Dandenong Ranges National Park: The best walks to do to escape the city
Some of the state’s best walks may only be a short drive away — with an oasis of lush greenery and winding paths. Discover your weekend plans here.
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Only 38km from Melbourne’s CBD are the Dandenong Ranges — an oasis of lush greenery and winding walking paths.
There are levels to suit everyone, from families to more experienced hikers and paths leading to a picnic area while others offer a more challenging climb.
Get your walking shoes on and let us know if you’ve tried your hand at any of these trails.
Easy to moderate trails
Sherbrooke Falls Walk
This 2.4km round trip is an easy stretch-out for seasoned walkers, or an outdoor activity for families.
As the name suggests Sherbrooke Falls is one of the closest waterfalls to the city — although if you’re expecting Niagara Falls, you may be disappointed.
Surrounded by a rainforest full of Mountain Ash, stringybark, ferns, creeks and wildlife this path leads to a large well-equipped picnic area and is best seen after the rain.
The track isn’t as popular as the 1000 Steps Walk which makes it feel removed from civilisation, so it’s the perfect place to go for a short weekend escape.
If you’re looking for an extended walk, there’s plenty of connecting paths which peel off to turn this hike into something more challenging.
Lyrebird Walk
The Lyrebird track is an easy 6km walk and offers the best vantage point if you want to spot the native ground-dwelling Lyrebird.
If you can’t see them, you’ll probably be able to hear them singing.
Access this walk from either the grants Picnic Ground near the Grants on Sherbrooke cafe or where the Hardy Gully meets up with the main track.
Birdsland Reserve
The Birdsland Reserve is a 75ha bushland reserve and is home to more than 130 different native birds including the Wedge Tail Eagle and the Powerful Owl.
Originally the land was privately owned, but it was bought by the local shire in 1981 and opened to the public.
The 2.85km walk trails through the reserve and is pretty flat the whole way which makes it ideal for families, plus dogs are allowed if they’re kept on-lead.
There are BBQs and picnic tables, so don’t forget to pack a lunch and make a day of it.
Olinda Falls Walking Track
The Olinda Falls is the larger of the two falls in the Dandenong Ranges National Park and is best seen after heavy rains.
There are two options when setting off on this hike — a 600m climb or a 1.6km trek.
This path is classified as moderate, requiring a reasonable level of fitness and some parts of the walk are a little steep so it isn’t suitable for prams or wheelchairs.
You can choose between two viewing platforms to see the falls but to get the most out of your trip, we recommend visiting both.
The path is best accessed from the carpark on the corner of Falls and Doughtys Rd.
Moderate to hard trails
Mathias Track – Rock Track Circuit Walk, Olinda
This walk is just under 6kms and is a bushwalk better suited to reasonably fit walkers as the terrain gets a little steep and rocky.
Dogs are allowed on this path, just make sure to follow the signs from the off-lead area near the golf course then continue onto Rock Track.
Start the Mathias Track from three main locations but the best one is from the old Olinda golf course carpark.
1000 Steps / Kokoda Memorial Trail
This path is one of Melbourne’s most popular bush walks for good reason — scenic views, steep inclines and a coffee pit stop.
Unfortunately, due to storm damage the walk is being renovated but rest assured it’ll be open again towards the end of the year.
The route was adopted as a memorial by veterans of the Kokoda Campaign in 1950 and was named after the Thousand Steps track in Papua New Guinea to honour the WWII campaign.
Plaques line the walk, giving people an insight into the history of the soldiers and the meaning of the trek.
Classified as a moderate to hard, this course isn’t for the faint hearted although its popularity would have you believe otherwise — if you’re not a fan of a crowd you might want to opt for a midweek visit.
Pack a picnic to have at the One Tree Hill Lookout, or indulge in the 1000 Steps Cafe nestled in the gumtrees.
Fire Trail/ Glasgow Track
The Fire Trail is as scary as it sounds and is used as a training ground for people preparing to hike the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea.
Don’t let that put you off though because after navigating the steep inclines and rocky paths you reach the spectacular vantage point of Burkes Lookout and are rewarded with incredible views of the city.
To get here it’s best to start from the Doongalla Homestead where there are picnic tables and toilets, otherwise you can start at the end of Glasgow Rd.
Mount Dandenong’s Western Slopes Bushwalk
This is another walk for serious hikers.
Rolling through the outer suburbs of Melbourne this path has stunning views and tough walking conditions.
It’s best to start this 12km trek with a warm-up in the Doongalla picnic area before heading out on the three to five-hour journey.
This walk is a combination of a few trails, passing through the Fire Track and Burkes Lookout, so be sure to make a plan ahead of time so you know where you’re going.
