A 32-room mansion was built here in 1892 and burned down 40 years later. You can still see the stone steps that formed a grand approach to the old house in the remains of the gardens.
Families will appreciate the well-equipped picnic areas - each with its own car park - while nature lovers will fall for the landscaped gardens and winding trails that quickly transport you into the calm tranquillity of towering rainforest and birdsong.
The relatively easy Stables Track Loop walk departs from the Doongalla Stables Picnic Area. Follow the Stables Track until you reach a T-intersection. Turn right and climb until you join the Camelia Track. Turn right again here and walk until you join the unsealed Doongalla Forest Road which will take you back to the Stables carpark. Tread carefully and you might spot a lyrebird dashing across the track ahead of you.
Another much more challenging walk offers fit hikers the promise of one of the most spectacular views from the Dandenongs. Take the Channel 10 Track from the top of the Doongalla Homestead carpark and then take the Zig Zag Track uphill to Burkes Lookout. At 611 metres high, you can enjoy uninterrupted views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay. Return down the Zig Zag Track and if you want to make a loop walk, turn right on the Channel 10 Track before making a left at Rankin Track and left onto Camelia Track.
A fantastic picnic area, ample parking, challenging and easy forest walks… remind you of anywhere? Doongalla Homestead is a peaceful alternative to the 1000 Steps Walk and Ferntree Gully Picnic Area, which get very crowded on weekends. Other picnic areas near Olinda include Valley Picnic Ground, Eagle Nest Picnic Ground and Olinda Falls Picnic Ground.
Things to do in the area
Bird watching
Day trips
Family activities
Picnics
How to get there
Doongalla Homestead
Facilities
When you're there
The picnic grounds open at 9:00 am each day, and close at 4:00 pm.
When to go
Need to know
Doongalla Homestead
Accessibility
Doongalla is a steeply sloping area at the foot of Mt Dandenong. There is an unofficial parking area on a dirt road beside the picnic lawn and gardens that can be used by visitors with a disability. From this point the site is more easily accessible. No accessible toilet facilities are provided. The Stables Picnic Ground is only a short distance along the road and has water and recently installed accessible toilets.
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.
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Dandenong Ranges National Park
Doongalla Tracks Closure - Dandenong Ranges NP
Planned burning and Candeling operations are scheduled in this park which will result in the closure of- Dacite Tk and Channel Tk from the time a burn is approved for ignition until the area is declared safe. Ignition of the burn is scheduled from May 24th, 2022
and is subject to favourable weather. Check the status of current planned burns at www.vic.gov.au/plannedburns Further closures will be announced as works progress. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Olinda/Silvan Storm Recovery Works Occurring
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.The following tracks remain closed until dry weather allows crews to complete:Yallambie Tk (area 3 - see map).The following tracks will be closed from 18 May to 1 June:Board Tk, Rd 2, Rd 16 and Rd 15 (area 2 - see map).Attachments: Silvan.Olinda Recovery Overview Map (288KB)
Closures due to June 2021 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
- Sassafras Creek/Menzies Creek walking track
- Mechanics Track from the Tourist Rd to Falls Rd near Olinda Falls
- May Moon Walk at Kalorama Park
- William Ricketts Sanctuary
- Areas of Silvan/Olinda forest
Attachments: DR Storm Damage Works - Autumn 2022 Flyer (1,671KB)
Lyrebird Track closure due to recovery works
From the 30th of May to the 4th of June recovery works will occur on Lyrebird Track and 1000 Steps. Thereafter, Lyrebird Track will re-open but 1000 Steps will remain closed for insurable repairs to the stairs.
There is a alternative route along School Tk, Belview Tk and Ramu Tk (green line on map). Indicative signs will be placed at every turn along this route, which is less steep but will take longer (3.5km one way).Attachments: Alternate route to Lyrebird Track (113KB)
