Nature play is a fantastic way to nurture children’s imagination and sense of adventure, and the Dandenong Ranges provide plenty of opportunities to do just that! There are cascading waterfalls, idyllic picnic spots and amazing views here that children will love discovering!

Regional playground featuring loads to see and do for kids of all ages – such as a giant sandpit, water play areas, slides, flying foxes and rope courses! Also look out for Oscar Vintage Coffee Van parking itself on site Wednesday-Sunday!

Gembrook Leisure Park

Gembrook Leisure Park provides families with an ideal way to explore nature. There is something here for every member of the family to enjoy, from giant sandpits and playgrounds designed specifically for little ones to treetop walks and sculpture trails where children can hunt down figures hidden among ferns, rocks and native bush.

Best of all, this park is free! Visitors can easily reach this attraction by foot, bike, or vehicle.

The park serves as both a sporting reserve and picnic area, featuring several football/cricket ovals as well as netball courts and a basketball court for sports activities such as netball and basketball. There is also an ample picnic area with barbecue facilities.

Olinda township boasts an idyllic playground that opened in 2019 and quickly became a day trip destination. Situated on an old golf course site, it boasts lush trees and offers panoramic views north across Yarra Valley. Offering play equipment suitable for younger children such as sweet cubbies and toddler sized slides; trampolines in ground placements; twin flying foxes; public art exhibits including giant geckos to climb up onto and pose with.

At this location there is also a large water play park – perfect for hot days when the kids want something cool to play in! Separated by stone barriers are various areas with beautiful gardens filled with floral displays from vibrant rhododendrons to fragrant blossoms. Don’t forget to take time out during your visit to stroll around the lake and admire all the sculptures and artwork scattered throughout its grounds!

Dandenong Park

The Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne in Victoria are an award-winning tourist destination renowned for their natural sites and picturesque lookouts. This mountainous region of cool temperate rainforest is renowned for its cascading waterfalls, gorgeous picnic spots and amazing vistas. Furthermore, it’s home to exciting activities and attractions including outdoor sports competitions, community bazaars, celebrations, artisinal trade shows and artisanal trade fairs; not forgetting its luxurious lodging options and charming rural settlements dotted throughout.

Beyond its natural attractions, the region also features numerous cultural and heritage offerings. Visitors can board Puffing Billy steam train to travel through stunning parks that wind their way past charming villages and dense forests; or take part in an exquisite high tea experience at esteemed Marybrooke Manor.

One of the top things to do in Dandenongs is visit Tim Neville Arboretum where children can play on an expansive playground surrounded by trees, while adults can learn about Australia’s unique flora. Furthermore, this park features walking trails perfect for nature enthusiasts and hikers.

Olinda Playspace offers another great day out in the Dandenongs. Opening on the site of an old golf course in 2019, this expansive playground quickly became a local favourite. Boasting slides, monkey bars, bird’s nest swing and rope bridge attractions amongst many others, Olinda Playspace attracts children of all ages and provides breathtaking views of Yarra Valley.

Cardinia Reservoir is one of Melbourne’s premier tourist spots. Popular among boating and fishing enthusiasts alike, the reservoir sits along Dandenong Creek. Formerly used to supply Melbourne suburbs with water, visitors to this attraction can also experience historic Truby King Centre or visit Dandenong Observatory which offer amazing panoramic views.

Tim Neville Arboretum

The park offers nature lovers an escape, delighting them with forest walking trails, picturesque lookouts and floral delights that delight the senses. Additionally, there’s a playground, picnic spots and lake where families love picnicking together – plus it hosts various forms of wildlife like birds and reptiles!

The Arboretum can be found on Dorset Road in Ferntree Gully and is a popular playground among tourists visiting the Dandenong Ranges. Surrounded by a sturdy fence whose access is controlled by a child-proof gate to ensure children stay safe while playing, this playground offers fun-filled play structures designed with their needs in mind: castle, Loch Ness Monster that they can climb upon, magical imagination-sparkling structures as well as traditional equipment such as flying foxes, swings and slides – making an enjoyable play experience for children while adults as well.

Arboretum features a duck-filled pond, amphitheatre and secret garden as well as picnic area with barbecue grills for wheelchair accessibility and wheelchair-accessibility. Recently upgraded and opened for public enjoyment.

Knox City Council is seeking feedback from residents regarding plans for a new playground within their reserve. The existing playground will be upgraded with safety and accessibility features such as shade sails over sandpits and water play areas as well as trees and shrubs planted throughout.

The arboretum boasts several beautiful gardens, such as Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden and William Ricketts Sanctuary, both filled with blooming rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, and other lovely blooms – an absolute pleasure to visit year round! These lush spaces make an experience unlike any other.

The arboretum offers many exciting hiking and cycling trails for walkers and runners to enjoy, with breathtaking views of the Dandenong Ranges from many points along its course. All fitness levels can enjoy this trail while looking out for lyrebirds along its length!

Olinda Playspace

Olinda Playspace is an idyllic regional playground set amongst lush trees on a hilltop of Olinda’s former golf course – making this paradise-esque attraction an absolute must-visit for local families! This spectacular, nature-based attraction will surely provide hours of fun!

Mamma’s Special Mention: What makes this playground exceptional is the superb mix of natural elements and traditional play equipment, featuring rock structures carved directly out of the site and colourful slides and soft fall rubber matting that seamlessly integrate into their setting. There’s also plenty of activities and equipment for older children such as climbing walls, ropes courses, fun slides, flying fox, balancing beams as well as an expansive open area complete with roundabout and triple inground mini-tramp – plus public art pieces like cute carvings (we loved owls and wombats!) as well as a big totem pole and some beautiful mosaics!

For when you need to take a break there’s an outdoor picnic shelter with tables as well as numerous unshaded areas to sit and relax in the shade. Furthermore, there’s also a toilet block and BBQs nearby in case it rains, plus an Oscar Vintage Coffee Van located there offering coffee, hot chocolates, iced drinks and food on weekends (Wednesday to Sunday).

Olinda Park is an exquisite place for exploring with the family in autumn when the leaves turn beautiful shades. However, keep in mind that Olinda area tends to be considerably cooler than lower parts of Melbourne – make sure everyone brings an extra jumper so as to remain cozy!