One of Melbourne’s most loved walking tracks has finally reopened, following more than a year of recovery works.
Visitors will again get to experience the popular destination 1,000 Steps, also known as the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk at the Dandenong Ranges National Park, as it reopens today after devastating storms caused chaos in the Dandenong Ranges 15 months ago.
After a big storm recovery process, with recovery works supported by part of the $76.5m of state-wide funding by the Andrews Labor Government, the track in Upper Ferntree Gully welcomed back walkers and runners from Tuesday, October 4.
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The funding helped to repair and replace concrete steps and handrailing along the 1.4-kilometre track in challenging terrain after the devastating 2021 storms. Thanks to the works, the 1,000 Steps will continue to be a popular destination for tourists and locals and an important environmental landmark at the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
The 2021 storms had a significant impact on local communities, parks, and infrastructure at locations across Victoria. The 1,000 Steps, and the Dandenong Ranges National Park were among the hardest hit during these events and closed after the storms to ensure visitor safety and to allow works to be undertaken.
“We’ve stood with local communities every step of the way in ensuring a successful recovery across eight storm affected councils,” says Minister for Energy, the Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio.
“Victoria’s 1,000 Steps are an important and popular destination within Victoria, Australia and internationally. This funding has given our well-loved 1,000 Steps a new lease on life, so all visitors can enjoy them for generations to come.”
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Forged in the early 1900s, the ‘1000 Steps’ Kokoda Track Memorial Walk climbs through the Dandenong Ranges National Park. Serving as a memorial and reminder of the famous 1,000 Steps track in Papua New Guinea, location of the World War II battle in 1942, the 1000 Steps has become a place of pilgrimage for those determined to maintain their fitness over the years.
Before its lengthy closure, this place was usually bustling with joggers every Sunday morning, huffing and puffing their way up and down the 3km track. The path is steep and beautiful, and the steps are either hand-cut timber or big slab stone. There are little rest stops here and there along the trail if you need to take a breather.
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