A short drive down the Tourist Rd from Sassafras is Olinda, home to the night life on the mountain. Here you'll find several great restaurants for lunch and dinner. Our favourites are Pie in the Sky for a casual lunch and for something more elegant, Citrine.
If you're looking to stay somewhere central there is the Olinda Apartments that overlook the Olinda township. Just down the road is Lochiel Luxury Accommodation and the gorgeous Wild Orchid. For some real hills history you can try Como Cottages, also in Olinda. Pick up a bottle of wine at Olinda Cellars, one of Melbourne's finest wine shops, right here in Olinda.
Around Olinda there are lots of gorgeous accommodation options. Valley Ranges Getaways has a large selection and there is also The Maples Bed & Breakfast, Arcadia Cottages, The Beeches and Botanica Retreat just out of Olinda village and Mountain Lodge B&B Suites and Villa d'Amour towards Kalorama.
There are also plenty of shops to browse here and pick up something special. An Olinda landmark is Mangana, a treasure filled, eclectic mix of hand selected items from around the world. Stock up on gorgeous soaps and 100% natural skin care products at Soap Opera in Olinda and Sassafras.
Olinda is also home to many of our resident artists. Tall Trees Studio is home to local & Victorian Artists showcasing beautifully designed and/or hand made pieces. Emma Jennings Gallery is a unique destination featuring local, ethical and sustainable art and gifts inspired by living in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges.
Did someone say chocolate? No trip to Olinda is complete without a visit to Only Mine Chocolate Factory. Watch chocolate being made, enjoy the best hot chocolate you'll ever taste and take some delicious choccies home. You can also drop into Sassafras Sweet Co in Olinda for sweets from around the world.
From Olinda, take a drive down the Olinda-Monbulk Rd to explore the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens and the Olinda Playscape. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Chelsea Australian Garden at the Botanic Gardens, which is expected to be open to the public in mid-2023. A little further down the road you'll find the stunning Cloudehill Gardens, Diggers Nursery and Seasons Restaurant.
In a beautiful location, down the side of Cloudehill Gardens you'll find Gracehill Accommodation for couples and families. The Barn even has a playground! Opposite Cloudehill Gardens is the gorgeous Olinda Tea House with inspiring Asian food, a mind blowing High Tea and gorgeous gardens with alpacas and a pony. A little further down the road turn right on Hacketts Rd to the beautiful terraced gardens at Pirianda Gardens. Deer roaming across Pirianda are a common sight.
