Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne

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The Germans used to have the formula for aspirin but it was "misplaced". Alfred rediscovered it and made a fortune. A fair percentage of that fortune went into a wonderful garden in the Dandenongs that was ultimately bequeathed to the state. These days the National Parks and Wildlife look after it and the great news is that it's free. You can wander around this scenic wonderland at your leisure and view the magnificent eucalyptus regnans (mountain ash, swamp gum) with a sprinkling of flowers.

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This was one of the sights our son suggested and is a great way to get out of town and into the country, especially if you don't have the use of a car. It's a must for steam train enthusiasts and a great day out for kids (of any age, ie I am 63!) It isn't a particularly cheap day out, but you can take short journeys, and make use of concession fares if they apply to you. They let us have the seniors concession even though we are not Australian citizens. The carriages are partially open to the elements, which is lovely on a hot day. Lots of beautiful scenery along the way, especially when it crosses one of the several trestles. We stopped briefly at Lakeside, then went on to Gembrook where we had a picnic lunch, and then a pint in the local pub. For details of fares and timetables, go to:
http://www.puffingbilly.com.au/?id=servicefares
Herea re some photos of our trip.

Our friend drove us up to the Dandenongs (about 1 hour from Melbourne) and we were so lucky to be able to see all tall trees and gorgeous little villages along the way. Some were so English some so German etc. A truly wonderful place that you could spend a lot of time exploring or simply drop by for afternoon tea. We were there on a Saturday afternoon and it was so busy. Some of the quaint tea shops looked like they were ready to burst due to the amount of people within. Lots and lots of shops to stop at but we struggled to find a petrol station so don't head up that way nearing empty.

We stopped for afternoon tea where Puffing Billy, a famous tourist train, was ready to head off. It was quite an okay cafe but nothing as special as some of the others in the area. That said we had a nice plate of scones each as we watched the train get ready to depart.

I will definitely be allowing a day during my next Melbourne trip to explore this area further.

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Although it is not that far to drive, it feels as if you are very far from the city. We visited the Dandenongs as part of a city tour. The forests are quite something to see, and there are many different birds, which one can actually feed if you want to.
We had Aussie billy tea, crackers with vegemite and lamingtons for tea break. The tour did feel a bit rushed. We could only spend about 20 min looking around, and less than 5 minutes at the lookout. But it was still worth the effort! As one leave Melbourne Central you get a better idea of the size of this city.

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Puffing Billy is located in the Dandenong Ranges just over an hour from the city and runs between Belgrave and Emerald Daily. It is an old steam train that has been lovingly restored to its former glory and excites big and little kids alike with the thrill of riding on an old time steam train. There are several options to ride. One is that you can ride in the standard carriages hanging your legs out the side of the train as you wind through the bush. The other is a first class ticket which includes a 3 course lunch and coffee. It is an enclosed carriage with full service and a reasonable drinks list.

So? What’s you’re fancy? Acting like a kid with your legs hanging out the train or travelling in style? Both are very fun and it is a worthwhile day trip out of the city.

Prices for the lunch start at $60 on weekends for adults
Prices for a standard ticket are $32.50 for an adult return ticket.

We went by public transportation. Buy a train ticket for two zones, and take the Belgrade Line, which leaves from the city loop. From the last station, Belgrade, walk up the ramp, turn left, and down another ramp to bus 694. This goes uphill and passes Grants Picnic Ground on the right side of the bus. Get off when you see it, and walk back from the bus stop. This is where you feed the rosellas and cockatoos. Bring sunflower seeds! We had millet, which they can't eat. There is also a pleasant teahouse at Grants Picnic Ground, and two easy walking tracks through the eucalyptus forest. To go to Sherwood Picnic Ground from Belgrave Station, take the same bus 694, past Grants Picnic Ground, past Tindale Gardens. It takes only 8 min. or so from the station. It is hard to find because you do not see any signs saying Sherbrooke Picnic Ground, but get off when you see Poets Lane on the right. The locals on the bus helped us find it, when we asked for O'Donohue Track, which is one of the trails there. The Picnic Ground is on the left side of the bus. There are several trails in here, and you can actually walk back to the station. Be sure to have bus schedules with you, as it doesn't run often.

You can also do it as part of your Yarra Valley trip, just after visiting all (not all….you can’t do it in one day) the wineries in the region and would like to go for a nice drive up the mountain while returning to Melbourne, this Dandenong Ranges is a perfect choice. Nice winding roads and there are lot of view points while driving this route. There are many small towns in between, where you can have your supper/dinner. Lovely scenery…Enjoy!!!

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Only an hour or so from Melbourne, the Sherbrooke Forest portion of Dandenong Ranges National Park features mountain ash eucalypts towering over a ferny understory. The area is one of the best places in Australia to see displaying lyrebirds and also provides refuge for a number of species of parrots and cockatoos, which are quite tame and easily observed at the Sherbrooke and Grants Picnic Grounds.

My last morning on my 1st trip to Melbourne was spent here, in the Dandenong Ranges National Park. Me & my mates were eager to hit the outdoors and after pouring through the pages of the Lonely Planet, decided on the trails here, just off One Tree Hill.

The Victoria Parks's website claims: "One Tree Hill is a forest picnic site serviced by a flat sealed car parking area. The area is free of major obstacles. The toilets include a designated accessible facility, but it does not meet current access standards. The approach is no longer rough and has a small step."

There were many trails. Me & my mates did a quick drop by at the ranger station, grabbed a map and we were off into the woods on a Fri morning when everyone else was still stuck behind a desk elsewhere.

It was a cool and bright late Autumn morning. I remembered temperature was about 11C. Lovely walk through the woods. The air was crisp, the light was playful, dancing among the tall gum trees and we caught sight of our very first wild Kookaburra. "Kookaburra sits on a old gum tree..." and me & my mates broke into laughter.

The silence was broken by a stocky hirsute bloke huffing & puffing from behind us in nothing but short shorts. I remembered a shellshocked us enquiring if he was cold and he jogged past us with a smile and bade us G'day! Brrr.....

On the way back, we ran into a colony of white cockatoos debating with each other from the trees. Me & my mate just stood still for quite some time and absorbed this all in!

It was amazing how you can find solace so close to noisy Melbourne!

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I would vote the Dandenong Mountains as one of the best spots to visit on a trip to Melbourne.

Just 40 mins to an hour drive from Melbourne, and you will first come to Belgrave, where you can hop on the puffing billy stream train. http://www.puffingbilly.com.au/

From here, take the Mount Dandenong scenic route through the magnificent rainforest, with some of the tallest trees I think I have ever seen. Follow the road toward Olinda, and stop to ask the locals where the cafe is that you can feed the wild birds - rosalla's, cockatoos and gallahs, a real treat!

Spend a relaxing day browsing through the antique and art shops, followed by a Devonshire cream tea and cake in one of the many tea shops in the quaint villages along the way .If you make your way up to the Sky view point you will experience panoramic views of Melbourne's eastern suburbs, and Melbourne's CBD skyline.

Back on the tourist road, and dont miss the amazing aboriginal sculptures at the William Ricketts Sanctuary.

If you are looking for some local market produce, dont miss out on the Saturday morning markets in Olinda, 7:30am - noon. I've made some fantastic stews from the turnips and leeks bought from that market!