8 Things to Do in the Dandenongs You Will Love
The Dandenong Ranges lie in East Melbourne, only an hour from Melbourne CBD. I discovered this region on a day trip from Melbourne, and I keep returning to revisit East Melbourne to explore more of the beautiful mountain region. Here, I share the best places and things to do in the Dandenong Ranges. The Dandenongs are a special place if you love to enjoy the outdoors near Melbourne.

Places to visit and things to do on a Dandenong Ranges Day Trip
The Dandenongs stretch between Lilydale, located in the upper north, to Ferntree Gully in the southern part and from Belgrave southeast to Gembrook.
It is not possible to tour the entire Dandenongs on a one-day trip, so if your time frame is limited, this list of places will help you choose what to explore on your Melbourne Itinerary. If you ask Melburnians about their picks for visiting the Dandenong Ranges, the first thing that they would probably say is the 1000 Steps walk and the Puffing Billy Train. But there are many more places worth seeing, like the Alfred Nicholas Gardens, the Sherbrooke National Park, The Botanical Gardens and more.
No, let’s take a closer look at all things to tick off your Dandenong Ranges bucket list.

8 Things to Do in the Dandenongs for Nature Lovers
All these places are about one hour from the city, and the best way to explore this area is to go on day trips from Melbourne by car. Some of the sites can be visited by public transport too.
Go on a Puffing Billy Train Ride
Puffing Billy is the most popular heritage steam train in Australia. It is an old steam train that rides on the original mountain track for 25 km. The whole circuit takes nearly 4 hours, but you can get on and off where you want to. I went on the Puffing Billy ride from Lake Emerald to Gembrook. It takes 45 minutes to go one way.
Despite the cold winter temps – 6°C -, I enjoyed sitting in the open carriage, dangling my legs over the side, leaning out and taking as many photographs as possible of the fantastic mountain landscape. The train also offers first-class luxury dining and special events, as well as various kinds of functions. This is one of the nicest spots and the funniest things you can’t miss.
Book the 👉 Puffing Billy Train Tour from Melbourne

Stop at Gembrook
Gembrook is a lovely small village with Sunday markets and charming coffee shops. Riding on the Puffing Billy train isn’t cheap; a return ticket from Lake Emerald to Gembrook will cost about 49 dollars. Prices vary depending on the train route you choose. This Puffing Billy route offers more things to do along the way.

Visit Lake Emerald
Lake Emerald Park is a little jewel in the Dandenongs. From Fern Tree Gully, it’s a 20-minute drive; from the city, it’s 45 minutes. The place is popular for families with kids and tourists who flock here to walk around the lake. A paddleboat ride is a must, but I would also recommend the walking tracks starting from the lake.
Book Now Tickets for Your Dandenong Ranges Day Trip
There are picnic and BBQ facilities and also an outdoor swimming pool. The area is very photogenic, so if you love photography, this is a great spot and one of the best places to visit in the Dandenongs. If you are visiting on the third Sunday of the month, you cannot miss out on the Sunday Market, where various stalls are sold by local farmers and artisans selling their fresh produce and regional products.

Walk the 1000 Steps Kokoda Memorial Track
The 1000 Steps Walk in the Dandenongs Ranges is one of the most popular spots of the Dandenongs. Locals love it. Among outdoor and fitness lovers, it is one of the top landmarks in Melbourne’s surroundings for jogging and exercise in nature.
This 3 km walking trail was initially created in 1900 by soldiers who fought on the real Kokoda Trail in Papua Guinea. It was initially made with the trunk of tree ferns, concrete and wooden steps, then replaced. The track is steep, but anyone with a reasonable fitness level can walk up the hill.
Learn more about my adventure hiking solo 1000 Steps.

Once I reached the top, I returned through the Lyrebird Track, parallel to the 1000 steps. The vegetation is impressive; you will find yourself in the fern gully, surrounded by different tree ferns and manna gum trees. To walk the 1000-step track, you need 1 hour.

Be prepared for crowds of people flocking here from Melbourne and the suburbs. Parking your car can be a struggle. Avoid weekends and the busiest time of the day, which is the morning.
Enjoy The Sherbrooke Falls Walk
The Sherbrooke Falls Walk is another excellent and easy walk you can do in one hour, not far from the 1000 steps trail. Start your walk from the Sherbrooke Picnic Ground and walk through the beautiful forest to marvel at the tallest flowering Eucalyptus in the world, the Mountain Ash.
I happened to be there just after the rain, and the smell of the wet hardwood was so fresh and intense. In the Mountain ash forest, you can spot swamp wallabies, wombats, and brush-tailed possums as the perfect habitat for lyrebirds. There are good chances to see and hear these fantastic birds mimicking other birds’ singing.

Don’t skip on SkyHigh Mount Dandenong
This is probably the most popular place in the Dandenong Ranges. I recommend checking it out on a clear day. It is the highest point in the Dandenongs, and the view from the lookout is superb. You can enjoy Melbourne from a distance and much of Port Phillip Bay from the lookout.
Some of the things you can do there are take a stroll through the beautiful gardens, walk under dense eucalypts, sit at the restaurant, relax in the picnic area, have fun at the SkyHigh Maze, taking selfies at the Giant’s Chairs. An entry fee of 6 dollars per car is worth paying on a sunny day and sunset.
Soak in the magic of William Ricketts Sanctuary
The William Ricketts Sanctuary is on its way to SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. I highly recommend it as this is a unique site, with its striking sculptures carved into rocks representing the aboriginal culture and the artwork’s stunning, meaningful place. There is a small entry fee worth it.
On your way back, another great thing to do is stop at Olinda village, visit the Botanical Gardens and have tea at the famous Sassafras Cafe, a heritage tea house with excellent cakes and breakfasts.

Have fun at Grants Picnic Ground on Sherbrook
Another fun thing to do in the Dandenongs is bird feeding at the Grants Picnic Ground. It is a unique experience. I used to think of cockatoos as lovely birds, but they are wild animals, big and heavy birds with spiky claws in reality. I got scratches on my arms, and when you have a few cockatoos landing on your shoulders or arms, it’s easy to lose balance.
The entry fee is 4 dollars; you get a plate with a seed package to feed the birds within a designated area. If you like birds, go on the walking trails in the Sherbrook Forest near the Grants Picnic Ground Cafe; it’s the best way to see more birdlife.

8. Take a stroll at the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens
When you drive back from Sherbrooke National Park, make sure you don’t miss the parking on the left-hand side and the accessible entrance to these beautiful and picturesque gardens. They have—I dare say—the most attractive ornamental lake I have seen in Australia. The Alfred Nicholas Gardens are spread on two levels and offer a nice walk through native and exotic flowering shrubs and trees.

The most iconic place is the ornamental lake with the Boathouse. It is a tranquil and romantic place, ideal for photographing and enjoying a kaleidoscope of colours. Furthermore, this is the right spot to see birds like Rosella and King Parrots and hear the laughing Kookaburra in the treetops. There are many gardens in the Dandenongs, but I think this place is unique and worth checking out.
How To Get to The Dandenongs from Melbourne
The best way to organise your day trips from Melbourne is to hire a car, public transport, or a combination of both. I prefer self-driving. While trains and buses take you to the main destinations, you need a vehicle to make the most of this region. A guided tour may be the best option if you are on a tight schedule or want to sit back and relax.
How to plan an extended trip to the Dandenong Ranges
These are my picks for a Dandenongs itinerary from Melbourne. While you can combine a trip to these destinations with a visit to the nearby Yarra Valley, Healesville Sanctuary, and East of Melbourne, you can also visit all these top places on day trips from Melbourne by car.
The Dandenong Ranges is a stunning region of Melbourne; I highly recommend checking it out. It makes it an excellent destination for both a solo traveller and with family. There are many easy road trips and fun things to do in and around Melbourne.
Guided Activities and Tours In the Dandenongs
What if you don’t fancy travelling by car from Melbourne by yourself? The city has an excellent range of guided tours if you prefer a guided day trip. Please see our selection below, which you can book.
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Related Posts:
Best Day Trips From Melbourne By Car
Best Areas Where To Stay In Melbourne
All Australian Destinations Guides
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First published in 2018, last updated in March 2024
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Richard
August 6, 2016 @ 9:23 am
Another place that is very popular to visit and must do is a visit to Grants Picnic Ground, in which for a small fee you can feed sulphar crested cockatoos by hand the birds will land on your shoulders and head to. Get to the seed, the birds are quite heavy when you get a couple of them on the dish, just remember they are wild birds but they do love a free feed. Grants Picnic ground also offers a number number of forest walks. You can incorporate this adventure with a number of other sites including , puffing billy, Alfred Nichols gardens, Sherbrooke forest, or one of the many tea rooms scattered throughout the hills
Rocky Travel
August 6, 2016 @ 2:27 pm
Thanks for adding the Grants Picnic Ground. I will add this place to the list. Now I remember having been there too, last year. It slipped my mind, haha. It was fun feeding the birds, and yes, couldn’t believe how big and heavy these birds are. When they land on your shoulder to grab the food, you will know!
Justin
August 10, 2016 @ 3:14 pm
Wow that looks like a gorgeous area! I’d kill to be able to take a trip out there (I’m in the states) to do some photography.
Rocky Travel
August 11, 2016 @ 10:20 am
The Dandenong Ranges are so photogenic. The ferntree forest is amazing! And the landscape so picturesque.There are indeed many beautiful places to do some great photography in the Dandenongs!:-)
Jane
May 14, 2017 @ 10:00 am
Hi Michela, I’ve been enjoying reading a bunch of your posts and learnt a few things too! Next time you come to the Dandenongs (we live in Olinda) you may like to explore some more walks. I created a website with 32 walks details in the Dandenongs – Let me know when you are here again and drop by for a cuppa!
Rocky Travel
August 7, 2017 @ 3:18 pm
Wow Jane, thanks for the invite. Be sure that I will be in touch with you when I’ll visit Melbourne agan!
ajay rastogi
February 5, 2020 @ 12:57 pm
The most iconic place is the ornamental lake with the Boathouse, a very tranquil and romantic place. These are all beautiful photo. Thanks for sharing your information.
Kate Cashin
April 11, 2022 @ 11:01 am
If you like Alfred Nicholas Gardens be sure to check out Pirianda Gardens and George Tindale Gardens on future visits. They are far less well known and real gems.