Dandenong Ranges National Park

Dandenong Ranges National Park is a protected area of tall eucalypt forest, fern gullies and mountain summits east of Melbourne in Victoria. The park conserves the Dandenong Ranges’ native forest and provides extensive walking tracks and picnic reserves.

A mix of short walks, longer bushwalks and picnic sites threaded through mountain ash forest and fern gullies; highlights include waterfall viewpoints and cool temperate rainforest corridors. Popular vantage points and gardened summits provide views back toward the Melbourne metropolitan area.

The area has been managed to protect native forest remnants and water catchments while accommodating recreation and tourism from Melbourne. Conservation and visitor infrastructure have been developed to balance protection with public access.

The park sits in the Dandenong Ranges approximately 35 kilometres east of central Melbourne, bordering small mountain towns such as Olinda and Sassafras.

• Proximity to Melbourne: Located about 35 kilometres east of Melbourne CBD, it is one of the closest extensive forested areas for day visits from the city.
• Seasonal tip: Spring brings wildflowers and lush fern gullies; the area is cool and often misty, so dress in layers year-round for hikes and lookouts.

What to See #

• Sherbrooke Forest and Falls: A large, well-visited fern gully and forest reserve featuring walking tracks and scenic waterfalls, including Sherbrooke Falls, located within the park's western sector.
• Mount Dandenong summit: The park's highest viewpoints and picnic areas around the Mount Dandenong summit offer city views and established gardens that draw many visitors.