Dandenong Ranges National Park - North

Dandenong Ranges National Park - North

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    Dandenong Ranges National Park North

    Dandenong Ranges National Park

    The north of the Dandenong Ranges National Park includes the area's highest peak, Mount Dandenong. This is a popular area for walks and picnics. Here you will find the historic site of the former Doongalla Homestead among beautiful gardens, magnificent Olinda Falls and stunning views from Burkes Lookout and Kalorama.
    Escape to this wonderful cool temperate rainforest on Melbourne's doorstep. The northern Dandenong Ranges is a place of majestic scenery, stunning views, beautiful gardens and noisy, colourful wildlife.

    Enjoy forest walks under the canopy of the world's tallest flowering plant, the Mountain Ash Tree. Take a moment to rest quietly and you might see a lyrebird scratching in the soil or a wallaby browsing in the undergrowth.

    One of the best views in the Dandenongs is from Burkes Lookout, from where you can see the Kinglake Ranges, Mt Macedon, the You Yangs, Port Phillip and the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas on a clear day. Kalorama Lookout offers another great view – across to Silvan Reservoir.

    Olinda has always been known for its gardens. The Dandenong Ranges Botanical Garden is hugely popular in spring when Rhododendrons bloom and cherry trees blossom, while the Mount Dandenong Arboretum is spectacular in autumn.

    The Dandenong Ranges is a place where a spot of rain means you are more likely to see the natural wonders of the area. After a shower, the lyrebirds come out to feed, Olinda Falls flows more – and you might see a rainbow over the verdant hills.

    Things To Do

     
    A man with an afro wearing a leather jacket and woman wearing a cream knitted jumper turn and walk away from a lake in the Dandenong Ranges Botanical Gardens.

    Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden

    The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden (formerly the National Rhododendron Garden) is host to brilliantly coloured blooms of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, cherries and daffodils. Seasonal changes ensure the gardens are a delight all year around.
    A man in a blue puffer jack walks towards a women with black hair wearing a cream jumper to join a picnic.

    Doongalla Homestead

    The Doongalla Homestead was established in the 1890s but destroyed by a bushfire in 1932. The remnant gardens and open lawn areas make this a great location for a family picnic.
    The stunning view from the top of Kalorama Park in the northern section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

    Kalorama Park

    Boasting spectacular views over Silvan Reservoir and the south-eastern face of the Dandenong Ranges, Kalorama Park is perfect for picnics, barbecues or simply relaxing whilst enjoying the magnificent surrounds.
    Water cascades over Olinda Falls

    Olinda-Falls

    Starting at the Olinda Falls Picnic Ground, follow the Falls Track. After 300m, you will come to the top viewing platform across Olinda Creek as the steady flow of water cascades over the rocks. A further 140m leads to the lower viewing platform and a small bridge over the creek.
    The view from the RJ Hamer Arboretum in the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

    RJ Hamer Arboretum

    Take a quiet, peaceful stroll along the many walking tracks and roads of the Arboretum and take in the tranquil beauty and stunning scenery across the Yarra Valley out to the Warburton Ranges and beyond.
    A sculpture looks over a walking path in the William Ricketts Sanctuary.

    William Ricketts Sanctuary

    Situated in a ferny glade in the Dandenongs, 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. Many travel across the world to visit this place time and time again.
    Two men mountain biking at Silvan Reservoir, Dandenong Ranges National Park.

    Mountain bike trails in Dandenong Ranges National Park

    The steep terrain and tall canopy of the Silvan area of Dandenong Ranges National Park makes for an exciting mountain bike destination. The area hosts a combination of single trail and management vehicle tracks with opportunities for beginner and intermediate skill levels.

    How to get there

    Dandenong Ranges National Park North

    The north of the Dandenong Ranges National Park includes the area's highest peak, Mount Dandenong. This is a popular area for walks and picnics. Here you will find the historic site of the former Doongalla Homestead among beautiful gardens, magnificent Olinda Falls and stunning views from Burkes Lookout and Kalorama.
    Dandenong Ranges National Park North

    Facilities

    Picnic Area
    BBQ
    Carpark
    Lookout

    When you're there

    Dandenong Ranges National Park is open every day, including weekends and public holidays.

    Kalorama Park, Doongalla Homestead Site and Stables picnic ground, Eagle Nest picnic ground, Valley picnic ground, and Silvan Reservoir Park close at 4:00 pm.

    The park is closed when the local fire danger rating is 'Severe' and may also close when there is a forecast for damaging winds of 80kph or more. Check this page before your visit and download the Dandenong Ranges National Park north visitor guide for more information about this part of the park.

    When to go

    Escape the heat of the city. The Dandenongs are consistently a few degrees cooler than built up areas in lower altitudes.

    Need to know

    Dandenong Ranges National Park North

    Accessibility

    Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.

    Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

    Change of Conditions

    Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

    • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

      Olinda/Silvan Storm Recovery Works

      Following the 2021 storm events, Parks Victoria is partnering with other government agencies to support recovery efforts on public land. In the Silvan and Olinda areas, VicForest will remove debris and treat hazardous trees to reduce the bushfire risk and enable safe and rapid response to emergencies. Works will also re-establish safe public access and allow the forest to regenerate. Environmental and cultural values are being identified and managed during this process. For your safety please observe signage, do not enter work sites and beware of machinery and trucks. 

      Inline with seasonal closure principles, works have paused for winter to avoid further damage to the environment and tracks. As such, there are some debris piles that remain in the Board Track and Mathias Road areas (areas 2 and 3 on map). However, these areas are open to the public. 

      Attachments: SilvanOlinda Recovery Overview Map (288KB)

      Closures due to storm damage

      • Valley Picnic Ground is closed to picnicking; visitors can use Boundary Road to access the park however no vehicle access is permitted.
      • 1000 Steps/Kokoda Memorial Walk 
      • Sections of Sassafras Creek/Menzies Creek walking track
      • Wattle Track in Sherbrooke 
      • William Ricketts Sanctuary
      • Areas of Silvan/Olinda forest 

      Attachments: DR Storm Damage Works - Autumn 2022 Flyer (1,671KB)

    • Sherbrooke Picnic ground (Dandenong Ranges National Park)

      Sherbrooke Picnic Ground Toilet Closed

      The toilet block is closed temporarily awaiting connection to the sewer, the nearby O'Donohues Picnic Ground toilet is open.

    Two hikers reach the summit of Mount Nelse at Bogong High Plains
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