Sassafras Creek to Baynes Park via the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track

Starting near the Sassafras Mechanics Institute Hall, on Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Sassafras, this walk leads to Baynes Park and back via the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track. Passing through cool temperate rainforest and gullies filled with ferns and eucalyptus trees, this walk allows you to appreciate nature in a peaceful and calm manner. Sassafras Creek is a constant companion on this walk, whether you are walking beside it or crossing over it. At all times, you are relatively close to the road, but the faint hum of traffic in the background doesn't spoil the walk. Road crossings are required at several points, and there are orange markers to guide you. There are also several creek crossings and boardwalks along the way. This walk is suited for people of average fitness levels. It can be tackled from either direction, done as a whole or divided into smaller sections. Dogs are allowed on-lead on this track. 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	At the intersection of Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track & Mount Dandenong Tourist Road (-37.8628111,145.3537294)
Mode	Bus Car
Directions	From Burwood Highway, 26, Wantirna. Turn on to C415 then drive for 7.6 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track & Mount Dandenong Tourist Road Start heading along Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track (a walking track). There is water tap (about 25 m back from the start). There is a sign (about 20 m back from the start). Sassafras Village Green (about 20 m back from the start). Find the seat at the start. Find the toilet at the start.
	After another 3 m (from the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track) continue straight, to head along Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track. After another 70 m (from the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track) continue straight, to head along Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track.
	After another 300 m (at the intersection of Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track & The Crescent) continue straight, to head along Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track. After another 1.1 km cross the ford.
	From the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track continue straight, to head along Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track.
	After another 60 m (at the intersection of Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track & Nobles Lane) continue straight, to head along Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track.
	After another 15 m (at the intersection of Sassafras Creek Road & Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track) turn right, to head along Sassafras Creek Road (a highway\|tertiary).
	After another 710 m (from the Sassafras Creek Road) continue straight, to head along Sassafras Creek Road.
	After another 220 m (at the intersection of Sassafras Creek Road & Wembley Road) continue straight, to head along Sassafras Creek Road.
	After another 20 m (at the intersection of Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track & Sassafras Creek Road) turn sharp right, to head along Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track (a walking track).
	After another 200 m (from the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track) veer right, to head along Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track.
	After another 60 m (at the intersection of Perrins Creek Road & Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track) continue straight, to head along Perrins Creek Road (a highway\|tertiary).
	After another 50 m (at the intersection of Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track & Perrins Creek Road) continue straight, to head along Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track (a walking track). After another 235 m cross the bridge (about 5 m long)
	After another 100 m (from the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track) continue straight, to head along Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track.
	After another 1.3 km (from the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track) veer right. After another 20 m pass the car park (10 m on your right). Then cross the bridge (about 10 m long) After another 55 m cross the bridge (about 8 m long)
	After another 10 m (from the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track) continue straight, to head along Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track. After another 390 m pass the park (8 m on your right).
	After another 75 m (from the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track) turn left, to head along Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track.
	After another 55 m (from the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track) continue straight, to head along Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track. After another 85 m pass the park (20 m on your right).
	After another 65 m (from the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track) continue straight, to head along Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track. After another 50 m cross the ford.
	From the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track continue straight, to head along Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track.
	After another 160 m (at the intersection of Monbulk Road & Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track) turn left, to head along Monbulk Road (a road).
	After another 15 m (from the Monbulk Road) turn right (a walking track).
	Continue another 270 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 5.8 km to get back to the start.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Sassafras Creek to Baynes Park via the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	11.5 km
Time	3 h 30 min to 5 h 30 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (2/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There is one 70 m from the start.

Seat: There is one 0 m from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	0 m	[seat]
Toilet	70 m	[toilet]

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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Mount Dandenong Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon
  
  Tuesday 15 July
  
  9°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers in the east, medium chance elsewhere. Snow falling above 1000 metres. Winds west to northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h. Daytime maximum temperatures between 9 and 14.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 1 [Low]
  
  Wednesday 16 July
  
  5°C → 10°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the early morning. Winds northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 2 and 7 with daytime temperatures reaching between 10 and 15.
  
  Thursday 17 July
  
  6°C → 9°C
  Showers.
  90% chance of rain
  1 → 8mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Winds north to northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h turning westerly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 4 and 8 with daytime temperatures reaching between 10 and 14.
  
  Friday 18 July
  
  3°C → 9°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Areas of morning frost about the ranges. Light winds becoming northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then tending northerly during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between zero and 5 with daytime temperatures reaching between 10 and 15.
  
  Saturday 19 July
  
  4°C → 9°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Sunday 20 July
  
  5°C → 9°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Monday 21 July
  
  5°C → 10°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly 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