The park areas open to the public during day light hours, so times vary throughout the year. It can be accessed from Wellington Road or Red Hill Road. A one-way road loops around the main areas of the park.
It is home to several groups of wild kangaroos which are best seen early in the morning or late afternoon. Note: Feeding and approaching kangaroos are strictly prohibited & be sure to stay at a safe distance away from them.
This walk follows the Messmate Trail which starts at the grassy Kangaroo Flat Picnic area, across a bridge & up into the bush via quite a steep dirt track. At the top of the track, turn left & follow the path to Duffy's Lookout Picnic Area (no vehicle access), which seems to have been mostly abandoned by Parks Victoria. Follow the track back down to Kangaroo Flat. The Crystal Brook playground & picnic area is very popular with families & is on your right when you get back to the flat ground.
The condition of the track varies in places, Kangaroo Flat gets boggy & the dirt tracks can be rutted after heavy rain & slippery when wet. Most of the trail is not suitable for prams.
Good shoes are recommended & a hiking stick might be handy if you have one.
Starting Point: At the lower car park, at the Kangaroo Flat picnic area which is across from the large open grassy area bounded by the road leading out of the park.
When coming in from Wellington Rd, follow the road a short distance then turn left through the big gates. Continue along this road which follows the line of the dam wall, then down the hill, following the signs for the Crystal Brook Picnic Area, but when you get to the end of the road at a T-intersection at the bottom of the dam wall, TURN RIGHT and the car park is immediately on your right-hand side.
Distance: 3km
Toilets: Within the park but not on the walk itself:
Crystal Brook Picnic Area & Playground (currently a bank of portables)
Duffy's Lookout Picnic area (currently closed)
Dogs: Allowed (On Leash Only)
Download: Walking trails information & map
For your GPS: Cardinia Reservoir Access Rd, Narre Warren East.
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