There’s something special about standing on the slopes of the Warramate Hills and looking out over the Yarra Valley in a haze of gold and green. You can hear the breeze rustle through the gum leaves, smell the damp clay after a light rain and see a wedge-tailed eagle making lazy circles overhead. This country isn’t manicured or polished — it’s raw, gentle and honest.
The Warramate Hills carry stories older than any vineyard. This landscape sits on Wurundjeri Country, part of the Kulin Nation, where the Traditional Owners lived in close relationship with the land, the river systems, and the seasonal movements of wildlife. The word “Warramate” itself is believed to echo from local Indigenous language, thought to describe “a place of many hills” or “the ridge beside the water.”
In more recent times, European settlers arrived in the 1800s, clearing sections for grazing and timber. But as farming methods evolved and the wine industry took hold in the 1960s, the wilder sections of the hills remained largely untouched. By the 1980s, conservationists pushed for protection, recognising its ecological value and proximity to Melbourne’s expanding edge. In 1989, Parks Victoria declared the area a Nature Conservation Reserve, ensuring its old red gums, box forests, and native grasslands would be preserved for future generations.
Nature Conservation Reserve
You won’t find playgrounds or picnic lawns here. The Warramate Hills Nature Conservation Area was created to protect remnant grassy dry forest, box-stringybark woodland and the native flora and fauna that live here.
The reserve is around 350 hectares and runs between Gruyere, Seville East, and Woori Yallock. It’s open to walkers, photographers and quiet explorers — not dirt-bike riders or campers. Access is via Maddens Lane, Fleming’s Road or the southern access track near Killara Road, with several fire trails and informal goat tracks throughout the bush.
Parks Victoria asks visitors to:
- Stick to marked hiking trails or fire tracks to prevent erosion.
- Leave pets and drones at home.
- Don’t create or use unmarked trails — they harm the undergrowth.
- Bring water and take your rubbish with you.
Local Info: After rain the 4WD tracks can be muddy and slippery. If you’re driving in check the conditions first and don’t damage the ground.
Flora and Fauna
This reserve is a real highlight of Yarra Valley‘s wilder side – think towering gums, patchy wildflowers and all the beauty in between. There are an astonishing 250+ native plant species -including the likes of narrow-leaf peppermint, silver wattle, the drooping she-oak and blackwood -making it a standout botanical spot. Come springtime, and you wouldn’t be surprised to spot sun orchids, milkmaids & golden everlasting daisies poking their heads out from the edges of old fire trails.
Wildlife abounds, too. Keep a watch out for:
- Eastern grey kangaroos are feeding away in the lower flats.
- Swamp wallabies are just dashing through the bracken.
- Echidnas are just making their slow, clumsy way across the dirt tracks.
- Crimson rosellas & superb fairy-wrens flitting through the trees.
- And if you manage to stick it out till dusk, you can give a listen out for boobook owls or the rustling of brush-tailed possums making their way around in the canopy.
Warramate Hills Biodiversity Snapshot
| Estimated Count | Notable Species |
|---|---|
| Native Plant Species | 250+ Silver Wattle, Blackwood, She-oak |
| Bird Species | 90+ Crimson Rosella, Boobook Owl, Kookaburra |
| Mammals | 15+ Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Echidna, Brush-tailed Possum |
| Reptiles And Amphibians | 20+ Blue-tongue Lizard, Tree Frog |
| Invertebrates (Documented) | 150+ Leaf Beetles, Stick Insects |
The Neighbouring Vineyards
The Warramate Hills Reserve is situated on some of the oldest vineyard land in the Yarra Valley, where crumbling ridges give way to rich river flats. You can almost see the vines clinging to the slopes of Maddens Lane, soaking up the sun during the day and enjoying the cool air as the sun sets.
Warramate Wines, a wine label founded by John Middleton, the guy behind Mount Mary, was planted here way back in 1969 – and its still producing some of the region’s most elegant, earthy red wines that really speak to the land.
If you’re game to mix a hike with a Chandon wine tasting, there are a few nearby spots worth checking out:
- Warramate Wines – Maddens Lane – open on weekends for tastings and sales. Just be sure to call ahead
- Seville Estate – a real treat for foodies, with rustic dining and an award-winning Pinot Noir that really hits the mark
- Payten & Jones – just a small operation, but they’re producing some top-class, natural wines in Yarra Valley with heaps of character
- Coldstream Hills – the classic, elegant style, and some pretty views of the valley to boot
It’s a great way to spend a Saturday – grab your boots and take a walk through the Warramate Hills Reserve Circuit, and then head to Warramate Wines for a tasting flight
Hiking Trails And Lookouts – Get Your Boots On
Now this is where the hills really shine. Unlike the paved walking trails near Healesville Sanctuary or the Warburton Rail Trail, the Warramate Hills hiking trails are the real deal – wild, untamed and as unspoilt as you’ll find anywhere.
Most of the routes follow fire tracks, access tracks or old goat paths that the rangers and wildlife use.
Popular Routes And Circuits
Warramate Hills Reserve Circuit (Approx. 6 km): A bit of a climb, but the views across the Yarra Valley and Yarra Ranges are just stunning\
Maddens Lane Fire Trail (6 km loop): Mix of shaded forest and open ridge – it’s a real treat in the autumn or spring\
Olinda Creek Track (5 km one way): A narrow path that links to some of the surrounding heritage routes and creek lines\
Southern Ridge Access Track: A great spot to watch the bird life in the morning, and the kangaroos in the afternoon
Navigation Note: Be careful – signage is pretty scarce. Bring an offline map or a GPX file, and try to stick to the official routes – animal tracks and unofficial paths can lead you into some pretty dense forest or even private land
| Trail Name | Length (km) | Difficulty | Elevation Gain (m) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warramate Hills Reserve Circuit | 6 | Moderate | 200 | Panoramic valley views |
| Maddens Lane Fire Trail | 6 | Moderate | 200 | Mix of forest and open ridge |
| Olinda Creek Track | 5 | Easy–Moderate | 160 | Creekline and forest shade |
| Southern Ridge Track | 4 | Moderate | 120 | Birdlife, open views |
When to Plan Your Trip
The Warramate Hills Nature Reserve is a real chameleon – it looks completely different from one season to the next, and turning up at the right time can be the difference between a great experience and a disappointment.
Autumn (March–May): It’s still warm, but the crisp air has a lovely bite to it, and the vines turn a gorgeous shade of gold. Perfect for longer hikes.
Winter (June–August): Things get pretty quiet around here, and it can be a bit gloomy and muddy, so bring some gaiters to keep your legs dry.
Spring (September–November): Now this is the time to see all the wildflowers in bloom, and the bird nesting sites are a joy to see too. Perfect weather to boot.
Summer (December–February): Its hot, hot, hot and can get pretty dusty out here, so do check for any fire bans and bring plenty of water with you.
If you’re a keen walker, April, May, September and October are probably your best bets.
You might want to combine your visit with a Yarra Valley Winery Trip to the Healesville Sanctuary or the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail to make a day of it and get out into the fresh air.
Staying Safe in Nature
Even though the Warramate Hills are just a stone’s throw from Melbourne, you still have to treat them with respect. The tracks can disappear under the long grass after a rain, and the dirt trails get slippery in no time.
Safety Essentials:
- Boots: Get yourself some good grip for those clay and gravel sections.
- Water: Don’t rely on finding a tap out here – bring at least 2L per person.
- Navigation: Make sure you’ve got an offline map on your phone – the signal can be pretty patchy.
- Wildlife Awareness: Just remember that snakes and echidnas use the same trails as you, so keep your wits about you.
- Fire Safety: Try to avoid heading out on hot days, and always check VicEmergency before you head off.
FAQ
Do I Need a Permit to Visit the Warramate Hills Nature Conservation Reserve?
You won’t need a permit for day visits – just make sure you follow Parks Victoria‘s guidelines – no camping, fires, or dogs, okay.
Are the Trails Good for Beginners?
Yeah, they are. The Warramate Hills Reserve Circuit and the Olinda Creek Track are perfect for people with moderate fitness levels, but be prepared for some rough going in spots.
Can I Drive a 4WD into the Reserve?
Sorry, there’s no public off-road access inside the park. Some fire tracks are service-only for the rangers, but other than that, just stick to the sealed roads to get to the trailheads.
Is the Reserve Open Year-Round?
Yeah, it is – but access may get closed on Total Fire Ban days or after storms. Just check Parks Victoria for updates before you head off.
What Other Attractions Are Nearby?
You can link up your visit with Healesville Sanctuary, the Warburton Rail Trail, or just stop off at Seville Estate for lunch.
