Comments on: Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail

By: Sean C.

Sean C. — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 10:42:33 +0000

I took a Tuesday off to enjoy the late spring sunny weather and ride the EDRT from Menzies Creek to Gembrook and back. The previous fortnight saw a bit of rain so I wasn't sure what condition the trail surfaces would be in, but with the route map in my Garmin and 54mm gravel tyres on my old MTB I felt ready for most circumstances. Overall I had a lovely day out and really enjoyed the EDRT. In most places the signage was really good and so were the trail surfaces, including when descending and ascending the 2 steep sections other riders have mentioned, as the erosion mounds are doing their job. It was a glorious sunny day with a slight cooling breeze, a few walkers and dogs out but no other cyclists on the trail. There was some huffing & puffing up hills, a lunch stop at the Gembrook bakery, beautiful scenery, lots of waves from Puffing Billy passengers – 36km ridden, around 4 hours in total. My thanks to the many people & organisations who maintain & improve the EDRT – great job!

By: Wolter K.

Wolter K. — Sun, 18 May 2025 04:37:07 +0000

RT31 Rode the EDRT again on Friday, to have a look at the work done by Parks Victoria on those two steep sections leaving Wright Forest. There are now erosion mounds and a much smoother surface in this area. It's still steep but the mounds give you a chance to slow down (back brake) without skidding. Will have to wait until after rain to see how it holds out. You can exit onto sealed and quiet Bailey Rd (no bike lanes) to make your way into cockatoo but that involves a bit of a climb

By: Wolter K.

Wolter K. — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 04:24:47 +0000

In reply to Heather R.. Hi again Heather, I visited the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail yesterday, particularly the section through Wright Forest Bushland Reserve and am pleased to report that there's been a major upgrade on the section on Boundary Tk that you found challenging. The surface has been relaid as far as the church, with fine gravel and erosion mounds installed to reduce the washouts that occur in heavy rain. In addition, the access points have been "eased" to allow more people to access the reserve. Be that as it may, the hill remains steep, although the erosion mounds give you a chance for a breather if you are pushing up it on the way back. Having spoken to Parks Victoria's district manager, we are encouraging people who struggle to use the sealed Baker St halfway down as an alternative to get to the shared path along Bailey Rd into Cockatoo.

By: Wolter K.

Wolter K. — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 22:46:43 +0000

Hi Heather,
Sorry you did not enjoy the EDRT, which we do not describe as a rail trail but as a railside path. We've added a more prominent warning on the webpage for the section you describe. I understand there has been an effort to ease some of the chicanes but surface degradation remains a problem. We've placed a call with Parks Victoria to see if we can get some improvement before winter.

By: Heather R.

Heather R. — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 21:52:03 +0000

We did this rail trail yesterday from Emerald Lake to Gembrook. The signage for the most part was really good, better than some of the rail trails we’ve been on, just lacking as you come into Cockatoo. However read the rail trail website and worked it out. Views and scenery were lovely.
The trail going down 2 steep inclines after Wrights Track was quite dangerous and not really suitable for beginners. Lots of deep crevices, large stones and no even surface for our e-bikes. Even pushing the bikes back up the hill on our way back was a challenge. These need to be graded and maintained for safety. Many of the chicanes at the roads are so tight that even walking a bike through was a challenge. There’s a part of the trail, a stoney path (looks new), that runs beside a dirt road and it’s only about 2 feet wide right on the edge of guttering and bush the other side, if someone was coming the other way there is no way you’d see them.
We’ve been on quite a few rail trails and we definitely won’t be doing this one again.

By: nick p.

nick p. — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 00:20:49 +0000

In reply to Anne M.. Hi Anne M. You can get closer to the line, particularly Emerald to Lakeside, by following through Nobelius nursery (public land now) and you can virtually follow the line past Nobelius Station which is an enjoyable departure from the denoted track map and you can easily reconnect (to the trail) on the outbound side of Emerald Lake (down the hill) from Lakeside Station. The gardens and museum, when open, (at Nobelius) are a nice stop too.

By: nick p.

nick p. — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 23:57:34 +0000

Yep, signage. I am a one time 'hills' resident and found the lack of signage tough. Cardinia Shire don't need to go to a lot of expense with the large EDRT boards they do have displayed from time to time at path entries just the pole and 'red' EDRT std street signs. Challenge areas are: Emerald Lake area (incl Nobelius Nursery), Cockatoo and to nav your way through Wright Forest Bushland Reserve as there are several tracks through there that will keep you off the main roads, but all are of a challenging gardient and not suitable for road/hybrid (as a general guide). Some POI signage for the Wrights Trestle (Blue Tk) off the main Wright track and the Cockatoo Trestle (Tetratheka Tk) off Boaundary Tk. They are worth a look if you are into that. For all riders recognise also now that this area is part of greater Melb metro and it will be very busy on w/e's and in nice weather and the track is narrow in parts. Lots of dog walkers and fams enjoying the tk also, which is wonderful. Patience, a bell ring and a TY as you pass is welcomed by the locals for sure. Yep, a couple of the crossings are tight with panniers but don't let that detract from what is one of the better and adventurous tracks you can enjoy in close prox to Melb. A couple of regular letters to the respective ward councillors at Cardinia CC , Wolter and we will see if our tenacity wins the day (eventually).

By: Wolter K.

Wolter K. — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 03:56:53 +0000

In reply to Richard D.. Hi Richard, You are not the only one who has struggled with the lack of signage on both sides of Emerald and the absence of a marked path through the town (see Graham Jennings' comments directly below). Cardinia Shire Council tells me they "are aware of the issue", which partly stems from the fact that the trail originally started on the eastern side of town and went only as far as Cockatoo (where the signage is also limited). Are you aware that RTA members can download the rides onto their phone? It will track your location on our map. We appreciate your determination

By: Richard D.

Richard D. — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 08:39:42 +0000

We are busy touring Victoria riding all the rail trail – completed the 3 Northern ones – and as we are staying in Gembrook we rode the East Dandenong Ranges Rail trail from Gembrook and tried to get to Clematis – however we gave up at Emerald after many missed turns and total lack of signage. In all the trails we have ridden so far this has got to be the worst in terms of signage – in many cases there are just none. Trying to get from Emerald Lake back to the rail trail to get to Clematis was impossible. There is a great big sign announcing the trail but absolutely no sign saying where to go. Before Emerald there is a critical right hand turn that needs to be taken – but Jo signs lead you along Boundary Rd to nowhere.
It is a lovely ride but very very frustrating. Will try again as I have found a gps track I will try to follow.

By: Wolter K.

Wolter K. — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 09:49:11 +0000

In reply to Graham J..

Hi Graham,
Thanks for leaving a review and sorry that the experience wasn't quite what you anticipated. We've seen people who've rented e-bikes at Lakes Station and struggled to get as far as McBride Rd in Cockatoo. With the 800m extension of the trail through Clematis you can see more rider-friendly “chicanes” at road crossings but there are still two crossings of busy Belgrave=Gembrook Rd (C412) on either side of Emerald without traffic controls and no clear route through the railyard. The Cardinia Shire council says it is "aware of the issue" but we understand the main road is administered by the Department of Transport. The shire council has done a great job on the new section and we would anticipate improved signage (including replacement of the old Emerald-Cockatoo Trail signs) in the near future.