Sanatorium Lake Eco-Trail

This family walk introduces you to the native forests of the Macedon Ranges, passing through stands of tall eucalypts and gullies of beautiful ferns with interpretative signs along the way. The diversity of vegetation types provides habitat for over 150 species of native birds and a wide variety of mammals, including kangaroos, wallabies and wombats.

Loop around the peaceful tree-fringed Sanatorium Lake, constructed to supply water to a tuberculosis sanatorium built nearby in 1899 but later destroyed by fire. You can see the nearby forest changing and evolving as it has sprung back to life after the devastating effects of the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983. The trail also passes the site of an old plant nursery near the Sanatorium Picnic Ground.
The trail links with the 29 kilometre Macedon Ranges Walking Trail, which incorporates most of Mount Macedon's other scenic highlights, including Camels Hump, Memorial Cross and lookouts with outstanding views to Port Phillip Bay, the You Yangs and the Dandenong Ranges.

Location: Macedon Regional Park
Distance: 2.8km
Duration: 1 hour
Track condition: Good
Grade: Flat
Start: Days Picnic Ground, Lions Head Road
Finish: Days Picnic Ground, Lions Head Road
Nearby: Mount Macedon
Best time: Spring or early summer.