Dandenong Ranges

The Dandenong Ranges are a set of low, forested hills east of Melbourne in the state of Victoria, dominated by tall eucalyptus forest and fern gullies. The summit of Mount Dandenong reaches about 633 metres.

The area combines short walking tracks, picnic areas and small garden towns such as Olinda, Sassafras and Belgrave. A key attraction is the heritage narrow-gauge steam railway Puffing Billy, which runs from Belgrave into the foothills and is popular with families and rail enthusiasts.

Originally developed for timber and small-scale farming, the ranges evolved into a recreational and horticultural region in the 20th century, with gardens, cafes and lookouts established around the mountaintops and ridgelines.

The ranges lie roughly 35 km east of Melbourne’s central business district and form a readily accessible green belt and day-trip destination for the metropolitan region.

• Puffing Billy: Heritage steam train services on the narrow-gauge Puffing Billy Railway are a major draw and operate on weekends and seasonal timetables.
• Best time to visit: Spring brings strong wildflower displays and cooler temperatures than Melbourne, making it a popular weekend escape.

What to See #

• Mount Dandenong: Sits at 633 metres above sea level and offers picnic areas, a cafe and an elevated lookout commonly called SkyHigh.
• Puffing Billy Railway: A preserved narrow-gauge heritage railway that runs from Belgrave into the ranges; the tourist section operates over roughly 24 km of track.
• Sherbrooke Forest: A large tract of temperate eucalypt forest with walking tracks, picnic areas and native flora protected within the parkland close to Olinda and Sassafras.