The Dandenong Ranges are Australia’s cool green lungs, with fern glades and soaring forests of mountain ash (the world’s tallest flowering trees). Explore the quaint townships and spectacular gardens on a day trip from Melbourne.
Hike the trails to admire the rhododendrons, azaleas and crimson rosellas. Or hop aboard a historic steam train to experience the mountains in a new way.
Getting There
If you’re looking for a quick break from the city, the Dandenongs are a great place to head. This mountain range is located thirty-five kilometres east of Melbourne and offers everything from tranquil forest walks to quaint hilltop towns and charismatic animals like lyrebirds and wallabies.
Getting to the Dandenongs from melbourne is easy by car or train. It takes about an hour to drive from the city via the M1 freeway, Ferntree Gully Road and the Burwood Highway. The V-Line train service is also an option for those who want to get around more quickly and easily.
There are a number of day tours that you can book from Melbourne to get you to the Dandenong Ranges. These tours generally last between 4 and 6 hours. They usually include transportation, tea, snacks and the services of a guide.
Many of these day tours will take you to various places of interest in the Dandenong Ranges and give you a great overview of the area. They also offer a variety of activities and visits, so you can customize your trip to suit your preferences.
Another popular option for tourists is to visit the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden. This garden is home to some of the most beautiful blooms in Australia. It features rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and daffodils.
Other flowers that are found in the Dandenongs are tulips, roses and cherry trees. These blooms are especially stunning in spring.
If you’re looking for a way to see the Dandenongs from Melbourne, consider booking a private tour. These tours are typically less expensive than group ones and are more flexible. They often include lunch and the services of a guide.
Dandenong Ranges National Park
The Dandenong Ranges National Park is a cool and green place to visit, with gorgeous waterfalls and fern glades. It is also home to beautiful gardens and picturesque villages. The park is an easy day trip from Melbourne and offers visitors an opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The National Park is a popular destination for weekenders and holiday makers who enjoy hiking and exploring nature. It is one of the most beautiful and unique places in Australia, where people can relax and rejuvenate themselves.
If you are planning a visit to the Dandenong Ranges, make sure that you plan your trip well in advance. It is a great spot for couples to spend quality time together, and it is also perfect for families with kids.
This area is also a favorite of bird-watchers. It is home to kookaburras, cockatoos and crimson rosellas. It is also the perfect place for a picnic.
The park also has a great number of trails for you to explore. Among these, the 1000 Steps walk is a very popular one. It is a memorial to soldiers who died in the wars and it is worth taking your time to read the signs along the way.
Another popular walk is the Sherbrooke Forest trail. This is a lovely hike where you can see some of the famous mountain ash trees, which are very old. You can also see the rare lyrebird species here.
You can reach the Dandenong Ranges National Park by taking the M1 and State Route 22. It takes around 40 minutes under normal driving conditions. It is also possible to get to the park by bus or train.
1000 Steps Walk
The 1000 Steps Walk in the Dandenong Ranges is a popular activity with Melburnians and locals. It’s also a great workout for anyone who wants to improve their fitness level.
It’s not a long walk (about 3km) but it is steep and can be a bit difficult if you’re not fit enough to handle it. If you’re a beginner it might be best to go with a friend who knows what they’re doing.
If you’re a little more fit, there are plenty of benches to sit on and small clearings to rest while you take in the scenery. There are also several water fountains so you won’t have to carry your bottle along the walk.
There is a lot to see on this hike as it passes through beautiful forested areas and bushland. Those who want to learn more about the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk can stop and read the information on the plaques that are placed along the way.
One of the most exciting parts of this walk is when you get to the top. You’ll be rewarded with a view of the surrounding forest and the city of Melbourne in the distance.
You’ll also pass by a number of beautiful waterfalls on your way to the top. There is also a cafe in the National Park where you can enjoy a bite to eat and drink.
The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is also worth visiting, it is the perfect place to relax and unwind while you’re in the area. It is a stunning botanical garden that is home to many different species of plants.
The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens is a great place to visit for all ages and is an ideal place to start your journey through the Dandenong Ranges. It’s an easy day trip from Melbourne and is a great way to experience nature and the beauty of the area!
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
Less than an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges offer a wealth of attractions to explore. From renowned gardens to quaint hilltop villages, the Dandenong Ranges are a must-visit destination.
For a garden adventure like no other, visit the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden to see thousands of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias blooming in riotous colours. There are also numerous picnic grounds and areas to take a break from the sun and enjoy a wholesome lunch.
In spring, visitors are treated to a brilliant explosion of colour from the flowers and trees in the Botanic Garden, with daffodils, rhododendrons, and azaleas taking centre stage amongst the beautiful foliage. Autumn is another great time to visit, with the dazzling fall foliage particularly impressive.
There are plenty of opportunities to pick fruit in the Dandenong Ranges, so pack a basket and head to the region’s best fruit farms to get hands-on. Or try out the Tesselaar KaBloom, Festival of Flowers in Silvan, a carnival of colour where you can wander through acres of gorgeous flowers including marigolds and petunias.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed experience, the William Ricketts Sanctuary is a tranquil escape that combines the work of artist Bill Ricketts with ferny pathways and fantastic sculptures. This place is especially stunning in autumn, with the forest ablaze with colour as maples and other deciduous trees prepare for winter.
The Dandenong Ranges is a popular destination for holidaymakers who love to indulge in quality local produce and quaint hilltop villages. But the region is also an eco-friendly destination, allowing you to reconnect with nature while enjoying a secluded retreat in a rainforest or on a farmstay.
Fruit Picking
Known as the ‘Destination Food Bowl’, the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley region has a wide variety of fruit picking opportunities within one hour’s drive of Melbourne. With over 400 different types of fruits to choose from, the pick-your-own farms in the area are a great way to get back to nature and enjoy delicious fresh produce.
Whether you’re looking for sweet juicy peaches or tart nectarines, this pick-your-own region of the dandenongs from melbourne is packed with luscious fruits and delicious treats. Some farms require bookings, so it’s best to call or check online before you go to avoid missing out.
The dandenongs from melbourne also offer the opportunity to wander through some of the region’s most scenic landscapes. The cool temperate rainforests are bursting with lush fern gullies and towering mountain ash trees. Strolling through this natural wonderland is one of the most popular things to do in the dandenongs from Melbourne.
If you’re in the mood to stretch your legs, consider taking on the 3.2-kilometer round-trip La La Falls Trail that pokes its way through dense forests near Warburton. Or, if you’re up for a longer walk, try the dog-friendly 17-kilometer one-way Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track that runs from Emerald to Sassafras.
There are a number of cultural precincts in the Dandenong Ranges. These include the Afghan Bazaar, Little India and a number of restaurants and shops.
For those in search of something a little more romantic, a visit to Alfred Nicholas Gardens is one of the most beautiful things to do in the dandenongs. With rhododendrons and azaleas in spring, hydrangeas and native ferns in summer, and vibrant foliage of beech and maples in autumn, this garden is an unforgettable sight for any visitor. Couples can take a romantic stroll through the grounds and enjoy the evocative water features.
