On one of those rare weekends with no obligations, we took a weekend trip to the Dandenong Ranges. As the mountains are less than an hours’ drive from Melbourne, they are surprisingly close to civilisation. Once you turn onto Mount Dandenong tourist road, the scenery changes drastically to serene rainforest bordering the winding road.
A weekend is enough time to see a lot, especially if you don’t plan on doing many walking tracks. The Kokoda Track Memorial Walk, for instance, will probably take a lot of your energy for doing other sights – it’s not known as the 1,000 Steps for nothing!
Olinda Falls
Olinda Falls is a short trail, though there are a few uneven steps and slight slopes leading to the falls themselves. Amongst the picturesque forest you’ll see many species of bird life – cockatoos were especially plentiful here – and hear the tranquil sounds of water descending the mountain.
The town of Olinda is worth a visit, too. Pie in the Sky sells award-winning (you guessed it) pies, and for shoppers Mangana Olinda is a highlight for classic curios like spyglasses and jewellery boxes. Sassafras, too, is excellent for shopping, though a few of the shops are also located in Olinda, making the experience a little repetitive.
Sherbrooke Falls
For those less inclined to traverse the makeshift, rocky stairs lining the Olinda Falls track, Sherbrooke Falls is a longer but overall easier walk. The foliage is denser alongside this track and the tree species seem more diverse, though the waterfall is less impressive. Other tracks lead on from the Sherbrooke Falls track – which is a loop – if you decide the terrain is enjoyable enough to explore further.
The Mount Dandenong Observatory and SkyHigh Bistro is great for a sit-down coffee in between sights or to amuse children, with a maze attraction and a tree which may or may not house a characterised possum. While we didn’t try the food in the bistro, having a beverage and gazing out at the view from the mountain was relaxing, and the skyline of Melbourne is easily distinguishable amongst all the land surrounding it. The view is vast to behold.
Mount Dandenong Observatory
Kyeema Track – Crash Site
If you want to visit the Observatory without having to pay the $6 fee for parking, start the Kyeema walking track from the northern end, which should allow you to connect to the Trig track and walk up to the Observatory. The Kyeema track is well worth a visit, for it winds along the outside of the mountain and gives excellent views of the surrounding land. Along this track is the Kyeema Plane Crash Site, where 18 people died in 1938. While the physical signs of the crash have long been erased by nature, a memorial still exists above the site.
Lastly, for an art fix within the rainforest, William Ricketts Sanctuary is a tribute to both Aboriginal philosophies and human rights and the art of sculpture. As a place of tranquillity, most visit with quiet reverence under the power of Ricketts’ vision. With over 90 mystical sculptures and poems engraved intermittently, the way the art blends and connects with the forestry around it is truly mesmerising.
Of course, these aren’t the only attractions the Dandenong Ranges have to offer – there are a plethora of gardens and other walks to be discovered, as well as specialty eateries and lookouts. Pick up a free tourist map from any of the Ranges’ main attractions – they’re one of the most informative and easy to use maps I’ve come across, and highlight so many things to do that it’s impossible to find boredom in such a secluded yet beautiful place.
Enjoy the adventure.
Wayward Wonders 