Sherbrooke Falls walk and picnic area

A lush waterfall surrounded by moss covered rocks and tree ferns

This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

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Sherbrooke Falls walk and picnic area

Dandenong Ranges National Park

Deep in the Sherbrooke Forest, you'll find Sherbrooke Falls, where little creek cascades into a delightful gully. It's a short walk from either of two well-equipped picnic areas - and it's close to the beautiful hilltop villages of the Dandenong Ranges, making this a great option for families visiting from Melbourne for the day. 

Sherbrooke Picnic Ground and O'Donohue Picnic Ground are located in Sherbrooke Forest, the largest section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park. It's an area that can feel very far removed from civilisation - especially when compared to the extremely popular 1000 Steps just down the road.

A number of walking trails start from the well-equipped picnic grounds, entering a fantastic rainforest of spectacular Mountain Ash, stringybark, lush tree ferns and, of course, waterfalls.

Take the Sherbrooke Track or O'Donohue Track to get to Sherbrooke Falls. They are well signposted. The falls are small and obscured by tree ferns, but the real star of this walk is the rainforest as a whole.

This is the kind of hike best enjoyed after rain, when you can smell the aromas of the forest and the waterfall is flowing. Lyrebirds and other wildlife also like to come out after the rain, so you will be in good company!

As waterfalls are within a natural environment, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Sherbrooke Falls is a safe and enjoyable one.

Things to do

 
Two women walk up the 1000 steps track.

1000 Steps

Created in the early 1900s, the 1000 Steps was originally made from the trunks of tree ferns laid along the wetter areas of the track to make the climb a little easier. These were replaced by wooden palings before the more permanent concrete steps were installed in 1950.
A couple in their sixties walk their two flat coated retriever dogs through the Alfred Nicholas Gardens among the changing autumn colours .

Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden

The gardens will delight all year round. In Spring, it is blooming with rhododendrons, azaleas, camelias, kalmias and flowering cherries on the lake. Summer is the time to see hydrangeas, fuchsias, native ferns, rhododendrons and native terrestrial orchids. In Autumn the foliage of maples, beech and the famous golden ginkgos on the lake is stunning. In Winter you will see camelias and the early rhododendrons.
A mother and her two sons play on a log while her partner sits at a picnic table looking on.

Grants Picnic Ground

Grants Picnic Ground sits within the Sherbrooke Forest, the largest section of Dandenong Ranges National Park. A number of walking tracks, starting from the picnic grounds, enable you to discover some of the plants and animals of Sherbrooke.
A path in Pirianda Garden in the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

Pirianda Garden

Designed to take advantage of the steep slopes, the terraced garden of Pirianda is distinctive for its combination of botanically important trees, shrubs and perennials with an over storey of large blackwoods and mountain ash towering over the natural fern gullies.
Kokoda Track Memorial Walk - Dandenong Ranges National Park

Dandenong Ranges National Park accessibility information

Grants, O’Donohue, Sherbrooke, One Tree Hill and Ferntree Gully picnic grounds were assessed for accessibility in June 2020, providing information about the accessibility of these areas and photos.

How to get there

Sherbrooke Falls walk and picnic area

Sherbrooke Picnic Ground and O'Donohue Picnic Ground are very close to each other. To drive there, take Sherbrooke Road off Mount Dandenong Tourist Road. Sherbrooke Picnic Ground is a 2km drive from the turn off. O'Donohue Picnic Ground is a little further, off Sherbrooke Lodge Road. 
Sherbrooke Falls walk and picnic area

Facilities

Carpark
Picnic Area
Toilets

When you're there

You can walk to Sherbrooke Falls from either Sherbrooke Picnic Ground or O'Donohue Picnic Ground. The area is close to Kallista, where you can buy refreshments. And if you want to get your most of your visit to the Dandenongs, check out the nearby Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens, which are just over the road from Sherbrooke Picnic Ground. 

Before you visit, download the area map and visitor guide.

Need to know

Sherbrooke Falls walk and picnic area

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. Grants, O’Donohue, Sherbrooke, One Tree Hill and Ferntree Gully picnic grounds were assessed for accessibility in June 2020, providing information about the accessibility of these areas and photos.

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.

  • Sherbrooke Picnic ground (Dandenong Ranges National Park)

    Wattle Track Bridge Closed

    Wattle Track Bridge in Sherbrooke Forest is closed due to significant structural damage to the Foot Bridge. Parks Victoria is currently finalising the repair works with a contractor, it is anticipated that the bridge will be opened by June 2024 if not earlier.

  • Olinda Falls Picnic Area (Dandenong Ranges National Park)

    Olinda Falls lower viewing platform and creek crossing closed

    The Olinda Falls lower viewing platform and creek crossing is closed indefinitely due to severe damage from a fallen tree. All access to the lower falls is closed to the public.

    Olinda Falls Toilet Closed

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

  • Dandenong Ranges National Park

    Mechanics Track Partially Closed

    • A section of Mechanics track from the Tourist rd. to Falls rd. near Olinda Falls Picnic Ground is closed due to significant damage from the June 2021 Storm.  

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Doongalla Closed to Vehicles due to ongoing vandalism

    Doongalla Forest Road is closed to visitors cars for the time being due to ongoing vandalism and hoon behaviour in the Picnic Grounds, visitors are still able to access the park and picnic ground on foot or by bike. Parks Victoria apologises for any inconvenience. 
    An automatic gate is planned to be installed by mid October 2023 after which the Doongalla picnic grounds will be opened again to visitors cars.

    Hillclimb Track and O'Donohues Track

    Sections of Hillclimb track and O'Donohues track are extremely muddy and slippery, visitors are asked to exercise caution while walking along these tracks.

    BBQS out of Order

    The BBQs at Kalorama Park and One Tree Hill Picnic Ground are currently out of order, Parks Victoria is working towards having the BBQs operational as soon as possible.

  • One Tree Hill Picnic Ground (Dandenong Ranges National Park)

    BBQs out of Order

    The BBQ at One Tree Hill Picnic Ground is out of order due to an electrical issue, Parks Victoria apologies for any inconvenience caused.

  • Kalorama Park Picnic Ground (Dandenong Ranges National Park)

    BBQS out of Order

    The BBQs at Kalorama Park Picnic Ground are out of order due to an electrical issue, Parks Victoria apologies for any inconvenience caused.

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