parknotes
Dandenong Ranges National Park
Horse Riding
Dandenong Ranges National Park, right on Melbourne’s doorstep, is famous for its tall
Mountain Ash Forests, wildlife and scenic views. Over one million visitors are attracted to the
3500 hectare park each year enjoying a variety of recreational opportunities, flora and fauna.
Horse riders are welcome to explore the designated horse riding trails in the quieter parts of
the National Park.
Location and access
Settlement Strikes
The National Park is located about 35km east of
Melbourne via Burwood Hwy, Mountain Hwy or
Canterbury Road.
Settlers moved into the foothills in the early 1850s
clearing the forests. In the 1860s the area
became the retreat of the wealthy and then the
general population with the introduction of the
motor car. In 1882 land was reserved as a site for
public recreation and in 1927 the area was
declared the Ferntree Gully National Park.
Use this Parknote and a Melways or other
directory to plan your trip. Study the map overleaf
so that you know which tracks are open to horses.
Where can I ride?
Designated horse riding tracks have been
identified on the map overleaf. They are
signposted at the start of each track by a horse
riding symbol. Brown markers will guide you along
the track.
Tracks set aside for other users and where no
horse riding is permitted are also signposted.
On 13 December 1987 the Dandenong Ranges
National Park was proclaimed amalgamating
Ferntree Gully National Park, Sherbrooke Forest
and Doongalla Estate, with Olinda State Forest,
Mt. Evelyn and Montrose Reserve formally added
to the National Park in 1997.
A Wonderland of Nature
More than 350 species of native plants have been
recorded in the park. There are also over 130
native bird species, 31 species of native
mammals, 21 reptiles and 9 amphibians that
inhabit the park. Most of the mammals are active
only at night.
Nature in Harmony
The Wurundjeri Aboriginal people lived in the area
and had an intimate knowledge of the native
plants and animals, enabling them to obtain
vegetable products, including roots, leaves, stalks,
fruits, gums and resins.
Seeing Wildlife by Horse
Wildlife shares the tracks you ride on. Horse
riders can often surprise wildlife as horses are
quicker than walkers. Please travel slowly so that
you can stop for wildlife and people using the
tracks. This will also enable you to see more of
the park and wildlife.
Formoreinformation call theParks VictoriaInformationCentre
on131963orvisitourwebsiteatwww.parkweb.vic.gov.au
To
Lilydale
C402
To
Lilydale
C404
CRESCENT
C401
To Kilsyth
MONTROSE
S
C415
Kalorama
Mount
Dandenong
Observatory
To Kilsyth
South
SILVAN
Silvan Reservoir Park
Road
Link
Tk
Road
Olinda Falls
Picnic Ground
Rd 15
Bartlett
Tk
Burkes
Lookout
Doongalla Homestead
Site and Stables
Picnic Ground
William
Ricketts
Sanctuary
Rifle Range
Gully Rd
rlain
C403
Edgar
To
Boronia
Valley
Picnic Ground
Eagle Nest
Picnic Ground
Tk
SILVAN
National
Rhododendron
Gardens
Ridge
C415
RESERVOIR
Olinda
Public
Golf
Course
C404
OLINDA
THE
BASIN
R.J. Hamer
Forest Arboretum
Hilton
Tk
Alpine
Tk
Macedon
St
Rd
SASSAFRAS
One Tree Hill
Picnic Ground
Alfred Nicholas
Gardens
Rd
ONE
ROAD
Ta E
R
n H
Tk S
OO
B
E
BeagleysBeagleys
K
Pirianda
Garden
MONBULK
C406
Sass
Tk
o
Tk
Rd
Rd
OneOne Tree
ree HillHill
Picnic Ground
Macedon
Alfred Nicholas
Gardens
S
Tan
Tk
Beagleys
Picnic Ground
Sherbrooke
Picnic Ground
George Tindale
Gardens
Kays
Picnic
Ground
KALLISTA
Tom
D N
To
Burwood
MONBULK
C406
Pirianda
Garden
Kensleys
Picnic
Ground
Olympic
Picnic Ground
O'Donohue
Picnic Ground
C415
Grants Picnic
Ground
Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground
Parks Victoria Office
Tk
C404
C406
Dandenong Ranges
& Knox Visitor
Information Centre
UPPER
FERNTREE
GULLY
C412
Tk
BELGRAVE
C412
C404
To
Emerald
Mount
Evelyn •
Montrose
•
•
Kalorama
Mount
Dandenong
Olinda
The
Basin •
DANDENONG RANGES NATIONAL PARK
0
Horse Riding
500
•
1000
MET RES
Main Road
National Park
N
Kallista
Cartography by Spatial Vision 2007
M/6431
•
•
Minor Road
Other parks and
reserves
Park Vehicle
Track
Water body
Walking Track
Tracks available
for Horse Riding
Railway line
Gate
Upper
Ferntree
Gully
MELBOURNE
*
•
©
• Silvan
•
Belgrave
DANDENONG
RANGES
NATIONAL
PARK
For further information
Parks Victoria
Information Centre
Call 13 1963
or visit the
Parks Victoria website
www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
Caring for the
environment
Help us look after your park
by following these guidelines:
Please take rubbish away with
you for recycling & disposal
All native plants & animals
are protected by law.
Please do not disturb them
in any way
No barbecues are permitted on
days of Total Fire Ban
Firearms are prohibited
Wildlife feeding and handling is
not permitted
Dogs and other pets are not
permitted in the Park
Observe parking signs and park
gate closing times
Horse Riding Code
Responsibilities of Riders
Stay on roads and obey signs
What do I need to know?
• Respect and ensure the safety of other park
users and yourself by riding at a safe speed.
Horses are permitted only on designated riding
tracks. Some tracks are subject to seasonal
closure to prevent damage, so please obey
closure signs. It is a good idea to check with the
local managers (eg Parks Victoria) to find out
about any closures or limitations before you ride.
• Study the map overleaf to see the tracks you
are permitted to ride on.
Abide by any other regulations
• Tracks may be closed at any time,
particularly during winter when they are
slippery and the risk to horses and track
erosion is high.
In summer check for fire regulations. Do not ride
within forest areas on days of Total Fire Ban.
Respect the rights of others
Other users have the same rights as you, so let
them go about their activities without interference.
If you meet walkers
If you come across walkers, announce your
presence, give them right of way and slow down
as you pass.
Stay away from wet, muddy areas
Muddy areas are very prone to damage. The
tracks you leave behind channel the water when it
rains and this leads to erosion.
Respect the surrounding environment
Avoid galloping where environmental damage
would be increased or pedestrians endangered.
Report cases of severe or worsening
environmental damage by horses.
Do not enter any picnic areas
Horses are not permitted within any formed picnic
areas. Horses should be tethered away from
these areas.
Responsibilities of Clubs
Obtain permit
A permit is required if undertaking a planned ride
through Parks Victoria land. This must be carried
with you on the ride as it must be produced if
requested to by a Parks Victoria staff person
Provide ongoing education
Educate members in regard to proper horse-riding
practices in natural areas and the bush code of
ethics.
Report any environmental damage
Propose improvements to the land managers in
regard to environmental care and, in consultation,
arrange for alternative areas for riding to help
minimise environmental impact while maintaining
the enjoyment of riders.
• Keep to the designated tracks following the
brown marker and avoid cutting corners or
riding off track.
• Horses are not permitted on “walking only”
tracks or in any of the picnic areas.
• Ensure that you follow National Park
regulations.
• Always wear a helmet and follow the ‘Horse
Riding Code’. This code applies to any type
of horse riding in the bush. Copies are
available from the Parks Victoria Information
Centre on 13 1963.
• Check all your gear before you leave home.
• Ride under control at all times.
• Ensure that all horses in your party are
walking quietly when passing others on
tracks.
• Horses found straying will be impounded.
• Where possible, limit your group to 10
horses or less. This reduces damage to the
environment.
• If you are planning a ride with 10 or more
horses you will require a permit.
• Permits are required from Parks Victoria for
major events and for the use of event
markers. For permit enquiries please
contact the Parks Victoria Information
Centre on 13 1963.
Weed free horse food
Your horse’s food could contain seeds from
weeds that can spread rapidly through the
National Park.
If you are feeding your horse within the National
Park you must use a nosebag and clean up any
spilt feed. Only weed-free feeds such as clean
lucerne, chaff and cracked grain or pellets are to
be used in the park.
For an extended ride (more than 3 to 4 hours
through public land) begin using weed free food
up to 4 days before starting the ride.
Watering or washing of horses in streams or dams
is not permitted. Horses are not to be tethered
within 30 metres of streams. When tethering your
horse use posts or rails where provided or larger
trees. Use wide leads (webbing) to tether, as
narrow twine and rope can damage trees.