RoadAtlas
The Black Spur — Australia — Scenic
Australia & Pacific

The Black Spur

Australia

Point-to-point
Healesville Marysville

In short: The Black Spur is a about 45 km to Marysville (27.9 km Black Spur section) scenic road trip in Australia, typically driven over 1 day, best in Year-round. Highlights: Healesville, Black Spur, Narbethong.

Distance
about 45 km to Marysville (27.9 km Black Spur section)
Duration
1 day
Best Season
Year-round
IconicEasyScenicEV-friendly

Victoria's official 27.9 km Black Spur drive links Healesville and Narbethong on the Maroondah Highway through colossal mountain ash and giant ferns. This day continues roughly 14 km beyond the classic forest section to Marysville for lunch and Steavenson Falls; weekdays avoid the heaviest leisure traffic.

Practical notes
Drive the Black Spur only in daylight: the shaded bends are narrow and can hold water, fallen limbs, cyclists and wildlife. Check VicTraffic (https://traffic.transport.vic.gov.au/) and Parks Victoria alerts immediately before departure and again after storms or on extreme-fire days. Choose either Healesville Sanctuary or Maroondah Reservoir before the forest drive so Steavenson Falls still fits before dark.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Healesville to Marysville via the Black Spur

Healesville Sanctuary · Black Spur forest drive · Black Spur Inn

Stops along the route

Healesville — Departure — The Black Spur — Australia
Departure
Healesville
Yarra Valley wine town at the Spur's foot, surrounded by Domaine Chandon and Coldstream Hills. Healesville Sanctuary, open since 1921, is Australia's finest native wildlife park.
Hotels
Narbethong — City — The Black Spur — Australia
City
Narbethong
Tiny township at the Spur's midpoint, with a handful of cabins and a general store. The surrounding forest regenerated after the 2009 Black Saturday fires that swept through the ranges.
Hotels
Marysville — Arrival — The Black Spur — Australia
Arrival
Marysville
Mountain town rebuilt after Black Saturday fires killed 34 residents and destroyed 90% of its buildings. Steavenson Falls, Victoria's highest accessible waterfall, is floodlit after dark.
Hotels

Things to Do

Black Spur — Nature — The Black Spur — Australia
Nature
Black Spur
Thirty km of sweeping tarmac through Mountain Ash forest so tall and dense it forms a cathedral nave. Trees reach 90m, among the tallest flowering plants on earth, ferns filling every gap below.
Healesville Sanctuary — Wildlife sanctuary — The Black Spur — Australia
Wildlife sanctuary
Healesville Sanctuary
Make this the sole morning anchor; skip Maroondah Reservoir when choosing the sanctuary.
Black Spur forest drive — Scenic drive — The Black Spur — Australia
Scenic drive
Black Spur forest drive
Allow unhurried daylight for the Maroondah Highway forest section and use designated pull-offs only.
Steavenson Falls — Waterfall walk — The Black Spur — Australia
Waterfall walk
Steavenson Falls
Finish with the short formed walk from Marysville if park access and daylight remain.

Where to Eat

Black Spur Inn — Country hotel meals — The Black Spur — Australia
Country hotel meals
Black Spur Inn
Reserve and use this on-route lunch stop without rushing the forest drive.
Marysville Country Bakery — Bakery — The Black Spur — Australia
Bakery
Marysville Country Bakery
A practical arrival snack before its afternoon close.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the The Black Spur drive?

The The Black Spur covers about 45 km to Marysville (27.9 km Black Spur section) from start to finish.

How long does the The Black Spur take to drive?

Most travellers spend 1 day on the The Black Spur, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the The Black Spur?

The recommended season for the The Black Spur is Year-round.

Where does the The Black Spur start and end?

The The Black Spur runs from Healesville to Marysville.

What are the main stops on the The Black Spur?

The The Black Spur passes through Healesville, Black Spur, Narbethong.

How difficult is the The Black Spur to drive?

The The Black Spur is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the The Black Spur in a regular car?

Yes — the The Black Spur is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

Is the The Black Spur EV friendly?

Yes — the The Black Spur has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the The Black Spur safe to drive?

Drive the Black Spur only in daylight: the shaded bends are narrow and can hold water, fallen limbs, cyclists and wildlife. Check VicTraffic (https://traffic.transport.vic.gov.au/) and Parks Victoria alerts immediately before departure and again after storms or on extreme-fire days. Choose either Healesville Sanctuary or Maroondah Reservoir before the forest drive so Steavenson Falls still fits before dark.

What scenic tier is the The Black Spur?

The The Black Spur is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.