Who doesn’t love a break, a little time off from our humdrum daily routines?
When winter rolls around and Melbourne can’t make up its mind on the weather, it can feel like time has frozen. The only way to break the ice (not on your windscreen) is to escape.
Where better to explore natural beauty, find fantastic food and embark on extraordinary adventures than one of Victoria’s hidden gems, the Dandenong Ranges? A stunning and secluded part of the Yarra Valley, the Dandenong Ranges are a well known tourist destination that shouldn’t be neglected in the cold weather.
Take a break, put city life on pause and spend the day or the weekend enjoying the fresh mountain air. Whether you’re after adventure or a romantic get away, the Dandenong Ranges have it all.
For the Adventurous
There are so many fantastic experiences to be had up in the mountains. Take a trip on Puffing Billy and enjoy the magnificent scenery or test yourself on the gruelling 1000 steps, with so many options your appetite for adventure will be satisfied.
Start the day with the 1000 Steps, located in Upper Ferntree Gully. The 1000 steps will test your fitness. The trail leads to a picturesque picnic ground in One Tree Hill. If stairs aren’t for you, there’s a Kokoda Track memorial walk. It’s a great place to get the heart pumping and enjoy nature’s beauty at the same time.
The Dandenong Ranges are a popular spot for cyclists. If you’re up for a challenge, why not test yourself on the slopes between Sassafras and Mt Dandenong?
Or, if the weather isn’t too chilly why not take the family to Glen Harrow Park for a tree top adventure with five long courses, two short courses, 70 challenges and 19 flying foxes. Spend the day in the trees – just remember to rug up. Glen Harrow Park will be closed until August 16.
For an adventure that’s a bit less physical, jump aboard Puffing Billy. With trips from Belgrave to Emerald Lake, Menzies Creek or Gembrook you can enjoy picturesque scenery of the region when riding on this historical steam train. Prices vary depending on your chosen destination and if it’s not too cold, you can get out and explore.
For the Nature Lovers
The Dandenong Ranges has endless options for nature lovers. From the Rhododendron gardens to Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens and even William Rickets Sanctuary, you won’t run out of beautiful trees and plants to admire. If you’re lucky you might even catch a glimpse of some wildlife.
The Rhododendron Gardens are best visited in Spring when the gardens are in bloom and the Japanese cherry blossoms are in their full glory. But the Rhododendron Gardens still offer a tranquil walk through winter.
One of the Dandenong’s hidden gems, the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens surrounds a beautiful art deco mansion. At the bottom of the grounds is a beautiful lake that makes for great photos. If you’re lucky you may even spot some local fauna.
This place isn’t just a beautiful nature reserve, William Rickets is full of breath taking carvings. The detail in the sculptures is awe-inspiring. Enjoy this place in summer too, its lush flora has created a canopy so in the warmer months you can stay shaded from the sun.
Located opposite the Olinda Teahouse, Cloudehill Nursery sells more than plants. It’s also a beautiful garden that boasts bright colours and magnificent flowers. Take a stroll through the gardens, and if you like what you see you can recreate a small patch in your own home!
For the Foodies
With more teahouses than you could ever wish for, you will be spoilt for choice when afternoon tea rolls around. If you are looking for dinner or lunch with a view you can’t go past Sky High or if it’s a pub meal you’re after then right through Mt Dandenong and Olinda you’ll find it hard to choose with many British style pubs.
Located in the main street of Sassafras, Fortnum’s has a luxurious feel. The restaurant has floor to ceiling windows and offers a warm and homely alternative to outside. You can enjoy lunch or high tea here on your way from one activity to the next.
Perhaps the prettiest building in Sassafras, Miss Marples has plenty of tasty delights. You can warm up here with high tea after your busy day of sight seeing.
Sky High isn’t only a restaurant, there is a little maze for the kids and jaw-dropping views. You can see all the way to the CBD even on a foggy day. Sky High also has a café, restaurant and a function centre. Entry to the grounds is $4 and make sure you rug up.
For a homely experience head into the Mt Dandenong Pub. With a huge open fireplace step out of the cold and into the warm. The food here is your average pub meal and their Parmas are the exception – with a wide range of flavours from Greek to Satay you’re sure to find one to warm your belly on a winter’s day.
For sweet treats you can take home with you check out the Olinda and Sassafras Sweet Co. Both shops are run by the same people, and you’ll literally feel like a kid in a candy shop.
For the Romantics
If you’re spending the whole weekend away, then cozing up in a Bed and Breakfast out of the cold and in front of the fire is the only way to do it. There are a few day spas around the mountain where you can treat yourself to some aromatherapy, or the whole package. You can stroll through the small towns and explore the cute and eclectic shops and enjoy each other’s company in tranquillity away from city life.
There are countless B&Bs to stay at up in the Ranges and each one offers something different. If you’re heading up for the weekend there’s no better way to get that homely feel than spending the night at a cute B&B.
Why not pamper yourself, there are day spas and wellness centres on the mountain. Nourish, in Sassafras offers a wide range of treatments, one of the best is their revitalising aromatherapy. If it’s yoga you’re after, the Olinda Teahouse run yoga packages with breakfast on the weekends. And Balance Mountain Day Spa in Mt Dandenong also offer a mobile service if you’re not up for the five-minute trip.
Tailor your winter get away to the Dandenong Ranges, they’ve got something for everyone. Enjoy the fresh air, the scenery and don’t forget your winter woollies.
View The Dandenong Ranges in a larger map
