If you are looking to drive through some of the lushest rainforest in Australia, then consider a drive along the Black Spur in the Yarra Valley. It’s only a short drive and one that is best done with your windows down to breathe in the freshest of air as you cruise through the towering trees. So come for a road trip with me along this short scenic drive, the Black Spur Drive in the Yarra Valley. It is easy to do on a day trip from Melbourne.

Black Spur Drive, Yarra Valley at a glance

Black Spur Total distance: 27.9 km (17.3 miles)
Driving time: about 30 minutes
Start: Healesville (some 64 km from central Melbourne taking about 1 hour and 10 minutes to reach).
End: Marysville
Best way to drive: You will need a car to drive the Black Spur. Check out types of cars, costs and availability here. There is a public bus, the 684 that leaves Ringwood Train Station and travels along the Maroondah Highway to Healesville. The follows the Black Spur to Marysville then onto Alexandra and Eildon.

Black Spur Scenic Drive

How can a drive of 30 minutes be so scenic? Well, find out with me.

Most start the Black Spur drive at Healesville and end in Marysville, however, it can be done by starting in Marysville and ending in Healesville. By starting in Healesville, your drive will take you up the mountain rather than down. Either way, it is a beautiful drive.

Start at Healesville

Healesville is one of the major towns in the Yarra Valley. It is 64km east of Melbourne’s CBD taking around 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach from there. It is known as home of the Healesville Animal Sanctuary, Beechworth Bakery and Four Pillars Distillery amongst many things. And the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery is about a 20 minute drive from Healesville. Plus, there are plenty of wineries and vin yards to visit. Maybe a weekend stay in Healesville might be on your mind. It is a great base to tour around the Yarra Valley and Yarra Hills.

Check out Healesville accommodation options here.

If you drive through Healesville you begin the drive along Black Spur Drive after leaving the Healesville township. You mostly see tall Mountain Ash trees on either side of the road as you drive with the occasional fabulous view of the valley. The road is quite windy and winds its way up the Great Diving Range linking Healesville to Narbethong to Marysville. 

The Black Spur Drive

When driving through the Black Spur you will drive through a luscious rainforest with very tall trees. If you wind down your window you will breath in some of the freshest air in Australia and hear many birds singing. There are a couple of places to stop to enjoy the sereneness of the Yarra Ranges but most continue the drive. Rather than explain what you will see along the Black Spur, I’m showing you what you will see for most of the time while you drive. This video is going up the mountains heading towards Marysville. I haven’t put it to music, what you hear is the sound of my car as we are driving.

Fernshaw Picnic Area Stop & Dom Dom Picnic Area

You can stop at the Fernshaw Picnic Area at the base of the Black Spur, which we did and were lucky enough to see a Lyrebird. There are a few picnic tables here if you wanted to sit down and enjoy the tall trees surrounding you. Or let the kids run around to burn off some energy. 

Further along the drive you will see the Dom Dom Picnic Area in the Marysville State Forest. This is another relaxing area amongst the trees you could have a picnic stop or walk.

On to Marysville

memorial to the firefights of Marysville

At the end of the Black Spur Drive is the town of Marysville. This quaint town was rebuilt after the Black Saturday fires of 7 February 2009 when it was obliterated. Take a walk along the Main Street and maybe stop in one of the coffee shops for a bite to eat. Walk through the memorial park, along the banks of the Steavenson River and visit the Fire Memorial Park to pay your respects to those lost in what is known as the Black Saturday fires. Or perhaps take a drive out to Stevenson Falls not too far away.

Marysville is a gorgeous town to visit and often used as a base to visit the nearby ski field on Lake Mountain. Lake Mountain is known for its snow play during the winter months when snow falls. It isn’t steep enough for skilling or snowboarding per se like other ski fields in Australia, but it is great for tobogganing and cross country skiing. During the warmer months there are some great hikes for walkers and mountain bike tracks for mountain bikers. So if in Australia on a working holiday visa, you may pick up some casual work in the ski field or in town at one of cafes, restaurants or pubs.

Check out accommodation options in Marysville.

Are You Ready to drive the Black Spur?

The Black Spur is just another of Australia’s great road trips. I hope you get the chance to discover it for yourself. As before every road trip you take, do some quick vehicle checks. Have you driven the Black Spur? I’d love to hear your thoughts.