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.

Downloads GPX PDF

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. Find the RJ Hamer Forest Arboretum at the start.
	After another 4 m 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 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 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 continue straight.
	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

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