Good news: The Dee Slip Bridge is back open on the O’Shannessy Aquaduct! This means that this 30km+ adventure trail from Don Valley to East Warburton in the Yarra Ranges National Park is fully open again for pedestrians and cyclists. The Dee Slip Bridge (a circa 1947 timber trestle bridge) was damaged by a falling pine tree in 2021. A temporary bypass track was used (this involved a short walk down and up to avoid the bridge) until construction began to repair it in November 2026, and the section was closed completely.A positive outcome of the detour was that while dipping under the bridge you could look up to see the trestle bridge in all its glory. Thankfully the bridge works, funded by the Parks Victoria Asset Regeneration Program, have seen much of this unique heritage retained. Do take the time to walk down the steps on the Don Valley side to see the timber trestles from below!O’Shannessy Aqueduct is lined with ferns and tall eucalypts and pine trees (the latter planted to help stabilise the ground) and it’s easy to feel like you’re at the centre of the surrounding forest. Birds like the superb fairywren flitter in the scrubby bush underneath, while overhead you may hear the tell-tale cry of the yellow-tailed black cockatoo.The Aqueduct is closed to vehicles, and is mostly flat (apart from a couple of pinchy climbs), making it ideal for exploring by MTB or gravel bike. It’s also perfect for long ambling forest walks or trail runs, and is used as a trail run route during the Warburton Trail Fest. Keep an eye out for the remaining dilapidated (and somewhat spooky) one-room iron caretakers’ huts that dot the aqueduct!We love that O’Shannessy Aqueduct is an access point for the Donna Buang Walking Track (the track crosses over the aqueduct from its starting point at Martyr Rd, Warburton) and, from Warburton (with a short detour) takes you the approx. 8 km to the Cement Creek Redwood Forest in East Warburton!It’s a win-win ride, so hire a bike from us and get exploring!
