Riding the Black Spur and Maroondah Highway: What to Know If You Need a Tow
Towing on the Black Spur and Maroondah Highway is something every rider on this corridor should understand before they need it. The Maroondah Highway between Healesville and Narbethong winds through towering mountain ash and dense fern gullies for around 30 kilometres. It is one of the most demanding roads in Victoria. When something goes wrong — a breakdown, a slide, or worse — knowing what riders need to know about recovery on this route can take a lot of stress out of a difficult situation. Yarra Valley Towing is based in Lilydale, VIC, and covers this entire corridor. You can find us on Google Maps or call 1300 869 247 any time, day or night.
The Black Spur Has Unique Recovery Challenges
This road is technically demanding to work on. There are no shoulders along most of the route — if you go off the edge or stop mid-bend, there is very little flat ground to work with. Vehicles have gone down embankments here, and our operators have recovered bikes and cars from tight spots along the Maroondah Highway. The narrow carriageway and solid white lines mean a tow truck cannot simply pull up and load a bike as it would on a flat suburban street. Recovery on Black Spur Drive requires experienced operators who know the road and the terrain, plus a tilt tray with extended ramps that can handle the angle and access a motorcycle without dragging it.
Our fleet of late-model tilt tray trucks is GPS tracked and radio-equipped, which matters when your location has no clear street address. Operators who know the Yarra Ranges will reach you faster than someone navigating from scratch. Towing on the Black Spur and Maroondah Highway calls for local knowledge that only comes from years of working this specific corridor.
What Riders Should Have Before They Head Out
Before you leave Lilydale or Healesville heading up the Spur, have these sorted:
- Your roadside assistance or insurance details confirmed and saved to your phone.
- A contact number for a local tow truck saved — 1300 869 247 is Yarra Valley Towing, available 24/7.
- A rough idea of your location. Fernshaw Reserve is roughly mid-route and is a useful reference point for emergency services.
- A fully charged phone. Reception is patchy in sections but improves near Healesville and Narbethong.
If your bike is LAMS or a touring bike loaded with panniers, let the operator know when you call. It changes how the motorcycle is secured on the tray.
How Motorcycle Recovery Works on This Route
When you call for towing on the Black Spur and Maroondah Highway, the operator will confirm your location as precisely as possible. If you have a pin on your phone, share it. If not, describe what you can see: road markers, your direction of travel, nearby clearings or pullouts. Stay with your bike if it is safe to do so, and keep well off the road surface.
Our tilt tray trucks use soft straps and dedicated tie-down points for motorcycles. Whether you ride a sports bike, a cruiser, or a vintage machine, the securing method is specific to two-wheelers — no tow bar hooks, no chain on the frame. The bike is loaded onto the tray and delivered to wherever you need it: your home, a mechanic near Lilydale, or a repairer of your choice.
For riders involved in a crash rather than a breakdown, call us first, then your insurance. Read our guide on what to do immediately after a motorbike accident for what Victorian law requires at a crash scene.
Mobile Coverage and Waiting Safely
Reception on the Black Spur is inconsistent. Near Fernshaw it is generally workable; deeper sections can drop out. If you cannot get a call through, try a text message. Move to higher ground if possible. If another rider or driver stops, ask them to relay your location to Healesville or Lilydale.
Do not stand on the road while you wait. Move to the uphill side if there is a bank, away from the carriageway. Headlights and hazard lights on if the bike is still operational.
Understanding towing on the Black Spur and Maroondah Highway before you ride means you can act quickly and safely if something does go wrong, rather than working it out under pressure in a remote stretch of forest.
What if I need towing outside standard hours?
Yarra Valley Towing operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is no after-hours surcharge that catches riders off guard — call 1300 869 247 and someone will respond.
Does a motorcycle tow cost more than a car tow?
Towing on the Black Spur and Maroondah Highway is assessed on distance and complexity, not vehicle type alone. Steep or off-road recoveries involve more time and equipment. Call for a quote before the operator departs and we will give you an upfront figure.
Can you tow my bike to a mechanic outside Lilydale?
Yes. We can transport to any destination you nominate, including Melbourne metro and regional mechanics. Let us know when you call.
Get Help on the Black Spur When You Need It
Ready to Ride With a Plan?
Save the number before you leave: 1300 869 247. Yarra Valley Towing covers the full Maroondah Highway corridor from Lilydale, VIC, through Healesville and up the Spur. For details on our dedicated two-wheeler service, visit our motorcycle towing service page. We are VACC accredited, locally owned, and have been working this area for over 40 years.
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