Sugarloaf Reservoir Park
Sugarloaf Reservoir Park
4.5
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Sugarloaf Reservoir Park - located in the Christmas Hills north-east of Melbourne – is a tranquil setting for a picnic or a stroll near the reservoir shores, offering wonderful views across the water. There are opportunities for bush walking, bird watching, sightseeing, sailing and shoreline fishing. For the energetic, there is a 15km walk that circumnavigates the reservoir. Why not have a picnic at Ridge or Saddle Dam picnic area overlooking the reservoir? The park has toilet facilities accessible for those with limited mobility at both picnic areas. Visit one of the many lookouts or try the walking trails. Wildlife on the walking tracks is abundant and diverse; you may see Wedge-tailed Eagles, Black-tailed Wallabies, Echidnas, Kangaroos and more. Shoreline fishing is allowed in specifically designated areas during park hours. Sugarloaf Reservoir is located on Simpson Road (via Eltham – Yarra Glen Road) in Christmas Hills. Gates open at 8.30am and close at 7.00pm during daylight saving. Outside of daylight savings, the park closes at 5.00pm.
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4.5
27 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
11
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
The Wandering Reviewer
Melbourne, Australia12,232 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
A lovely place to visit if you’re heading out the Yarra Glen way. Nice drive into the park. Please obey speed limits as there is wildlife around. Also, no dogs allowed.
There are a couple of spots to stop and have a picnic. The first picnic area has bbq’s and shelters and toilets and tables. Nice continue further along the dam to Saddle Dam Picnic Area. Here there is a large shelter with plenty of picnic tables and toilets but no bbq’s. You’d need to BYO portable one.
No bins here so take your rubbish home. We collected a bag of rubbish left behind and brought it back and put in our own bin.
Fishing is allowed but there are specific rules so read the signs.
No boating, waterskiing, swimming etc. However, there are some nice walking tracks. Also saw quite a few cyclists here.
The day we visited a massive storm cell was brewing from the east and heading west which is unusual for the area.
Wheelchair friendly. Kid friendly. Plenty of parking.
There are a couple of spots to stop and have a picnic. The first picnic area has bbq’s and shelters and toilets and tables. Nice continue further along the dam to Saddle Dam Picnic Area. Here there is a large shelter with plenty of picnic tables and toilets but no bbq’s. You’d need to BYO portable one.
No bins here so take your rubbish home. We collected a bag of rubbish left behind and brought it back and put in our own bin.
Fishing is allowed but there are specific rules so read the signs.
No boating, waterskiing, swimming etc. However, there are some nice walking tracks. Also saw quite a few cyclists here.
The day we visited a massive storm cell was brewing from the east and heading west which is unusual for the area.
Wheelchair friendly. Kid friendly. Plenty of parking.
Written 19 January 2020
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.
BigTravelBugs
Surrey Hills, Australia133 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Walked the 15km trek today (not 18km per signage?) Fabulous orange markers made it clear. We are in our 50’s and did it in about 3 hours, however we didn’t stop any where apart from a quick drink of water. Bring your own as no taps. If you leave from Sugarloaf (furthest car park) and head east the largest hill climb is about 1/3 of the way in. A few fallen trees to walk around or over or under. My app said we had completed “72 floors” at the end. Other smaller ups and downs. Great views and can see the dam most of the way. Highly recommended.
Written 18 January 2020
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.
AdventuresofAT
Melbourne, Australia53 contributions
June 2017 • Couples
We started the hike at Saddle Dam carpark and walked in a clockwise fashion in the circuit walk around the reservoir. Overall the walk paths were extremely well looked after and also there were very clear orange stick and arrow signs to indicate where to walk. We saw lots of birds and kangaroos and hardly any hikers. At the east side of the walk, we even had a view of the Melbourne city. I recommend good shoes, walking in a clockwise fashion and bringing 2 litres of water with you if you plan to do the walk as there is no drinking water available around the track. Overall it took us 4 hours to hike around but we were walking quickly with a short break of 15 mins in this easy to medium level walk.
Written 25 June 2017
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.
travelsnapz
Melbourne, Australia29 contributions
July 2017 • Family
No dogs, so we had to go home! Couldn't find anything on the website before our visit, but there are heaps of signs up.
Written 7 July 2017
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.
The Wandering Reviewer
Melbourne, Australia12,232 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
Sugarloaf Reservoir was developed by Melbourne Water during the late 1970s to help supplement Melbourne’s domestic water supply. Unlike many other reservoirs, which draw their water directly from protected forested catchments, Sugarloaf is fed by the Maroondah Aqueduct and Yarra River via the Sugarloaf pipeline. Upon leaving the reservoir, water is treated at the Winneke Water Treatment, before distribution to Melbourne.Heads up - no dogs allowed!! My friend brought her dog and she had to scoot home and drop it there as she didn't want to leave it in the car (hot day). The park is extensive and there are set areas to picnic.
There is a local sailing club here and you might be lucky enough to watch them do their thing on the lake. You may see the eastern grey kangaroos and black-tailed wallabies that live throughout the park. If you lucky enough you may even see an echidna on waddling through the bush on or one of the walking tracks
Please bring your own water because I couldn't find any. Take your rubbish with you as well. Heaps of parking. Toilets good. Wheelchair friendly. You can fish here but get a licence.
Open 8.30am to 5pm daily and 7pm during daylight saving times.
There is a local sailing club here and you might be lucky enough to watch them do their thing on the lake. You may see the eastern grey kangaroos and black-tailed wallabies that live throughout the park. If you lucky enough you may even see an echidna on waddling through the bush on or one of the walking tracks
Please bring your own water because I couldn't find any. Take your rubbish with you as well. Heaps of parking. Toilets good. Wheelchair friendly. You can fish here but get a licence.
Open 8.30am to 5pm daily and 7pm during daylight saving times.
Written 13 March 2017
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.
Andrew L
Hurstbridge, Australia145 contributions
Nov 2018
A man made treasure. Our water managers get it so right with their dams and reservoirs. The park land here is set amongst the foot hills of the Yarra Valley Nillumbik Shire. Nice picnic bbq areas with shade and ample parking. Plenty of tracks, sail boating and a fishing area (You can’t use bait here. Only lures). Marvel at the structure of the dam wall or just take in the serenity.
Written 12 November 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.
tonip09
Da Nang, Vietnam214 contributions
Feb 2018
We set off believing what we'd read on the internet that the hike was 15 km. Guess what? Markers at two main entrances/exits from the walk state it is 18 km. If you start the walk from Saddle Dam picnic area and walk anti-clockwise, you'll climb the worst of the two inclines in the first 1/3 of the walk. It's a pretty steep, gravely hill. The second hill further on isn't so steep - but a hill nonetheless. Just stop and rest anywhere along the route. The designated rest spots/parking areas are in the last 3 km of the walk near the dam wall. A couple of toilets are provided en route.
Written 4 March 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.
Odette F
Melbourne, Australia145 contributions
Mar 2017
Firstly you should know that dogs are not allowed. I checked the website the day before going as I was taking my dog and there was no mention of dogs not allowed. When we got to the entry gate, there was a sign no dogs. I wasn't impressed and had travelled about 40 minutes to get there. We drove in the park and sat at the tables looking over the dam near the car park, had our picnic and then left as we were conscious that we had our fur baby with us. Unfortunately I wasn't able to relax and take in the surrounds.
Written 6 March 2017
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.
CarolynNoel
Melbourne, Australia190 contributions
July 2015 • Friends
I live not far from Sugarloaf Damn (what we locals call it). My kids first learnt to ride their bikes here then a little later it was a flat place to learn to roller blade much later it was the place they all first got behind the wheel of a car. The picnic areas are extensive and there are BBQ facilities, shelter sheds and public toilets. The 3D map and display about the water and pumping station - part of Melbourne's Water supply is interesting and informative. You can fish here but not for fish that live on the bottom of the water because of the gold history in the area. All in all a great family picnic spot. There is a sailing club on the other side of the lake so you can see catamarans and small sail craft like sabers and mirrors on the dam on the weekends. Sat is race day. You need to be a member to take part but the fees are not that expensive, they will teach you how to sail and even lend you a boat...check it out if you want a new hobby.
Written 19 July 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.
Peter M
Melbourne, Australia70 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
We'll maintained park. Clean facilities. Plenty of areas to visit and have a fish if you like. Plenty of parking and not far from the city.
Written 11 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.
Can you please confirm that dogs are NOT allowed. Looking at going Australia day for a picnic.
Also are there bbq facilities. ???
Written 21 January 2017
Parks Victoria
Melbourne, Australia
Hi Jenny G,
Thanks for checking - you're right, dogs are not permitted in Sugarload Reservoir Park.
Ironbark Ridge picnic area has two double hotplate gas barbecues under shelter. Wood barbecues are also provided (with wood supplied). Saddle Dam picnic area has no barbecue facilities.
There are no rubbish bins in the park, please take your rubbish with you.
For more info, check the Parks Victoria website, or call the Parks Victoria information centre on 13 1963
Written 22 January 2017
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