Dandenong Ranges – visit make believe
Driving into the lush forests of the Dandenong Ranges, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve entered the movie set of Lord of the Rings. The romantic hilltop villages, luxury hideaways, beautiful gardens and magnificent tall forests create a fairytale world of wonder and excitement where you can let your imagination run wild.
For those looking for a romantic getaway, the Dandenong Ranges is an ideal setting. Boutique B&Bs, garden-set guesthouses and self-contained log cabins glow invitingly against a backdrop of tall forest cloaked in mist. As you open the door to a roaring open fire, steaming spa and four-posted bed piled high with perfectly-placed pillows, you could almost expect to catch the film crew putting the final touches to the drapes around the bed.
As you climb the forest roads, you step up to a stage set with towering Mountain Ash, lush green ferns and secluded trails shrouded in mist. In the cool stillness, unmarred except by the occasional lyrebird, you half expect to hear the sound of someone shouting, “Cut”.
The Dandenong Ranges is dotted with quaint little villages. Around each corner on the winding road lies another jumble of eclectic antiques, hidden galleries, local produce cafes and internationally acclaimed restaurants, all tucked into a setting so cinematic you almost believe you’ve wondered into hobbiton.
The town of Ferntree Gully is the gateway to the villages of Mt Dandenong. Follow the Mt Dandenong Tourist Road to the hamlet of Ferny Creek. Named after the picturesque stream running through it, and surrounded by bushland which abounds with wildlife, Ferny Creek is near the topmost point of the 5km-return 1000 Steps/Kokoda Memorial Walk which was created to remind us of the courage of the men who fought on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea during World War II. Tree ferns, misty gullies, moss and secret valleys all combine to heighten the senses.
Continue along Mt Dandenong Tourist Road to Sassafras, a small townships brimming with arts and craft shops and galleries. From textiles and teddy bears to antiques, books, china and country collectables, you’ll spend hours uncovering many delights. The village sits alongside Sherbrook Forest, one of the best known among several making up the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
Further on is Olinda, one of the Dandenongs’ highest villages. Refreshingly cool in summer, it has the occasional light snowfall in winter. Olinda is home to the National Rhododendron Gardens and there are many other exquisite gardens, public and private, including Cloudehill and William Ricketts Sanctuary. There are also many galleries showcasing works of local artists and artisans.
There is plenty to do in Olinda, but make sure you find time to explore the picturesque village of Kalorama, perched near the top of the Dandenong Ranges and boasting a striking view from the lookout.
In the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges in Montrose. This town is best known for its museum devoted to May Gibbs, the Australian author of the popular children’s characters, the Gumnut Babies, and also hosts a wonderful weekend market.
Veer off the main tourist trail and you’ll enter the fertile areas of Monbulk and Silvan which are renowned for their flowers festivals. The Tesselaar’s Tulip Festival is held in Silvan every year, and others include the Victorian Strawberry Festival at the Seville Recreation Reserve.
Nearby you’ll find the quaint hillside villages of Sherbrook and Kallista which are bursting with great cafes and quality accommodation. Sample some of the fabulous local cuisine, including the quintessential Dandenong Ranges Devonshire tea experience. The monthly village market is a wonderful opportunity to sample a broad range of local fare.
As you explore the Dandenong Ranges, don’t be surprised to hear the chuff of a steam train. Take a ride on Puffing Billy, Australia’s oldest steam railway, through thick forests, fern-filled gullies and past gorgeous villages with poetic names like Belgrave, Gembrook and Emerald.
With panoramic views of Melbourne to hillside villages dappled by sunlight and seasonal colour, the Dandenong Ranges open the curtains on a mystical world you may never have imagined was there. A magical realm that is right on Melbourne’s doorstep, but a lifetime away from the everyday.