The best things to do in the Dandenong Ranges

Dandenong Ranges' best gardens and nature walks

Sherbrooke Forest (Dandenong Ranges National Park)

Sherbrooke Forest is one of the region's most atmospheric natural areas. Cool, shaded walking tracks wind through fern gullies and beneath some of the tallest flowering trees in the world. The forest is particularly well known for its birdlife, with superb lyrebirds frequently spotted scratching through leaf litter.

Popular walks include the Sherbrooke Falls Walk, a moderately graded loop that leads to a gentle seasonal waterfall. The nearby picnic ground makes this an excellent stop for a relaxed morning or afternoon in nature.

1,000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk

The 1,000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk in Ferntree Gully is one of the most recognisable attractions in the region. The steep stair climb commemorates Australian soldiers who fought along the Kokoda Track during World War II.

The best way to enjoy the steps is by starting at Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground, walking to the clearing at the top of the trail, then heading back along Lyrebird Track. The climb is challenging, but it's set amongst lush rainforest and rewards those who attempt it with beautiful views. A café is also available at the bottom of the track.

Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden

The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden (formerly the National Rhododendron Garden) in Olinda showcases 40 hectares of cool-climate gardens. The collection includes thousands of azaleas, camellias, daffodils and rhododendrons, with spectacular colour displays in spring and autumn. There are more than 15,000 rhododendrons alone, including Australia’s largest collection of Australian and overseas-raised rhododendron hybrids that cannot be replaced, re-bred or re-imported.

Well-maintained paths make the gardens suitable for all fitness levels, while elevated vantage points offer views across the Yarra Ranges. Seasonal guided tours and a garden explorer bus provide additional insight into the landscape.

Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens

A short drive from Olinda, the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens are renowned for their tranquil atmosphere and carefully designed water features. Stone bridges, expansive lawns and a central lake make this one of the most photogenic locations in the Dandenong Ranges. Autumn is particularly popular at Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden, when deciduous trees create vibrant red and gold reflections across the water.

Cloudehill Gardens

Cloudehill's manicured gardens are recognised internationally for their beauty, with themed areas including a shrub walk, peony pavilion, marquee lawn and many more.

Part of the secret behind the tremendous success of Cloudehill is the volcanic soil on which the gardens are built. Make sure to visit the Japanese maple trees at the centre of the gardens: they've been growing at Cloudehill for almost a century. There's also a bonsai nursery, seed store, and seasonal restaurant onsite.

Bunyip State Park

Located on the eastern edge of the Dandenong Ranges, Bunyip State Park is a vast wilderness area known for its rugged bushland, native wildlife and peaceful walking trails. The park offers a range of activities including bushwalking, camping and four-wheel driving, with well-known tracks such as the Four Brothers Rocks Walk providing scenic forest views.

Kurth Kiln Regional Park

Kurth Kiln Regional Park near Gembrook combines natural bushland with an important piece of Victoria's industrial heritage. The park is home to the remains of a historic charcoal kiln used during World War II, with interpretive signage explaining its role in wartime steel production. Visitors can explore walking tracks through tall eucalypt forest, enjoy picnic areas, or follow the heritage trail to the kiln site.

Family-friendly things to do in the Dandenong Ranges

Puffing Billy

The Puffing Billy Railway is one of Victoria's most beloved tourist attractions and a highlight of any visit to the Dandenong Ranges. Operating since 1900, the historic steam train travels from Belgrave through forested landscapes to Emerald Lake Park and Gembrook.

Passengers ride in open-sided carriages, with select journeys allowing guests to sit on the carriage ledges with legs dangling. Puffing Billy also holds regular special events such as its 1920s-themed dinner journeys, dog-friendly train rides, Day Out With Thomas and Puffing Billy Running Festival.

Advance bookings are strongly recommended. RACV Members save on tickets to Puffing Billy.

Emerald Lake Park

Emerald Lake Park is a popular destination for families, offering open spaces, playgrounds, picnic facilities and fun two-person paddleboats on Lake Treganowan. Walking tracks circle the lake, while barbecue areas and shaded lawns provide ideal conditions for a relaxed afternoon outdoors. The park is adjacent to the Puffing Billy line, making it an easy addition to a railway ride.

Treetops Adventure Belgrave

For active families and thrill-seekers, Treetops Adventure Belgrave delivers high ropes courses set among towering oak trees. Designed for children and adults alike, the course features suspended bridges, zip lines and climbing challenges.

SkyHigh Mount Dandenong

Perched at one of the highest points in the region, SkyHigh Mount Dandenong offers sweeping views across the Melbourne skyline, Port Phillip Bay and the Mornington Peninsula. On clear days, visibility can extend as far as the You Yangs. Beyond its incredible lookout, SkyHigh also features seasonal gardens, a hedge maze, and a bistro restaurant.

Fielderberry Farm

Situated in the rolling hills near the Dandenong Ranges, Fielderberry Farm offers relaxed, family-friendly berry picking. During harvest season (December-March), visitors can pick strawberries, raspberries and blackberries straight from the fields, feed the alpacas, and sample coffee, homemade berry icecream and Belgium waffles from the onsite café.

Sassafras and Olinda village shopping

The villages of Sassafras and Olinda are filled with boutique stores selling handmade crafts, antiques, local produce and specialty gifts. Olinda has a strong arts focus, while Sassafras is known for its old-world charm and traditional tearooms. Both villages are ideal for slow browsing and relaxed afternoons.

Best cafes, pubs and restaurants in the Dandenong Ranges

Classic village cafés

The villages of Sassafras, Olinda and Mount Dandenong are home to some of the region's most beloved cafés. Ripe at Sassafras is a long-time local favourite with a rustic, relaxed atmosphere, serving excellent coffee, hearty breakfasts and light lunches. Storehouse Roastery Olinda sources ethically roasted beans and is well-regarded for its expertly brewed coffee and relaxed environment. For baked goods and casual fare, Proserpina Bakehouse near Ferny Creek is particularly popular for house-made bread, pastries and cakes that pair beautifully with a crisp mountain morning.

Traditional tearooms and sweet treats

No visit to the ranges is complete without indulging in a traditional tearoom experience. Miss Marple's Tearoom in Sassafras remains an iconic choice, famed for its Devonshire teas: freshly baked scones served with jam and cream in a classic, cosy setting, along with a wide selection of teas.

Nearby, Pie in the Sky in Olinda is renowned for hand-crafted Australian pies, hearty pastries and generous cakes, making it a popular stop for morning tea or a nostalgic afternoon treat.

Many visitors also enjoy browsing specialty tea and sweet shops in the villages, where tea selections and artisanal chocolates add a memorable local flavour to any visit. Only Mine is a wonderful chocolate shop in Olinda that focuses on sustainable, ethical gourmet chocolates. Buy a box, sip on a signature hot chocolate, or delight in a dessert.

Pub meals and casual dining

For a relaxed post-walk lunch or dinner with a pint, the Pig & Whistle Tavern in Olinda is a quintessential country pub with English-style ales, classic pub fare and a welcoming hearth. It's especially inviting on cooler days when the fire is lit.

Kelly's Bar & Kitchen in Mount Dandenong sits in a log-cabin style setting at the heart of the ranges with a curated craft beer and wine list paired with contemporary Australian cuisine, from grilled mains to family-friendly options.

Refined dining and restaurants with views

If you're after a more elevated experience, The Bistro at SkyHigh Mt Dandenong pairs panoramic views with a contemporary menu. The elevated dining room overlooks rolling hills and city skyline glimpses, offering an atmospheric backdrop alongside well-executed modern Australian dishes.

For those seeking Asian-fusion and high tea in a more stylish setting, the Olinda Tea House remains a standout for its distinctive architecture and blend of cuisines that reflect the region's evolving food culture.

Seasonal events and festivals in the Dandenong Ranges

Tesselaar Tulip Festival

Springtime in the Dandenongs brings thousands of guests to the Tesselaar Tulip Farm for the annual Tulip Festival. Featuring more than one million blooms (including tulips of almost every colour imaginable), the Tesselar Tulip Festival is much loved for its celebration of Dutch culture, with food, music, games and even a giant wooden clog on offer.

Kabloom

In autumn, the Tesselaar Tulip Farm hosts Kabloom, celebrating seasonal flowers snapdragons, cleomes, salvias and marigolds instead of tulips: a different but equally vibrant experience. This festival also features family-friendly activities.

Puffing Billy Train of Lights

Get ready to hop on board the most magical steam train ride when Puffing Billy Train of Lights returns in winter. The historic steam engine transforms into a spectacle, with a rainbow of neon lights that give it an otherworldly glow as it transports passengers from Lakeside to Gembrook. On arrival at Gembrook, guests are met with open fires, hot chocolate, live music and other wintery delights as part of the 2.5-hour journey.

Belgrave Lantern Festival

Celebrate the winter solstice in Belgrave by watching the stunning lantern parade. This community-made spectacle features hundreds of lanterns accompanied by dancers, drummers and all kinds of performers. There's also food stalls and fire pits to warm up afterwards.

Kalorama Chestnut Festival

On the first Sunday in May, join the fun at Kalorama Chestnut Festival and try chestnut icecream, chestnut brownies, chestnut cream poffertjees, and much more. Along with a delicious collection of food stalls, there's family-friendly activities and market stalls selling a large variety of items.

PAVED Festival

PAVED Festival makes the visual and performing arts come alive in Emerald in April each year. This fun community festival always has a wealth of performances, activities, food stalls, workshops, exhibitions and more.

Best picnic spots in the Dandenong Ranges

Sherbrooke Falls Picnic Ground

This picnic ground is well positioned for families and is only a short walk from Sherbrooke Falls. The nearby O'Donohue Picnic Ground is also within walking distance of both the falls and Sherbrooke picnic ground.

Emerald Lake Park

There are plenty of scenic spots and free electric barbecues to use at Emerald Lake Park, not to mention paddleboats, walking tracks and a café. It can also be accessed via train (the Belgrave Line then Puffing Billy).

Grants Picnic Ground

A number of birds can be spotted at Grants Picnic Ground, including crimson rosellas, rainbow lorikeets and even lyrebirds. Sitting at the edge of Sherbrooke Forest, Grants Picnic Ground is surrounded by towering mountain ash trees and features accessible walks leading off the picnic ground.

Doongalla Homestead

Doongalla is the site of a historic homestead that stood for 40 years before burning down in 1932. The occasional remnant of the homestead can still be seen today, most notably the grand stone staircase that led up to the property. When popular spots like Ferntree Gully Picnic Area get busy on weekends, this is a wonderful, quieter option.

How to get to the Dandenong Ranges from Melbourne

The driving time from Melbourne's CBD is about 60 minutes, depending on the time of day and your exact destination. Take the Eastern Freeway towards Ringwood, continue onto Eastlink/M3, then exit at either Canterbury Road to Montrose and Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, or Burwood Highway to Upper Ferntree Gully.

If you want to avoid paying the Eastlink toll, exit the M3 at Springvale Road before taking Canterbury Road towards Montrose and Mount Dandenong Tourist Road. Public transport is limited but still allows you to access many of the main towns in the Dandenongs, such as Olinda, Sherbrooke and Olinda. Take the Belgrave line to Belgrave Station, then hop on the route 694 bus.

If you have time to explore further afield, the nearby Yarra Valley provides a change of pace with rolling vineyards and premium stays such as RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort, just a short drive away.

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