Track) continue straight, to head along Dam Track. After another 20 m pass the "Woolrich Lookout BBQ" (6 m on your right). After another 40 m pass the toilet (15 m on your left). This toilet is male and female.
	After another 360 m (from the Dam Track) continue straight, to head along Dam Track. After another 85 m head into the "RJ Hamer Forest Arboretum".
	After another 145 m (at the intersection of Sequoia Track & Dam Track) turn left, to head along Sequoia Track (a walking track).
	After another 160 m (at the intersection of Sequoia Track & overgrown) continue straight, to head along Sequoia Track.
	After another 120 m (at the intersection of Golf Course Track & Sequoia Track) turn right, to head along Golf Course Track (a vehicle track). Then pass the "Former Olinda Golf Course Park" (on your left). W:parkweb.vic.gov.au 24/7
	After another 195 m (at the intersection of Cornus Track & Golf Course Track) continue straight, to head along Cornus Track (a walking track).
	After another 350 m (at the intersection of Mathias Road & Cornus Track) continue straight, to head along Mathias Road (a vehicle track).
	After another 290 m (at the intersection of Black Hole Track & Mathias Road) turn right, to head along Black Hole Track.
	After another 175 m (at the intersection of Black Hole Track & K C Track) veer right, to head along Black Hole Track.
	After another 440 m (at the intersection of Yallambee Way & Black Hole Track) turn sharp right, to head along Yallambee Way.
	After another 510 m (at the intersection of Mathias Road & Yallambee Way) continue straight, to head along Mathias Road. After another 590 m (at the intersection of Mathias Road & Fraxinus Track) continue straight, to head along Mathias Road.
	After another 120 m (at the intersection of Mathias Road & Simmons Avenue) turn left.
	After another 45 m (at the intersection of Sequoia Track & Mathias Road) continue straight, to head along Mathias Road. After another 130 m pass the "Red Dog Hut" (10 m on your right).
	After another 15 m (from the Mathias Road) continue straight, to head along Mathias Road.
	After another 40 m (at the intersection of Mathias Road & Poplar Track) continue straight, to head along Mathias Road.
	After another 320 m (from the Mathias Road) continue straight (a walking track).
	After another 470 m veer left. After another 20 m to find the car park.
	Turn right. After another 30 m pass a seat (20 m on your left). After another 50 m pass a seat (on your left). After another 20 m come to the "Woolrich Lookout" (20 m on your right). This viewpoint is wheelchair accessible. W:visitdandenongranges.com.au After another 20 m come to a seat.
	The end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

RJ Hamer Arboretum Loop

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	4.8 km
Time	1 h 45 min to 2 h 30 min

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (2/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There is one 3.8 km from the start.

Toilet: There is one 75 m from the start.

Seat: There are 3 on route, on average they are 1.2 km apart with the largest gap of 4.7 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	75 m	[toilet]
Shelter	3.8 km	Red Dog Hut
Seat	4.7 km	[seat]
Seat	4.7 km	[seat]
Seat	4.8 km	[seat]

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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Mount Dandenong Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
  
  Tuesday 29 April
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southerly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Wednesday 30 April
  
  7°C → 13°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers near the Otways, slight chance elsewhere. Winds southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching between 14 and 18.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 11:00am to 1:40pm, UV Index predicted to reach 3 [Moderate]
  
  Thursday 1 May
  
  5°C → 14°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of frost near the Yarra Valley in the early morning. Slight chance of a shower near the Otways, most likely in the early morning. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the early morning then becoming southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 4 and 9 with daytime temperatures reaching between 14 and 19.
  
  Friday 2 May
  
  5°C → 15°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  The chance of morning frost about the ranges. The chance of morning fog. Sunny afternoon. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 3 and 7 with daytime temperatures reaching between 17 and 20.
  
  Saturday 3 May
  
  6°C → 17°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. The chance of morning fog in the east. The chance of morning frost near the Yarra Valley. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 4 and 8 with daytime temperatures reaching between 18 and 22.
  
  Sunday 4 May
  
  9°C → 18°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny.
  
  Monday 5 May
  
  11°C → 20°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Tuesday 6 May
  
  12°C → 21°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Parks Victoria Alerts
  When planning and before starting your trip please check Parks Victoria closure website for anything that may impact on your plans.

Weather Forecast

Alerts