History & heritage

Explore historic sites and enjoy the romance of steam travel when you visit the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.

The start of the story

Mount Dandenong was originally known as Corhanwarrabul (the present-day site of Burke's Lookout is also known as Mount Corhanwarrabul) and was the summer hunting place for the Bunurong people from Western Port and the Woiworung people from the Kulin nation. 

Learn more about Victorian Koorie culture and their historical and contemporary relationship to the Dandenong Ranges at Burrinja Gallery in Upwey.

Over in the Yarra Valley, the area around Healesville was originally occupied by the Yarra Yarra or Wurrundjeri Aboriginal group. Visit Healesville Sanctuary to learn more about the area's Aboriginal history and living legacy.

Full steam ahead

Jump aboard Puffing Billy, the pride and joy of the Dandenong Ranges and a symbol of the area's status as a refined weekend destination in the pre-war years. Picture yourself as an intrepid early-1900s tourist, travelling along the narrow-gauge track across trestle bridges and toiling up hills between Belgrave and Gembrook. 

Pioneering spirit

Check out the farm implements and household items that reveal daily life for Yarra Valley pioneers at Gulf Station, almost unchanged since the 1850s when it serviced gold miners. See how blacksmiths operated and explore the museum, gardens and homestead at Mont de Lancey.