The Best Family Activities in the Dandenong Ranges
The Dandenong Ranges are approximately one hour from central Melbourne and offer family activities in every season, from gardens and forest walks to playgrounds, heritage railways and adventure courses. Some of the highlights are:
Enjoy views towards Melbourne from SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. Explore the gardens, find the Australiana Tree and Giant's Chair, and check whether the maze is open when planning your visit.
Ride the iconic steam train Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges. Services run from Belgrave towards Gembrook, with Lakeside Station beside Emerald Lake Park.
Take on the 1000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk in Upper Ferntree Gully. The steep climb offers a chance to reflect on the efforts of Australian soldiers on the Kokoda Track.
Explore the forest paths and ceramic sculptures at William Ricketts Sanctuary in Mount Dandenong. The sanctuary reopened in August 2026, although the original residence and gallery area remain fenced off while work continues.
Climb through the treetops on obstacle and flying fox courses at Treetops Adventure Belgrave.
Catch your own fish at Australian Rainbow Trout Farm in Macclesfield.
Dandenong Ranges National Park has towering Mountain Ash, fern gullies, walking tracks and picnic areas.
Emerald Lake Park in Emerald has lakeside and bushland walking tracks, playgrounds, picnic areas, barbecues, fishing spots and a seasonal wading pool. Puffing Billy stops at Lakeside Station within the park.
There are many beautiful gardens to visit, and most have free admission. They include:
- The RJ Hamer Arboretum in Olinda has trees from around the world, walking tracks, picnic facilities and views across the surrounding landscape.
- Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden in Olinda has seasonal displays of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and other flowering plants.
- Within the botanic garden, the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda features native plants, winding paths, a billabong, waterfall and rocky gorge.
- Pirianda Garden in Olinda is an 11 hectare hillside garden with a collection of trees and plants and views across the surrounding area.
- Alfred Nicholas Gardens in Sherbrooke has ponds, waterfalls and an ornamental lake with a boathouse.
- George Tindale Memorial Garden in Sherbrooke has magnolias, rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas, fuchsias and hydrangeas.
- Karwarra Australian Native Botanic Garden in Kalorama displays a diverse range of Australian native plants.
- Mount Dandenong Arboretum features conifers and deciduous trees from around the world.
- Warratina Lavender Farm in Wandin Yallock has lavender fields, display gardens and a tearoom. Check its visitor information for current opening days and flowering conditions.
- Cloudehill Nursery & Garden in Olinda has landscaped gardens, garden art and a nursery. An admission fee applies.
Waterfalls in the area include:
- Olinda Falls, reached by a short walk from Olinda Falls Picnic Area.
- Sherbrooke Falls, reached on a forest walk through Mountain Ash and tree ferns.
- Cardinia Reservoir Park has picnic and barbecue areas, wildlife and a playground at Crystal Brook Picnic Area.
- Silvan Reservoir Park has forest walks, picnic areas and a playground at Cypress Picnic Area.
- Aura Vale Lake Park in Menzies Creek has lakeside picnic areas.
- Butterfield Conservation Reserve in Emerald has protected forest and a trail from Emerald Diggings Picnic Ground.
- Gembrook Park Flora and Fauna Reserve has forest walks close to Gembrook's town centre and Puffing Billy station.
- Wright Forest Bushland Reserve in Cockatoo has walking tracks and vantage points for watching Puffing Billy.
- The Emerald-Cockatoo Multi-Use Trail links Emerald and Cockatoo through Nobelius Heritage Park, Emerald Lake Park and Wright Forest, with views of the Puffing Billy line.
- Kalorama Park has views over Silvan Reservoir and short walks through Mountain Ash forest and fern gullies.
- Lysterfield Lake Park offers walking, cycling, picnicking and water activities.
- Birdsland Reserve in Belgrave Heights is home to native birds and animals, including platypus.
- Bunyip State Park has forest walks, including the Buttongrass Nature Walk.
- Blue Hills Berries and Cherries in Silvan offers seasonal berry and cherry picking.
- Cherry Haven in Wandin East offers seasonal cherry picking.
- Cherryhill Orchards offers seasonal cherry picking at its Wandin East orchard.
- Fielderberry Farm in Cockatoo offers seasonal berry picking.
- Big Fella Cherries in Coldstream offers seasonal cherry picking.
- Rayner's Orchard in Woori Yallock offers guided orchard tours with seasonal fruit tasting and picking.
For local history, follow the self-guided Emerald Heritage Walk, or visit Emerald Museum and Nobelius Heritage Park to learn about the district's past and explore its historic plantings.
For art and culture, visit Burrinja Cultural Centre in Upwey for exhibitions and events.
The region has a number of playgrounds worth exploring:
- Borthwick Park in Belgrave has climbing equipment, a rope pyramid and a bird's nest swing beneath large redwood trees. It is beside Belgrave Outdoor Swimming Pool. There are no toilets at the playground.
- Elizabeth Bridge Reserve in Kilsyth has climbing equipment and a rope pyramid, plus a lake, barbecues, shelters and toilets.
- Montrose Community Playground has play shops, rope pyramids, a sensory garden and animal sculptures, along with picnic facilities and toilets.
- Morrison Reserve in Mount Evelyn has a farmyard themed playground and a newer playspace with a flying fox, picnic facilities, drinking fountains and toilets.
- Olinda Playspace has nature-based play features and accessible paths close to Olinda Green and picnic facilities.
- Tim Neville Arboretum in Ferntree Gully has a fenced adventure playground with flying foxes, a rope pyramid and a sandpit.
- Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully has a fenced Forest Floor themed playspace with bug sculptures, a sandpit and a bird's nest swing.
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