Fireline Track - Dandenong Ranges NP

The Fireline Track is in the Doongalla Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 35 km east of Melbourne.

It is a fire management track, closed to public vehicles, but walkers and cyclists are permitted to use it.

It extends from the junction of the Old Mountain Rd (Kalorama) in the north to a junction with the Camelia Track in the south. Elevation varies from 485m to 350m, with several very steep and rocky sections.

The Track is one of three which flank the western edge of the Mt Dandenong Massif - the others are the Kyeema Track (highest) and Singleton Track (lowest).

There are marvellous views to Melbourne and beyond, with the You Yangs and Macedon Ranges clearly visible on the horizon. Vistas to the north show the Kinglake Massif and Mt St Leonards.

The photo album is at

http://worldisround;com/articles/332978/index.html

I hiked this track on July 23, 2007, some 6 km return, starting and finishing at the Kalorama end.

Edgar Track - Doongalla Forest - Dandenong Ranges NP

The Edgar Track is a scenic trail of 3 km, in the Doongalla Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 35 km east of Melbourne.

It is closed to public vehicles, and is used for fire management, shared by walkers, cyclists and pony riders.

This track links the Doongalla Rd and Camelia Track, and was once a logging route, running along the western flank of Mt Dandenong.

It is the lowest of several parallel tracks in the forest -starting at 160m and reaching 340m at the junction with Camelia Track. The ascent is extremely steep and challenging, with rewards of nice views towards Melbourne and the Basin.

I completed this 6 km return hike on July 22, 2007.

You can see all of the photos at

http://worldisround.com/articles/332896/index.html

Camelia Track - Doongalla Forest - Dandenong Ranges NP

The Camelia Track is in the Doongalla Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 35 km east of Melbourne.

It is a fire management track, shared with walkers, cyclists and horseriders, linking the Doongalla Homestead site with Fireline Track.

There is a change in elevation from 300m to 420m along the track, which has two steep pinches.

It crosses the main Mt Dandenong Firebreak.

I walked this track on July 21, 2007, some 5 km return, passing through beautiful forest.

The photos are at

http://worldisround.com/articles/332836/index.html

Old Coach Rd - Doongalla Forest - Dandenong Ranges NP

The Old Coach Rd runs between Sassafras and the Basin, in the Doongalla Section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 40 km east of Melbourne.

Once a logging road, the section passing through the Park is now closed to public vehicles, and is shared with walkers, horseriders, and park management.

The track passes through magnificent forest and fern trees, with views towards Mt Dandenong.

The photo album is at

http://worldisround.com/articles/332138/index.html

The route forms part of the 15 km Western Slopes Walking Track.

I hiked this track (4 km return) on July 9, 2007.

The change in altitude is challenging, from 268m to 503m!

Good training for the Himalayas.

School Track - Dandenong Ranges National Park

School Track is in the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 40 km east of Melbourne.

It's near the townwship of Sassafras, it links the Old Coach Rd with Range Rd.

It is an old loggging track, passing through beautiful forest and fern gullies, with views across the adjacent Doongalla Forest.

The photo set is at http://worldisround.com/articles/322274/index.html

Used for Park management, it's shared with horseriders and walkers, it's part of the long 16 km Dandenong Ranges Western Slopes Walking Track.

I did this 4 km return hike on July 11, 2007.

Exploring the Doongalla Forest

The Doongalla Forest is in the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 30 km east of Melbourne.

I completed a 3 km circuit hike on June 30 2007, along the Stables, Bills, Edgar, Golf Course, and Doongalla Tracks. starting at the Doongalla Picnic Ground.

The photo album is at http://worldisround.com/articles/331719/index.html

The weather was bleak, cold, and overcast!

Zig Zag Track - Doongalla Forest

Zig Zag Track runs between the Channel Ten and Kyeema Tracks in the Doongalla Forest, on the western slopes of Mt Dandenong, 30 km east of Melbourne.

It is very steep and challenging, making good training for Himalayan trekking, with a change of altitude from 430m to 628m over 1 km!

It passes through tall forest, near Melbourne's Channel Ten TV transmitter tower, which rises to 180m.

I did a 4 km hike on these Tracks on June 29 2007, on a cold, bleak and windy day.

There were nice views of the Doongalla Forest from the Track, and of Melbourne from Mt Corhanwarrabul, 628m, which is the second highest peak in the Dandenong Ranges.

The photo album is at

http://worldisround.com/articles/331682/index.html

Ridge Track - Doongalla Forest - Dandenong Ranges National Park

Ridge Track is in the Doongalla Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, 45 km east of Melbourne.

It is a shared fire access, cycling, horse and walking track, linking Doongalla Forest Road with the Basin-Olinda Rd.

It is a 2 km return hike, and is very steep and muddy, with a change of altitude from 270m to 445m!

I undertook this walk on June 17, 2007, on very cold and overcast day.

There are some interesting views across the valley towards the Sassafras area.

Views towards Mt Dandenong are partially obscured by tall timber.

See all of the photos at

http://worldisround.com/articles/331117/index.html