Nature play offers children an engaging physical play experience and allows them to develop an sense of adventure, enabling them to face challenges head-on and take steps that could reap long-term rewards.
Travel through a forest of Mountain Ash trees and fern gullies on the Lyrebird Trail. Admire rhododendrons and azaleas at Alfred Nicholas Gardens before stopping off at William Ricketts Sanctuary where there are 92 ceramic sculptures scattered among rocks and ferns – perfect for bird-watching.
1. Olinda Playspace
Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are well known for their food and wine production, but also offer incredible natural attractions. This mountainous region of cool temperate rainforest boasts cascading waterfalls, scenic picnic spots and jaw-dropping vistas – you can explore them both by car on scenic drives, or on foot via one of their many walks.
Olinda Playspace, opened at the old golf course site in 2019, is an all-abilities playground adored by both locals and visitors alike. Offering something for all abilities, this playground includes activities such as a large sandpit, water pumps, balancing beams, swings, climbing net and ropes as well as a toy forest filled with cubby houses, toadstools, slides, flying foxes and trampolines; kids can even climb over public art installations such as giant frog and gecko sculptures!
There’s also a special area designed for very young ones with cubbies, toddler-sized slides and swings, plus sweet cubbies. Further into the playground you will discover a super-wide slide, mini trampolines in ground placements, twin flying foxes as well as large public art displays to interest older children as well.
If you need a break, there’s a beautiful new picnic area with barbecues, shelters and seating; as well as toilets and a dedicated dog-off-lead area; perfect for families travelling with furry companions!
Olinda Playspace is just a short stroll from Olinda Village and makes for an excellent stop when exploring Mt Dandenong or heading up Mt Dandenong, offering Devonshire tea at Pie in the Sky or lunch from Sassafras. And kids will especially love stopping at Oscar Vintage Coffee Van on Wednesday-Sunday to grab coffee and treats! For something different try visiting Burrinja Cultural Centre which houses galleries, cafes and an annual program of art exhibitions or Cloudehill Gardens which offer tree climbing adventures suitable for kids of all ages – both are great!
2. William Ricketts Sanctuary
William Ricketts Sanctuary remains closed due to extensive storm damage. Work is underway to make the site safe, and visitors may wish to consider visiting nearby Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, Pirianda Garden Alfred Nicholas Gardens or George Tindale Memorial Garden instead.
The William Ricketts Sanctuary is an unforgettable journey into the heart of Dandenong forests. Situated along Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, this spiritual forest walk features 92 ceramic sculptures set among ferns and Mountain Ash that offer visitors an opportunity to contemplate self-made artist Bill Ricketts’ vision from 1934 – until 1993 when his death occurred. Originally known as Potter’s Sanctuary.
He was profoundly affected by his time spent living in Central Australia among Pitjantjatjara and Arrernte Aboriginal communities who valued Mother Nature and all her creations, taking their traditions into consideration when creating his sculptures and reflecting them through them in ways which honor Mother Earth and her creations. He adopted their philosophies into his sculptures while reflecting them back through depictions that depicted Aboriginal people or environments he encountered there. This influence can also be found in works depicting Aborigines or their environment in his sculptures depicted through depictions depicted from these communities which depict their respect and reverence towards Mother Nature through depictions such as these that depict Aborigines or environments represented him well – something which can be found throughout his works depicted throughout his oeuvre.
Attractions on the sculpture trail: it is easy to be inspired by how art and nature combine in this spectacular part of Australia, especially for kids! They will love hunting for figures hidden among ferns, rocks and undergrowth of native forests.
This trip offers an ideal family day out and will allow everyone to reconnect without distraction from phones and tablets. Your experience in Dandenongs will leave you glad that you took time out for a visit!
3. Trees Adventure
Trees Adventure is an interactive nature experience suitable for all ages that takes visitors into the treetops, where they can walk, climb and explore 11 distinct tree houses connected by bridges and nets. As America’s first of its kind, children will love this high-up jungle gym that allows them to bounce, slide and explore freely!
An ideal spot for family day trips or overnighters alike, the park features camping ground and picnic facilities where you can spread out and take in nature while also engaging in some outdoor activities.
Sherbrooke Forest offers several challenging trails for those seeking an exciting outdoor experience, and one such walk, known as the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk, pays homage to Australian soldiers who died while fighting on Papua New Guinea’s Kokoda trail during World War II. Situated on Wurundjeri land and featuring some steep sections that require good fitness levels and hiking shoes – you don’t want to be caught without either!
Other popular trails in Sherbrooke Forest include Grants Picnic Ground, which boasts stunning views of Yarra Valley and is perfect for family picnics; Sherbrooke Falls trail features an inviting waterfall; while Yarra Valley Bird Sanctuary in town of Sherbrooke provides great bird-watching opportunities – spring is often when native species appear!
The Yarra Ranges provide some incredible cycling and walking trails. Bikes can be hired in Ringwood and there are mountain bike trails in Sherbrooke Forest; for something less strenuous take the Puffing Billy train for a scenic tour through Victoria’s fern gullies and forests.
Sherbrooke offers plenty of shops and cafes for shopping. In Melbourne’s east, head out to Wattle Park’s brand new all-abilities playground where children’s imaginations can run wild with structures like double-storey tram fort, play domes, spinners, slides and sensory play structures – or cool off in its shaded pond and try your hand at water-based activities like kayaking!
4. Sherbrooke Falls
The Dandenong Ranges offer nature lovers a true oasis, featuring stunning forests and gardens that are an absolute feast for their senses. Lookouts provide breathtaking vistas while playgrounds give children space to run free, walking trails help stretch legs, and picnic spots are an oasis for relaxation.
Victoria’s ranges are home to some of Victoria’s top attractions such as Healesville Sanctuary, Puffing Billy and the National Rhododendron Gardens; but there is much more to experience here in this scenic locale. Forests and gardens come alive during spring as blooming rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias decorate this picturesque locale – not forgetting Tesselaar Tulip Farm where thousands of blooming tulips can be admired or trekking into Sherbrooke Falls through towering mountain ash forests with plunging plunging fern gullies on forest walks through majestic mountain ash forests en route to Sherbrooke Falls.
This easy stroll features a mixture of tracks through Sherbrooke Forest in Dandenong Ranges National Park west of Melbourne, beginning at Olinda Creek Falls Picnic Ground which has parking, toilets and picnic facilities – arriving early may help avoid weekend crowds! Be prepared for moderate terrain that can get slippery in wet weather but offers scenic waterfall views as the ultimate reward – one of Melbourne’s most picturesque waterfalls can be reached.
A short but delightful walk, this path is great for the entire family and especially kids. A small creek cascades into a picturesque gully, and two viewing areas allow visitors to admire the sights. Grants or Olinda Picnic Ground is nearby as are hilltop villages for easy afternoon hikes.
The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges offer plenty of free activities, from picnic spots and playgrounds to hiking trails and scenic drives. But the real star attractions here are its forests and gardens, which offer stunning scenery all year-round but especially come spring when flowers bloom. Check out National Rhododendron Gardens or Pirianda Garden to admire nature up close or head Alfred Nicholas Gardens or Sherbrooke Falls to witness it first-hand.
