The path is steep and beautiful, which makes it attractive to fitness walkers and tourists however please leave your dog at home, as this walk is not for your pets. Dogs are not allowed at the 1,000 Steps.
Things to do
How to enjoy the 1000 Steps
The 1000 Steps is very popular. To get the most out of this place, it’s advisable to visit at a quieter time. That means midweek, early in the morning or both. That way you can appreciate the atmosphere of this magical rainforest and why Australian soldiers felt it was so similar to the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea where they fought in the Second World War. You’ve also got a better chance of spotting the noisy but very shy Superb Lyrebird.
1000 Steps alternatives
If you simply want to enjoy the majesty of the old trees around Ferntree Gully, and are not set on walking the 1000 Steps, try the Ramblers Track Loop. This is a gentle and quiet walk through old-growth forest.
If you’re looking for a less popular but similarly demanding walk or run, the Granite Track in nearby Lysterfield Park is worth a go. You can even cool off with a swim in the lake afterwards!
Kokoda Track Memorial Walk or 1000 Steps?
At the foot of the 1000 Steps are a series of signs explaining this walk’s association with the Australian soldiers.
Created in the early 1900s, the 1000 Steps Walk was originally made from tree fern trunks laid along the wetter areas of the track to make the climb a little easier. These were replaced by wooden palings, and more permanent concrete steps were installed in 1950.
The veterans of the Kokoda campaign adopted this park as their memorial site in 1998. The similarity of the walk to the first 100 metres of the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea resulted in the establishment of fourteen plaques along the walk, dedicated to the Australian Military Forces who fought and died on Kokoda.
The 1000 Steps represent the ‘Golden Staircase’, a name given by Australian soldiers to the 2000 steps cut by the Australian Army Engineers and others into the track between Uberi and Imita Ridge.
Bird watching
Walking
Wildlife
How to get there
1000 Steps Walk (Trail)
Facilities
When you're there
The 1000 Steps is a very popular walk and the car park at Ferntree Gully picnic area will be full by 10am on most weekend mornings. You might have better luck parking your car at One Tree Hill Picnic Ground at the top of the 1000 Steps. Alternatively, leave your car at home. It's a a leisurely 1200m stroll from Upper Fern Tree Gully train station to the bottom of the steps. Download the visitor guide before you go.
1000 Steps Walk
Need to know
1000 Steps Walk (Trail)
Accessibility
Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state. Grants, O’Donohue, Sherbrooke, One Tree Hill and Ferntree Gully picnic grounds were assessed for accessibility in June 2020, providing information about the accessibility of these areas and photos.
Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.
Change of Conditions
Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.
-
Dandenong Ranges National Park
Large areas in Dandenong Ranges National Park closed due to storm damage
Dandenong Ranges National Park was heavily impacted by severe storms on 9 June 2021 and a large section of the park will be closed until further notice. The following sites are open (updated 22 July 2021):- Ferntree
Gully Picnic Ground, One Tree Hill Picnic Ground, and most surrounding
tracks including Lyrebird Track are now open. The 1000 Steps/Kokoda
Memorial Track REMAINS CLOSED. Musk, Acacia, and Ramblers Tracks to the
east of the 1000 Step are also CLOSED.
- 1000 Steps Café
- East Sherbrooke (east of Monbulk Road), including Grants Picnic Ground
- Sherbrooke and O'Donohue Picnic Grounds and tracks to the east and north. Sherbrooke Falls REMAINS CLOSED.
- Silvan Reservoir Park
- Doongalla
Picnic Ground and most tracks to the east and north. Zig Zag track,
Channel Ten Track, Burkes lookout and area around the Mount Dandenong
Observatory REMAIN CLOSED.
- Olinda Precinct
- Black Hill Reserve (Selby)
All other parts of the park remain closed- see the attached map for more information.Assessments are still ongoing, but it is anticipated that more areas in the park will be able to open in the coming weeks. Areas where there is extensive damage may be closed for some time. We recommend you check this page for updates on closures.It is dangerous and illegal to enter closed areas and there is still high risk of further trees and branches falling.Attachments: Closure Map 22 July 2021 (4,593KB)
- Ferntree
Gully Picnic Ground, One Tree Hill Picnic Ground, and most surrounding
tracks including Lyrebird Track are now open. The 1000 Steps/Kokoda
Memorial Track REMAINS CLOSED. Musk, Acacia, and Ramblers Tracks to the
east of the 1000 Step are also CLOSED.
-
Olinda Falls Picnic Area (Dandenong Ranges National Park)
Olinda Falls Toilets Closed
The public toilets at Olinda Falls are closed at least until the end of 2021, due to a major plumbing issue, Parks Victoria is working to resolve the matter as soon as possible. We acknowledge that the toilets have already been closed for a lengthy period, however due to planning and operational constraints the toilet works have been significantly delayed. Other public toilets nearby are at Kalorama Park or the Olinda Township.
