By Tanya Steele
Autumn is upon us and a fresh winter is up next, so why not head outside for some exercise and fresh air?
The Yarra Valley and its surrounds are home to many stunning hikes and or wanders, depending on your preference, even if you have lived in the area your whole life, there is always something new to find at these well-known spots.
Maroondah Park Reservoir, just outside of Healesville.
Maroondah Park Reservoir is stunning in autumn, with hikes and foliage for all and an excellent way to step beyond the town for an afternoon of nature immersion.
People can enjoy a picnic or walk along the 41 metre high dam wall which offers views of the native forest, the reservoir and a recently restored sundial.
Maroondah Reservoir was originally completed in 1927 and was the first reservoir constructed by Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works.
It also features the “Rose Stairway” which used to have rows of rose bushes along a stairway but now features Golden Pencil Pines.
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden in Olinda
This popular garden features smooth walkways and both native and non-native species with lakes within the garden which was formerly known as the National Rhododendron Gardens.
Enjoy the huge array of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and more, which ensures the garden is a delight no matter what the season.
If you are lucky you may even spot a lyrebird or two digging under a tree on your visit.
Keep your ears open for their distinctive calls which cycle through a sequence of other bird calls they have collected over time.
Pause in the garden to turn and check your view as the Mountain Ash forest provides a stunning green canopy overlooking the lakes and gardens.
Dandenong Ranges National Park, Sherbrooke Forest Walking Trails
The Sherbrooke or O’Donohue tracks in the Dandenong Ranges are a grand way to really immerse yourself in nature and hike through to the Sherbrooke Falls.
These are just some of the trails you can choose from and they lead from the picnic areas into the rain forest where visitors can enjoy Mountain Ash, stringy bark, tree ferns and waterfalls.
Take a deep breath and slowly move your eyes up and down in the forest canopy.
The trees are vibrant and colourful and the sounds of the forest will settle into your bones.
Hiking all the way to the waterfall can take around 30 minutes to one hour, depending how many times you stop on the way.
Visitors should always come prepared for a hike and check the Parks Victoria website for updates before they head into the forest.
The RJ Hamer Arboretum in Olinda
The arboretum was named after the Premier of Victoria, Sir Rupert Hamer and contains approximately 200 species of exotic and deciduous trees and shrubs.
The park contains wonderful views across to the Yarra Valley from the Woolrich Lookout.
Beyond the lookout is a planting of conifer which has a beautiful tree change throughout autumn and the red of the trees is spectacular at sunset.
Visitors can hike a winding loop through the arboretum and spot birds or just bring a picnic to the lookout and enjoy the scenery.
