It may look like it's from the far-off lands of California, but this majestic natural attraction is located right here in Victoria. A massive forest of jaw-dropping Californian redwood trees can be found not far from Melbourne, with these gargantuan trees becoming popular for creating Insta-worthy sights. The Californian Redwood Forest in Victoria was planted almost 100 years ago, cementing itself as a wondrous attraction within our state.
These trees are renowned for their extreme heights – they can reach up to 115 metres tall – and forests of them can store up to three times as much carbon as any other type of forest. The oldest known tree in existence is believed to be aged around 2,200 years old, so they can grow to ancient status.
This forest is certainly worth seeing for yourself, so if you're planning to visit, here is everything you need to know.
Where is the Californian Redwood Forest in Victoria?
There are actually two areas of Victoria with Californian redwoods, but the most popular and well-known is the Cement Creek Redwood Forest. The forest is located within Warburton Valley, just a few kilometres outside Warburton, on Cement Creek Road and close to popular tourist spots like Healesville and Mount Donna Buang
The other redwood forest in Victoria is in Beech Forest, within the Great Otway National Park, which is southwest of Melbourne.
How to get to the Californian Redwood Forest?
The best way to get to the Cement Creek Redwood Forest is by car. It's located 85 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD, which is about an hour and a half drive. Take the Eastern Freeway out of Melbourne, then turn off onto the Maroondah Highway. Continue to drive along the Warburton Highway until you drive through Warburton, and then turn off onto Cement Creek Road. Be wary that parking at the site is pretty limited, with only about 100 car spots. There are firm restrictions on no standing areas along the road, to prevent hazards to drivers.
When is the best time to visit the Californian Redwood Forest?
The most important factor to take into account when planning your visit to the Californian Redwood Forest is that the number of visitors surges during peak times like school holidays and the summer break. So to avoid the crowds and to ensure you can get a park, it's best to visit outside of these times, or go early in the morning.
The forest is picturesque all year, with each season offering a different experience. Summer is a particularly special time, when native orchids and monarch butterflies can be spotted. Plus, the Californian redwoods create a cooler environment, which provides a relief from the heat outside on a summer's day. In autumn, there's a large tree on the lawn area that changes into an array of oranges and yellows, and in winter there's a variety of fascinating fungi to see. In spring, a highlight is the flourishing birdlife of the area – keep an eye out for yellow robins and fairy wrens.
What facilities are at the Californian Redwood Forest?
Visitors to the forest should be aware that there are no toilets at the site, so stop off at East Warburton Public Hall on the way for a loo break. There aren't any picnic facilities, but there is a lawn area where you can roll out a rug. But there are no bins, so you need to take your rubbish with you. However, the site is set to get a makeover soon, with the addition of new facilities like public toilets. This is to better accommodate for the huge surge in the number of visitors in recent years.
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