We had thought about a trip to Marysville for a long time since the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires had swept through the town and surrounding countryside. In the end we decided an end of summer weekend trip while the weather was warm would be good. Getting there proved a little hair raising as the road over the Black Spur is very narrow in places and taking a caravan along the narrow road left no room for error and a strong wish not to be met by a wide timber truck coming in the opposite direction. Having negotiated the drive we settled into our site at Marysville Holiday Park with its well set up amenities block and a narrow part of the Steavenson River flowing through part of the park.

Whilst in Marysville we planned to do a few of the many walks in the area. However they had to be dog friendly walks. We couldn’t walk in the Yarra Ranges National Park and not the walk at Marysville’s most popular attraction, Steavenson Falls either. After a visit to the Tourist Information Centre and a chat with a very friendly and knowledgeable staff member we set off on our first walk along the Gilberts Gully Trail.

Gilberts Gully Trail, Marysville

It was a loop trail and easy walking with a few short climbs along a gravel path.

Lyrebird symbols ensured you stayed on the trail but we couldn’t see how you could get lost even if it hadn’t been signposted so well.

The landscape was well treed with lots of eucalyptus towering over lower growing plants. Not much was flowering apart from the Cassinias with their cream flowers.

We were back at our starting point within half an hour, ready to hit the bakery and stock up with lunch supplies.

Keppel Lookout Trail

After lunch we drove out along a gravel road to the trailhead of our second walk, Keppel’s Lookout. It was only a short drive from town.

A longer walk all the way to Steavenson Falls could also be started from the carpark here we noted.

Again the marked trail was easy to follow.

Splashes of yellow brightened the walk but most plants were not in bloom, perhaps a spring visit next time would be better.

Good views were available without much effort.

As we had the trail to ourselves (and Mel isn’t much of a photographer, being a dog) we took a quick selfie

before heading back to the car for the short dirt road drive back to town.

You can read more about our weekend based in Marysville next post.