Things to do in The Dandenongs
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Puffing Billy
Perennially popular Puffing Billy is a restored steam train that toots its way through the Dandenongs’ picturesque hills. Kids dangle their feet out the windows and passengers pick flakes of coal dust out of their hair when they alight. There are six departures on holidays, three or four on other days, so you can hop-on/hop-off and enjoy a picnic or walk. Puffing Billy train station is a short walk from Belgrave train station on Melbourne’s suburban network.
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Dandenong Ranges National Park
Dandenong Ranges National Park is made up of the four largest areas of remaining forest in the Dandenongs. The Ferntree Gully Area has several short walks, including the popular 1000 Steps Track up to One Tree Hill picnic ground (two hours return), part of the Kokoda Memorial Track, which commemorates Australian WWII servicemen who served in New Guinea.
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Ranges at Olinda
This stylish place features Mod Oz food. Breakfasts (available until noon) are hearty and excellent. Pasta and risotto dishes, and pita wraps filled with tandoori chicken or Mexican beef, are among the lunchtime offerings. You can eat alfresco on the deck overlooking the nursery.
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SkyHigh Mt Dandenong
It’s worth driving up to SkyHigh Mt Dandenong for amazing views over Melbourne from the highest point in the Dandenongs. There’s a café-restaurant, garden and picnic areas, and a maze (adult/child/family $6/4/16) here too.
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William Ricketts Sanctuary
William Ricketts Sanctuary features sculptures blended beautifully with damp fern gardens. Ricketts’ work was inspired by nature and the years he spent living with Aboriginal people. Bus 688 runs here from Croydon train station.
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Mt Dandenong Hotel
Award-winning chef Jake Ward dishes up great gourmet pub food in a relaxed and convivial setting. There’s live music on weekends, trivia on Thursday and a $12 ‘Parma Night’ on Wednesday.
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Cameo Cinema
The Cameo is a beautifully restored cinema that has kept its old-fashioned grace. See art-house, new-release and golden oldie flicks on one of its six screens. It also screens films outdoors in its garden.
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Ruby’s Lounge
Head to Ruby’s for a night out in the Dandenongs. Ruby’s is a café-restaurant by day, and at night it morphs into a funky 330-capacity music venue with live gigs Thursday to Sunday.
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Emerald Lake Model Railway
Emerald Lake Model Railway is the largest HO scale model (1:87) railway in the southern hemisphere, with over 2km of tracks, miniature hills, tunnels, towns and little people.
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National Rhododendron Gardens
Giant eucalypts tower over shady lawns and brilliant flowerbeds at the National Rhododendron Gardens that feature over 15, 000 rhododendrons and 12, 000 azaleas.
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Woods Sherbrooke
Hidden in the hills, this is a great café by day, serious mod-Asian restaurant by night. You can dine outdoors in a pleasant garden.
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Emerald Lake Park
Emerald Lake Park has picnic areas, a waterslide and swimming pool and paddle boats.
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Trees Adventure
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