The Dandenong Ranges located just east of Melbourne in Victoria are a breathtaking natural wonder that offer a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. This stunning mountain range is home to lush rainforests, picturesque villages, and an abundance of native flora and fauna, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
This post provides you with a 2-day itinerary to visit Dandenong Ranges to get a taste of what this beautiful place has to offer its visitors!
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Getting there
Getting to the Dandenong Ranges from Melbourne is relatively easy and accessible, with several transportation options available. If you have a car, you can take the Eastlink toll road (M3) as we did, which provides direct access to the region and allows for a scenic drive through the mountains.
Alternatively, you can take a train from Melbourne's Flinders Street Station to Belgrave, which is the last stop on the line and a popular gateway to the Dandenongs. From here, you can explore the surrounding area by taking a ride on the historic Puffing Billy steam train, which offers a unique and memorable way to experience the region's natural beauty. You can purchase your train ticket via the link below.
Lastly, there are also several tour operators that offer guided trips to the Dandenong Ranges from Melbourne, which can be a great option if you prefer to have someone else handle the logistics. Refer the links below for some of the available options.
Day 1: Stop #1 - Kalorama Park Lookout
Our first stop for the day was Kalorama Park Lookout.
Located on Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Kalorama Lookout provides spectacular views of Silvan Reservoir, the south-eastern face of the Dandenong Ranges and the surrounding Yarra Valley.
Day 1: Stop #2 - Olinda Falls
After taking in the spectacular views from the lookout, we headed to Olinda Falls and spent around an hour enjoying the views of both the lower and upper Olinda falls.
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To make the return walk a little more interesting, we decided to follow the Mechanics Track instead of walking back up the same way however, we had to return back from the Mechanics Track halfway due to heavy leech infestation on the walking track. The track was so horrid with leeches everywhere due to the recent rain and couldn’t be traversed at all so we ended up walking back to reach the car park. We’d recommend you to try Mechanics Track only in dry weather and if doing so, follow the walking track to Falls Road, turn right and walk about 250m to the car park.
Day 1: Last Stop - Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
We had our picnic lunch in Olinda Falls picnic ground and headed to the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden for a guided tour of the gardens.
Visit the garden’s website for information on opening hours and prices. Ride the 'Garden Explorer', an open-air electric people mover that provides a 25-minute guided tour of the garden.
Garden Tour tickets are available from the Gift Shop or can be pre-booked by contacting the Gift Shop staff; more information can be found here. The 36-hectare garden houses Australia’s largest collection of Australian and overseas raised hybrids of rhododendrons that cannot be replaced, re-bred or re-imported.
After the guided tour, we spent some time exploring the garden at our own pace and headed back home.
After the guided tour, we spent some time exploring the garden at our own pace and headed back home.
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Day 2: Stop #1 - Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens
After breakfast, we headed to the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens in Sherbrooke.
We walked the Alfred Nicholas Garden Loop visiting the picturesque lake, the boathouse, and the waterfall and the walk was overall very pleasing.
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Day 2: Last Stop - Sherbrooke Falls
We then headed to the nearby Sherbrooke Falls, located within Sherbrooke Forest that can be accessed via both Sherbrooke Picnic Ground and O'Donohue Picnic Ground.
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We took the Sherbrooke Track from Sherbrooke Picnic Ground carpark to get to Sherbrooke Falls however if you are parking your car in O'Donohue Picnic Ground, then take the O'Donohue Track from the carpark. The tracks were well signposted and while the falls were small and obscured by tree ferns, the walk through the rainforest was mesmerising.
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Here’re few other famous attractions in the region for you to explore, if you have got more time:
- The Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway is a must-visit attraction in the Dandenong Ranges, offering a unique and immersive experience that pays tribute to the Australian soldiers who fought in the Kokoda Campaign during World War II. The walkway consists of a series of landscaped gardens, sculptures, and memorial plaques that tell the story of this historic conflict and provide a moving tribute to the soldiers who served and sacrificed. The Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway consists of 1,000 steps that ascend up to the summit of Mount Dandenong. The walk is moderately challenging and may be physically demanding for some visitors, particularly those who are not accustomed to hiking or have mobility issues. However, the walkway is well-maintained and features several rest stops along the way, which provide opportunities to catch your breath and take in the scenic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
- Meanwhile, William Rickett's Sanctuary is another must-see attraction that showcases the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Dandenong Ranges. This tranquil and serene sanctuary features a series of outdoor sculptures and carvings created by the renowned Australian artist William Rickett, who sought to celebrate the connection between humans and nature. Visitors can explore the sanctuary's winding paths and marvel at the intricate and thought-provoking artwork, which is set against a backdrop of lush rainforest and native wildlife. Do note that William Ricketts Sanctuary is CLOSED at the time of writing this post due to extensive damage from the June 2021 storm event. Check Parks Victoria's website for the up-to-date information of this attraction.
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