The wildly beautiful bit
Let's be honest... pretty much everywhere in the Dandenong Ranges could be classed as a scenic attraction, but there are a few spots that are definitely stand-outs.
From forest vistas that take your breath away to fragrant gardens accented by bursts of colour and lush rainforests bursting to the brim with wild green foliage and tropical plants — there's a lot to love about the ranges. Here are our favourite spots to go for a breathtaking slice of Mother Nature.
Blooming gardens
The magnificent gardens of the Ranges are at their best in spring when the flowers burst into bloom. Smell the rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and daffodils in the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden. Watch the colours turn in autumn and spring in the tranquil Alfred Nicholas Gardens, and gaze upon a sea of bright tulips at Tesselaar Tulip Farm.
For those after a more manicured spread, Cloudehill Gardens in Olinda displays a beautiful English garden with sweeping views of the surrounding ranges.
Dandenong Ranges National Park
Marvel at the forests of mountain ash and the plunging fern gullies. Listen out for the intriguing and elusive lyrebird as you walk through the beautiful woodlands to the thundering Sherbrooke Falls.
Stop in at the Micawber Tavern, in Belgrave, to share a lush beer-garden meal surrounded by tree canopy at the scenic edge of Sherbrooke Forest. Or, head a little further afield to Mount Donna Buang and walk across the forest floor or head to the top of the mountain for incredible views of the world below.
Panoramic views
Drive the 30-kilometre Mount Dandenong Tourist Road. Stop at the lookout at Kalorama for a view of the Warburton Ranges and Silvan Reservoir, or head off Ridge Road to the Mount Dandenong Observatory for stunning views of the city, particularly at night.
For a wilder outlook, slip on your walking shoes and take the 1.2 kilometre return walk to Seven Acre Rock, a large rocky outcrop with stunning views of the Yarra State Forest and Bunyip State Park.
