Melbourne to Mansfield drive: How long is the Maroondah Highway?

The Maroondah Highway passes through Yarra Valley wineries and the Black Spur Drive section of the Yarra Ranges National Park. It’s 187.5km long, but it’s not the quickest route from Melbourne to Mansfield.

The Maroondah Highway connects Melbourne to Mansfield in the lower reaches of the Victoria High Country. It begins in Deepdene as a continuation of Cotham Road, battles its way through suburban Melbourne, then passes through Chirnside Park, Lilydale and the Yarra Valley.

The full Melbourne to Mansfield drive along the Maroondah Highway is 187.5km. But there’s plenty to see along the way.

Before leaving, you may want to tick Melbourne Cricket Ground tours, Yarra River dinner cruises and cross-city hot air balloon flights off your Melbourne wish list. For a great range of Melbourne tours and experiences, explore here. To track down the best value Melbourne accommodation, come this way.

👇 7 great day trips while you’re in Melbourne 👇

Great Ocean Road tour – with koalas 🐨.
Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island tour – with penguins 🐧.
Yarra Valley wine tour – with gin, cider and cheese 🍷.
Grampians National Park tour – with bushwalks and LOADS of kangaroos 🦘.
Mornington Peninsula tour – with hot springs bathing 🛀.
Wilsons Promontory tour – with all manner of native wildlife 🦘🐨.
Dandenong Ranges steam train ride – plus wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary and chocolate-tasting in the Yarra Valley.

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Maroondah Highway: Yarra Valley wineries

The first major temptations along the Maroondah Highway are the Yarra Valley wineries. There are several wineries either on the Maroondah Highway or just off it. These include the Punt Road Winery, Domaine Chandon, Rochford Wines and the Levantine Hill Estate.

Rochford Wines in the Yarra Valley — Rochford Wines on the Maroondah Highway in the Yarra Valley. Photo courtesy of Visit Victoria.

The Melbourne to Mansfield drive then reaches one of the highlights of the route – Healesville. This town is famous for the Healesville Sanctuary, a zoo where animals are allowed to roam free where possible. But you can also go for walks in the Maroondah Reservoir Park or wine and dine at Innocent Bystander.

Maroondah Highway: Black Spur Drive

From here, you’re on to the Black Spur Drive, a winding scenic route through a section of the Yarra Ranges National Park. There are several picnic areas and lookouts on the way, but it’s mainly a thoroughly enjoyable journey through towering mountain ash forest.

The Black Spur Drive section finishes in Narbethong, just west of Marysville. From here on, the highway goes through Buxton. Sugarloaf Peak in the Cathedral Range State Park is a good stop-off here.

The Melbourne to Mansfield drive then passes through Acheron and Alexandra, before dog-legging west at Merton. It crosses the northern arm of Lake Eildon before entering Mansfield.

Quickest drive from Melbourne to Mansfield

The drive from central Melbourne to Mansfield should take around two hours and 44 minutes. Be warned, however, that religiously following the Maroondah Highway is not the quickest route. You can shave about half an hour off the journey time if you ditch the Black Spur Drive section of the journey and take the Melba Highway from Yarra Glen instead.

14 fantastic experiences that make the most of your free time in Melbourne

Get the very best views – on a hot air balloon flight over the city.
See the changing colours of the river – on a sunset kayaking tour – with dinner. (Highly recommended ✅)
Feast and see the sights at the same time – on a four course dinner cruise along the Yarra River.
A genuinely excellent street art tour, led by prominent street artists. (Highly recommended ✅)
The also superb Aboriginal heritage, plants and bush food tour in the Botanic Gardens. (💲 Great value 💲)
Best of Melbourne bike tour – you can see more on two wheels than walking.
Hidden laneways bar crawl OR foodie discovery tour OR chocolate and dessert tour.
Combo ticket for Australian Sports Museum and MCG tour.
Hassle-dodging advance tickets for the Melbourne Skydeck, Melbourne Zoo, the Ice Bar (with cocktails) and Sea Life Aquarium.