Tall Mountain Ash, tree ferns and the calls of lyrebirds are a short drive or train ride from Melbourne. Here are six walks in Dandenong Ranges National Park, with tips and kit for cool, damp trails.
Grip and layers come first in these cool, damp hills.
Hiking shoes, boots and sandals for everyday trails.
Waterproof jackets and ponchos for sudden showers.
Single poles and pairs to steady steps and descents.
Fleece layers for cool mornings and windy summits.
Packs from small day bags to trekking sizes.
Bottles and insulated flasks to carry enough water.
Rainforest strolls, a famous stair climb and a lookout over the bay.
A steep climb of about 1.4 km up 1000 narrow steps through rainforest from Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground. Fourteen plaques along the way honour Australians who fought and died on the Kokoda Track.
Good to knowMany walkers come back down the Lyrebird Track to make a loop. The car park is usually full by 10am on weekend mornings, so go early or mid-week.
A mostly flat, family-friendly 2.4 km return walk from Sherbrooke Picnic Ground, through Mountain Ash and fern gullies to a small waterfall. The falls are partly hidden by tree ferns and look their best after rain.
Good to knowLyrebirds and other wildlife like to come out after rain too. By public transport, Parks Victoria suggests the Belgrave line and then the 694 bus, which stops a two-minute walk from the picnic ground.
A walk that leads off from Grants Picnic Ground and meanders through the cool temperate rainforest of Sherbrooke Forest. Parks Victoria suggests early morning or late afternoon for the best chance of seeing superb lyrebirds foraging.
Good to knowExpect some uneven ground. The nearby Margaret Lester Forest Walk no longer meets an all-abilities standard, so check with Parks Victoria if accessibility matters to you.
A short walk from the Olinda Falls Picnic Area, just beyond Mount Dandenong, to a viewing platform and the base of the falls. Keep your ears open for lyrebirds, which are common throughout the park.
Good to knowVisit Yarra Valley puts it at about 350 metres to the viewing platform and 500 metres to the base. The track is steep in parts and not suitable for people with accessibility needs.
A relatively easy loop from the Doongalla Stables Picnic Area, following Stables Track and Camelia Track and returning along the unsealed Doongalla Forest Road. You might spot a lyrebird crossing the track.
Good to knowThere are a few junctions, so carry the Doongalla area map from Parks Victoria. It is a calmer alternative to the busier walks on the southern side of the park.
A much more challenging climb from the top of the Doongalla Homestead car park, via Channel 10 Track and the Zig Zag Track. At 611 metres, Burkes Lookout has uninterrupted views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay.
Good to knowParks Victoria suggests it for fit hikers. Make it a loop by returning via Channel 10 Track, Rankin Track and Camelia Track.
The ranges often feel cooler and damper than the city, and the forest stays wet after rain. A light waterproof jacket and a warm layer keep you comfortable on shady tracks.
The 1000 Steps are narrow and can be slippery, and forest tracks get muddy after rain. Shoes with a grippy sole make every walk here more comfortable.
Popular car parks fill early on weekends, and lyrebirds are easiest to spot early or late in the day. An early start helps on both counts.
The park closes on days of Extreme Fire Danger Rating or severe weather, and some tracks close for planned burns or other works. Check Parks Victoria alerts before you go.
It is mostly flat and family-friendly, a gentle introduction before you try the 1000 Steps.
Rest when you need to and let faster walkers pass. The Lyrebird Track gives you a loop back to the car park.
Dogs are not allowed in Dandenong Ranges National Park, though assistance dogs are welcome.
| Item | Why | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Hiking shoes | Grip on wet steps and muddy tracks | Look for a sole with deep lugs |
| Rain jacket | Showers and drips under the canopy | A packable one fits in any day pack |
| Walking poles | Support on steep steps and descents | Use them on the way down the Lyrebird Track |
| Fleece | The hills are often cooler than the city | Wear it at the car park, pack it on the climb |
| Day pack | Holds water, snacks and a layer | A small pack is plenty for these walks |
| Water bottle or flask | Stay hydrated on the climbs | A flask of something warm is welcome on cool days |
Parks Victoria puts the 1000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk at about 1.4 km one way and around 45 minutes up the steps. Many people return on the Lyrebird Track, also about 1.4 km, to make a loop. Allow extra time on busy weekends and go at a pace that suits you, as the steps are steep, narrow and can be slippery.
Yes, for some of them. The Belgrave line stops at Upper Ferntree Gully, about 1.2 km from the bottom of the 1000 Steps. For Sherbrooke Falls, Parks Victoria suggests taking the train to Belgrave and then the 694 bus to the Sherbrooke Lodge Rd/Sherbrooke Rd stop, a couple of minutes from the picnic ground. Check current timetables before you travel.
Dogs are not allowed in Dandenong Ranges National Park, and Parks Victoria specifically notes they are not allowed at the 1000 Steps. Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks, with entry requirements. If you'd like to walk with your dog, look for local reserves where dogs on a lead are permitted and check the rules first.
Sherbrooke Falls and Olinda Falls are at their best after rain, when the creeks are flowing. Lyrebirds also tend to come out after rain, and Parks Victoria suggests early morning or late afternoon for the best chance of seeing them around Grants Picnic Ground. Walk quietly and keep to the track so you don't disturb them.
Many are. Sherbrooke Falls is a mostly flat, family-friendly walk of about 2.4 km return, and the Stables Track Loop at Doongalla is relatively easy. The 1000 Steps is a steep workout, so it suits people comfortable with a sustained climb, and Parks Victoria recommends Burkes Lookout via the Zig Zag Track for fit hikers.
Choose your walk, check the park alerts and pack a layer for the hills. We have the kit to keep you comfortable under the ferns.
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