The Olinda Creek trail is only a short walk but combined with the Hull Rd Wetlands and Lillydale Lake it is an interesting and popular walk. The trail for a large part runs between the Olinda Creek and Swansea Rd. My starting point is the Swansea Rd service road opposite Birmingham Rd intersection with Swansea Rd.

From here the trail winds its way towards Hull Rd then taking the trail to the left at the little bridge across Olinda Creek it turns towards the mountains and the York On Lilydale.

The first half of the walk is very much rural with beautiful stands of gums lining the creek. The area is surrounded by farmland.

The last part of the walk is more open and grassy with a nice view of the mountains. The trail ends at a bus stop on Swansea Rd opposite Marne Rd. It is approximately a 2 k walk one way. After walking the 2 k back again I crossed the little bridge across Olinda Creek which led onto Hull Rd and onto the Wetlands. I cross at this unofficial crossing point just left of the Olinda Creek Wetlands sign and cross the grass onto the trail around the wet lands.

Looking across the Hull Rd Wetlands back towards the mountains.

The walk is a dog friendly area and once at Lillydale Lake there are two dog off lead areas.

From the Hull Rd Wetlands the trail follows Olinda Creek past the closed off Platypus Conservation Area and onto one of the dog off lead areas. Here there is a boardwalk across the Lillydale Lake Wetland which at the moment is undergoing reconstruction.

Man made Lillydale Lake was opened in 1990. It was designed and constructed to prevent future flooding after the floods of 1984. It is a much loved recreational area for barbecues and picnics. Small yachts can be seen on the water along with kyakers and model boats. Swimmers paddle in the sandy beach and fisherman fish from designated areas. There is a water park play area and playground with the 3 k path around the lake, popular with dog walkers and runners..

The remains of two old brick walls stand like pillars on the shoreline at the far right corner of the lake closest to the dog off lead area. They are the remains of Cashins Flour Mill which was built in the 1850’s to mill grain that was normally shipped to Melbourne. After a few bad years of drought, insect attack, floods and rust the mill ceased production in 1876.

At the far end of the Lake the area that runs along Olinda Creek is a very popular dog off lead area. It now has night lighting and a Flintstones play area at the further end. Just past the play area is the cut through to Box Hill TAFE and Lilydale Community Library.

Returning home via the Wetlands after completing a circuit of the lake I came across the new community of Spoonville.