Sometimes the most underrated hikes are located in places that you frequent often but have never had the opportunity to really look into.
And that’s exactly what I found with the Pound Bend Circuit in the Warrandyte State Park.
Not only that but it is an excellent hike for beginner hikers or for parents who want to take their kids on a walk amongst some nice scenery.
Starting at the car park located at Pound Bend Reserve, follow the “Walking Track” signs which are scattered around the outskirts of the reserve.
My suggestion would be to start and end the hike at the track that leads off the section of the car park to the left as you come into the reserve.
The highlight of this walk would have to be the Pound Bend Tunnell which gushes water into the Yarra River and might be likened to a blowhole you would find by the ocean.
There’s a great lookout spot above it but you are able to go onto the rocks and get a great view of the tunnel.
From here, go back the way you came and take left through a gate which will lead you onto the rest of the track.
As mentioned at the start of this blog, this walk is a fantastic place to take beginner hikers or perhaps even the little ones.
The track is well-formed, easy to follow due to the abundance of signs and is located fairly close to the heart of Warrandyte i.e. a cafe stop afterwards 😉
At about the halfway mark, you will come across an open grassy field where, if you’re lucky, you might even spot a kangaroo or 10.
Very similar to another section of the Warrandyte State Park – Mount Lofty in Wonga Park – the Pound Bend Circuit appears to attract its fair share of kangaroos.
Once you leave this section, continue following the path to the front gate entrance, take the stairs down past the Tunnel and then back to the car park.
In short, I really can’t recommend this hike enough for any beginner hiker out there.
Yes, you won’t find yourself in bushland where the car is an hour or two away, but you’re still able to get on the trail amongst some fantastic scenery.
As far as I’m aware, as it is a state park, I don’t believe you will be able to bring your dog along for the walk, leash or no leash.
The Stats – Pound Bend Circuit
Length (km): 3.66km (according to WikiLoc)
Time: 56mins
Moving Time: 45mins
Difficulty: Easy (Grade 2)
Maximum Elevation: 91m
Accum. elev. uphill: 65m
Accum. elev. downhill: 65m
Return/Circuit/One Way: Circuit
