Burkes Lookout (Mount Dandenong)

Burkes Lookout is one of the most historically significant viewpoints in the Dandenong Ranges, offering wonderful sweeping views across Melbourne, Port Phillip Bay and, on clear days, as far as the You Yangs. Located near the summit of Mount Dandenong, the lookout is named after surveyor William Burke and has long been a popular destination for sightseers exploring the ranges.

The lookout is also the starting point for a short walking track leading to the nearby DC-2 Kyeema Crash Site memorial. The Kyeema, an Australian National Airways aircraft, crashed into the slopes of Mount Dandenong on 25 October 1938 after becoming lost in low cloud, claiming the lives of all 18 people on board. Interpretive signs and memorial plaques along the walk tell the story of the disaster and its lasting influence on aviation safety in Australia.

The viewpoint is along the track and there are no picnic tables, seats, flat grassy areas or toilets.

It is possible to continue past the lookout point and wind round to the left to Mt Corhanwarrabul where there is a grassy area dotted with trees and some impressive extremely high telecommunication towers. The view from here is quite obstructed by trees.



Location: Park in the carpark along Osprey Track (named Osprey Road on some maps). Kyeema Track leads from the carpark towards Burkes Lookout which is reached after a short walk.

On the way from the carpark there is a side branch to the Kyeema Crash Site Memorial. The "Kyeema" was one of Australian National Airways DC-2 passenger aeroplanes and was flying from Adelaide to Melbourne. It crashed into Mount Dandenong obscured by fog apparently because the crew had mistaken either Sunbury or Gisborne for Daysleford, and believed they were leaving cloud cover for the approach to Essendon when they crashed.

Access for Dogs:

Dogs and cats are prohibited. Horses and trailbikes are also prohibited.

Photos:

Location