The Maroondah Dam Waters
Quenching Melbourne's Thirst

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Maroondah Dam, what an excellent place to take the family for the day. Look no further as this dam, just outside the township of Maroondah, is the perfect place.

Situated not too far from central Melbourne at all , approximately 1 h 16 min (70.8 km) via Maroondah Hwy, the journey is easy and filled with some of Victoria’s most amazing scenery.

It makes for a very pleasant drive/ride as you pass through the most beautiful Upper Yarra Valley region boasting some of the best, well laid out wineries you can find.

The park around the dam has been planted with exotic and native trees which attract an amazing array of bird and wildlife, the month of Autumn is an incredible time to visit with the trees displaying their Autumn colored leaves.

The month of Spring is considered the best time to visit as the azaleas and rhododendrons in full bloom and the colors are magnificent.

Maroondah Reservoir is part of the water catchment area for Melbourne's water supply. The piped water supply commenced operation in 1857, with the completion of the Yan Yean Reservoir, adjacent to the Plenty River.

In 1927 the Maroondah Dam was completed and if you would like more historical information on Melbourne's water supply visit Melbourne Water Storage Supply.

The Dam is a small water reservoir that supplies water to Melbourne. The concrete gravity dam, now operated by Melbourne Water, has parklands that are open to the public.

The park has been landscaped with gardens set out in the early English tradition. Visitors can enjoy the atmosphere amongst the usual Australian Eucalyptus and beautiful English azaleas and rhododendrons. The roses are magnificent when out in bloom and they line the stairway to the top of the dam wall.

Autumn is beautiful in the park as all the colours of the autumn leaves add to the visual excitement of the place.

The park grounds are always full of Australian native birds looking for a feed. Be aware that they can become overly friendly and steal your picnic food!

Sulphur crested Cockatoos Maroondah Dam Melbourne Australia

This area is a fantastic place to explore with all the family and here at this amazing place you will get to experience an exciting up close and personal encounter with some true blue Aussie fauna.

The Facilities In The Maroondah Dam Parkland

The parklands are professionally landscaped and kept in top condition, being maintained daily by dedicated staff.

This iconic place makes for a perfect place to picnic any time of the year. The family will love the great open spaces to wander through, the scenery from the top of the dam wall and the glorious gardens when they are in full bloom.

• Picnic Tables
• Wood BBQ's, the wood is provided
• Rotundas
• Toilets
• Playgrounds
• Walking trails including the Rose Stairway
• A Lookout
• Waterfall
• Car parks

And here's the perfect tote bag to transport all those necessary items for your perfect picnic outing

Check out some of my designs I have made up using Zazzle. 

Vegie Tote Bag
by MelbourneMemories4U

Happy Fruit And Vegies Tote
by MelbourneMemories4U

Vegetable Carry All
by MelbourneMemories4U

Hello Cockie All-Over-Print Tote Bag
by MelbourneMemories4U

Picnic Area at the Maroondah Reservoir in Melbourne Australia

For those who would like to work their way to the top of the huge Maroondah dam wall, the view is worth all the effort. Take a bottle of water on the climb with you and really take your time to reach "The Summit" - the climb is quite strenuous. There are areas to rest up should you need to.

You are able to walk along the top of the the Dam from one side to the other. On one side is the Dam itself and on the other is the huge drop down to the park area. On the western banks you can continue your climb up to the Lookout area.

There is a pretty walk at the Maroondah Dam historically known as the Rose Stairway. Autumn is when it is at its best and Spring you can enjoy all the azaleas and rhododendrons out in full bloom, the color is gorgeous.

There is an easy way back down to the carpark, a gentle sloping stroll through the trees with their leaves just starting to change color, fresh air, the delicious and varied bird calls and the sun twinkling through the tree-tops, what a magic place, great for the soul.

Visit the dam in the Winter and hopefully you can see the turbulent force of the water as it rushes headlong down the spillway.

Maroondah Dam Spillway in full force

Where Is The Maroondah Dam?

While you are in the area and if you have the time why not enjoy a Family Picnic and perhaps drop into visit the Hedgend Maze in Healesville on the way home.

The Maroondah Dam Park is located 3 kms from Healesville in the Upper Yarra Valley. Approximately 70kms east of Melbourne. Follow the Maroondah highway (Melway ref: 270 K10)

Click onto the map and find the Directions prompt. Fill in your details and prepare your route planner.

The Maroondah Dam Opening Hours

8:30am --- 8:00pm daylight savings time

8:30am --- 4:30pm non-daylight savings time

Please Note -  That there are 'Gate Opening/Closing Times'

The Park is beautifully maintained and it is requested that it be left like this when you leave for the enjoyment of more visitors to this beautiful place. Enjoy the flora and watch out for the diverse fauna/animal life.

You may come across ...

• Wombats and Wallabies
• Echidnas and Bushtail and Ringtail Possums
• Lyrebirds and Sacred Ibis
• Bronzewings and Sugar and Yellow Bellied Gliders
• Cockatoos, King Parrots and Kookaburras
• Galahs and Crimson Rosellas
• Tawney Frogmouths
  

Dogs are NOT permitted on the walking tracks from the Maroondah Dam to Donnelly's Weir.

However they are allowed on lead as you walk through the parklands.

Yarra Valley Tiger Moth Flights - 20 Minutes

An excellent way to see this beautiful region is by air. Consider flying over it in a Tiger Moth plane. 

With this vintage flight experience, board an authentic 1930's Tiger Moth aircraft and ascend into the skies above Victoria for 20 minutes worth of scenic flying just like a WWI flight ace!

Over the course of the Melbourne Tiger Moth flight you'll don your traditional leather jacket/goggles/scarf/helmet combo and depart from the airstrip in the Yarra Valley before heading up into the skies to garner some outstanding views over the likes of Yarra Glen, Healesville, the Yarra River and Sugarloaf Reservoir and Maroondah Dam.

You'll be flown by a friendly, knowledgeable pilot who has over 15 years experience, and who will point out all the regional highlights to you along the way.

One of the most traditional examples of scenic flying and featuring completely unobstructed, 360 degree views, this Tiger Moth experience is not to be missed for aerial enthusiasts and first-time flyers alike; so book yourself the ultimate Melbourne scenic flight adventure online today!

Click here for more information on this exciting Experience

Please note that some links on this page are to companies that I have an affiliation with. By that I mean that if you purchase a product through them I receive a very small commission. This way of earning income is termed Monetization and it is a way for me to keep my site out here for you to enjoy. I will only affiliate with companies that I feel offer value for money and excellent back up service. These are Companies that I personally have used to purchase products for myself, my family and my friends. To learn more please refer to my Disclaimer page

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Please note that some links on this page are to companies that I have an affiliation with. By that I mean that if you purchase a product through them I receive a very small commission. This way of earning income is termed Monetization and it is a way for me to keep my site out here for you to enjoy. I will only affiliate with companies that I feel offer value for money and excellent back up service. These are Companies that I personally have used to purchase products for myself, my family and my friends. To learn more please refer to my Disclaimer page

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