Doongalla Homestead

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Doongalla Homestead

Dandenong Ranges National Park

Spend a day at this former grand homestead and lost gardens in the Dandenongs, close to Melbourne. It’s a perfect spot for a family picnic, while those who like to explore will enjoy spotting relics of the mansion, which burned down in 1932. The trails are also popular with runners.
Doongalla is a former estate perched in the hills above Melbourne. Easily accessible from the eastern suburbs, it feels a million miles away from city stresses. ‘Doongalla’ is said to mean ‘Place of Peace’.

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

 
Father and son bird watching on boardwalk

Bird watching

From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot.
A husband and wife stop to take a photo of Masons Falls from the lookout.

Day trips

Pack the car and round up your family and friends. Whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, parks offer a variety of day trips close to Melbourne.
A three year old boy leads his mum and younger brother through the forest near Grants Picnic Ground.

Family activities

Stash some supplies into a back pack and take the family out for a day trip and in only a short drive from Melbourne you can be surrounded by nature.
Three friends enjoy a picnic on the grass in front of the historic Wallace Hut.

Picnics

Head outdoors for lunch in the warmer months and enjoy a picnic in some of nature's most relaxing and inspiring settings.

How to get there

Doongalla Homestead

Doongalla Homestead is near Olinda in the northern part of the Dandenong Ranges National Park. From the city of Melbourne, take the Eastern Fwy (M3) and exit onto Boronia Rd. Continue as Boronia Rd merges into Forest Rd, then turn right into Basin-Olinda Rd, left into Sheffield Rd and right again into Doongalla Rd. For a scenic route, take the windy Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd from the Burwood Highway at Ferntree Gully.

Facilities

BBQ
Carpark
Picnic Area
Toilets

When to go

Need to know

Doongalla Homestead

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.

  • Olinda Falls Picnic Area (Dandenong Ranges National Park)

    Olinda Falls Toilet Closed

    The Olinda Falls toilet is closed indefinitely, nearby toilets at Kalorama Park or in the Olinda Township are open.

    Olinda Falls Lower Viewing Platform - update

    The Olinda Falls lower viewing platform is currently closed due to severe damage caused by a fallen tree. All access to the lower falls area is closed to the public. The viewing platform is expected to be replaced sometime in 2024.

    Mechanics Walking Track Closed between Mt Dandenong Tourist Road and Falls Road

    • Mechanics walking track from the Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd through to Falls Rd is closed due to significant damage from the June 2021 Storm.  Parks Victoria is currently working with contractors on a plan to re-open this severely impacted walking track. 
    • Works completed so far has been the replacement of a timber bridge that was destroyed along with most of the large fallen trees having been cut through, the remaining walking track requires re-benching and tree branch removal where limbs have been partly buried due to the force of the impact with the ground.

  • Dandenong Ranges National Park

    Deer control in the Dandenong Ranges National Park

    Parks Victoria are continuing deer control in the Dandenong Ranges National Park. This program will be taking place between the hours of 4pm and 7am on a number of nights between the 1st of November 2023 and the 30th of November 2024. These control works are being undertaken by accredited and authorised contractors.
    For reasons of public safety, various areas of the park will be inaccessible from dusk until dawn throughout this period.
    For your safety please observe all closure signage during this time and do not enter any closed areas.
    For further information please call 131963

  • Sherbrooke Track (Dandenong Ranges National Park)

    Wattle Track Bridge Closure Update

    Wattle Track Bridge in Sherbrooke Forest is closed due to significant structural damage to the Foot Bridge by a fallen tree. Parks Victoria has engaged a contractor to commence construction works in March 2024, it is anticipated that the bridge will be opened by May 2024. The existing damaged timber bridge will be replaced with an all steel constructed bridge which includes a non slip FRP decking, during the construction period there may be some delays along Sherbrooke Track as building materials are carried to the site, Sherbrooke track will remain open.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Mathias Road Closure

    A section of Mathias Road (Hamer Arboretum) will be closed to walkers between the 18th and 22nd of December inclusive. The Closure is to allow for the safe replacement of a large creek culvert that has collapsed, the location of the works and track closure point is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eunhiUT7gTjFnz2s8 
    Walkers will not be able to enter, walk through or around he work site during this time, please seek an alternative route. The majority of the road will remain open during this time.

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