Consisting of three signature outdoor attractions – the Yarra Valley Trail, RidgeWalk and Warburton Mountain Bike Destination – Ridges and Rivers takes locals and visitors alike from the forested ridges of the Dandenongs and Yarra Ranges, through to the lush pastures and alpine fresh rivers of the Yarra Valley.
Early stages of the Ridges and Rivers projects have been funded by a partnership between the Federal Government, Victorian Government, Yarra Ranges Council and Bendigo Bank (Warburton & Yarra Junction).
Through an increased network of improved trails and walking tracks, Ridges and Rivers will help to connect local townships and provide convenient, easy access to walking, cycling and mountain biking opportunities, delivering significant health and wellbeing benefits for Yarra Ranges communities.
Ridges and Rivers will also provide a much-needed economic boost to the region which has been particularly impacted by the pandemic and the June 9 storms.
Once complete in 2031, WMBD will:
- inject $48 million a year into the local economy
- create 229 FTE jobs
- attract 128,000 new visitors to the Yarra Ranges annually
- generate 77,000 overnight stays annually
- see 222,000 rides per year.