About the project
Yarra Valley Trail will be a game-changer for the region.
Work is underway to build a network of trails, connecting Lilydale, Coldstream, Yarra Glen, and Healesville, with a vision to link with the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail at Seville East and Woori Yallock, creating an iconic, valley-wide loop.
Showcasing the natural beauty of the Yarra Valley, the project will link trail users to some of Australia’s finest wineries, cultural attractions and tourism destinations, including Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, Healesville Sanctuary and Yarra Valley Railway.
Yarra Valley Trail will provide outstanding infrastructure for locals and visitors, connecting communities, increasing opportunities for recreation, nature connection and active transport, and creating local jobs.
Visitor information is available via the links below:
Yarra Valley Trails: Online Map
Rail Trails Australia: Yarra Valley Trail and Warburton Rail Trail

Project overview

Yarra Valley Trail Stage 1 – Lilydale to Yarra Glen
Yarra Valley Trail Stage 1 follows the historic railway corridor between Lilydale and Yarra Glen. The project is being constructed in two phases – YVT Stage 1A Lilydale to Yering and YVT Stage 1B – Yering to Yarra Glen. YVT Stage 1 will end at Yarra Glen Railway Station, recently restored by Yarra Valley Railway as they work to reinstate steam train services between Yarra Glen and Healesville.
Yarra Ranges Council thanks the Australian Government and Victorian Government for their funding support of Yarra Valley Trail Stage 1.
YVT Stage 1A – Lilydale to Yering
PROJECT STATUS: OPEN
YVT Stage 1A is complete and opened to the public in February 2020. The trail has proven to be extremely popular with pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. Trail features include:
- Car parking at Beresford Road and Nelson Road, Lilydale
- Car parking, public toilets and a word-class pump track at Coldstream Station
- Car parking and equestrian access (horse float parking and tie up areas) at Yering Station
- A bird watching platform at the Yarra Valley Water Wastewater Treatment Plant, home to an incredibly diverse population of bird species.
A shared path at Station Street was completed in 2023, creating a direct connection between Yarra Valley Trail and Coldstream town centre.
YVT Stage 1B – Yering to Yarra Glen
PROJECT STATUS: CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS
YVT Stage 1B from Yering to Yarra Glen is a complex project, requiring reconstruction of several bridges (including one over the Birrarung – Yarra River) that were lost in the 2009 Black Saturday fires. Surviving historic bridges will be refurbished in line with heritage guidelines.
YVT Stage 1B required a planning permit. Following VCAT hearings, a planning permit was issued in February 2023. Ground conditions within the railway corridor are impacting project delivery, so YVT Stage 1B will be delivered in two phases. Construction of the first 1.1 km of trail – including restoration of two historic timber bridges – is underway. The project team continues to plan delivery of the remaining trail to Yarra Glen.
PROJECT STATUS: OPEN
Coldstream Station precinct is a large site (2.7 hectare), adjacent to Yarra Valley Trail Stage 1A and 600 metres from Coldstream town centre. The recently completed shared use path along Station Street provides a direct connection to Coldstream’s residential and commercial zones.
The site is a former railway station on the historic Lilydale to Healesville line and played an important role in the life of Coldstream for over 100 years. The site retains remnants of the former railway, including the station platform and railway sidings.
The world-class Coldstream Station Pump Track opened to the public in December 2023. Additional facilities include a car park with solar lighting, public toilets, outdoor furniture, interpretative signage, and a drinking fountain.
Coldstream Station Pump Track is a great place to learn BMX and MTB skills. The track includes beginner, intermediate and advanced lines, catering to riders of all ages and skill levels.
Yarra Ranges Council thanks the Victorian Government and Australian Government for their funding support of Coldstream Station Activation.
Yarra Valley Trail Stage 2 will wind through the picturesque Yarra Valley between Yarra Glen and Healesville, connecting trail users to some of Australia’s finest wineries, cultural experiences, and tourism destinations.
Yarra Ranges Council thanks the Australian Government for its funding support of Yarra Valley Trail Stage 2A.
YVT Stage 2A – Yarra Glen to Tarrawarra
PROJECT STATUS: PRE-CONSTRUCTION
YVT Stage 2A will be 4.6km long, departing from the newly refurbished Yarra Glen Railway Station. It will be a shared trail running parallel to Yarra Valley Railway, offering connections to key tourism destinations, and ending at Tarrawarra.
In 2023, the Australian Government committed $4.9M funding through the Priority Community Infrastructure Program for the construction of YVT Stage 2A.
YVT Stage 2B –Tarrawarra to Healesville
PROJECT STATUS: PLANNING
YVT Stage 2B will feature connections to Tarrawarra Estate and Tarrawarra Museum of Art before continuing to Healesville Railway Station.
Yarra Valley Railway operates a heritage diesel rail service from Healesville Station and is working to restore a steam train service through to Yarra Glen.
Council will continue to advocate for State and Federal funding support for this critical community infrastructure project.
Two moderate length circuits will be constructed, centred on the trail head at Yarra Glen Railway Station. These trails connect to a range of spectacular viewpoints and some of Australia’s best wineries, speciality food, art and cultural experiences and iconic tourism destinations.
YVT Yarra Glen Northern Loop
PROJECT STATUS: UNDER CONSTRUCTION
YVT Northern Loop creates a 14km journey north and east of Yarra Glen Railway Station. This project is being delivered in four sections, each with different delivery timeframes. Sections 1 and 2A are complete, with additional construction planned for 2024.
When complete, YVT Northern Loop will connect trail users to Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, Gulf Station, Alowyn Gardens and several wineries.
Yarra Ranges Council thanks the State Government for their funding support of Yarra Glen Northern Loop.
YVT Yarra Glen Southern Loop
PROJECT STATUS: PLANNING
The Southern Loop will detour from Yarra Valley Trail at Yering, connecting trail users to Yarra Valley Dairy and several wineries before re-joining the main trail at Tarrawarra. Completion if the Southern Loop will create an 18km return circuit from Yarra Glen.
Council will continue to advocate for State and Federal funding support for this critical community infrastructure project.
Yarra Valley Trail Stage 3 connects Healesville to the popular Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail, completing an iconic valley-wide loop, totalling over 80km of world-class trail.
YVT Stage 3A – Healesville to Seville & YVT Stage 3B – Healesville to Woori Yallock
PROJECT STATUS: PLANNING
Two options are available, linking Healesville back to the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail:
- YVT Stage 3A follows the Birrarung – Yarra River, connecting to the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail at Seville.
- YVT Stage 3B follows Coranderrk Aqueduct, connecting to the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail at Woori Yallock.
Both options will offer wonderful opportunities to experience the natural environment, linking trail users to nature-based attractions including Healesville Sanctuary and Warramate Hills Reserve.
Council will continue to advocate for State and Federal funding support for this critical community infrastructure project.

Yarra Ranges Shire Council
P.O. Box 105, Anderson Street
Lilydale, VIC 3140
T : 1300 368 333