Top 24 things to do and attractions in Olinda

An Absolutely Amazing Day Out at the Dandenong Ranges National Rhododendron Garden! My recent visit to the National Rhododendron Garden was absolutely amazing—a truly beautiful escape into nature! The colours and scents of the gardens were breathtaking, providing a serene and relaxing environment perfect for strolling and exploring. I was particularly impressed with the facilities and overall accessibility. Finding a ( not very well-maintained) toilet was not easy,but having at least such a thing in the middle of the garden was very helpful. And the on-site shop was a wonderful surprise. I loved that we could buy some plants to take home and enjoy the garden's beauty a little longer while having ice creams. Crucially, the garden is highly commendable for its wheelchair entrance, ensuring that this stunning natural retreat is accessible to everyone. The staff have clearly made an effort to make the experience comfortable and enjoyable for all visitors. If you are looking for a beautiful, tranquil, and well-equipped garden experience in the Dandenongs, I highly recommend a visit. We can't wait to return!

Visited in mid-October with an elderly. The flowers were stunningly beautiful. We did not walk through the entire garden, only the area near the entrance including Chelsea Australian Garden, and it was already enough for us. We spent about two hours there. My mother really enjoyed taking her time to admire the flowers slowly. It is great and free to visit. There are several toilets in the garden. The souvenirs were not overpriced as well. Highly recommended.

Beautiful gardens!! Very well maintained. Gentle slopes, saw kookaburras and a lyre bird, was hoping to see a wombat but just saw some signs saying they were causing mischief instead. Get there before or around 10am if you want to enjoy the peace and scerenity and avoid crowds.

Stunning Botanical Garden! Gorgeous trees and flowers and huge variety of plants, the Australian Garden is not only beautiful but extremely interesting and has lots of informative plaques to go with it. Parking can fill up quick, especially on spring days with good weather so I recommend getting in early! You'll want lots of time to look at everything anyway, it's a huge park.

Beautiful and peaceful! One of my favorite places in Victoria — stunning gardens, fresh mountain air, and vibrant colors in this sping season. A perfect spot to relax, walk, and enjoy nature. 🌿✨

Beautiful place to explore and appreciate God’s creation. Have been coming back to see the Rhododendrons in Oct/Nov with the family for many years now and it’s always amazing to see newer parts of the garden becoming more established. Parking is reasonable, but you may have to drive around for a bit on busy days.

One of Victoria’s most beautiful spring destinations. Thousands of rhododendrons, azaleas, and camellias bloom across rolling hills in soft layers of colour. Every path opens to a peaceful view filled with light and fragrance. The garden is spacious, serene, and free to enter. A small cafe serves coffee and snacks, and the Garden Explorer offers a comfortable 25 minute tour for those who prefer to sit back and enjoy the scenery. The air is cool and fresh, ideal for a relaxed day outdoors. The best time to visit is from late September to early November when the flowers are at their peak. Arrive early for soft light and fewer visitors. A must see for anyone who loves nature, photography, or a calm escape from the city.

10 acres worth of land to explore.you have one side of the garden with different flowers and plans and trees. Then the other side you enter a massive Forrest like area. Definitely worth the $15. We went in the rain and it was still amazing. The trees and the flowers in the distance was magical

Lovely large gardens with a lot of diverse trees, shrubs and other plants. The map was average. I suggested that different areas could be sign posted.

Absolutely loved our experience here. Worth the $15 entry fee. Gardens very well maintained and variety of different flowers and fauna. The sculptures were a fantastic touch. I loved the quotes everywhere too. The woodland area looked great it was nice to have a bit of a track environment. Spent about 2 hours here

While waiting for our restaurant reservation, we visited a nearby garden that was a true feast for the eyes. Managing such an enormous garden must be no easy task, but it was absolutely spectacular. The only downside was the lack of signposts, which made it easy to get lost at times. However, the admission fee was well worth it.

"Winter strips the soul bare to welcome the newborn cries of spring" - Angie Welland Crosby. Cloudehill in late Aug is reflecting this. Not wheelchair or stroller friendly- only in the upper level around onsite Seasons restaurant possibly. Free entry for under 16 & Diggers Club members - otherwise $15. Has been pretty dry for a while, so even non-deciduous greenery - some here are looking sorry & parched. Lacking focal interest but guess areas are being prepped for Spring show hopefully. Both layout map & Cloudehill website is not reflecting the current actual state of what is on offer in winter. Box hedges however are green & lush & clipped to perfection. Pretty lower meadow of daffodils, bits of jonquils & little peeks of grape hyacinth here & there. Spot the English prickly holly & other cool clime winter flora. Hellebores are abundant near Seasons artwork Not sure what happened to the Commedia Lawn with the colourful Harlequin, Pierrot etc that would have brightened up the wintry lull. Empty pots at the Peony Pavilion made it dreary - the hostas in pots always added interest here with sweeping downhill/uphill vista to the ornate urn. Minerva Sulis water feature & draping vines in the upper entry terrace is missing too. I look forward to whatever is planned in its stead but atm there is nothing much here that draws the eye in - just wintry drab dryness & bare plots. The steeper descent into the Woods (gully) is mysterious & a lovely wander through flowering camellias, rhododendrons & towering cedars. Enjoyed this quieter meander but be aware that you will have to make your way up again. Statues, artwork & concrete engraved quotes scattered around but I am not enamoured with all of them..that's my personal thing. Needs more light-hearted fun stuff to balance it all out me thinks. Stephanie Alexander with menacing knife near kitchen garden is er.rr menacing! Appreciate the tribute to women of coz. You can get the map for seed hunt which is a fun activity that gets you around. Takes a lot to manage a massive garden like this. Not like Highgrove Gardens in Cotswold (visited in Sept last year) where a battery of gardeners tend to it & yet, there is abandon to nature principle which you find here too. A Stumpery garden like in Highgrove would work beautifully - when I saw all the fallen logs bordering pathways or left where they had fallen.

Peaceful gardens with wonderful luminous autumn colours at this time of the year. The gift shop has some great surprises such as papaya and dragon fruit plants for sale along with the usual garden store seedlings/herbaceous potted plants and citrus.

I would recommend not to waste $15 on each adult to visit there. The garden is not well managed. They will hand you garden map, but while walking through the garden, there is no signage of A, B, C area, and no description where you are!! It's more like you have been lost in the maze. Not accessible for wheelchair or pram. Not that much attractive, good for one time explore

We walked from bottom then explored other parts of the garden, as per video. A beautiful Autumn stroll, slightly steep in some areas.

We are a bit late for red.leaves this year, not much left. But it's good for a quiet walk. We only see another three people while we were in the garden. Not baby pram friendly cause the land is quite steep, with stairs. Maybe good for kids above six so they walk no problem with slope.

Thoroughly beautiful, particularly in Autumn. A variety of trails head down, up and around the park (be prepared for a moderate uphill walk to return to the carpark) and it is all beautiful. In fact a few spots are simply stunning. Paths and occasional stairs were in good condition when I visited, and there was some terrific fungi here and there. There are toilets (including a disabled toilet), a medium sized gravel carpark and a small gazebo. If there hasn't been too much rain, the ground toward the top may be nice for a picnic, and there is a picnic table near the entry point.

Beautiful garden to visit in autumn! We arrived about 2hours before sunset and it was glorious 🥰

Beautiful gardens. Quite steep in places but a great walk

Stunning autumn backdrop for a lovely stroll. We love that it feels less busier than other parks in the area and there are different walking paths you can take that make you feel you're discovering a hidden track. Dog friendly is a bonus, our pooch enjoyed the adventure. The only downside is the dismal one-way narrow parking lot which can hazardous on a busy day (especially the weekend).

Visited these gardens on a Sunday afternoon nice and quiet doesn't get busy like the other more popular gardens in the Dandenongs. Set on 23 acres. Beautiful gardens with lots of different exotic trees from around the world, a fern gully, walking paths and signage along the way. The old stone home with rock garden is lovely. Toilets and plenty parking. Definitely worth a visit.

Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden is a beautiful and well-maintained spot with parking available across the road, as no vehicles are allowed inside the park. During my visit, most of the walking tracks were closed due to recent winds and fallen trees, but the grounds were still lovely to explore. There are some steep areas, so be prepared for a bit of a climb. The park has a few picnic tables and a gazebo, making it a nice place to sit and relax. The only downside was dealing with magpies. Overall, it’s worth spending 3–4 hours here

The scenery here is absolutely beautiful and peaceful. The greenery feels fresh and calming, and there’s even a tree with a hollow trunk you can step inside and look up to the sky — such a charming little surprise. Definitely worth visiting if you love nature and quiet spots.

Beautiful place, so many tracks that lead to beautiful spaces. The main lake is just stunning! It’s free to visit and lots of places to sit and have a picnic. So many beautiful bird noises.

What can I say, so so pretty, and such a diverse lot of flowering trees, never seen so many in my life! Stunning! The walk down to the lake took 10 minutes but absolutely worth it! Shot an artistic wedding shoot here, very good spot for photos!

Reasonable garden, Good walking tracks, up and down. One toilet facility. Limited sitting spots, get there early to secure one.

Depending on the time of year that you go, it will depend on the colours of the tree and bushes. I was there in late May, and it was stunning with red and yellow everywhere. It is a little hilly but worth the visit.

Great way to spend your weekend with the kids away from the devices. Get ready to tick off 5000 steps for the day. Grab a picnic and you’d be set for 2-3 hrs.

Great for short one day trip. Nice for short trekking trips. Scenic view is all worth.

The Dandenong Ranges, located just outside of Melbourne, Australia, is a stunning destination known for its lush forests, charming villages, and vibrant gardens. Visitors often rave about the breathtaking scenery, with towering eucalyptus trees and scenic viewpoints that offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. One of the highlights is the range of walking trails, which cater to all fitness levels, allowing guests to immerse themselves in nature. Popular spots like the 1000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk and the tranquil Sherbrooke Forest are frequently mentioned in reviews. The quaint villages of Olinda and Sassafras are also beloved for their boutique shops, cozy cafes, and the famous chocolate shops, making them perfect for a leisurely day out. The vibrant local flora and fauna, especially during spring when the gardens are in full bloom, adds to the allure. Overall, the Dandenong Ranges is highly recommended for anyone looking to escape the city and enjoy a mix of adventure and relaxation amid nature. Whether you're hiking, exploring gardens, or simply soaking in the tranquility, it's a place that leaves a lasting impression.

Beautiful scenery. Roads left in disrepair with large pot holes. Better to do road travel in NSW.

It’s a place full of magic!! Go early morning and returns before 5:30pm.. amazing place to be.. loved it

I really love the trails experience. So calm and nature loving experience

Possibly the best place in Melbourne. If you don’t visit the Dandenong‘s when you’re in Melbourne, you’re missing out on a spiritual experience. Going for a walk amongst those beautiful trees in that fresh air, with the incredible scenery cannot be beaten.

Very beautiful place

Excellent place to visit. Great art work by William and very well preserved. A beautiful walk while seeing and praising his art work. They have set up to play movie / documentary about his life, his aspirations and his work. His love for nature and his passion for art is very clear in his work. Its a great place to visit and feel refreshed. If you love art and nature then this is a place to go. There is a cafe across the road and also few other places around to look.

This place has an amazing sight at every turn truly breathtaking in every way I spent a few hours here mesmerized by the clay sculptures and the brilliance of the artist! This is a must see if you have a free afternoon and are 8n the area the pictures don't do it justice you must come see for yourself!!

Have you seen sanctuaries which look exactly like jungles ? Well, this is a very rarest sanctuary you’ll ever see. The handmade carvings and art displayed by Willian Ricketts has very deep meaning. I really loved the pieces and you’ll love them too. One of the perfect weekend gateway. Yes, you must carry your family along and have a worthy weekend with your loved one’s.

I have been there twice and just love this little cosy hidden gem of Melbourne. The sculptures around the garden are beautifully crafted with so much attention to detail. There is no ticket but you can make some donation. Worth a visit guys!!

This place has a one of kind charm and beauty which is totally worth a visit. Perfect for all ages and kid friendly. However, required some maintenance. I would highly recommend looking for the audio tour which is free to listen to while you walk through the garden! Find it on the William Ricketts website - audio guide map

There's something quite serene about this place. As you walk your way through, you can't help but be amazed at how talented he was at sculpting but also feel the passion he clearly had. Some pieces are quite the treasure with strong messages carved in. Worth a visit. Entry is free, donations supported. Wheelchair friendly. Public toilets available.

The drive alone up the this sanctuary is worth visiting alone. Beautiful scenery outside of Melbourne central. The sanctuary itself is beautiful. Very easy to walk around on the walking tracks with stunning artwork to stop and view along the way and some beautiful history to learn. Allow at least an hour here and then make sure you continue to drive around and explore the rest of the Dandenong ranges.

We went to Cloud Hill two days in a row, which probably says everything about how much we enjoyed it. On our first visit, we ordered the pork belly, cooked in a very German style, served with sauerkraut and potatoes. The tangy sauerkraut balanced the richness of the pork perfectly, and the crackling on top was crispy with just the right fat-to-meat ratio. The other two in our group had beef burgers, and they said the patties were thick, juicy, and paired with fresh toppings. We sat there chatting over our meals and didn’t even notice the time passing. The staff were super friendly, from the moment we walked in to taking our orders, they were patient and even introduced some of the dishes to us. The atmosphere was lovely, with big windows looking out over the gardens, so we could enjoy the greenery while we ate. On sunny days, the light pours in, making the whole place bright and relaxing. It is also very easy to find, with plenty of parking right at the entrance, which is always a bonus. Overall, both visits were fantastic. The food, service, and scenery all hit the mark. If we are back in the area, Cloud Hill will definitely be on our list again as not many restaurants make us want to come back two days in a row.

5 star Restaurant here, the food is excellent and the service from Josh was perfect. Situated at Cloudehill Gardens with the most perfect views, highly recommended all round, don't forget to book a table before arrival.

We lunched at Cloudhill today. The chef was super accommodating of my dietary needs. The staff were very helpful and friendly. The service was outstanding. Our meals were delicious and served promptly. We highly recommend Cloudhill.

Pleasant location and service. Basic menu and good meals. We had a salmon special and pie of the day.

This place is straight up excellent and the food is real delicious. I’ve been back 10 times and consistently, the team always deliver exceptional food with great service. To top it off, the view of the garden with the Yarra Ranges backdrop is divine! Love this place and it’s carpeted! So it’s delightfully snug and comfortable, particularly on a cold winters day.

The food was perfect. Pleasing to the eyes and tastebuds. I wish I would have taken some photos! Service was prompt and the staff were very friendly and hospitable. Atmosphere was serene and colourful. It's one of those places you feel comfortable never leaving. Will most definitely come back.

Came here a couple years ago and honestly the food was the worst. Most of our family started writing google reviews because this place was so bad. However, the food is a lot better this time. I wouldn’t say it was amazing or anything special but it wasn’t terrible. Saying that though, I did only have a basic burger and a Coke Zero. The rest of my family had no complaints about their food. Would I go again for the food? No I wouldn’t but if u need a bite to eat, this is a safe choice if ur in the area. Terrible time to visit the garden though. Should go in summer, looks pretty nice from memory but a bit small.

Excellent view in the car park with a quiet trail worth walking. There are tadpoles in the pond in December and lush greenery year round. Olinda Tea House is also right around the corner if your feeling hungry.

Beautiful red trees in winter. More prominent when viewed towards the car park. A walk through bushland and fir trees. Quiet and serene.

It's a very beautiful place to relax. It has two barbecues and two tables and benches to sit and eat. There is also a toilet. There is a walking trail that takes about 2 hours. A short section of the trail is steeper, but overall the trail is a good hike and won't be too difficult. There is also free parking.

Great to pull over and enjoy the views, walk a few trails thru the trees and even explore off-trail. Opening times don't really apply, perhaps only for the public loos.

What a beautiful area with walking trails. Took us 2.5 hours on the short trail around the park - that's because we stopped a lot to take photos and have lunch. If you just walk you can do this in about 1.5hrs. it's so serene and peaceful here. It wasn't busy this cool Tuesday morning. Some scenic spots along this trail. Would look magnificent during the peak of autumn with the deciduous leaves turning golden orange and red. There is a toilet block near the carpark.

Absolutely beautiful setting for amazing vistas, picnic areas and walks. A must see

Nice place to take the dog for a walk. Lots of uphill and down hill areas along the way. Beautiful scenery.

John and Judy have been a pillar of beauty for the local community. It’ll be a sad day once Mangana closes its doors later this year. We wish you both all the best for your time that lies after Mangana. You both deserve all the adventures that lie ahead. Love my birthday gifts to myself. Peace out guys. ❤️🫶🏼

This shop is truly amazing. So unique and so original, that you have never seen anything like this before, I am 90% sure about this. They have beautiful carpets, pictures, wall decorations, anything, probably everything what you shall buy for your new house. Style is a mix of steampunk, Istanbul, magic and much-much more. I believe They have some connection to Iran or Turkey because I have never seen such beautiful carpets like these before. Some board games and marine sextants can also be found here. If you desire, the staff will kindly help you in your decision.

If your looking for a great variety of quirky, wonderful, beautiful, pretty or Bazaar then this is the place for you. It has everything from jewelry, uggs, rugs, lights & lamps, wood boxes and other beautiful things made of wood, clocks, chairs, masquerade masks, scarfs and SO much more. You will just have to visit to see for yourself what else they have to surprise you in wonder and delight.

A very well-designed shop . You can browse through the items on offer without worrying about knocking into things. They have a good eclectic mix of old world and old school items. I'm quite certain that not all the items are original antiques and some seemed liked reproductions. Best to check and ask the salespersons. Worth a visit to browse through the many many items on offer there especially if you are staying in Australia and don't have to ship things overseas.

Mangana is such a lovely hidden gem of a shop 😍! From stunning journals with the most exquisite art works on them to chain mail head gear, compasses , ✨️ a steam punk owl clock and a beautiful Yellow Submarine Beatless compass I purchased. I really enjoyed my time there and the staff were so kind and welcoming 🙏 😊

It's a really cute store with various stuff. Even if you don't buy anything, still worth to have a look inside, such as walking in a museum.

What a amazing place, so much unique items to choose from. Items such as face masks, knight helmets, compasses, Persian carpets, lighting and jewelry. You can spend at least 1 hour there browsing.

The main olinda hiking track is currently closed off due to repairs. However the cascade track is open and it is a beautiful hike to walk with the water streaming sounds to your right if walking from main carpark. The track leads to an open road. I didn't walk past that. I turned around and walked back.

The short walk to the falls begins at the Olinda Falls picnic ground car park then follows a well-marked track to the upper and lower falls viewing platforms. Falls is a small reserve, not a fall so don't be too exited, overall a good place for relax and enjoy the nature.

Beautiful and serene, but the main track and falls had the peace shattered by international tourists, and people with dogs. The path following the creek back up to the road was much nicer, and easier to walk than the slippery, steep main track.

After parking, we circled around to find where to head towards the falls. :)) Guess it adds to the fun. Appreciated the hike only after a while learning to take in its simplicity.

If you're looking go get closer to nature, this is a location to add to your itinerary. Nice little hiking trail and views of waterfalls when they're open and accessible to the public.

Nice enough. Not spectacular. Shame one of the viewing platforms was closed. Looks like nice associated walks there though. Worth the visit. Road there, last 2 km, is very narrow. Issue with another car coming in opposite direction.

5 minute easy hike/walk to the falls Not a big waterfall. It's very timid but it's very quiet and serene. Walk back to the carpark is all uphill. No dogs allowed, even inside the car/carpark. That's what the sign says so hopefully people will respect that as it is located in a national park.

This Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is quite nice but I came here on 19 April aimed for some beautiful Autumn leaves. I saw the sign displayed in the garden advises that the landscape designer of this garden, Phillip Johnson, presented the original design of this garden in the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show 2013 and won the "Gold and Best in Show". This was the first ever Australian entry to win at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show. The display was toured by the Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Harry and was unanimously voted ‘Best in Show’ by the judges. This Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda is a re-creation of the display but 20 times bigger in size. There were very limited colourful leaves, and they were not nicely presented. Overall, it was not what I expected to see from a botanic garden situated in the hills during Autumn. After knowing this garden was re-recreation of the award-winning garden from the garden show, I believe I have come to a wrong place for Autumn leaves 🍂 😅

It's a big, beautiful, clean and very well maintained park. It's maintained by Parks Victoria and free to enter. An ideal place for a picnic and strolling among the trees and plants. It offers a wide range of flora that is native as well as exotic to Australia. They beautiful artificially made waterfall, ponds, tea gardens with breathtaking views of the Dandenong ranges. Suggestions- 1. They can set up a few trash bins, outside of the park. They insist on taking every trash back home, however there are few things can't be carried in a car or bags like partially used juice tetras that could not be closed again once opened, used baby diapers etc. 2. Place more frequent boards indicating plant name, native place, age, properties etc. 3. If possible, make areas geography wise for types of trees like Australian Natives, South East Asian, Indian, East Asian, Southern European etc.

I love this beautiful and relaxing corner of the Botanic Gardens here in the Dandenong ranges. Here you'll find a pleasing aesthetic blend of native flora with creative structures, sculptures, waterfall, stone benches, stepping stones and winding paths. The pond acts as a "reservoir"/billabong for this self sufficient water-wise garden and is home to local insects and other creatures.

A must-see display at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden. Very picturesque. It's a short walk relative to the rest of this massive garden. The default view in Google may not show the water feature at this Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda. This display is different to The Lake, which is further down. The native flora here includes many varieties of kangaroo paws.

This park is a stunningly beautiful natural oasis, adorned with a diverse array of flowers blossoming in vibrant colors, creating a picturesque landscape. The meandering paths, with their gentle rises and falls, offer the perfect setting for a leisurely hike of approximately 2 to 3 hours, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the serene beauty of the surroundings.

This is a free botanical garden maintained by Parks Victoria. It is big, beautiful, clean. It has a large variety of plants and is situated on various elevations. You will have to be able to go up and down hills, but the view is worth it.

Awesome on a sunny day! Outside area at Cafe is shady and good snacks. Gardens are wondrous. Bit of a stroll though. :)

Lovely set out gallery with some beautiful pieces. Emma was very helpful pointing out some other lovely places to visit Highly recommend a trip

Very pleased with the piece we bought, and Emma was incredibly helpful and friendly.

Emma has a generous and gentle spirit. I loved doing her workshop. She is so skilled and is happy to teach many things. This was helpful for me because I wouldn’t consider myself an artistic person. Thank you.

Emma is an incredibly talented artist. Well worth a visit to see some incredible pieces

What a wonderful place! I had a great chat with Emma and she was warm, friendly and talented. I appreciate her art. Must visit gallery if you are passing by.

Purchased an amazing piece from Emma. Really cool learning about the work from the artist directly!

I love going there , just a beautiful set up . Amazing Art and Wonderful Staff .. Thank you Emma

Had an amazing time yesterday at the puffing Billy steam train ride from Belgrave to Gembrook return It was a beautiful sunny day and the landscape and scenery was spectacular ..Almost like our train ride in Switzerland . The steam train was beautiful and it takes you back in time to the year 1900. I was a proud Victorian and was glad the puffing Billy stood the test of time The staff were all so pleasant and. Happy to be serving you . You could see that they love their job , especially our carriage attendant Vicky . We did this train ride when our daughter was 2. She is now 31. So it was a beautiful walk down memory lane .

Puffing Billy Railway – A Journey Through Time and Nature I recently had the opportunity to experience the Puffing Billy Railway, and it was truly a unique and memorable adventure. Travelling through the lush landscapes of the Dandenong Ranges on this historic steam train felt like stepping back in time, an experience that blends nostalgia, beauty, and a sense of connection with Victoria’s heritage. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the staff’s enthusiasm made the journey even more enjoyable. From the gentle rhythm of the train to the breathtaking scenery along the way, every moment was thoughtfully preserved and authentically Australian. It reminded me that sometimes, the best experiences are those that slow us down and let us appreciate history, nature, and the simple joy of the journey itself.

I had a wonderful time on the Puffing Billy steam train — such a unique and memorable experience! The ride was incredibly scenic, with beautiful views all along the way. The atmosphere is charming and nostalgic and you really feel like you're stepping back in time. The staff were friendly and made the journey even more enjoyable.

Took a ride on a chilly, rainy spring day, the first leg to Emerald was freezing, but the return trip was perfect, so we got to sit on the railing and really feel the wind in our faces. It’s fun for kids and adults who want to unleash their inner child, though don’t expect jaw-dropping scenery, mostly forest, some backyards, a tall wooden bridge, and locals waving as you pass. The real magic? The steam, the hissing, the smell of the old train. It’s pure nostalgia, an old-school steam train experience that’s more about the journey than the views. 🚂

Puffing Billy Railway is a unique Victorian tourist experience. (To get to Belgrave, we travelled by train from Southern Cross, transferred at Flinders Street Station and arrived fifty minutes prior to the departure of our booked train.) Booking on line is recommended, and it is an easy process. Upon arrival, one must line up at the ticket office to collect the paper ticket. This is needed to be clipped on the platform by the conductors prior to boarding the train. The Station Master, Guard, and conductors were rather perfunctory prior to departure from Belgrave. Due to late passengers, the train departed ten minutes late. We were not fussed by this, but were somewhat disappointed by the attitude of the latecomers. The PBR staff treated the offenders with patience. Good on them. The locomotive, carriages and infrastructure are all beautifully restored and obviously well maintained. The journey to Lakeside was spectacular. The views were wonderful. Listening to the loco work up the grades was a real treat. Terminating at the lovely Lakeside Station allowed one to take a look at the Garratt locomotive and its train. (This train was the earlier service and was about to return to Belgrave.) The steam crew were more than happy to chat about their roles on the footplate and the mechanical features of the loco. This was much appreciated. One then had time to wander through the Visitors Centre. The historical display is informative and well presented. Reading about the history of the rail line and the district was quite interesting. The cafeteria was incredibly busy, but after ordering our food, it arrived promptly. The food was tasty (a chicken focaccia and soup of the day), and obviously freshly made. The catering staff were great. Very efficient. A walk around the lake was a real treat. The Dandenongs are a beautiful part of Victoria. Many passengers took advantage of the long break prior to the train departing to return to Belgrave. Returning to the Lakeside platform, and taking the opportunity to checkout the NA loco, I was able to chat to the young fireman. He is a great PR rep for PBR. We were able to talk about the loco and firing techniques. The return journey to Belgrave again a wonderful experience. A highly recommended experience well worth the effort to visit.

Great night had. Enjoyable experience and definitely a must for anyone that loves trains and a bit of nostalgia. Toilet access at Belgrave was good, great communication and a really fun night for all ages

We recently held our wedding with the Puffing Billy Railway, chartering a train for our guests from Belgrave to Nobelius Siding (which was surprisingly affordable!) and hiring out the Nobelius Packing Sheds as our reception venue. On our wedding day, the staff went absolutely above and beyond in their service to us, with meal and drink service on board the train, and full catering with table service at the reception venue. The locomotive crew were even willing to move the train for better photos after its arrival at the station, and were willing to delay the return trip to Belgrave by 15-30 minutes when the reception ran late. It felt like the entire railway was there for us, and every one of our guests had nothing but positive things to say about the experience. During the planning process, the railway and staff were also very accommodating. They provided us with multiple inspections of both the venue and the dining carriages so that we could plan ahead, set up a taste testing date for the reception menu, worked with us to schedule a train that worked around their existing timetable, and allowed us access to the venue on the day before and after the wedding for bump in/out. Although there were sometimes some issues in communication which led to a headache or two, they allowed us to develop a thorough plan well in advance of the day. All in all, I'd highly recommend Puffing Billy as a venue for anyone looking for a way to make their wedding day a bit more unique. (Photos by "Had To Be You Weddings".)

We love every visit to this place. The cafe up there is great. The prices are reasonable and the food and coffee is amazing. There are toilets outside and inside the cafe area. It is very kid friendly as there is alot to see. There is an entrance fee for the maze, and an entrance fee to enter the sky high area — from memory you need to pay per car.

Drove here from Melbourne city for the beautiful views and a lunch. The views were great but the lunch was chaotic, too many people to be offered a good service at the restaurant. They tried their best though. Although, we wanted a quit lunch and didn’t really get it. The food was not great just decent enough now that we were there and had no other options. We had chicken with veggies in mushroom sauce, and a beef burger.

Amazing atmosphere atop Mt Dandedong. Their dessert options are incredible! Their delectable New York cheesecake is the best I’ve had. Pair that with their delicious hot chocolate and you have a perfect evening of bliss and serenity! Their service needs a bit of work though, took a while for the order to arrive and getting multiple table buzzers was annoyingly redundant.

Gorgeous views of Melbourne city! We came here for a birthday lunch. Nice cosy place inside. staff where lovely!

I attended the Mother’s Day special buffet lunch, priced at $90 per adult, with a large group. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed with the quality of the menu. The food did not match the price point at all – it looked disorganised and felt more like a nursing home setup. To make matters worse, there was no dedicated kids’ option, and when we requested a more child-friendly meal, the staff seemed hesitant to accommodate. We ended up having to pay extra for accomodating a kids meal, which felt unreasonable. How can you host a Mother’s Day buffet without considering families and providing kid-friendly options? While the service was overall excellent and the views were beautiful as always, the food itself was underwhelming and certainly not worth $90 per person. Regrettably, I wouldn’t choose to dine there again.

This cafe has a lovely ambiance with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. It’s mostly self-service—water, cutlery, salt, and pepper are all to be taken by yourself, though you do place your food order at the counter, and the staff brings it to your table. We ordered a variety of dishes, and while my friends enjoyed their meals, I was quite disappointed. I ordered the nachos, and they were a complete letdown—bland, dry, and poorly made. There was barely any sauce or beans on top, and honestly, I could make much better nachos at home for just $5. It really ruined my afternoon. Despite the cafe's size and the prices they charge, they only have two toilets for women, and they were extremely dirty and smelly. Given the poor food experience and lack of basic cleanliness, I won’t be returning here again.

Their tables need to be updated. Floor needs to be cleaned. I ordered steak sandwich. The meat was so tough I nearly lost my teeth. Also my wife had the burger,there was a spice added to the meat which tasted not as good. Also we had to pay entry fee for car park?!? $10.00! Toilet outside was also closed which was inconvenient.

The main olinda hiking track is currently closed off due to repairs. However the cascade track is open and it is a beautiful hike to walk with the water streaming sounds to your right if walking from main carpark. The track leads to an open road. I didn't walk past that. I turned around and walked back.

The short walk to the falls begins at the Olinda Falls picnic ground car park then follows a well-marked track to the upper and lower falls viewing platforms. Falls is a small reserve, not a fall so don't be too exited, overall a good place for relax and enjoy the nature.

Beautiful and serene, but the main track and falls had the peace shattered by international tourists, and people with dogs. The path following the creek back up to the road was much nicer, and easier to walk than the slippery, steep main track.

After parking, we circled around to find where to head towards the falls. :)) Guess it adds to the fun. Appreciated the hike only after a while learning to take in its simplicity.

Great nature walk within a beautiful environment. The falls had limited access due to storm damage, but a bit of creative hiking can get you around. Nice small creek falls to explore with the kids.

5 minute easy hike/walk to the falls Not a big waterfall. It's very timid but it's very quiet and serene. Walk back to the carpark is all uphill. No dogs allowed, even inside the car/carpark. That's what the sign says so hopefully people will respect that as it is located in a national park.

Possibly the most litter strewn walking path I've ever been on. All Australians should feel some anger, embarrassment and shame that a walking path in a national park should be so covered in litter. A disgrace. I wish I could have told off the culprits. Sadly, this 300 mètres of garbage will be what I remember. The falls themselves are pretty underwhelming. Each photo is a different spot on the path. From car park to viewing platform. Rubbish.

Great natural play space. Good for a range of ages including toddler area. Lovely natural looking garden, rock and sand features with animal and mosaic sculptures and scenic background. Shade, picnic tables, toilets, BBQ, coffee van, scenic views, grass space, sand and water play, large rope climbs area, flying fox, trampolines..

The views and surroundings are spectacular! Suits a variety of ages from toddler to early primary. Spacious play area so it doesn't feel overcrowded even when there are many families out here on the weekend. Great surrounding walking trail and open green space for the kids/dogs to run around. The air is so fresh here, it's fantastic. The coffee caravan at the front entrance is perfect. Good coffee & pastries, best way to start the morning!

Very decent size playground with a variety of equipment that would entertain kids from toddler age to about middle high school I would say. Clean and beautiful area with toilet nearby. Decent space for BBQ and picnics.

Really amazing space with lots of things for the kids to do. There is a water play area, sandpit, slides, balancing/climbing area, trampolines, play house and of course, swings. The ground is also very well padded. There is plenty of shade and I counted 8 picnic tables. There is also tonnes of space to put down a picnic blanket or fold up tables and there are public bathrooms available! For kids that want to kick a ball around, there is an oval nearby as well. Such an awesome spot!!

Wow! What a fantastic playground for all ages! We stopped in after a swim at the olinda pools and it was so much fun for our little 1 5 year old we also had a play on the zip lines and trampolines, great space, clean and lots of amenities

My husband feels a bit disappointed about this playground since it was a beautiful golf place he always likes the most. Today when we get there, I feel it is not fully built. The space is quite small. Limited toilets and only one barbecue outside without any cover. The car park is like goat track, not pram friendly at all. The photos I share is pretty much how big the place is. Nothing more than that!

A must visit for children from toddlers to young teens in Dandenong ranges. The playground is well built and offers a wide range of equipment. There is a covered BBQ area and toiles. Sandpits have water play. Flying fox is always popular and and the obstacles set is great fun.

Great, neat grounds and always friendly home crowd. - just be mindful, the wind has cut through here on every single visit and can be surprisingly cold.

Great reserve gor community use.

Great space with really nice clubrooms

Very good Park with basketball court, mini tennis court, playground and an oval. Sufficient parking and a track around the playground to ride bikes or push the pram. Could do with a toilet for kids as they can easily spend a good hour or two here.

Another great place to take the grand kids. It has a play ground small tennis court n basket ball court. It also has a bike, skate board track,barbecues water bubble n all out side . Good to spend a day there without the kids getting bored .

A good playground but made better because of the space next to it for kids to play sports, ride bikes or roller skates and access to the oval. Annoying there are no toilets

Great little park for those visiting the hospital, clean public toilets with change tables, two swings and a decent sized climbing/slide area, some exercise equipment, a great little basketball, tennis, scooter park up a bit higher and some rusty geometric kangaroos, all next to a big oval.

When you hear about hidden gems every now and then the gem is a diamond....what a magnificent place..something for EVERYONE, kids, teens, young and older adults. Fascinating history, magnificent car and car related collection, garden of sheer pleasure, wildlife and great picnic grounds..owners should be proud and congratulated on building and sharing this gem.

A beautiful property well maintained with an array of garden beds and a small train that goes around the property beautiful lake with ducks and turtles and rain forest walk and more

Fabulous area, George is always welcome of groups for formal and deb photos and it's the perfect spot for it!

Pristine garden. Went to the final event here last weekend after its 20th year and what a fantastic event the owners and St John's Ambulance put on!

Lovely location. The day out with the car show, circus and attractions is lovely.

Last Biannual opening on the 14 Oct 2017. George is too elderly to continue the tradition.

Stunning grounds. Would love to spend a spring day here just walking around.

I visited Up Gallery on my trip to Melbourne. Such a beautiful space in a cute little village. The art work was impressive with such a variety from the local art community along with jewellery and other artifacts in their gift shop. Jacqui, the lady who showed me around, was friendly and very informative. She told me that everything is made on the mountain and that the artists take it in turn to look after the gallery for the day. I highly recommend a visit to this little gem in Sassafras and I will be returning on my next visit.

This Gallery is full of great Quality original local art The exhibitions are constantly changing and they also have high end prints ..It also has a small retail shop with textiles jewellery ceramics and cards .if you wanted to buy a bit of Australian art ,I would recommend this place .affordable quality and diverse

Very unfortunate experience. My mother and I were browsing the colourful art out the front, when Jacqui Christian’s approached us obnoxiously loud and hovered near us making us feel uncomfortable until we left. Loudly again stating, however not directly to us “we’re running a class here” then proceeded the block the path with a chair. We weren’t to know a class was in session as there were no clear signs and Jacqui was not present when we arrived. The situation could have been handled with a simple “Sorry we’re running a class here”, but instead making my family and I unwelcome.

This is a nice gallery, but they over charge you. I went in today and bought 2 items and later at home, realised I was overcharged by several dollars. It isn’t worth it to drive back and get a refund for what they over charged me by, but it is irritating. We are now in a society where everything is so costly, and it deters you from supporting hand made. It is already expensive to begin with, and then if they start miscalculating the final price, it deters you from returning. For this reason, I won’t be back.

Gorgeous artworks - Hideous customer service. I attended the gallery today with my sister and our children. My son picked out a beautiful ceramic flower (Clay Creations by Lisa) to buy his Nonna with his pocket money. We went into the main building and after waiting a while at the counter (no one was there) we asked a lady in the gallery with a blonde shoulder length bob if we could purchase the item. The lady was incredibly rude and abrupt, telling us to go outside to purchase it where we got it from (we didn’t realise at the time they were different businesses). We were so shocked by how rude she was that unfortunately we didn’t call out her behaviour. This encounter was made up by the lovey lady who ended up selling us the flower (she also apologised for the rude ladies behaviour).

Gorgeous art gallery! Jacqueline is so warm and friendly, and has a vast range of artworks to enjoy. Here are two hung up in my home.

Great to discover this hidden artist-run gallery today. The gallery is in a shipping container and is set back from the street amongst a nursery and gardens. The small space is filled with original landscape and still life paintings inspired by the local area. There were a few prints, ceramics and some jewellery too. Everything seemed to be very reasonably priced. Had a lovely chat to the artist Jacqueline about her work. Would recommend a visit - great to know that you are buying direct from the artist too.

Vicky rang me 2 advise that what I'd enquired about some months ago had arrived-I was most grateful 2 her 4 her follow-up, help & service. Always love a reason 2 visit Touchstone❤.

My mum and I experienced a very rude and unpleasant salesperson in this Shop today. I recently purchased a $616.00 ring from a lovely sales lady in this shop so I was looking forward to taking Mum there hoping I may find her a Christmas present. The sales lady there today was disinterested, unhelpful and very rude. And whatever you do don’t ask about Olinda Cafe closing down. Talk about responding in an arrogant and rude manner. Lady, all you had to say is, you don’t know why. Learn some people skills! The reason the Cafe closed is on Olinda Cafes Facebook page anyway. Mum and I both left vowing never to set foot in that Shop again. Bad move lady!

I appreciated the help and assistance that both the owner and staff member gave me when trying to buy a gift recently, Nothing was too much trouble and they were very patient when it was hard to decide between so many wonderful options. Thankyou.

Unique, local handcrafted treasures are found here. And Vicki was so lovely! I visited most shops in Olinda and Sassafras and this store remains the best!

Thankyou. An issue I had was resolved professionally and with kindness. So happy that I purchased a beautiful tree of life vase.

Beautiful gifts, amazing staff who give fantastic service. Always go here to find a gift for a hard to buy for person.....or just something Australian made for me 😊

Really well presented and inviting

Found it so interesting about the early history of this area also many relics of those times. Thanks to Graham for his very interesting speach.

An amazing museum and fenominal collections. A treasure trove of history, infornation and enjoyment.

Good items to research, friendly staff

Not happy wasn't open when it's supposed to be.