A daily ritual for local fitness enthusiasts, a must-see attraction for tourists and an emotional memorial commemorating the Australian war heroes, The 1000 Steps deserves a very special mention amongst all the other tourist attractions in the state of Victoria, Australia.
The 1ooo steps and the beautiful bushwalk that lead up to a creek and the luscious valley in the Dandenong Ranges National Park in the south-eastern suburb of Ferntree Gully is simply mesmerizing.
The walk and the steps both offer intense cardio so don’t forget to carry a bottle of water and some light snacks if you decide to do the entire climb all the way to the top.
The total roundtrip is 4.3 km and takes about 40-45 mins to complete at a decent pace. The terrain comprises steep climbs and numerous steps. I would highly recommend wearing sports attire and runners.
If you are here with the family just for a casual outing or a picnic, you can always have some fun time at the picnic grounds at the base and the top. You might also spot some Lyrebirds, Kookaburras, Cockatoos, Kangaroos and Rabbits along the way.
If you are not up for the walk, you can always drive all the way to the top to the second picnic ground. Both the picnic grounds offer facilities like Barbecues and toilets.
Remember, 1000 steps is a “No-Litter” zone, so make sure you bring your own rubbish bags and carry all the rubbish back with you.
Brief History
Although the track was established in the early 1900s, it was recognised as Kokoda Memorial Track by the Victorian Government in 1998 in the memory of Kokoda campaign which was a part of the Pacific War during World War II.
Hence the name - Kokoda Track Memorial Walk.
The place is bustling with fitness freaks and tourists, especially over the weekend. So be prepared to park at a fair distance away from the actual car park as there are limited parking spots at the base of the mountain.
Don’t try to park outside designated parking areas otherwise, you might end up getting a ticket.
Watch out for fire warnings if visiting in summer and avoid windy and rainy days during winters as it could get fairly cold at the top.
Trust me, you don’t want to get stranded in one of the coldest areas of Victoria on a winter day.
The Thousand Steps Cafe
Located at the base of Mount Dandenong “The 1000 Steps Café” nestled amongst the trees offers great coffee and delicious cuisine. The place offers a selection of fresh food prepared with local produce and the staff is really friendly.
They also sometimes have live music by local bands. The cafe is perfect to sit back, relax and enjoy the view.
Top of the mountain
With the Creek and the dense trees, the top of 1000 steps offers a soothing touch after the tough climb. If you took the steps while going up, try taking the Lyrebird track on your way down and vice-versa.
Keep in mind though, on a wet winter day taking the stairs down could be a bit risky as the rocks tend to get slippery.
Sometimes, I like to sprint all the way down to compete with my son.
The Living Bush Nature Walk
If the 1000 Steps walk is a bit steep for your liking, you can always try the Living Bush Nature Walk.
This is a fairly relaxed walk branching out to the right of Acacia Picnic Ground, just before the starting point of the 1000 Steps walk.
The length of the trail is almost 2.5km through beautiful dense bushes and ferns.
I hope you found the post helpful and would consider 1000 steps for your next fitness adventure.
Cheers!