Things to Do in the Dandenong Ranges: What To See & Explore

The Dandenong Ranges are less than an hour’s drive from Melbourne CBD, but they feel like an entirely different universe.

Known as the cool, green lungs of Melbourne, Dandenong’s temperate rainforests are filled with lush fern gullies, towering mountain ash trees and rolling waterfalls that delight visitors all year round.

Beyond bushwalking, there’s plenty to get up to in the region. So we’ve put together a guide on the best things to do in the Dandenong Ranges, where you can eat, drink, play and be pampered. 

Afternoon High Tea

The Dandenong Ranges are a hotspot for high tea, with no shortage of venues serving fluffy scones and Earl Grey in beautiful surroundings.

Book an afternoon tea at the gorgeous Marybrooke Manor, a Tudor-style mansion serving sweet and savoury morsels every Sunday.

The charming Mary Eats Cake or tourist favourite Miss Marple's Tearoom, an Agatha Christie-inspired venue decked out in vintage décor are our top picks for things to do in the Dandenong Ranges. 

Marybrooke Manor- 10 Sherbrooke Road, Sherbrooke

Mary Eats Cake, 13 Leith Road, Montrose

Miss Marple's Tearoom- 382 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Sassafras 

Brunch in Historic Surrounds

A certified charmer, Earthly Pleasures is a beautifully restored 1930s historic building in leafy Belgrave. Exposed brick, dark wood décor and the dreamiest garden surrounds in which to laze a sunny day away in, book in hand and creamy coffee in the other.

Ethically-focused and house-made fare is the order of the day; think simple, health-conscious dishes that are still a bounty of flavour. Also worth noting, however: the sweet treats available at the counter are practically impossible to resist!

1627 Burwood Highway, Belgrave

Treat Yourself to a Fancy Meal 

The Dandenong Ranges are home to several stellar restaurants worthy of your time. Regional produce shines in sophisticated dishes at restaurants like Citrine Bistro in Olinda and the charming Cognoscenti in Belgrave. 

CHAE is the exceptional (and tiny) fine diner out in Cockatoo serving up the best Korean slow food outside of Seoul. Avonsleigh has a delicious Italian destination in the form of Bam Bam, and creative Argentinean can be enjoyed in the airy and modern confines of The Independent Gembrook. 

Seasonal menus highlight locally grown produce, while impeccably warm service and beautiful surroundings create a well-rounded, memorable experience.

Visit SkyHigh

Drive up to SkyHigh Mount Dandenong and catch breathtaking vistas over Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay, then stick around for dinner to see the city lights glitter over the horizon.

Adding on one of the best things to do in the Dandenong Ranges, for a small entry fee, you can explore the onsite gardens, picnic areas and maze, while their bistro operates from breakfast through to dinner.

26 Observatory Road, Mount Dandenong

Take a Ride on Puffing Billy

With scenes straight out of a postcard, a trip on the iconic Puffing Billy – which continues to operate every day of the year except Christmas Day – takes you on a serene ride between Belgrave and Gembrook.

Built in 1900 to serve the local communities, you’ll journey over the hills, across the iconic timber trestle bridges, and into the forest on the original mountain track.

 A landmark Victorian experience, be transported back to the golden age of travel with the smell of steam billowing out of the chimney and experience parts of the Dandenong Ranges that remain untouched.  

Pick Your Own Cherries & Berries

There’s something irresistibly charming about roaming orchards and feasting on fruit fresh off the vine. You can do just that during picking season at friendly farms such as Cherry Hill Orchards and Blue Hill, where they allow you to wander their fields and pick your own produce.

Fill up your baskets with ripe and ready fruit, paid for by the kilo and more gratifying than any supermarket punnet. Be sure to check ahead to ensure picking is open to the public!

Blue Hills - 27 Parker Road, Silvan

CherryHill Orchards - 474 Queens Road, Wandin East

Olinda Village

Sitting atop the Dandenong Ranges, Olinda village packs a charming punch. A town bound by its rich natural landscapes and community spirit, Olinda’s small-town vibe and nearby attractions make for the perfect place to while away an afternoon or weekend.

Character-filled dwellings housing an impressive line-up of cafés, restaurants, artisanal boutiques and galleries attract visitors from far and wide.

Outdoor enthusiasts also have easy access to many of the Dandenong Ranges' most spectacular gardens and natural landscapes – the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens boasting more than 270,000 colourful blooms is a must.

Olinda, Dandenong Ranges

Cameo Cinema

Looking for things to do in the Dandenong Ranges on a rainy day? Duck into Cameo Cinema, a grand 1930s venue covered in Art Deco flourishes.

Their program contains a mix of mainstream, art-house and classic films, so there’s something for everyone. They operate Cameo Outdoor over the summer as well, screening cult classics and new releases amid the picturesque surroundings of the Dandenong Ranges. Bliss!

1628 Burwood Highway, Belgrave

Tesselaar Tulip Festival

While this activity may only be open during September and October each year, if you happen to be visiting in the spring, the Tesselaar Tulip Festival is one of the best things to do in the Dandenong Ranges.

Wander through the gardens where over one million tulips and flower buds are in bloom - creating a breathtaking display and the perfect photo op.

There are food stalls, a Fairy Garden, a clog shop, artisan markets and live entertainment, making this a fantastic day out for the whole family.

September - October

357 Monbulk Road, Silvan

Conquer the 1000 Steps

Exactly as it sounds, the 1000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk is a steep incline that’ll get your heart racing.

Uber popular with everyone from fitness junkies to families, the roughly three-kilometre path winds through lush fern gullies, while plaques dotted along the way tell the important history of the Kokoda Track.

Tree Fern Gully Track, Tremont

Dandenong Ranges National Park

Immerse yourself in Dandenong Ranges National Park and its lush rainforests, where you can don your hiking boots and explore tranquil forest walks and spot native animals such as wallabies, lyrebirds and wombats.

One of the best things to do in the Dandenong Ranges is make your way up the mountain to enjoy expansive views over Melbourne and the Yarra Valley before cooling down under Olinda and Sherbrooke Falls.

School Road, Tremont 

Alkira Eco-Glamping Retreat

Keen to stay overnight? The secluded slice of paradise known as Alkira Glamping has been featured in several lifestyle publications for its unique offerings - offerings that have also seen the property a winner of many travel awards.

Located on a 40-acre property in Emerald, the serene straw bale yurt can see out to both the Yarra Valley and distant Warburton Ranges.

Designed to stay warm in winter and cool in summer, this unforgettable hideaway features a full outdoor kitchen and is decorated with treasured homewares collected from travels across the country.

438 Kallista-Emerald Road, Kallista

Japanese Mountain Retreat

Nestled in the Dandenong Ranges is Japanese Mountain Retreat, a charming ryokan-style bathhouse and spa where you can experience utter relaxation and a spot of culture.

They offer several packages that can include mineral hot spring bathing, spa treatments, massage and hammam beauty rituals, and you can even make a trip of it with an overnight stay in their traditional Japanese rooms. Bliss!

14 Mountain Crescent, Montrose

Once you have worked your way through this list of things to do in the Dandenong Ranges, continue your travels around Victoria with these beautiful places to stay along the Great Ocean Road during an epic coastal road trip.