Tree Fern Gully Track
Tree Fern Gully Track
4
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4.0
39 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
20
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
1
moonriverguy
west bridgewater, ma113 contributions
Nov 2011 • Friends
T his fun track is known as "One Thousand Steps" by the locals. The track is challenging, but you will see people of all ages, older, younger kids, and people of all physical conditions, athletes, runners, non-athletes etc on the track climbing the 1000 Steps. The reason for this is you can go at your own pace and take as long as you want. You will also see athletes, both men and women running up the steps because it it such a great workout.
The walk uphill to the steps is also very challenging for some people. If you go with a group and someone doesn't think they want to climp, he or she can wait at the bottom of the steps.
At the top there isn't a view. The attraction is the 1000 Steps and the good feeling you have upon completion. There are additional trails at the top of the steps for those who want to hike further too.
So seek this out. It's an activity that the locals enjoy and it's free!
The walk uphill to the steps is also very challenging for some people. If you go with a group and someone doesn't think they want to climp, he or she can wait at the bottom of the steps.
At the top there isn't a view. The attraction is the 1000 Steps and the good feeling you have upon completion. There are additional trails at the top of the steps for those who want to hike further too.
So seek this out. It's an activity that the locals enjoy and it's free!
Written 5 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luke G
Highett, Australia58 contributions
Quite a busy place, even on a Thursday!
But it was a good track and a good workout. Takes around 25 mins to get to the top. I would encourage people to do it even if not very fit, just take your time.
The picnic area on the hill is very nice too for a break, lots of wildlife around!
Take the longer track when you go down, it's a very nice walk and will extend your workout!
But it was a good track and a good workout. Takes around 25 mins to get to the top. I would encourage people to do it even if not very fit, just take your time.
The picnic area on the hill is very nice too for a break, lots of wildlife around!
Take the longer track when you go down, it's a very nice walk and will extend your workout!
Written 12 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jstosh
Melbourne, Australia61 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
Coming here for a picnic? No worries... shelters & BBQs available (but get in early, they are occupied quite quickly), new modern public toilets. Good childrens playground, an interesting memorial and photographic display about the history of the Kokoda track, and you may get lucky and see a wallaby or other local wildlife. You can burn off the picnic food by walking along the first section of Tree Fern Gully Track which is a mix of paved and gravel path, or walk the first bit of the adjacent Lyrebird track which now has modern evenly-spaced steps along one side of the track.
Coming here to work out? Head straight up the track to the beginning of the '1000 steps' (properly known as the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk). If you are really fit, stop at the fitness stations along the way and try your luck with the displayed exercises. But as a mark of respect please take the time to read the bronze plaques along the track, as they explain what happened in history at that equivalent section on the actual Kokoda track in Papua New Guinea during WWII.
Car parking is under close scrutiny by parking inspectors and police so do pay attention to signs.
Overall an interesting and natural environment. Great place to bring visitors.
Coming here to work out? Head straight up the track to the beginning of the '1000 steps' (properly known as the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk). If you are really fit, stop at the fitness stations along the way and try your luck with the displayed exercises. But as a mark of respect please take the time to read the bronze plaques along the track, as they explain what happened in history at that equivalent section on the actual Kokoda track in Papua New Guinea during WWII.
Car parking is under close scrutiny by parking inspectors and police so do pay attention to signs.
Overall an interesting and natural environment. Great place to bring visitors.
Written 27 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GenkiSudo1
Melbourne, Australia2,290 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
I'm an ultra marathoner and I come to the 1000steps about once a week and do 6 rounds of the steps. First of all there aren't 1000steps - there are about 770steps. Even if you're quite fit don't underestimate the challenge of the steps - it will get the heart rate 'maxing out' especially the top 20%. The steps are a beautiful place to challenge the heart but be warned I recommend you be of at least average weight and average fitness to do it. I've seen quite a few 'obese' walkers totally struggling up the steps and who for their own safety should lose some serious weight before they even think about attempting 'the steps'. (There's a reason there are 2 ambulance bays at the base of the climb outside park HQ!)
Because the 1000steps are becoming so popular, particularly on weekends, I think they are going to have to make the steps oneway (^UP^) and down via Lyrebird Track and run it in an anticlockwise direction.
No running on the steps at any time! Although ParksVic have placed big, bold signs pointing this out people continue to run on the steps - don't do it!
Lack of rubbish bins. This is a purely 'carry in carry out' park - there are no bins provided. Probably explains why so much rubbish gets dumped here and there. Can't see why such a popular park couldn't have at least one big bin at the bottom outside park HQ. The only bin I can see (a big mini plastic 'dumpster') is locked.
Because the 1000steps are becoming so popular, particularly on weekends, I think they are going to have to make the steps oneway (^UP^) and down via Lyrebird Track and run it in an anticlockwise direction.
No running on the steps at any time! Although ParksVic have placed big, bold signs pointing this out people continue to run on the steps - don't do it!
Lack of rubbish bins. This is a purely 'carry in carry out' park - there are no bins provided. Probably explains why so much rubbish gets dumped here and there. Can't see why such a popular park couldn't have at least one big bin at the bottom outside park HQ. The only bin I can see (a big mini plastic 'dumpster') is locked.
Written 19 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dudeinnz
Christchurch, New Zealand27 contributions
What a cardio workout!
If I can do it so can you!
Take some water with you, you going to need it. It was challenging, being overweight (105kgs). Bit tough on the knees, though good for a fat burning workout.
If I can do it so can you!
Take some water with you, you going to need it. It was challenging, being overweight (105kgs). Bit tough on the knees, though good for a fat burning workout.
Written 15 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
noralabbas
Portland, OR78 contributions
July 2013 • Friends
What a great way to get away from the city in Melbourne and get an amazing workout. The Tree Fern Gully Track has a pathway up a mountain consisting of 1,000 stairs. You can either use that same way down, or take another, wider path with the option of stairs or a dirt path. The park also had other running trails, historical signs and information about the Kokoda warriors, fitness tips, and a cafe and bbq areas by the car parks. I'd go every weekend if I lived here, can be a little crowded though.
Written 9 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LillyGorey
Warrnambool, Australia206 contributions
Don't follow the link on trip advisor or you'll end up no where near here. Luckily with some local directions we found it. Obviously used as a fitness track by locals. Worth the effort to complete. Quite strenuous & not really for any very unfit people
Written 14 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simone P
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia102 contributions
Jan 2013 • Couples
Known by locals as the "Kokoda Trail, 1000 Steps" Worth a try if you are a local or travelling to the Dandenong Ranges. Quite challenging even for the fittest people. I am not that fit and the achievement of making it to the top was fantastic. I was shocked at how many people actually do it. I expected to go there and it be maybe a few people but there are kids, parents and elderly doing it and some people even going three or four times. I liked it that there was a designated side for people going up and for people going down which prevents any chaos. I also really liked you could go at your own pace as I stopped a few times as did some other people but nobody seemed to mind. It is an incredibly good workout but also a bit of a fun challenge. There is also a nice view from the top. There are other trails which you can take from the top which is a nice option. All up took me about 20 minutes to go up and 20 minutes to go down. Best bit is that its free.
Written 5 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
peter1638
Melbourne, Australia231 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
What a beautiful part of Melbourne, just one hours drive from the CBD in the Dandenong ranges national park. This climb is not for all as the 1000 steps (known as the Kakoda track) are step and slippery, the views and experience are well worth the physical pain. There are water fountains too and bottom and a cafe in the car park. Be prepared to get hot and sticky as the climb really increases the heart rate. Don’t rush to the toilets as the cleaners don’t know that the seats need to be cleaned top and underneath. Allow 80 minutes for the return trip.
Written 3 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ccl_1978
Bendigo, Australia716 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
Came here on the school holidays about 9.30 and while there was lots of cars and people here already we easily got a park.
Walked the steep hill to the bottom of the steps - probably about 15 minutes from the car park to the actual 1000 steps.
The walk was quite challenging - lots of opportunities to stop along the way and we saw lots of body shapes, sizes and ages doing the walk - one thing we all had in common - on the way up the steps, everyone was puffing. I exercise five days a week and got quite sweaty and my heart rate got up and it was not a hot day.
The views along the way up were really nice, we also got to see a female lyre bird. When we finished the track there was not anything special about the views, but reading on here it seems there was nice views if we had continued on another ten minutes or so.
Much easier on the way down!
I would recommend this walk and if I lived nearby I would do it regularly as a fitness thing.
Walked the steep hill to the bottom of the steps - probably about 15 minutes from the car park to the actual 1000 steps.
The walk was quite challenging - lots of opportunities to stop along the way and we saw lots of body shapes, sizes and ages doing the walk - one thing we all had in common - on the way up the steps, everyone was puffing. I exercise five days a week and got quite sweaty and my heart rate got up and it was not a hot day.
The views along the way up were really nice, we also got to see a female lyre bird. When we finished the track there was not anything special about the views, but reading on here it seems there was nice views if we had continued on another ten minutes or so.
Much easier on the way down!
I would recommend this walk and if I lived nearby I would do it regularly as a fitness thing.
Written 13 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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