Dandenong Ranges walk Stage one Gembrook to Emerald and back 13km

### 🥾 Dandenong Ranges Trail – Stage 1 Hike: Gembrook to Cockatoo Return (~13km)

📅 Saturday 5 July 🕙 Meet at 10:00am | 🚶 Depart by 10:15am sharp
Join us for the first stage of the 72km Dandenong Ranges Walk, starting from the historic train town of Gembrook and heading to Cockatoo and back.
🌄 What to Expect:

• Easy-to-moderate terrain (open farmland and gentle inclines)
• Follows the iconic Puffing Billy train line for scenic views
• Stops include charming Maple Ridge and Cockatoo township
• Lunch break in Cockatoo (BYO or grab something at the bakery/café)
• Return walk along the same route

🚆 Trail highlights include lush views across Mt Donna Buang, forest fringes, and meaningful reflection spaces—perfect for Sabbath rest and refreshment.
📍 Meeting Point: Near Gembrook Station (details shared prior) 🎒 Bring water, lunch/snacks, layers for winter weather, and sturdy walking shoes.

**Let’s hike, chat, reflect, and enjoy creation together. Hope to see you there! Be sure to upload your walk photos or trails to club.hiking.org.au**

#### Getting There

Puffing Billy. Easily the best way to reach Gembrook is to use the beautiful Puffing Billy train from Belgrave. The journey takes 1 hour 50 minutes and takes you through beautiful native forest and over the iconic Monbulk Creek trestle bridge. Suburban trains travel to Belgrave (see below) and the Puffing Billy station is adjacent to the suburban station so it is an easy way to travel. Puffing Billy runs every day of the year except Christmas Day but the timetable does vary depending on the time of year and other activities the train does. See the Puffing Billy website for full details and bookings. We recommend booking in advance, particularly in peak season as tickets can sell out.
Suburban Train. Electric trains depart regularly from Melbourne city to Belgrave. The journey takes up 1 hour 15 minutes and takes you from the busy city centre out through the sprawling eastern suburbs,. finishing in the foothills of the Dandenongs at Belgrave. You can use the train and then link in with Puffing Billy or public bus to reach Gembrook. See the PTV website for timetables and details.
Bus. Three bus services end at Gembrook. Probably the most useful is the bus that departs regularly from Belgrave Station and travels via Emerald & Cockatoo. You can take the train from Melbourne City to Belgrave then transfer to the bus. Other buses available are one. from Pakenham Station and another from Fountain Gate Shopping Centre which goes via Dandenong, Emerald & Cockatoo.

#### Along The Trail

If you find you want to get in or out of the trail part way between Gembrook and Emerald the following options are available:
Puffing Billy. Puffing Billy stops at Cockatoo and Emerald Lake Park providing a way in or out of the walk at these points. See the Puffing Billy website for full details and bookings.
Bus. For much of this section the trail stays quite close to Belgrave-Gembrook Rd so there are plenty of opportunities to access a bus. See the PTV website for timetables and details. You could catch a bus to or from the following points:

• 3.6km Maple Ridge - bus stop here.
• 4.5km Fielder Station - bus stop at the corner of Fielder Rd and Belgrave-Gembrook Rd.
• 5.4km-6.2km - along Belgrave-Gembrook Rd there are a couple of bus stops.
• 6.2km Cockatoo - there is a bus stop on the main street.