Plan your Visit
The roads through the Dandenongs are highly scenic either with views over the city or across surrounding valleys to the mountains, and Sherbrooke’s glorious mountain ash must be perhaps the finest tall tree forest in the world, yet all within an hour’s drive of the heart of Melbourne. Find listed below some of the must see gardens, nurseries and attractions. Make the most of your visit an stay a few days in one of the beautiful hills properties in the area.
In Woolrich’s historic five-acre woodlands you will find our two luxury retreats, Woolrich Cottage and The Garden Retreat, where guests will enjoy the very best bed & breakfast accommodation available in the Dandenong Ranges. Privacy, open fires, spas, ensuites, decks with BBQs overlooking the gardens and free entry to Cloudehill Gardens next door. Walk, laze by the fire, relax in the spa or soak in the view with a glass of wine. The perfect Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges getaway.
Visit the Woolrich Retreat Website
Valley Ranges Getaways connects you to some of the most stunning and exclusive private houses in the Dandenong Ranges. With a range of properties, from private houses to cosy cottages and executive retreats, you’ll find the perfect property for couples, families and groups looking to getaway. All properties are conveniently located close to a Village with accommodation to suit every occasion, budget and taste.
Visit the Valley Ranges Getaways Website
Gracehill Accommodation is a country mountain retreat set on six acres of magnificent park like grounds where guests and locals come to gather all year-round, to relax, unwind and escape the busy life. Here amongst the tall mountain ashes, with stunning views, Gracehill Accommodation is an ideal place to visit and share time with families and friends or the perfect romantic getaway for couples.
Visit the Gracehill Website
Our award winning cottages are situated off the busy Tourist Road but only 400 metres to the villages of Olinda and Mt. Dandenong with approximately 10 restaurants to choose from. Each cottage has a log fire and a conservatory. Two have spa baths and two have timber hot tubs. Full Breakfast provisions are included in the cottage for you to enjoy when you are ready. Arcadia also has its own dedicated Day Spa Centre with two stunning treatment rooms and a guest lounge.
Visit Arcadia Cottages Website
The Gallery Bed and Breakfast is a new, contemporary, romantic retreat nestled in 1 ½ acres of old Hills gardens in the Dandenong Ranges. Once a well known art gallery, The Gallery has been recently transformed into a spacious, boutique self-contained cottage for two, that's stylishly fitted and furnished with warm interiors and modern design. Immerse yourself within the scenic Dandenong Ranges. Escape, recharge and be inspired by the intimate setting of your private, luxury accommodation bordered by old beech, chestnut and birch trees.
Visit The Gallery's Website
Step back into the 1950’s as you enter the door of Balangara, with its unique décor, plus all the warmth and luxury you expect in a hills retreat. A private entranced suite with two bed rooms, separate lounge, luxurious bathroom with Japanese style bath and some self catering facilities in the 1950’s styled kitchenette, Balangara is perfect for overnight, weekend or a longer weekday stay. Have your morning coffee on your private deck overlooking the four acres of hills garden (formerly a picking nursery for the floristry industry) while listening to the lyrebirds serenade.
Visit Balangara Accommodations Website
Stroll through 40 hectares of scenic botanic gardens or a picnic by the lake and take in stunning views of the Australian Alps. Photograph the native birdlife and brilliant floral scenery. During the Spring Floral Festival held annually from August to November visitors can enjoy a series of undercover floral displays, including the largest undercover display of daffodils in the Southern Hemisphere. The garden has a gatehouse, gazebos and grassed picnic areas.
Visit the Parks Vic Website
Established in 1929 as part of the historic Burnham Beeches Estate, Alfred Nicholas Gardens has extensive water features with waterfalls and an ornamental lake. The many linking paths through this garden take you beneath a canopy of awesome Mountain Ash Trees. Walk through shady trees down to the picturesque lake, and picnic by the quaint boathouse. In spring, view the flowering azaleas, cherry trees and viburnum. Popular for walks, picnics and birdwatching by the lake. Walks are on gravel requiring a degree of fitness.
Visit the Parks Vic Website
The garden has now grown since the mid 1990's to cover over 14 acres featuring thousands of exotic and native lotus flowers and water lilies, dozens of ponds and two lakes all connected by walking tracks and ornate bridges. Other attractions include four glass houses that grow rare plants such as the world's largest lily, the spectacular South American Victoria cruziana.
Visit the Blue Lotus Water Garden Website
Conifer Gardens Nursery has been operating for more than 30 years at Ferny Creek in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, 40km east of Melbourne in Victoria. During this time they have been renowned as a leading conifer grower in Australia, supplying both the public and the trade. Currently they grow more than 600 varieties, from tiny dwarf conifers to the large, fast growing screening conifers. They also have attractive display gardens featuring many dwarf conifers.
Visit the Conifer Gardens Nursery Website
Located at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges this nursery displays the most amazing range of Australian native plants. The spectacular architect-designed building features 100 year old ironbark exposed beams recycled from wharf timbers from Sydney Harbour. Enjoy the Kuranga experience and explore our infinite range of unique and diverse native flora. Discover the home of Australia’s largest range of Australian native plants any where.
Visit the Kuranga Native Nursery Website
Proserpina Bakehouse sits on the main street of Sassafras amidst a vibrant community garden. Six days a week they freshly mill flour that soon becomes a variety of bread, pastries, astonishingly delicious sweet baked goods and wholesome pies. This humming heart of Sassafrass is the combined expertise of Gary Cooper (ex - Bella Verdere) and Carolyn Deutsher (ex - Ripe). A bustling cafe / bakery / community hub is probably the best way to describe this warm and beautiful space.
Visit The Prosperina Facebook Page
With an emphasis on fresh home cooking using locally supplied produce, Sassafras Cafe is a cosy cafe serving a hearty breakfast or light lunch. Devonshire Teas are a speciality with homemade scones with jam and double cream. Karen’s spectacular Jams & Chutneys are made just for the Café and can also be purchased. The perfect place to drop into after some serious window shopping in the beautiful shops of Sassafras.
Visit The Sassasfras Cafe
Get some Perspective & Escape the noise and pressures of the concrete jungle. Head out on a romantic drive and enjoy the stunning views over Melbourne. Get lost in the SkyHigh Maze, visit Percy The Possum’s House, the Australiana Tree and Giant’s Chair. Enjoy the unparalleled vista from the SkyHigh Bistro or fire up a public barbecue, spread a rug and picnic on the elevated viewing terrace. Take a leisurely walk through the gardens and visit our special Secret Garden.
Visit the SkyHigh Mt Dandenong Website
Come for a ride from Belgrave to Gembrook and experience Australia’s favourite steam train, one of the finest preserved steam railways in the world. Built to serve at the turn of the century it now winds through the beautiful Dandenong Ranges and is a great day out. Puffing Billy Railway is now a major tourist attraction and operates every day except Christmas Day, thanks to the tireless efforts of more than 900 dedicated volunteers.
Visit the Puffing Billy Website
William Ricketts Sanctuary is a place of beauty and tranquillity, due both to the natural setting and the mystical sculptures half hidden among ferns along the pathways. It is a place for quiet reflection and for contemplation of the essence of the vision of William Ricketts. The winding paths and rock sculptures reflect a spirit of place expressed through one man’s dream. Deeply felt connections to the earthly mother and the spirit of the land are explored in 92 ceramic sculptures of people and animals which merge with the natural surroundings.
Visit the Parks Vic Website
Trees Adventure is a new, exhilarating eco-adventure in the Dandenongs. It comprises five tree-top obstacle and flying fox courses that weave through the sublime canopy of Glen Harrow heritage gardens. Soar through the forest on an array of flying foxes and take on a series of thrilling challenges. Adventurers move between platforms between 2 and 12 metres in height, across a series of imaginative obstacles. There are easy courses for those scared of heights to ‘black runs’ for thrill seekers.
Visit the Trees Adventure Website
If you enjoy bushwalking or just want to go for a gentle stroll, there are many walking tracks throughout the Dandenongs. Along the tracks are scenic views, native flora and fauna and waterfalls. There are designated tracks for all fitness levels and the cool mountain elevation affords spectacular panoramic views. There is abundant native birdlife, including crimson rosellas, kookaburras and the superb lyrebird. Discover the Olinda or Sherbrooke Falls or enjoy a picnic at the various picnic grounds. For the brave there is also the 1000 steps from Fern Tree Gully to One Tree Hill.
Download a Villages Map
Copperfields caters for all styles of dining from the famous Devonshire Tea, to an antipasto platter to share right up to the 5 Treasures Crayfish Platter. Father and son chefing team, Mark and Shane, insists on using free-range produce, including King Island Beef, Glenloth Chicken, Otway Pork and other world-renowned Australian produce. Copperfields also specialises in Seafood including King Island Crayfish.
Visit the Copperfields Restaurant Website
At The Deli Platter, it's all about the food. Delicious, fresh and unique homemade food, artisan sourdough breads, local and imported produce, a full range of gluten-free and dairy-free options always available. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon teas, take-home and hampers and picnic baskets.
Visit The Deli Platter Website
The Independent Gembrook is a partnership with the Gordon Family & Argentinean chef Mauro Callegari. Local produce in a modern Argentinean menu. An inspiring restaurant based on the belief that great food is about family and friends. At The independent Mauro has created a menu inspired by the seasons, the best local ingredients and his Argentinean heritage.
Visit The Independent Website
One of the hills most famous attractions, step into another world at The Cuckoo. Decorated with the charm of a Bavarian chalet, The Cuckoo is a 400 seat licensed restaurant serving an abundance of food in a traditional smorgasbord with an amazing range of cakes and pastries made fresh daily. Enjoy live entertainment daily and our famous Floor Show including the slap dance and yodeling equal to any in Switzerland or Bavaria.
Visit The Cuckoo Website
Cafe ambient style dining by day and relaxing Restaurant style dining at night with the Asian flair added with modern Australian dishes. Try our amazing home-made scones and sticky date or our famous Ranges mountain bread. We are famous for our open fires and lovely outside deck at the rear where you can relax eat and drink and bring your dogs too as we are dog friendly! Our food is all made with love and we do try to source our products locally.
Visit the Ranges at Olinda Website
Sherbrooke Art Society was founded in 1966 at the instigation of well-known artist, Jack Montgomery. It moved to its present site in 1971 and is now one of the very few art societies to own its gallery. Sherbrooke Art Society's home is an historically important building formerly known as the Red Mill Cafe nestled in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. Today it has a constantly changing display of some 300 works of art for sale.
Visit Sherbrooke Art Society's Website
Burrinja is a vibrant community cultural centre that encompasses arts activities and events, Indigenous gallery, collection and cultural education, contemporary arts gallery, performing arts, artist studios, live music, workshops and café. Burrinja’s function, purpose and programming are built on a multi-element vision that seeks to enable and encourage experiential and extended programs that integrate arts, performance, education and community. It aims to program holistically, engaging multiple art practices and cultural activities within the region.
Visit Burrinja's Website
How to Get Here
VIA EASTERN FREEWAY: Follow the Eastern Freeway taking the Ringwood Bypass and follow to the intersection of Maroondah Hwy and Mt Dandenong Rd. Follow Mt Dandenong Rd turning left at the end and onto the Montrose Roundabout. Take the third exit which is Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, following the sign to Olinda and turn left down the Olinda-Monbulk road.
VIA MONASH FREEWAY: Take the Monash Freeway to the Ferntree Gully Rd exit. Follow to Burwood Hwy and turn right until the left turn sign posted for Olinda. Drive to Olinda and turn right down Olinda-Monbulk Rd.
VIA PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Catch the train to either Upper Ferntree Gully or Belgrave stations (Belgrave Line) or Croydon Station (Lilydale Line) and then Catch US bus line no. 688 from Upper Ferntree Gully or Croydon, or 694 from Belgrave train stations.
Train and Bus Timetable Information