Whether you’re seeking respite in nature, activities in the great outdoors or to tick off one of Victoria’s most iconic landscapes, Wilsons Promontory is a must-see destination. Use this handy guide to discover how to make the most of your time at the Prom.
Victoria
The best things to do in the Dandenong Ranges
From high teas to historic train rides, flower shows to towering forests, these are the best things to see and do in Victoria's Dandenong Ranges.
The Dandenong Ranges, commonly known as 'the Dandenongs', is a stunning mountain range famous for its lush rainforests, quaint village towns, cosy eateries, and scenic attractions.
Just 35km from Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges can be visited on an easy day trip or enjoyed over a weekend, with plenty to explore year-round. The region itself is home to a dormant volcano, waterfall trails, mountain views, botanic gardens and forests.
In addition to its natural wonders, the Dandenongs also has plenty of quaint townships to explore including Sassafras, Olinda, Emerald, Belgrave, Silvan, Upper Ferntree Gully and Mount Dandenong. Pack the car and enjoy a day (or two) exploring some of the best things to do and places to visit in the Dandenong Ranges.
The Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens feature a picturesque lake. Image: Visit Victoria.
The best things to do and places to go in the Dandenong Ranges
Gardens and nature walks
Sherbrooke Forest
Sherbrooke Forest is located in the heart of the Dandenongs and consists of walking tracks for beginners through to experienced bushwalkers.
One of the most popular tracks is the 2.4km-long Sherbrooke Falls Trail, a rainforest walk where you can spot lyrebirds, possums, wombats, and wallabies in lush surrounds.
1,000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk
The 1,000 steps is one of the most popular bushwalks in Melbourne. Set amongst lush rainforest, this steep walk rewards those who attempt it with beautiful views. The best way to enjoy the steps is by starting at Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground, walking to the clearing at the top of the trail, then heading back along Lyrebird Track. A café is also available at the bottom of the track.
More: The ultimate guide to the 1,000 steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens features 300,000 flowers including azaleas, camellias, daffodils and rhododendrons. There are more than 15,000 rhododendrons alone, including Australia’s largest collection of Australian and overseas-raised rhododendron hybrids that cannot be replaced, re-bred or re-imported.
Explore on foot or with the fee-for-service Garden Explorer bus tour that takes you on a 25-minute journey.
More: Melbourne's best botanic gardens and parks
Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens
The Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens are spectacular year-round, offering something a little different depending on the season. One of the most popular times to visit is in autumn when the deciduous foliage bursts into shades of red and gold. The tiered gardens have many interlinking paths that meander down to an ornamental lake. You can take your dog, too, as long as it's on a leash.
Cloudehill Gardens
Cloudehill's manicured gardens are recognised internationally for their beauty, with 25 cultivated areas including a bulb meadow, a bluebell woodland and a peony garden. Part of the secret behind the tremendous success of Cloudehill is the volcanic soil on which the gardens are built. Make sure to visit the Japanese maple trees at the centre of the gardens – they've been growing at Cloudehill for almost a century.
Puffing Billy is a magical experience for all ages and runs daily tours. Image: Visit Victoria.
The best family-friendly attractions to do in the Dandenong Ranges
Puffing Billy
Puffing Billy is a historic train that has been travelling through the heart of the Dandenong Ranges since 1900. The train takes you through ferny gullies, past forest villages and under massive Mountain Ash trees with three different journeys available to book.
A highlight of the journey is the ability for kids to ‘sit on the sills’ and dangle their legs out from the train windows to feel like they’re really flying through the rainforest. Puffing Billy also holds regular special events such as its 1920s-themed dinner journeys, dog-friendly train rides, Day Out With Thomas and Puffing Billy Running Festival.
RACV Members save on tickets to Puffing Billy.
Emerald Lake Park
Fancy a lakeside adventure? Grab a friend or your family and head to the town of Emerald, where you can use pedal power on a two-person paddleboat around Lake Treganowan.
The vintage ride empowers you to explore the glistening waters of Emerald Lake as you have fun spotting ducks, kookaburras, wallabies, and rosellas. There’s also a wading pool open during summer and barbecue facilities and cafe.
Treetops Adventure
This high ropes course is suitable for adventurers aged three and older who want a hands-on, exciting experience in the Dandenongs.
The Belgrave Treetops Adventure site is located near the Puffing Billy train station and features a 150-year-old Algerian Oak tree along with ziplines, tightropes and tunnels. This is an all-weather attraction, so pack warm and weatherproof clothing if the clouds look ominous.
SkyHigh Mount Dandenong
Enjoy spectacular views of Melbourne, Port Phillip Bay, the Mornington Peninsula and even the You Yangs from this lookout. SkyHigh Mount Dandenong offers more than just beautiful vistas, with a restaurant and bistro, hedge maze and gardens. It's a great place to watch the sunset.
SkyHigh Mount Dandenong offers fabulous views of Melbourne. Visit during the day or stay to watch the sunset.
Best cafes, restaurants and cultural experiences in the Dandenong Ranges
Miss Marple’s Tearoom
Stop for tea and scones at Miss Marple’s Tearoom in Sassafras. You can’t miss this Tudor-style cottage from the outside – inside you’ll feel like you’re dining with Agatha Christie’s famous heroine herself as you enjoy your meal beside floral curtains and delightfully chintzy decor.
Olinda Tea House
It’s hard not to relax and unwind when visiting Olinda Tea House. This Asian-fusion restaurant exudes tranquility thanks to its traditional Eastern-style timber architecture and gardens. In addition to a lunch and dinner menu, the tea house also serves high tea.
Only Mine
This local chocolate shop and cafe produces sweets that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Only Mine focuses on chocolates that are handmade, sustainable and ethical, with gluten free and vegan options available. Buy a box of bonbons or enjoy a decadent brownie, waffle or hot chocolate from the cafe.
The Burrinja Culture Centre
The Burrinja Culture Centre features local art, events and experiences for all ages. The centre highlights rotating art exhibitions, cultural workshops, local performances, activities, and events, with food and drink available on-site. Find it in Upwey, at the foothills of the Dandenongs.
The annual Tesselaar Tulip Festival features over one million flowers in every shade imaginable.
Events to watch out for in the Dandenong Ranges
Tesselaar Tulip Festival and Kabloom
Springtime in the Dandenongs brings thousands of guests to the Tesselaar Tulip Farm for the annual Tulip Festival. Featuring more than one million blooms (including tulips of almost every colour imaginable), the Tesselar Tulip Festival is also loved for its celebration of Dutch culture, with food, music, games and even a giant wooden clog on offer.
RACV Members can save when buying tickets to Tesselaar Tulip Festival.
Tesselaar also hosts the Kabloom festival in autumn, with fields of snapdragons, cleomes, salvias and marigolds instead of tulips. This festival also features family-friendly activities.
Puffing Billy 's Train of Lights
Get ready to hop on board the most magical steam train ride when Puffing Billy Railway’s Train of Lights returns in 2025. The historic steam engine is transformed into a spectacle with a rainbow of neon lights that give it an other-worldly glow as it transports passengers from Lakeside to Gembrook. On arrival at Gembrook, guests are met with open fires, hot chocolate, live music and other wintery delights as part of the 2.5-hour journey.
There are lots of scenic picnic locations in the Dandenongs, including Emerald Lake Park. Image: Visit Victoria.
Best picnic spots in the Dandenong Ranges
Sherbrooke Falls Picnic Ground
This picnic ground is well positioned for families and is only a short walk from Sherbrooke Falls. The nearby O'Donohue picnic ground is also within walking distance of both the falls and Sherbrooke picnic ground.
Emerald Lake Park
There are plenty of scenic spots and free electric barbecues to use at Emerald Lake Park, not to mention paddleboats, walking tracks and a café. It can also be accessed via train (the Belgrave Line then Puffing Billy).
Grants Picnic Ground
A number of birds can be spotted at Grants Picnic Ground, including crimson rosellas, rainbow lorikeets and even lyrebirds. A café is located on the grounds if you prefer to buy your lunch.
Doongalla Picnic Ground
Doongalla is the site of a historic homestead that stood for forty years before burning down in 1932. The occasional remnant of the homestead can still be seen today, most notably the grand stone staircase that led up to the property.
How to get to the Dandenong Ranges from Melbourne
The easiest way to reach the Dandenong Ranges is by car. Take the Eastern Freeway/Eastlink/M3 from central Melbourne, following the Ringwood Bypass to Mt Dandenong Road.
If you want to avoid paying the Eastlink toll, exit the M3 at Springvale Road before taking Canterbury Road towards Mt Dandenong Road.
Public transport is limited but still allows you to access many of the main towns in the Dandenongs, such as Olinda, Sherbrooke and Olinda. Take the Belgrave line to Belgrave Station then hop on the route 694 bus.
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