Cardinia Reservoir Park

Cardinia Reservoir Park will be closed from April the 7th, 2026, until approximately June the 16th, 2026, to enable Melbourne Water to safely undertake extensive works within the park. Works involve felling and removal of several large pine trees infested with Pine Scale. The Park must be closed in order for these works to be undertaken safely.

Cardinia Reservoir Park is one of the largest and most scenic recreational reserves on the outskirts of the Dandenong Ranges. Located near the town of Emerald, about an hour east of Melbourne, the park offers wide open green spaces, peaceful walking tracks and impressive views across one of Melbourne’s key water storage reservoirs. It is a popular destination for families, picnickers and nature lovers looking to enjoy a relaxing day surrounded by natural scenery.

The reservoir itself plays an important role in supplying drinking water to Melbourne. Completed in the mid-twentieth century, the dam forms a vast lake that stretches across the valley and is surrounded by rolling grassy hills and native bushland. While the reservoir is not open for boating or fishing because it serves the city’s water supply, the surrounding parkland offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation.

One of the main attractions of Cardinia Reservoir Park is its expansive picnic grounds. Several designated picnic areas are spread throughout the park, many of which are equipped with barbecues, tables and shelters. These areas are perfect for family gatherings, casual lunches, or simply enjoying the quiet atmosphere of the countryside. Visitors can often spot kangaroos grazing on the open lawns, particularly during the early morning and late afternoon, adding to the park’s appeal for wildlife enthusiasts.

Walking is another popular activity within the park. A network of well-maintained walking tracks winds through the grounds and along the edges of the reservoir, providing scenic views across the water and surrounding hills. These gentle trails are suitable for visitors of all ages and offer a relaxing way to explore the natural landscape while enjoying fresh mountain air.

The park also provides several lookout points where visitors can take in sweeping views across the reservoir and the surrounding countryside. These viewpoints highlight the scale of the water storage area and offer excellent photo opportunities, particularly on clear days when the reflections across the water create beautiful scenic vistas.

Cardinia Reservoir Park is also known for its peaceful atmosphere compared with some of the busier attractions in the nearby Dandenong Ranges. Its wide open spaces and quiet natural setting make it an ideal destination for anyone wanting to escape the crowds while still enjoying the beauty of the region.

Whether you are planning a picnic, a scenic walk or simply a relaxing afternoon outdoors, Cardinia Reservoir Park offers a tranquil and picturesque setting that showcases the natural beauty of the Dandenong Ranges foothills.

Observation Day Visitor Area

Start your journey through Cardinia Reservoir by beginning at the Observation Day Visitor Area. Visitors can park at the Observation Day Visitor Area carpark and begin their walk on the Tea Tree Trail, and for the more adventurous, complete the circuit walk including the Messmate Trail.

Cardinia Reservoir is home to several mobs of wild kangaroos. These are best seen early in the morning or late afternoon. Feeding and approaching kangaroos is strictly prohibited. Be sure to stay at a safe distance.

There is no drinking water on site, so please bring your own.

Dogs are permitted but must be on a lead at all times.

Park gates are open between dawn and dusk year-round for vehicle access.

Northern Lookout

Follow the trail to the Northern Lookout and enjoy the scenic bushland and picturesque views of Cardinia Reservoir.

The Northern Lookout trail is a gentle gradient on a gravel surface. The trail leads to the lookout before merging into the Dam Wall trail.

Cardinia Reservoir is home to several mobs of wild kangaroos. These are best seen early in the morning or late afternoons. Feeding and approaching the kangaroos is strictly prohibited. Be sure to stay at a safe distance.

There is no drinking water on site, so please bring your own.

Dogs are permitted but must be on a lead at all times.

Park gates are open between dawn and dusk year-round for vehicle access.

Henleys Picnic Area

Explore Cardinia Reservoir Parks by visiting Henleys Picnic Area. Spend time kayaking, canoeing, or simply relaxing by the water.

Enjoy the scenic views of Aura Vale Lake as you explore this urban park.

No swimming is permitted at this location.

Kangaroo Flat Picnic Area

Spend a relaxing afternoon exploring the Kangaroo Flat Picnic Area and surrounding walking tracks.

Set amongst natural bushland with views of Cardnia Creek Reservoir and the Dam Wall, you will find the perfect spot to spend time in nature, where you may encounter local wildlife.

Utilise the shelter, picnic tables, children’s playground and accessible toilets to enjoy your stay.

Drinking water is not available at this location.

Crystal Brook Picnic Area Walk

Follow an easy gravel path to explore Cardinia Reservoir Park via the Crystal Brook Picnic Area Walk. Whilst immersing in nature in an urban park, look out for local wildlife that call this park home.

Spillway Day Visitor Area

Spillway Day Visitor Area offers great views across Cardinia Reservoir and the spillway. Take the opportunity to walk across the dam wall with 360-degree views of the surrounding area. Visitors can follow the Kangaroo Walk along the base of the dam wall, finishing at Crystal Brook Picnic Area.

Spy the local wildlife residing in the area, often found relaxing along the base of the dam wall.

Feeding and approaching kangaroos is strictly prohibited. Be sure to stay at a safe distance.

Park gates are open between dawn and dusk year-round for vehicle access.

Aura Vale Lake

Aura Vale Lake is a popular location for recreational fishing, canoeing, sailing, rowing and picnicking. Ramped paths provide access to picnic areas and toilets. Visitors are welcome to bring their own gas-fired BBQ.

Just north of Cardinia Reservoir, Aura Vale Lake plays a very important role in Melbourne’s water supply. It forms part of a drainage system designed to channel runoff from neighbouring properties and roads, preventing it from entering the main reservoir.

Although recreational fishing is permitted in Aura Vale Lake, consumption of fish is not advised. A Recreational Fishing Licence is required for all forms of fishing in Victoria’s waterways.

Fishing is only permitted from the banks.

Henley Picnic Area is a fantastic spot to spend the afternoon relaxing by the lake, providing ramped paths to the picnic area and accessible toilets.

A boat ramp provides access for small non-powered boats.

Swimming is not permitted in Aura Vale Lake.

Park gates are open between dawn and dusk year-round for vehicle access.

Kangaroo Flat Picnic Area to Duffys Rd Walk

Setting off from the Kangaroo Flat Picnic Area, explore the riparian ecosystems that evolve into dry forests.

Along the gravel track, you will encounter steep inclines and varied terrain. Enjoy the immersion in nature, spotting local wildlife and views of Cardina Creek Reservoir as you wander.

Crystal Brook Picnic Ground

Crystal Brook picnic ground is the perfect location to spend the afternoon relaxing in nature and exploring the beautiful Cardinia Reservoir Park. Crystal Brook picnic ground has parking, a playground, barbecues, a shelter, and toilets.

Crystal Brook is the best-equipped picnic area in the park for all abilities access.

Visitors are welcome to bring their own gas and charcoal BBQ. Please set up BBQs on the provided gravel and concrete pads and take the charcoal home.

Park gates are closed between dusk and dawn.

Things To Do

Walking
Tea Tree Trail – 2.5km, 45 minutes one way
To discover the park’s flora and fauna, there is a self-guided walk along the Tea Tree Trail, which goes through bushland from Duffy’s Look out for the Observation Carpark. Signs along this trail introduce a variety of plants and animals.

Kangaroo Viewing Trail – 700m, 15 minutes one way
Cardinia Reservoir Park is home to several groups of wild kangaroos. These are best seen early in the morning or late afternoon. Walk along the Kangaroo Viewing Trail adjacent to the reservoir wall, starting at the Spillway Carpark. The trail heads downhill to Crystal Brook Picnic Area, with information along the trail so that you can learn more about this Australian icon.

Note: Feeding and approaching kangaroos are strictly prohibited. Be sure to stay at a safe distance.

Dog Walking
Dogs are permitted at Cardinia Reservoir Park, but they must be kept on a lead at all times. Dogs are strictly prohibited along the Kangaroo Viewing Trail.

Fishing
Fishing is permitted in the Aura Vale Lake only, consumption of fish is not advised. A Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) is required for all forms of recreational fishing in Victoria’s waterways. Fishing is only permitted from the banks.

Picnicking
There are three picnic areas in Cardinia Reservoir Park, each with its own wonderful views of the surrounding bushland and open lawns. They are Crystal Brook Picnic Area, Kangaroo Flat Picnic Area and Duffy’s Lookout Picnic Area (no vehicle access).

One twin gas barbecue is available at the southern end of Crystal Brook. You may wish to bring your own portable gas barbecue. Portable coal barbecues are permitted only on designated gravel areas. On days of Total Fire Ban, all barbecues are banned in the park.

Aura Vale Lake Park has the Henley Picnic Area, with access to a boat ramp and fishing areas. Swimming in the lake is not permitted due to poor water quality and submerged objects.

Ramped paths give good access to all picnic areas. Crystal Brook and Henley Picnic Areas also have accessible toilets.

Plants To Look Out For

Within the park, you will find a wide variety of trees, Tea-tree, Wattles, Sheoak, Stringybark and Narrow-leaf Peppermint. There are also many shrub varieties, including Prickly Moses, Broom Spurge, Silver Banksia and Showy Bossiaea.

Animals To Look Out For

Large families of Eastern grey kangaroos can be seen from the trails and around the park. Feeding and approaching kangaroos is strictly prohibited. Be sure to stay at a safe distance.

Keep your eyes peeled for many different birds; sightings include Wedge-tailed Eagles, Common Bronzewings, Eastern Rosellas, and Little Corellas.

This area is well known for its wildlife. Keep an eye out for:

• Kangaroos
• Wallabies
• Wedge-tailed eagles
• Crimson Rosella
• Echidnas

When To Go

• Summer
  Enjoy the long daylight savings hours and watch the wildlife graze whilst you picnic late into the afternoon.
• Autumn
  Enjoy a stroll along the wall of the Reservoir during the brisk autumn mornings.
• Winter

  Enjoy a game of sport to stay warm on a beautiful winter’s day at the local picnic areas.

• Spring
  Listen to the birdlife that springs to life as the months get warmer.

When You’re There

• Download the Cardinia Reservoir Park visitor guide for more information about the park and a map.
• Dogs on a lead are permitted at Cardinia Reservoir Park. Dogs are not allowed along the Kangaroo Viewing Trail.
• Please take all your rubbish home with you for recycling and disposal, including used coals.
• Groups of 50 or more people must notify the park office of their intended visit. Contact Parks Victoria on 13 1963.

Getting There

To reach Cardinia Reservoir Park from the Melbourne CBD, the easiest option is by car, though public transport is also possible with a few transfers.

Driving from the Melbourne CBD
Driving is the most direct and convenient way to reach the park. The journey is about 50 km east of Melbourne and usually takes around 40–45 minutes in light traffic.

Typical route:

• Leave the CBD and head east on the Monash Freeway (M1).
• Continue along the freeway towards the suburbs of Narre Warren.
• Take the exit toward Wellington Road.
• Follow Wellington Road east through Narre Warren East.
• Turn into Red Hill Road or continue along Wellington Road to reach the entrance to Cardinia Reservoir Park.

The park is accessed via a loop road that runs clockwise around the reservoir, connecting picnic areas and lookouts.

Getting there by train and bus
Public transport is available, though it requires multiple transfers.

Option 1 (train + bus + short walk):

• Take the Belgrave Line train from Flinders Street Station in the CBD.
• Travel to Belgrave Station.
• From the Belgrave area, take a local bus such as routes 695, 695F or 841 toward Narre Warren East.
• Get off near Edebohls Road / Wellington Road and walk roughly 30–40 minutes to the park entrance.

The entire journey typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on connections.

Train and taxi alternative
Another option is to take the Belgrave Line train from the CBD and then catch a short taxi or rideshare from the station to the reservoir park. This is usually the quickest public transport combination and can take about 1 hour and 10 minutes in total.

Summary
By car: ~40 minutes, easiest option.
Train + taxi: about 1 hour 10 minutes.
Train + bus + walk: about 1.5–2 hours.

Most visitors choose to drive because the park is in a semi-rural area of the Dandenong Ranges foothills, where public transport options are limited close to the entrance.