The Black Spur Pub Trail

The Black Spur is a motorcyclist's dream of a hill climb east out of Healesville, VIC, leading up towards Mt Dom Dom and winding around the southern shores of the Maroondah Dam. It is a recommended route for leaving Melbourne's eastern suburban area from Lilydale, to reach Marysville, Lake Mountain or Alexandra to the North East.

The Black Spur is one of those roads to respect. In winter, the black ice on the level uncambered turns can play havoc to an unwary motorist or motorcyclist. But in spring and midweek summer periods, this road is a joy to travel.

The Black Spur Pub Trail not only takes you through part of the magnificent Yarra Valley Vineyard regions from Lilydale to Healeville, but leads you to the closest snow/skiing area to Melbourne at Lake Mountain, via Marysville. It may not be in the same league as the higher snow clad moutnains, but it is great for family frollicking around, without having to travel far out of the city.

It also gives you the opportunity to see the Cathedral Ranges along the Buxton/Taggerty section, which is a great hiking and scenic drive route in itself.

The destination for this Pub Trail, is Alexandra in the north. We suggest you consider making that a stop over, for exploring further east into the High Country area. If returning towards Melbourne, we suggest making a round trip from Alexandra to Lilydale by also travelling the Mt Slide Pub Trail

Happy Pub trailing!

Gaz

Gary Pope
Ph: 0408994799

Introduction: What are Pub Trails?
Want more local Victorian trails?
refer to: An Overview of Pub Trails in Victoria

The Black Spur Pub Trail Location Map

Lilydale

Lilydale.

This is the pivot town used for a number of the Pub Trails in the area. Please refer to a complete write-up about Lilydale in our Mt Slide Pub Trail - Lilydale section that we recommend travelling, in conjunction with The Spur Pub Trail, for enjoying a complete round trip of the nearby north-eastern region from here to Alexandra and back.

In this itinerary, we will focus more on the region that lays between Lilydale and Alexandra and the optional run into Marysville for heading up to Lake Mountain.

	Crown Hotel » Crown
	International Hotel » International
	Lilydale Hotel » Lilydale
	Olinda Creek Hotel » Olinda Creek

Healesville

Healesville, on the east side of the Yarra Valley wine district, is well known for

Healesville Sanctuary - a zoo specialising in native Australian animals and birdlife, with an exceptional 'Birds of Prey' show
Badger's Creek Weir , a favourite BBQ and Picnic area only a few kilometres south of the town, near the Sanctuary
A superb country racecourse (horses)
Maroondah Dam (part of Melbourne's drinking water supply) with its walks, lawns, picnic facilities and areas that are ideal for displays, car/bike rally's and exhibits.
A stopover point after a hard day in the wineries nearby in the Coldstream to Healesville area of the Yarra Valley
A welcomed cafe pit-stop for motorcycle, vintage/veteran car enthusiasts wandering the area
gateway to "The Spur" which takes travellers through some of the straightest, tallest Australian Ash trees in the area to Mt Dom Dom.

Sunset over the vineyards in the Yarra Valley just west of Healesville

Maroondah Dam, about 4 kilometres west of Healesville, towards The Spur.

Grand Hotel »

Grand Hotel

Healesville Hotel »

Healesville Hotel

Narbethong

Heading on out east from Healsville, as you decine down into a valley short of Narbethong - out pops the Black Spur Inn.

Now in winter, this is a top spot to warm up around a fire, and in summer, you can't move for all the motorcyclists enjoying the local area - but they'll give you some clues on this great local area, to be sure.

Either way, its a top treat to pull in here - just keep your eyes open, its a little hidden away down in the forest!

Black Spur Inn »

Top spot, buried away in the tall trees!

Marysville

Longtime known as the weekend getaway for Melbournites, being less than 2hrs scenic drive away from the City, Marysville has evolved into a fairly upmarket BnB accommodation styled town.

Many come for a cruise in their sports cars, and enjoy a cafe latte at a number of the well stocked cafes - whereas the old hands still come up to explore the nearby hills and do some serious off road pursuits in the many tracks that are open in the warmer seasons (around November to April).

The real attractions of the area haven't changed much in last 50 years - great golf course, splendid scenery, the walks to Stevenson's Falls, Kepplers Falls, and the great drives up to Mt Margaret and beyond.

This area, so close to Melbourne, is a beaut place for beginners to get a feel for 4WDing on a variety of tracks in the area.

Marysville - a great spot to go motorcycling, walking, exploring or just pub-trailing!

The main street of Marysville is a top area to wander. Get underway up at the Pub for a top counter meal to get you started, and then wander down to the river at bottom end. Along the way, pop into the visitors centre closer to the bottom of town, and check out the unusual local creatures they have on display - you have to see it to believe it! I won't give the secret away here!

time to ponder which direction to take from Marysville - pictured here under the typical gums along the river at the foot of town

Behind the visitor's centre, stroll up through the local park, check out the lake, and meander down over the river to the old 'Crossroads' restaurant/cabins and admire one of the largest Rhododendren bushes you'll ever see! (roundabout at the foot of town)

The town is renowned for its gardens which are on display at the Wirrenada festival that occurs in the first week of November in the lake/showgrounds area.

The road out of town heads either south-east up to Lake Mountain, or along this pub-trail to the north, to Buxton, where you'll pass the Marysville golf course.

But before you leave, head up the Falls rd (which comes in to the town half way up the main street, and check out Stevenson's Falls and lookouts, to walk off that counter lunch!

Who knows, you may work up a thirst by the end of the day, and that'll convince you to stay the night and check out more of the scenery and tracks around this great country town.

Former Keppels Hotel »

Situated at the top of the leafy main street of Marysville, as you enter from the southern-west up from Narbethong, you are greeted by the Keppels Hotel

Buxton

Buxton - the town of the "Bucky Burger" is a good stop.

Check out the local pub here, it is a top spot. Here you can consider the options of slipping up the diversion to Marysville and down the big hill back into Narbethong, and arrive back in Buxton before continuing on the trail.

Now if burgers are your go, there's choices here. There's the Igloo Roadhouse, that is the home of the "Bucky Burger".

But there's also Choppers Buxton Roadhouse, that has fuel (and burgers!) Pop in to see Caroll and Sid. They can well satisfy any hunger pangs for a passing traveller to be sure! The very best beef and fresh ingredients, just ask the locals. They also sell fuel and the truckies love the tucker and the free coffee.

View of the escarpment just off the road near Taggerty.

Taggerty

The Cathedral Ranges - an outcrop that looms over the area is the highlight of the area - but there are numerous other great sights of rocky outcrops to be seen not far off the main Pub Trail..... just pop up a few of the side roads to get a closer look - they're all great to see

Buxton Pub »

The Bucky Pub in Buxton. A popular meeting spot for a cool ale at the junction of Marysville, Taggerty and Alexandra roads, and well frequented by car and motorcycle enthusiasts who love to travel these parts.

Alexandra

On the road up from Taggerty, you pass some a great vantage point to inspect the valley that lays east of Alexandra.

For all the detail on the town, we recommend staying overnight and returning via the Mt Slide Pub trail