Mathias Track (sometimes called Mathias Road as it appears on maps) is the perfect option because it fulfils all three. Located near to the R.J. Hamer Arboretum, one of our favourite Dandenong Ranges hiking spots, as well as the township of Olinda, it’s just over an hour drive from our home in the North of Melbourne. Leaving early in the morning (but not before sunrise by any means) we were on the trail ready to hike at 8:30 and quite alone (at first).
Mathias Track is definitely popular with locals and visitors to the area. It is dog-friendly, pram-friendly (perhaps not after a heavy rain), family-friendly, and beginners-friendly. Most of the way it is fairly flat and the path is well-marked and not too slippery or muddy, even though there had been quite a bit of rain prior to our visit. From what I’ve seen online, after sustained rain in the winter Mathias Track can become a bit boggy, so hiking boots that are waterproof are a wise idea. I did the track in my favourite hiking sneaker/boot, which are waterproof, but our friends who came with us did it in just normal trainers/sneakers.
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