Dandenong Ranges National Park

Leave the city noise behind and take a relaxing walk through forests of towering mountain ash in the Dandenong Ranges National Park, just an hour’s drive from Melbourne’s CBD. Discover lush fern gullies, waterfalls and native wildlife all around.

Forest trails

Delve deeper into the national park on longer walking trail such as the Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track, the Olinda Creek Walking Track, or the Living Bush Nature Walk. Take in panoramic views of the Melbourne skyline, see wallabies and echidnas in their native habitat, and explore the changing landscapes of the park.

Cycling and horse riding is also permitted on many of park’s nature trails. Check the local information before setting off.

Calling all twitchers

Bring your binoculars and explore the abundant birdlife in the Dandenong Ranges. Wander through the pristine forest environment and spot kookaburras, crimson rosellas, and even the superb lyrebird on your travels.

Picnic spots abound

Bring the kids for a picture-perfect picnic in the forest. Picnic grounds are located at Sherbrooke, Olinda and One Tree Hill. Walk off a big lunch by exploring one of the walking tracks that begin at the picnic grounds.

Travel safe

Weather and travel conditions can change quickly, so it important to always check the local conditions on the Parks Victoria website before you visit.

Facts

Address:Monbulk Road, Belgrave, Victoria, 3160

Official Website: https://visitdandenongranges.com.au/activity/dandenong-ranges-national-park
Cost: See Website
Open Hours:See Website

Wiki

The Dandenong Ranges National Park is a national park located in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, Australia. The 3,540-hectare (8,700-acre) national park is situated from 31 kilometres (19 mi) at its westernmost points at Ferntree Gully and Boronia to 45 kilometres (28 mi) at it easternmost point at Silvan, east of the Melbourne City Centre.

The park was proclaimed on 13 December 1987, amalgamating the Ferntree Gully National Park, Sherbrooke Forest and Doongalla Estate. In 1997 the Olinda State Forest, Mt. Evelyn and Montrose Reserve were formally added to the national park.

History

The region was originally inhabited by the Bunurong and Woewurrong Aboriginal people. Most of the forest got cleared when it became a significant source of timber for Melbourne. During the late last century, farming began in the area as roads and railways were built and the ‘Puffing Billy’ narrow-gauge line from Ferntree Gully to Gembrook started in 1900. Tourism flourished from the 1870s. The Fern Tree Gully was the first to be reserved as a park in 1882 followed by other areas. The present day national park was established in 1987.

Features

Dandenong Ranges National Park is divided into five sections:

• Doongalla Forest – Containing Mount Dandenong itself, and the SkyHigh lookout with panoramic views of Melbourne’s east
• Ferntree Gully – The south western section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, located between the suburbs of Ferntree Gully and Boronia to the west, Upwey to the south, Tremont and Sassafras to the east and The Basin to the north. The park contains the Thousands Steps trail leading to One Tree Hill. The very steep walking trail includes over 700 steps over 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) and commemorates the battle for the Kokoda track in Territory of Papua during World War II. The steps are a popular destination for sightseers and fitness enthusiasts alike. During the AFL pre-season a number of Melbourne Australian rules football league and association teams run their players up the steps to promote team fitness. There is no specific creation date of the steps; however, they are believed to be built during the early 1860s when they provided the only means of accessing the One Tree Hill Summit. According to a Tourist Guide published in 1868, all other areas contained thick forest vegetation. A survey of the park found that over 82% of visitors (on weekends) use the park for fitness-related walking. It is also a popular spot for picnics.
• Mount Evelyn Forest is the most northerly section of the park
• Olinda Forest occupies the eastern slopes of Mount Dandenong
• Sherbrooke Forest

Feral pests

Because the park is located in an urban area, the park has a long history of major problems with feral and roaming animals. A cat curfew was introduced in the entire Dandenong Ranges area some years ago, and since then the numbers and variety of lyrebirds and other native species have climbed dramatically.

Map Location

Featured Photo by Matthew Paul Argall