The Dolly Grey Track is one of the easiest and most rewarding short walks in Warburton, and it begins right at the Yarra Valley Waterwheel. From the Visitor Information Centre, follow the Warburton Rail Trail west toward Melbourne, cross the old railway bridge, then turn onto the boardwalk that carries you through cool, shaded bushland. At the track junction, the Backstairs Track climbs more steeply to the right, but you keep left to reach Dolly Grey Park, where a small waterfall and picnic tables make a pleasant spot to pause before turning back.
The walk is roughly 2.5 kilometres and takes most people somewhere between one and one and a half hours at an unhurried pace, with a maximum elevation of around 469 metres. It is widely listed among Warburton’s seven walks and is considered suitable for most abilities, with much of the route on boardwalk. It is also dog-friendly, so bring water for your dog in warmer weather. The path can be shortened to under a kilometre by starting from the beginning of the Backstairs Track instead of the Waterwheel.
The surrounding bushland is classic Upper Yarra cool-temperate forest, with Mountain Ash, Myrtle Beech and Sassafras overhead. Keep an eye and ear out for local wildlife including the Pink Robin and the Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, with the area forming part of habitat associated with the rare Leadbeater’s Possum. From the Dolly Grey Park end, the connecting Backstairs Track links onward toward La La Falls and the Warburton river circuits, so the walk can be combined into a longer day on foot for those who want to keep going.
Accessible toilets and parking are available at the Waterwheel trailhead; there are no facilities at the park itself, so make use of the Waterwheel before you set out. The track is an open public reserve with no set hours, accessible during daylight. Before heading out it is worth checking Parks Victoria for any current change-of-conditions notices, particularly as the wider area continues to see new trail development.