Natural Resources Conservation League - Environmental Education

Where to find us

Wildlife Conservation
Directions to Warburton

NRCL is presently located at the Warburton Business Incubator about 100 metres past the Mt Donna Buang turn-off on the Warburton Highway, Warburton.

To get to Warburton, head East of Melbourne CBD to Ringwood following the Maroondah Highway. Continuing on along the Maroondah Highway you will reach Lilydale, just beyond which is the start of the Warburton Highway which winds through the magnificent Yarra Valley orchards and vineyards. You will pass through the hamlets of Wandin, Seville, Woori Yallock, Yarra Junction and then the historic township of Warburton. The drive takes about 90 minutes from the centre of Melbourne... and of course considerably less from many suburban areas.

Warburton Township

Warburton township map

The historic township of Warburton in the Upper Yarra Valley has a rich history both pre and post European settlement. Gold mining in the mid 1800's, weekend retreat in the early 1900's, logging industry through the mid 1900's, and now home to one of Australia's most pristine Mountain Ash temperate forestd rich in exotic flora and fauna.

Inside Forests

The Yarra River which winds its way through the Yarra Valley down to Melbourne is home to Platypus and numerous breeds of native fish. The scenic Yarra flows virtually through the centre of the Warburton township. There are numerous walking tracks along the banks of the river, with picnic grounds and a superb old swing bridge.

Warburton is bounded by the Yarra Ranges National Park which is home to a diverse array of birdlife including the reclusive Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo, cheeky Southern Yellow Robins, Lyrebirds, Powerful Owls and many more. Wallabies, wombats, Goannas and possums are frequently seen scurrying through the lush forest.

The slopes of Mt Donna Buang and Ben Cairn are rich in tree ferns on the forest floor, Beech Trees forming the mid canopy, and the majestic Mountain Ash towering to 80 metres to form the upper canopy of the forest. The forest 'Sky Walk' at Cement Creek provides a spectacular view of the forest from tree-tops level, whilst the elevated forest provides a fascinating view of the forest floor, waterfalls and lower canopy.