Black Spur Drive is a famous scenic road in Australia. It is often named as the best drive in Victoria’s state and even all over Australia.
Where is the Black Spur Drive?
This is a famous road in the Australian state of Victoria. It’s located 60 kilometers (37 miles) northeast of Melbourne. It is a part of the Maroondah Highway.
The Black Spur (or Black Spur Drive) crosses a beautiful Australian rain forest in the Yarra Valley. The area is considered a part of the Yarra Ranges National Park. Many people include this location in their things to do while a road trip in Australia.
You can locate it on the map below:
Enlarge the map
Facts about the drive.
Black spur drive is a 28 kilometers (17.3 miles) road that connects the cities of Healesville and Narbethong. Actually, it will take you about 30 minutes to drive it without any stops.
It is a winding road, indeed, there is a lot of hairpin bends interspersed with short straight lines (the corner ratio is more than 80%).
The landscape is superb, there are large trees (you will drive through the canopy, which will be 100 meters (328 ft) overhead. Actually, the Eucalyptus regnans is one of the tallest trees in the world with an average of 100 meters (328 ft) tall) with giant ferns: a typical landscape of these rain forests of southeast Australia. Also, it will remind you of the Jurassic Park movie’s landscapes. You can get more information about the local fauna and flora here.
In fact, it is one of the most scenic drives in the Australian forest, as well the Great Ocean Road as a coastal drive.
The road is often used for illegal races (Tōge racing) because of its difficulty and beauty at the same time. Local authorities try to stop that because of the numerous accidents led by these illegal races. In the last years, the state lowered the speed limit from 100 km/h (60 miles/h) to 80 km/h (50 miles/h) in order to enhance safety.
How to get to Black Spur?
If you are coming from Melbourne, go to Healsville. It is about 1-hour drive from the center of Melbourne. You have to take the B300 road, then the B360 (which Black Spur is part of).
If you are coming from the north, go to Narbethong and take the B360 road in Melbourne direction.
Things to do nearby
The Maroondah Reservoir
It is the main source of water for Melbourne city. You can stop there while you’re driving the Black Spur and have a very enjoyable walk there.
The Dom Dom Saddle picnic area
Situated on the Black Spur road it is on the highest point on the journey (550m, 1640ft, above sea level).
Lake Mountain
In winter, you can see some snow and have winter activities at the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort.
Less than two hours from Melbourne it’s the closest place you can practice some cross-country ski or have some fun in the snow.
The road to access the complex is very popular among road cyclists because it’s a true mountain road with an average gradient of 4,5% and more than 8% in the first kilometers.
Little towns nearby
On your journey stop in the cities of Healesville, Marysville, and Narbethong. Indeed, the area is well known for its grapevines and for some chocolateries, like the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie.
You definitely should take a break in one of the restaurants in one of these towns and taste some wine and food!
By the way, you will also find a lot of accommodation in the area if you want to stay there for the night.
A preview of the drive:
You can have a preview of the road watching this 4K video:
Is Black Spur Drive open?
The road is open all year round.
The speed limit is 80km/h. Don’t forget that you are in a forest and some animals can cross the road occasionally.
Also, the road is often wet because of the environment of the tropical forest.
The Black Spur Road is a road that is on the bucket list of many drivers, bikers, and cyclists! So if you are in the area don’t forget to visit this road with the mountain ash trees and ferns blocking the daylight which creates a magical mood! It will be your perfect road trip from Melbourne.
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