Maroondah Reservoir Park is the Perfect Weekend Hike and Picnic Spot Near Melbourne

Looking for a place near Melbourne with trails galore, beautiful views, and lovely gardens for a post-walk picnic? Maroondah Reservoir Park is just an hour from the city and local, Elisha, believes the park deserves more attention for its nature trails.

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Wurundjeri people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Quick Overview

Maroondah Reservoir Park is a scenic space filled with gardens, picnic areas, walking trails, and the grand 41m high wall of Maroondah Dam. It’s located in Healesville, just over an hour from Melbourne, which is a popular weekend destination known for its wineries, farm-to-table produce, and local boutiques.

About Maroondah Reservoir Park

Maroondah Reservoir Park is located in the Yarra Ranges National Park just outside of Healesville in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. It’s a historic park, best known for its impressive dam wall and spacious grounds for taking a stroll and having a picnic. Some of the park, including specific picnic areas, toilets, and some trails, are wheelchair accessible, and dogs are allowed on lead south of the Watts River however aren’t allowed on the dam wall.

However, if you’re looking for something worthy of Strava, then there’s plenty of trails for hiking, biking, and running, that take you over the dam wall and into the forested slopes of the national park. Think of the dam as a trailhead for either short or longer hikes, depending on how much of a workout you want.

While the car park seems to fill up on weekends, it’s mostly for those stopping for selfies at the dam. Once you head off on the trails, you’ll find that it’s actually an underrated spot for training hills or just losing yourself in the quietness of the big trees. Even as a local who has visited countless times, I forget how lucky I am to have this on my doorstep.

Maroondah Reservoir Park History

Maroondah Reservoir Park is part of the Aboriginal Traditional Land of the Wurundjeri people.

Maroondah Dam was the first of three large regional reservoirs built to supply Melbourne’s water supply in the early 1900s.

Construction on the dam took place between 1920-1927, with the distinctive dam wall representing an important advancement in dam-building techniques at the time.

The dam and surrounding catchment areas are still an important source of water for Melbourne and the eastern suburbs. Wandering the gardens, you can see the historic houses and garden rotundas constructed in traditional style that were once utilised by the caretakers and visitors of the dam.

The park has been a long-time favourite for picnics and walks, by both locals and those visiting from the city.

How to Get to Maroondah Reservoir Park

Maroondah Reservoir Park is 70km or just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne via Maroondah Highway.

The drive from the city takes you through the Yarra Valley, past the region’s famous vineyards, and through the quaint but bustling town of Healesville.

The park is just on the outskirts of town, where the famous Black Spur Drive begins, winding its way up to Narbethong, Marysville, and beyond to the High Country. It’s the perfect spot for a break on any road trip up to the hills.

Where to Stay Near Maroondah Reservoir Park

There’s no accommodation in the park, and camping isn’t allowed at Maroondah Reservoir. However, being just outside of Healesville, you’re really spoilt with choice for accommodation within minutes of the gates.

Healesville has plenty of options, including B&Bs, pubs, and a caravan park. It’s a popular weekend destination though, so you’ll want to book ahead on weekends, especially in summer.

Where to Eat Near Maroondah Reservoir Park

The Yarra Valley is literally known for being one of the best foodie destinations in the state (maybe even in the country!), so there’s no shortage of wineries, breweries, and cafes to grab brunch or dinner before or after exploring the park.

If you want the perfect pre-walk caffeine hit, you’ll find Sie Sie’s coffee van in the main car park at Maroondah Reservoir, serving toasties, smoothies, and of course, coffee. It’s usually open on summer weekends, and sometimes even weekdays during holidays.

Otherwise, the closest restaurant to Maroondah Dam is Boat O’Craigo Winery, located just before the dam entrance. It offers wine tasting, some of the best woodfire pizzas, and killer views from their back deck, plus live music on weekends. As a local, I have to say it’s one of the most underrated wineries in the valley.

Essential Gear for Maroondah Reservoir Park

• Picnic blanket
• Good walking or running shoes
• Reusable coffee cup (for the coffee van!)
• Sunscreen and sun protection
• Water and snacks
• First aid and day hike essentials (especially if undertaking the hike up Mt St Leonard)

Read more: What to Pack in Your Hiking First Aid Kit

Things to Do in Maroondah Reservoir Park

Whether you want somewhere different to take the whole family or you’re looking for the perfect training hike, Maroondah Dam has plenty of things to do for everyone.

Picnic in the Gardens

Pack a blanket and all the local goodies you picked up on your way through the Yarra Valley, and the Maroondah Reservoir Park becomes the perfect backdrop for a picnic. There’s plenty of open space amongst the gardens and tall, shady trees, with picnic tables and free BBQs scattered throughout the grounds.

Relax on the grass at the bottom of the towering dam wall, admire the roses in bloom along the cobblestone staircase in spring, or hear the force of the water tumbling over the spillway in winter. Any season is beautiful in this part of the world.

Read more: Remember to Leave No Trace

Take in the View From the Dam Wall

Take the old stairs lined with roses up from the main car park and you’ll reach the top of the dam wall. Standing 41m high, it offers an impressive view of the dam, the mountains in the background, and the picnic area down below.

This is definitely the most iconic part of the park, so you’ll see plenty of people here taking photos. You can also walk to the end of the dam wall, where walking trails lead into the national park.

Short-ish Strolls (or Trail Runs) From the Dam

There are a few trails that you can explore from the main car park at the dam. If you want to head further into the forest, my two favourite short walks are:

Henderson Hill via Dam Wall Loop

This is the perfect hour-long hike that includes a decent hill to get the heart rate pumping on a beautiful bush track. It’s a roughly 4km loop that begins from the main car park. Head up the Rose Steps to the Dam Wall and walk across the wall to the Maroondah Dam Lookout for a nice view back over the dam.

From there, you can follow the signs to walk up Hendersons Hill on a winding singletrack that gains over 100m in a short distance. While there’s no view from the top, it’s a lovely trail through native forest.

Heading down from the hill you can loop back around to the dam wall and car park.

Donnellys Weir and Maroondah Dam Return

For a slightly longer walk or run, there’s a trail from Maroondah Dam to Donnellys Weir and back. This is about 7km return and can incorporate Henderson Hill or not, depending on how much of a workout you want.

After crossing the dam wall, follow the signs along the management road to the Maroondah Aqueduct, which leads to Donnellys Weir, a pretty little picnic spot on the creek.

Fun fact! This is the trailhead of the famous 5,300km+ Bicentennial Trail that goes all the way to Cooktown, QLD!

Challenge Yourself to Hike Mt St Leonard

Now for the ultimate trail challenge that should be reserved for very fit hikers. The Mt St Leonard circuit is a 25km difficult hike that you can begin and end at either Maroondah Dam or Donnelly Weir.

The full circuit includes tackling the relentless steep and sometimes-overgrown Condons Track (accessed on the trail between Maroondah Dam and Donnelly Weir), which eventually pops out on Monda Road.

From there, you can follow the dirt road up to the old fire tower and public viewing platform at the summit of Mt St Leonard. As one of the highest peaks in the region, you’ll be able to see as far as Melbourne on a clear day.

The descent from the mountain follows Road 11, a wide management track, for much of the way through the forest. It’s also open to horse riders doing sections of the Bicentennial Trail. You’ll eventually come down to the picnic area of Donnellys Weir, from where you can head back to the dam.

Allow at least eight hours for this slog, and be prepared for around 1,300m of total elevation.

Read more: How to Hike Off-Track

Join Park Run on Saturdays

If you’re a Park Run enthusiast, the relatively new Maroondah Dam Park Run on Saturday mornings is one you’ll want to add to your list. It’s a free weekly 5km community event which begins at the Maroondah Dam Wall. You can walk, jog, or run and it’s open to everyone, including new attendees.

Tips for Visiting Maroondah Reservoir Park

• Maroondah Reservoir Park is gated so it’s not open 24 hours a day. The gates open at 8am every morning and close in the evening at a different time, depending on the season. In winter, it’s 5pm and in summer it’s as late as 8pm
• If the main car park is too busy, you can also drive around to Hendersons Picnic Area, which also offers plenty of space to have a picnic and join the walking trails to the dam wall
• There are plenty of public toilets at Maroondah Reservoir and drinking water taps
• Unfortunately, you cannot swim or fish in the dam. The water isn’t accessible to the public because of its importance as a freshwater source
• Dogs are allowed in the lower grounds of the dam and picnic area, but not on the walking tracks that lead into the catchment area and national park

Maroondah Reservoir Park FAQs

Can you walk around Maroondah Reservoir?

Yep there are plenty of short and long walks throughout the reservoir park, including walks that take you up onto the dam wall.

Can you swim at Maroondah Reservoir?

The water in the reservoir is part of Melbourne’s water supply, so unfortunately no, you can’t swim at Maroondah Reservoir.

Are dogs allowed at Maroondah Reservoir?

Yep! Dogs are allowed on lead at Maroondah Reservoir, however they’re not allowed north of the Watts River, including along the dam wall.

Is Maroondah Reservoir Park suitable for kids?

Yep, Maroondah Reservoir is great for kids and families, with lots of space and picnic areas.