Greenery? Check. Fresh air? Check. Uphill walking tracks that will guarantee a good workout? Check! I love the 1000 steps! It seems to have gained in popularity over the years so if you're coming on a weekend, prepare to arrive super early. I came at 8am on a Saturday, quite pleased with myself at waking up so early and the carpark was entirely full. It does detract from the experience a little bit but I'll just have to learn to share. Returning on a weekday was completely different. Barely any people on the track and I thoroughly enjoyed my walk up those steps! The 1000 steps don't take too long to complete and the hardest part is that last 5-10 minutes where the steps get bigger. Thankfully, there are plenty of rest stops and people are generally courteous about moving out of the way if your smashing out a workout without needing a rest. I love the sound of water running, kookaburras laughing and the different birds rustling around in the trees. The only slight inconvenience is the parking situation at peak times and high volume of people passing through. read more

See all

This place puts even the fittest of fit to shame. If you think this is just a nice stroll up the mountain, you'll wish you wore your exercise clothing instead. In case anybody wonders (and people always do), there are actually less than 1000 steps. But the walk uphill before the actual stairway makes up for the shortage of steps of the stairway. Before you start, there is a sign that tells you to leave your water bottle and other belongings. As long as you know not to litter, you can disregard that sign. I'd recommend going up the stairs and then taking the other non-stair path back down. But then everybody has their own preferences. Plenty of shade, so you won't be baking in the sun. On the other hand, you can't actually see your progress since all you'll see are more and more stairs. There are certain parts that are leveled, and you'll see a few benches available to sit. Most people we encounter along this trail seem to be at least somewhat fit. The most resilient hikers end up being the older individuals. Overall, it's a great place to get a good exercise. You'll be compelled to finish the trip the moment you start. read more

Awesome place to go to get some exercise or to train for events such as Oxfam and the Kokoda track. In the summer it is advisable to get there early to get a carpark and to beat the rush. It is about a 1km walk up to the steps,so be prepared! They are in the process of building a second set of "fitness steps" on teh alternate track up the mountain the lyrebird track. This new fitness track is aimed at people who are trying to increase their fitness level and will have markers along the way so you can track you personal best and beat it. The 1000 steps is such a beautiful location and is so nice to be able to be out and about in the great outdoors getting some exercise. The track is really well maintained, however in the wet it can get quite slippery. At the bottom of the steps there are BBQs and picnic shelters if you want to bring along some brekkie to recharge after you've sweated it out up the stairs! There is also a cafe there which serves coffee, drinks, cakes and breakfast to refuel. read more

1000 Steps - Nice and wet today - Hiking Near Me - Upper Ferntree Gully, VIC

This 1000 step climb up the mountain is a popular activity for fitness fanatics' as well as tourists and locals. Every single time I have been, there always seem to be people trudging along up the stairs or running down them. The journey starts at the top of the carpark, where you walk for around 800m before coming to the bottom of the stairs. These stairs are actually quite narrow at times and only allow for 1 person to pass at a time, so best not to be running with your head down incase someone is coming back down them. I would also take caution on wet days, as the area can become quite slippery and dangerous if you're not attentive. On the weekends this becomes a very popular activity, where the stairs can become quite crowded, simple rule of thumb is to stick to the left unless over taking. When you arrive at the top, there isn't actually anything there- no view or drink tap or anything, just a landing halfway up the mountain. From here you can chose to go back down the stairs, or jog down the winding dirt road. This is a great workout; even if you're not running. It's nice just to be out in the fresh air. read more

1000 Steps - Hiking Near Me - Upper Ferntree Gully, VIC

Took the drive to Mt. Dandenong on a Sunday to have a go at the 1000 Steps a few people had gone on about. It was a bit wet which made the steps quite slippery but as long as you didn't run it was fine (a few people were running - mad!). The car park was full so we had to park across the road and wait for a gap in the traffic. Once we started the walk toward the steps, we regretted wearing long sleeves and pants. Shorts and a t-shirt is definitely the way to go! At the bottom of the steps, there were a heap of people psyching themselves up to start the climb, one guy boxing with an invisible opponent while others gave him plenty of room. We started up the steps and it is quite the workout for an unfit bloke such as myself! We had a few breaks along the way (there are benches to sit on and plaques with Kokoda facts) and eventually made it to the top. The scenery is quite nice but at the top there isn't really anything. They are building a second lot of steps which will hopefully take the runners and these seemed to be almost finished. Down we went making sure to hang onto the rail at the narrow parts to make sure the runners coming up (or down from behind) didn't crash into us. There seemed to be quite a few parents dragging along toddler aged kids which I thought was a bit cruel! Nice walk, nice scenery and good to get some exercise. Will definitely go back soon. read more

See all

Tackle the 1,000 steps of the Kokoda Walk at a frenetic pace for the ultimate workout. Bush walker's and fitness fanatics will pass you by on the rugged yet breathtakingly beautiful Dandenong rangers climb. This is a great alternative to a Sunday's outing and will leave you feeling refreshed and rewarded after. Be warned, its not for the faint of heart. Wear good runners or sturdy walking shoes and due to the mossy nature and jagged edges of the steps you may benefit from not wearing clothes that leave to much skin exposed in the event that you slip. The steps are steep and on an angle! Going down hill is much trickier than you would think. The steps are surrounded by other walking tracks which often lead to much longer and more experienced walks. There are also BBQ facilities and picnic grounds to lunch at and enjoy. read more

1000 Steps - Hiking Near Me - Upper Ferntree Gully, VIC

Would probably give it five stars except for the popularity, it does get very crowded. But if you're into your outdoor exercise this place is iconic and really pumps those legs and gets the cardio going as you climb the steep steps. I always go right at the bottom up the Kokoda Memorial Track (not the Lyrebird Track) as its shadier and the ferns and trees more spectacular. Once up the top you have a raft of choices to extend your walk or take an alternative way back to the car park (eg. Bell view Track). Visitors to Melbourne if you take a different path back you're likely to see wallabies, cockatoos, kookaburras and maybe snakes. A great part of Melbourne right on the city fringes. read more

1000 Steps - Wallabies around the top of the steps if you take some lesser beaten paths - Hiking Near Me - Upper Ferntree Gully, VIC

A great day trip destination if you are up for some exercise. There are several walks to do and they are well signed. The 1000 steps are a memorial for the Kokoda track and on my most recent visit I saw that there is now a lot of information and pictures about the war and the track. This is a popular place for visitors on the weekends so be ready for very enthusiastic visitors running up and down the steps and for more casual visitors taking their time. The steps can get quite slippery so it's best to wear shoes with a decent grip. And in the cooler months it may be a good idea to wear layers so you can peel some off if you start to work up a sweat. read more

See all

This spot is great to get your heart pumping, with abonden of gum trees, fresh air and sound of birds around are perfect mix. read more

See all

This is a very popular trail, which seems to suggest that Melburnians are fitness freaks (or masochists). The steps themselves (I hear there's only 996, but some days it feels like 10,000) are narrow and steep, but there are benches here and there to stop and rest. Do: bring water, wear shoes with some grip (it gets slippery coming back down). Don't: wear jeans. On Saturdays and Sundays it's jam packed, so consider going early or late in the day to avoid crowds. read more

My first time doing the steps! Not for the faint hearted! I heard it's not actually 1000 steps though but it certainly feels like it! Parking might be a hassle because it gets so busy on the weekends. You may need to park further down the road pass the parking area and on the side of the road, you will see all the cars and just follow suite. When walking to the steps for the first time, the sign can be quite deceiving! There are 3 different ways to go. The path on the left seems to have steps but it isn't actually the 1000 steps, it's the one next to it on the right. So the middle route! If you are usually pretty active it should be fine but if you're aren't, you will be struggling to find your breath as the air thins the higher you get. Definitely a great workout! read more

Bring your best pair of lungs and your strongest pair of quads and your best buddy. Just make sure your buddy isn't fitter than you, or you may be left for dust. If coming on the weekends, come as early as you can as it has become Bourke St up here these days. Everyone has gotten wind of how lovely it is up here. It's about 30-40 mins drive from the city. The walk up to the start of the steps is about 10-15 mins uphill (a workout itself). Then the steps will take you 15-20 mins if you're of an average fitness. Be wary of the fitness buffs who do the walk multiple times, some of them a crazy enough to wear weighted vests. No water at the top so bring a small bottle of water & a towel if you can be bothered carrying it up. There's a cafe at base camp if you need coffee or drinks before you go up. Keep an eye out for no-standing zones as there are parking officers! Have fun & keep hydrated. The hike down is (one of) the best feelings on Earth. X read more

Get in early or get in late, doesn't matter, the 1000 steps has a cult following for the tourists, new years resolution exercisers all the way through fitness fanatics. Test your hip strength and will to live while climbing in what feels like a never ending hill to the top. Hell of a cardio workout. Just don't be a jerk and run all the way up or down, not enough room for that. read more

Oh my stars. What was I thinking?? Overweight. Unfit. I puffed and panted all the way. Chugged down a litre of Gatorade. Took what seemed like forever, but I made it. 45ish minutes of pure torture. Then I stupidly continued the Oxfam trail to the Range Rd roundabout at Olinda. Loved every minute of it, though if you'd heard me ranting on the way, you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. Going to do it all again next week I hope. Just focus. Don't look up to see how far you have left to climb and ignore anyone overtaking you apart from a smile and a HI read more

As far as a place to exercise goes, this place is pretty awesome! Would you prefer to pay a million dollars at the gym, or go into the great outdoors, hear nothing but birds and the trees and charge up a stack of stairs? Okay, this place can get pretty busy on weekends, and parking is limited, but I still recommend you give it a go. Wear sturdy shoes, light clothes & take a water bottle. The steps are uneven & a bit slimy in places so you may wish to choose one of the other paths (there are a number signposted). Either way, have fun & enjoy a beautiful walk. read more

1000 Steps - Thousand steps! - Hiking Near Me - Upper Ferntree Gully, VIC

Challenging if you aren't in great shape which I wasn't when we went. There are people running up like it's nothing, so prepare to be a little discouraged if you're huffing and puffing just walking up ;) It was a fun hike though. Shaded which is nice since we went on a hot day. We did the hike in the early afternoon before heading to Philip Island to check out the penguin walk. Overall a pretty good day if you're a tourist in Melbourne and have access to a car. read more

This walk is definitely a challenge you should take if you want to test your fitness level and also great for beginners. It's a must try and inspired me to walk many other tracks around Victoria to gain my strength for the real deal. I wrote a review on it on my blog: http://theworldunderourfeet.wordpress.com/ read more

The 1000 steps are a Melbourne institution. A great (and hard) walk that will get you puffing among the tree ferns! It gets pretty busy these days so try and go early if you can. read more

My family of four, including two teensge girls has undertaken the steps quite a few times over the years. We always find the walk f rom the car park to the bottom of the stairs quite testing which makes us laugh. We are all pretty fit but still find just walking the stairs gets the heart and lungs pumping. We like to walk up the steps then down the track. It's nice to stop once in a while to take in the beauty of the tall gum trees and the tree ferns. The girls get more excited about walking the steps than just going on a "pointless bushwalk" as they enjoy the physical challenge and sense of accomplishment. Great outdoorsy family activity, not really suited to under 8 year olds. Nice to finish with a picnic afterwards if you have time. read more