Ruffey Lake & Creek Circuit

Starting from the car park in Ruffey Lake Park, Templestowe, this circuit walk pivots around Ruffey Lake and crosses Ruffey Creek partially via the Ruffey Creek Trail. Visitors can expect to enjoy a leisurely stroll through picturesque surroundings, including serene lake views and lush greenery. The trail is well-formed and mostly flat, making it accessible for people of all ages and abilities. Along the way, visitors can stop at several picnic areas and play equipment for children. There are specific off-leash zones in the area as well. 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	(-37.7761105,145.1403819)
Mode	Bus Car
Directions	From Eastern Freeway, M3, Doncaster. Turn on to Elgar Road Offramp then drive for 460 m Keep left onto Elgar Road Offramp and drive for another 70 m Turn left onto Elgar Road, B970 and drive for another 1 km Turn right onto Doncaster Road, 36 and drive for another 100 m Turn left onto Williamsons Road, 40, 47 and drive for another 890 m Turn right onto Williamsons Road, 47 and drive for another 1.2 km Turn right onto King Street and drive for another 1 km Turn right onto Church Road and drive for another 440 m Turn left and drive for another 25 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. There is a car park (about 25 m back from the start). Find the water tap at the start. After another 15 m veer right. After another 20 m pass the toilet (15 m on your right).
	After another 25 m turn left. After another 80 m continue straight. After another 380 m pass the "Ruffey Lake Park Victoria Street Playground" (55 m on your left).
	Continue straight. After another 30 m pass the "Public Toilets" (45 m on your left). This toilet is wheelchair accessible. After another 40 m pass the shelter (10 m on your left). After another 35 m continue straight. After another 85 m pass the "Rieschiecks Reserve" (about 30 m ahead). Then cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
	Turn right, to head along Ruffey Creek Trail.
	After another 390 m continue straight, to head along Ruffey Creek Trail. After another 110 m veer left, to head along Ruffey Creek Trail. After another 120 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long) After another 115 m continue straight, to head along Ruffey Creek Trail.
	After another 60 m continue straight, to head along Ruffey Creek Trail.
	After another 70 m turn left, to head along Ruffey Creek Trail.
	After another 275 m turn right, to head along Ruffey Creek Trail. After another 15 m cross the bridge (about 40 m long) Turn right, to head along Ruffey Creek Trail.
	After another 45 m continue straight. After another 120 m come to the viewpoint.
	After another 90 m continue straight. After another 20 m pass a seat (10 m on your left)., has a backrest. Continue straight. Then pass the water tap (on your right).
	After another 250 m veer left.
	After another 210 m turn right. After another 9 m pass a seat (20 m on your left)., has a backrest. After another 6 m continue straight.
	After another 65 m turn sharp left.
	After another 45 m veer right.
	After another 50 m veer left. After another 15 m come to the end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Ruffey Lake & Creek Circuit

Grading

	Class 1/6 Smooth & flat
Length	2.8 km
Time	45 min to 1 h 15 min

Quality of track	Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
Gradient	Flat, no steps (1/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There is one 580 m from the start.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 940 m apart with the largest gap of 2.3 km.

Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 940 m apart with the largest gap of 2.2 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	35 m	[toilet]
Toilet	540 m	Public Toilets
Shelter	580 m	[shelter]
Seat	2.2 km	[seat]
Seat	2.6 km	[seat]

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Watsonia Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon
  
  Tuesday 29 April
  
  19°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds southerly 20 to 30 km/h. Daytime maximum temperatures between 14 and 19.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 10:50am to 1:50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 3 [Moderate]
  
  Wednesday 30 April
  
  10°C → 19°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers near the Otways, medium 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.
  
  Thursday 1 May
  
  8°C → 19°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the southwest, near zero chance elsewhere. Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 5 and 9 with daytime temperatures reaching between 14 and 19.
  
  Friday 2 May
  
  6°C → 20°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  The chance of morning fog. Sunny afternoon. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 3 and 8 with daytime temperatures reaching around 18.
  
  Saturday 3 May
  
  7°C → 22°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny.
  
  Sunday 4 May
  
  9°C → 23°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny.
  
  Monday 5 May
  
  12°C → 25°C
  Sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Sunny.
  
  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