Lilydale–Warburton Rail Trail
About this page
An easy train ride from anywhere in the Greater Melbourne Area, public transit and a metcard can get you to Lilydale and the start of this great rail trail.
A great ride close to Melbourne
The 38km Lilydale–Warburton Rail Trail is an ideal vehicle-free space for taking the family for a bike ride, walking the dog or exercising your horse.
![\"\"](\"http://www.bv.com.au/file/inform/cyclist-and-treesWeb.jpg\")
Considered one of Australia’s best Rail Trails, it travels from the outskirts of the Melbourne suburbs through a bushy corridor to come out into an open rural landscape with picturesque views of the Yarra Ranges in the distance.
You can do sections or the entire trail in a day or make a weekend of it and stay overnight in Warburton before riding back the next day.
Check for updates on recent works and issues affecting the Lilydale–Warburton Rail Trail.
Trail surface
The trail suits all kinds of riders and all kinds of bikes. The Lilydale–Millgrove section has a well-compacted, fine gravel surface and the last 3km to Warburton is sealed.
Getting there
There are two main ways most riders get to the trail.
One is by car. Riders often use Mt. Evelyn as a jumping off point for a ride. There is ample parking around the Mt Evelyn Station site. This puts the total ride distance to Warburton at about 30km.
Taking the train to Lilydale Station is an easy and accessible option. The trail can be picked up a short way to the Northeast of the station near St. Patrick\'s Catholic School (Melway ref 38 F3) and then following it around past Mt. Lilydale Mercy College (Melway ref 38 G2, G3) where the trail diverts around the school for the time being, but is easily noticeable. South of the school it picks up the regular trail again and continues clearly towards Maroondah Highway.
At Maroondah Highway, there is currently a gap in the trail (Melway ref 38 G4). Riders at this point will need to make their way either Northeast along the Highway for the nearest signalized crossing at Nelson Rd/Goodall Dr or Southwest to Anderson St to avoid the much less palatable, yet direct, option of crossing six lanes of traffic at the site of the trail.
There will be a bridge constructed over the Maroondah Highway to connect the of the trail to Lilydale Station and fill in this gap. As of January 2009, the Bridge is fully funded and awaiting processing of construction permits.
![\"\"](\"http://www.bv.com.au/file/inform/Cyclist-and-hills-in-distan.jpg\")
Where to eat, drink and stay
Thanks to The Age newspaper for providing many of these references.
Stop into the Cog Bike Cafe in Mt. Evelyn for a coffee and a muffin, and pick up a hire bike if needed to start your ride to Warburton. Staff can assist with bike repairs and tune-ups as well, which is a handy service to say the least.
The Wild Thyme Cafe (3391 Warburton Highway) and Patchwork Tea House (3305 Warburton Highway) in Warburton are attractive destinations for filling up after a long ride.
Those hankering for a gourmet experience can stop off at Les Chesselles at Mont De Lancey french restaurant in Wandin. Les Chesselles also hosts a farmers market and sells wines and produce through its shop.
Speaking of wines, the Lilydale-Warburton trail is well served by the cellar doors of many Yarra Ranges vinyards, such as Lillydale Estate and Wild Cattle Creek Vinyard, among many others, including Les Chesselles as mentioned above.
For the more do-it-yourself crowd Tommy Finns Trout Farm on Warburton Highway in Warburton provides fresh catch for passers-by, while Wild About Fruit also in Wandin offers a range of fresh fruit and produce.
After tiring out from all that riding and stocking up on provisions along the way, Warburton has plenty of rest options on offer, from the ritzy Magnolia Country Retreat Bed and Breakfast to the more basic Warburton Caravan Park.
Things to do and see
For those not satisfied with just enjoying the scenery along the ride, or the wide range of food and refreshment options on offer there is still plenty else to do.
Interested in the history of the old rail line you\'re riding? Stop into the Upper Yarra Museum on Sundays - perhaps on the ride back to Lilydale after staying the night in Warburton - for a look.
More of a film buff? The Upper Yarra Arts Centre at 3409 Warburton Highway shows a range of movies throughout the year.
Sport and physical pursuits more your style (as if riding the trail weren\'t enough!)? Play a quick nine holes (or more) at the Warburton Golf Club, try to hit the bullseye at the Yarra Valley Archery Park in Launching Place or continue on past the end of the trail to Mount Donna Buang for walking tracks in the summer and snowsports in the winter, with the Skywalk as an additional drawcard.
Fancy a chance to massage that ride out of those legs? Warburton Wellbeing at 3392 Warburton Highway makes for an ideal target stop at the end of the trail.
Other notes
Bikes and horses
The Lilydale–Warburton Rail Trail is a multi use trail that can be very busy especially on a weekend. The trail is used by walkers, cyclist and horse riders. Please ring your bell to alert the horse and rider of your approach and ride slowly until you pass the horse.
Volunteers on the rail trail
If you are riding along the rail trail and come across people in lime green safety vests they will either be members of the Warburton Rail Trail Board of Management or Friends of the Trail doing volunteer maintenance on the trail. Their vehicles will also be identified with signage. Please be prepared to slow down and pass with caution.
Receive a free monthly newsletter as a friend of Bicycle Victoria
![\"\"](\"/file/image/Publications/Bike%20Map%20Cover%20170pix.jpg\")