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Black Spur: Healesville to Buxton, Yarra Ranges, Victoria
Photo: BennyG3255 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Drives Victoria, Australia Melbourne, the Surf Coast and the Otways

Black Spur: Healesville to Buxton

Maroondah Highway, B360 · Healesville → Buxton

Sweeping24 mi35 min3,300 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,800 ftOne way
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The drive

The Black Spur is the stretch of the Maroondah Highway that climbs out of the Yarra Valley at Healesville and winds through mountain ash forest to Narbethong. This drive covers 38 km (24 mi), from Healesville over the spur and on to Buxton, with about 3,300 feet of climbing and a high point near 1,800 feet.

Parks Victoria describes the road as winding through majestic mountain ash forest with tree ferns and cool rainforest gullies. The road is mostly hairpin bends linked by short straights, and the speed limit was cut from 100 to 80 km/h in 2008. Picnic areas along the way, such as Donnellys Weir and Badger Weir, lead to short forest walks.

The Black Spur was first called the Blacks' Spur, after the route that Aboriginal people from northern Victoria used to reach the Corranderrk settlement near Healesville. Past Narbethong the highway continues to Buxton, and the Lady Talbot Forest Drive branches off toward Marysville.

Along the way

  1. Healesville (Maroondah Highway)
  2. Narbethong
  3. Buxton (Maroondah Highway)
Elevation
3,300 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,800 ft
HealesvilleBuxton
Curves
Mostly gentle, with two twisty stretches
HealesvilleBuxton
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The Black Spur is busy at weekends with cyclists and motorcycle riders, so expect slower traffic on the bends.
  • Parking bays are limited, and the main ones are on the Healesville-bound side.
  • Bark and leaves often lie on the road in winter, and bushfire risk rises in summer; check the Parks Victoria bushfire rating before you go.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check VicTraffic.

Questions about this drive

How long does the Black Spur drive from Healesville to Buxton take?

The Black Spur from Healesville to Buxton is 38 km (24 mi) and takes about 35 minutes without stops.

What is the Black Spur known for?

The Black Spur is known for its tall mountain ash forest, tree ferns and corner after corner of hairpin bends on the Maroondah Highway between Healesville and Narbethong.

When is the Black Spur busiest?

Weekends. The road is popular with riders and cyclists, and Parks Victoria recommends spring for the forest at its lushest.

What is the speed limit on the Black Spur?

The speed limit on the Black Spur was lowered from 100 to 80 km/h in May 2008. Obey the posted signs.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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More drives near here

All 19 drives in Victoria, Australia ›

Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Black Spur: Healesville to Buxton, from Healesville to Buxton