Kays Picnic Ground

Kays Picnic Ground is a small forest picnic area beside Sassafras Creek on Monbulk Road. Mountain Ash, tree ferns and the nearby walking track make it a useful place for a quiet lunch or a short creekside outing, without committing to a full-day bushwalk.

The picnic ground is one of several access points along the longer Sassafras Creek Walking Track. Allow about an hour for a picnic and brief wander, or longer if you have planned a walk to another picnic area and back.

Picnicking Beside Sassafras Creek

The forest and creek are the main attractions. Picnic tables and a nearby parking area make it easier to bring a packed meal than carry supplies along the full trail. Toilets and electric barbecue facilities are shown on the visitor map, but bring food that does not depend on a barbecue being available.

Parks Victoria prohibits fires here. Follow any additional barbecue restrictions and closures, especially during fire-danger periods. Bring drinking water rather than relying on untreated creek or spring water, and take your rubbish away at the end of the visit.

Short Walks and the Longer Creek Track

The Sassafras Creek Walking Track links Sassafras and Emerald over approximately 17 kilometres. Kays is an intermediate picnic stop, not the start of a short 17-kilometre circuit. Walking the complete route requires much more planning than a casual picnic visit.

For a shorter outing, follow an open section of the formed track beside and above the creek, then return the same way. Choose your turnaround before you become tired, and remember that slopes and bridges can make the return slower than expected.

The broader route passes through fern gullies and eucalypt forest, with bridges and boardwalks along the way. Surfaces can be muddy or slippery after rain. Check current track notices before attempting a longer section, as damaged bridges, fallen trees or works may interrupt the connection. For a family picnic, keeping the walk short leaves time to enjoy the creek and fern canopy without committing everyone to the full trail.

Wildlife, Dogs and Families

Birdwatching is a rewarding addition to a picnic. Listen from the paths and watch the canopy and undergrowth without feeding birds or approaching animals. Sightings depend on conditions, so treat a lyrebird encounter as a bonus rather than a promised part of the walk.

Dogs are permitted but must remain on lead. Bicycles and horses are not permitted at the picnic area, and the narrow walking route should be explored on foot. Keep children close beside the creek and on bridges; this is a bushland stop rather than a playground destination.

Getting There and Choosing Your Route

Use the Monbulk Road entrance near The Patch and follow signs for Kays Picnic Ground. Park within the designated area without obstructing the road or management access. Daylight is the practical time to visit, with extra care needed in fog or wet weather.

The picnic area and forest walking track have different access demands. Slopes, unsealed surfaces and wet ground mean the trail should not be assumed suitable for wheelchairs or all prams. Assess conditions before leaving the visitor area, and choose a shorter outing if the ground is too slippery.

Kays Picnic Ground FAQs

Where is Kays Picnic Ground?
It is beside Sassafras Creek on Monbulk Road, near The Patch. Follow the picnic-ground signs and use the designated parking area rather than stopping on the roadside.

Is there an entry fee?
There is no general admission charge. Bring your own food and drinking water, and take rubbish away so the next visitors can enjoy the creekside setting.

How long is the Sassafras Creek Walking Track?
The complete Sassafras-to-Emerald route is approximately 17 kilometres one way. From Kays, choose a shorter open section and return along the same path; the full route requires transport and much more time.

Are there picnic facilities?
Picnic tables and parking support a straightforward forest lunch, while the visitor map identifies toilets and an electric barbecue. Pack food you can enjoy without cooking in case equipment is occupied or unavailable.

Can I bring my dog or bicycle?
Dogs are allowed on lead, but bicycles and horses are prohibited in this conservation reserve. Walk the creek track on foot and keep your dog controlled near wildlife and other visitors.

Is natural water safe to drink?
Bring treated drinking water with you and do not rely on the creek or a spring. A clear-looking natural water source should not be used as your drinking-water supply for the outing.