This article is from Melbourne WeekendNotes for Tuesday the 26th of May 2009

Means of transport - check
Relatively good fitness level - check
Group of great mates/family - check
Desire to experience some feel good activity - check

Then you are ready to experience the amazing surrounds, sights and heights of the 1,000 steps in Ferntree Gully! 1,000 Steps

Not for the faint hearted, this track winds and climbs it's away from the start in Ferntree Gully, for 5kms and around 2 hours of solid walking, until you reach One Tree Hill Picnic Ground.

If visiting during the weekend, you will be amazed to see the amount of people huffing and puffing prior 8am (these are obviously the very serious climbers, runners and group fitness people of Melbourne), though these keen climbers tend to trickle out to a steady flow of friends and family of all ages meandering their way up the steep steps up until about lunchtime.

The wonderful thing about this course, is it's likened to the Kakoda Trail in Papua New Guinea. As you make your way through, you will notice small information pillars dotted along the way, comparing the trail and it's environment to that the men of the real Kokoda in World War II would have experienced. A feeling of nostalgia is balanced by a wonderful sense of admiration.

Add to your history class, a fantastic crash course in flora and fauna as the track is set amongst a beautiful rainforest backdrop of the ferns, foliage and wildlife.

You will find that the track, due to its heights is generally 3 or 4 degrees cooler than that of Melbourne so don't be caught out without the appropriate layers - and footwear! If any track is going to test out those new hiking boots or running shoes it's this one!

At the end, when you reach One Tree Hill Picnic Ground, do take some time, to sit, relax and enjoy what you've just accomplished - it's a wonderful feeling to share with your closest!