Dandenong Ranges
Discover Dandenong Ranges
The Dandenong Ranges are a group of hills forming the eastern boundary of Melbourne, Australia, about 35 km east of the central city. They can be seen from most parts of Melbourne, and are easily identifiable as a group of three hills with large television towers. Four chunks of the ranges form the Dandenong Ranges National Park, whose highest peak is TV tower-topped Mount Dandenong itself (633 m). The valley between the hills has the pleasant towns of Olinda, Sassafras and Kallista, and the wineries of the Yarra Valley are just to the north. Although there is a suburb called Dandenong in Melbourne, it is 30 km from the mountain of the same name. Make sure you double check!
What to Experience in Dandenong Ranges
Taste of Dandenong Ranges...
Unless you're touring by car, you'll need to bring along your own supplies: there's a supermarket and a few basic eateries next to Upper Ferntree Gully station. The National Park has half a dozen picnic grounds with barbecues, shelters and water, as well as a cafe. The Royal Hotel is across the road from Upper Ferntree Gully train station. There are also some bars in Belgrave, such as Sooki Lounge which features live bands - check the gig guide.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe Dandenongs can be reached by Belgrave line Metro trains from Melbourne in just over an hour. Outside rush hour, you may need to board a train to Lilydale and change at Ringwood. Two park information centres are near Upper Ferntree Gully station (one on the Railway Rd side, the other 10 min away at the Ferntree Gully picnic grounds), while Puffing Billy (see below) leaves from near Belgrave. Alternatively, take the train to Croydon on the Lilydale line, and continue by Ventura bus 688 to Mt Dandenong and Olinda. The service is infrequent, but it's the only way of reaching either on Sundays. As ever in Australia, a car will come in handy for touring the area, especially on weekends. The main route through the Dandenong Ranges is via the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Ventura Bus Lines runs several buses in the area. All are in Metlink Zone 2 and run very infrequently, so check schedules beforehand. It is possible to travel by train to Upper Ferntree Gully or Belgrave station. From there, several walks are available throughout nearby Ferntree Gully National Park, (see below). There are a plethora of walking tracks throughout the Dandenong Ranges that can be reached by bus. Maps are located from the Information Centre at Upper Ferntree Gully. Cycling is possible, but only for intermediate and advanced cyclists. Unless you're touring by car, you'll need to bring along your own supplies: there's a supermarket and a few basic eateries next to Upper Ferntree Gully station. The National Park has half a dozen picnic grounds with barbecues, shelters and water, as well as a cafe. The Royal Hotel is across the road from Upper Ferntree Gully train station.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Dandenong Ranges
Dandenong ranges national park
Burkes Lookout in the Dandenong Ranges. Overlooking Melbourne and surrounding Eastern Suburbs
Alfred Nicholas memorial garden in Sherbrooke within the Dandenong Ranges National Park
brown and gray structure beside trees
a view of a city at night from an airplane
The "Blue" Dandenongs ... so called because the eucalypt forests emit a blue-ish tinge into the atmosphere
Searching for Seeds. A cheeky juvenile Eastern Rosella scratches for seeds in the leaf litter on the floor of Sherbrooke Forest. Sherbrooke National Park is on the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia.
"You just can't get good help these days" A wild sulphur-crested cockatoo checks out my brother's photographic expertise in Sherbrooke Forest. And yes, my brother is an animal (and bird) whisperer!
Dandenong ranges national park
Burkes Lookout in the Dandenong Ranges. Overlooking Melbourne and surrounding Eastern Suburbs
Alfred Nicholas memorial garden in Sherbrooke within the Dandenong Ranges National Park
brown and gray structure beside trees
a view of a city at night from an airplane