By Parker McKenzie
With the 1000 Steps finally reopened to the public on Tuesday 4 October, people were out to enjoy the challenging 1.4km walk and the beautiful natural environment surrounding it.
The 1000 Steps was closed for 16 months after the June 2021 storm weather event, which caused damage to the concrete steps and hand railing up the steep hike.
Macclesfield local Bill said he’s come down to walk the track several times since it opened two days ago.
“I’ve been doing the lyrebird track for the last couple of weeks,” he said.
“Being in my 60s, it’s important I try to stay fit. I’ve been doing the 1000 Steps on and off for the last 10 years.”
Ali, who traveled from the northern suburbs to visit the tourist destination, said he loves to see the wildlife like birds in the area.
“I’m a bird lover. I got within 200 metres of the top and turned back, that was enough fitness for me,” he laughed.
Nick and Sian, who walked the track together, said they did so by chance.
“We didn’t even realise it was open, we just turned up,” Nick said.
“It was just luck,” Sian added.
The bushwalk was first created in the early 1900s when tree fern trucks were laid across the wetter areas of the track, which were replaced by wooden palings before permanent concrete steps were installed in 1950.
Veterans of the Kokoda campaign adopted the park as a memorial site in 1998, with fourteen plaques dedicated to the Australian Military Forces who served in Papua New Guinea being erected along the walk.
“We’ve made sure our beloved rainforest walk, 1,000 Steps, re-opens but also ensure a safe experience for our local community and visitors.” Monbulk MP James Merlino said.
Dogs are not allowed in the Dandenong Ranges National Park and are banned from the 1000 Steps.
