Silvan Reservoir Park

Silvan Reservoir Park is a landscaped picnic park beside one of Melbourne’s water-supply reservoirs. Open lawns, gardens and a reservoir lookout make it a relaxed daytime stop, with nearby forest trails available for visitors who want a longer walk.

The public park is for picnicking, play, views and walking. Access to the reservoir itself is prohibited, so plan a land-based visit rather than bringing swimming, boating or fishing equipment.

Reservoir Views and Historic Gardens

Begin at the upper area if seeing the reservoir is your priority. The observation area and interpretive signs help place the view in the context of Melbourne’s water supply. A short look around can be combined with a picnic without committing to a forest hike.

Stone terraces, pergolas and garden plantings give the recreation precinct a more formal character than the neighbouring bushland. Walk between the garden areas and lawns, taking time for seasonal colour or shade rather than treating the park solely as a trailhead.

The reservoir was completed in 1932 and remains part of Melbourne’s supply network. Water infrastructure is protected, and boundaries around the reservoir must be respected. Views are from the public park, not a route around the water’s entire shoreline.

Picnics, Play and Birdwatching

The lower recreation area has picnic facilities, a playground and toilets. It is a practical base for a family afternoon, while the upper area also offers picnic tables and shelters. Bring a rug if you prefer a place on the grass or tables are busy.

Birdwatchers can spend time near the gardens and forest edge. Listen and look before moving on; birds may be easier to notice during a quiet pause than during a brisk walk. Do not feed wildlife or leave food unattended.

Take your rubbish home because bins are not supplied. Bring drinking water and picnic food, and check any barbecue restrictions before planning a cooked lunch. No fires or barbecues may be lit on a Total Fire Ban day, so pack food that does not require cooking.

Choosing a Forest Walk

Walking tracks around Silvan provide access to drier forest, fern gullies and the Olinda Creek valley. Choose a route from the trailhead map according to distance, available time and the people in your group. Some tracks leave the picnic precinct and require more preparation than strolling between the gardens.

The Olinda Creek Walking Track links the Silvan area with Mount Evelyn as a point-to-point route. Walking back the same way doubles the distance, so it should not be mistaken for a quick picnic-ground loop. Aqueduct routes provide other options, but each needs its own planned start, finish and return.

Wear suitable shoes for natural surfaces and carry a map and water. Dogs are allowed on a lead in Silvan Reservoir Park, but nearby national park trails have different restrictions. Check the boundary before extending a dog walk into the forest.

Entrances, Hours and Accessible Planning

The two vehicle entrances are on Stonyford Road, off Monbulk Road. Use the upper car park for the reservoir observation area and upper picnic facilities, or the lower car park for the playground, toilets and lower picnic areas.

Current opening hours are 9am to 4pm daily. Leave enough time to walk back to your car and exit before closing. Entry is free, and camping is not permitted.

Levels and surfaces differ across the gardens and surrounding trails. Visitors using a wheelchair or mobility aid should check Parks Victoria’s detailed accessibility information and choose the most suitable parking area. Do not assume a forest track has the same access as the developed picnic precinct.

The park can close during extreme fire danger or severe weather. Check current conditions before departure, especially if a particular walk is the reason for visiting. Nearby track works do not necessarily close the entire picnic park; follow the notice for your actual route.

Silvan Reservoir Park FAQs

Can I swim or fish in the reservoir?
No. The fenced reservoir supplies drinking water and is closed to public access, including swimming, fishing and boating. Enjoy the observation area and public gardens without crossing reservoir boundaries.

Which entrance should I use?
Both entrances are on Stonyford Road, off Monbulk Road. Choose the upper car park for the lookout and interpretive signs, or the lower entrance for the playground, toilets and lower picnic facilities.

What are the opening hours?
The usual hours are 9am to 4pm daily. If adding a forest walk, allow enough time to return and drive out before closing; severe weather, extreme fire danger or local works can override normal access.

Can I take my dog on a forest walk?
Dogs may visit Silvan Reservoir Park on lead, but that permission does not extend into adjoining national park. Check the route boundary before leaving the picnic precinct, even where a track appears to continue naturally.

Is the Olinda Creek walk a picnic-ground loop?
It is a point-to-point route towards Mount Evelyn, so walking back doubles the distance from your chosen trailheads. Use a map to select a shorter turnaround or arrange collection; do not assume it is a quick loop around the reservoir.

What should I bring for a picnic?
Bring food, drinking water and bags to take rubbish home because bins are not provided. Tables and shelters are available, but a rug gives another option when they are occupied; on Total Fire Ban days, bring food that needs no cooking.

Can I stay overnight?
Camping is not permitted in Silvan Reservoir Park. Plan it as a daytime outing and choose a designated campground elsewhere if you want to combine it with an overnight trip.