World class attractions, things to do, parks and gardens, art galleries, museums and much more.
The heart of the Dandenong Ranges
The Villages of Mt Dandenong are unique in Victoria and you’ll see why as soon as you start to ascend the mountain. The concrete of Melbourne is suddenly replaced by lush greenery, rain forest, towering mountain ashes, giant tree ferns and in Spring a wonderful array of colour.
Along the ridge of the mountain there are three main villages, Mount Dandenong, Olinda and Sassafras all within 2km of each other. In these Villages you’ll find shops full of unique clothing, jewellery and homewares. Restaurants, pubs, cosy village cafés and providores full of fresh local produce. Boutique accommodation, cosy cottages and grand hills homes to stay in.
Surrounding the Villages are beautifully manicured gardens, stunning view points and the crispness of the mountain air will ensure that you leave us feeling revitalised and energised to take on the city again.
It is a beautiful place with extraordinary gardens, great native flora and fauna and lots of fantastic shops and eateries. Love the tall trees and the majestic ferns.
Explore the Villages with our Interactive Map
1
Wild Orchid Olinda Cottage
Wild Orchid Olinda is a private, luxurious, stand alone, completely self-contained cottage in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, close to everything, yet away from it all.
2
SkyHigh Mount Dandenong
SkyHigh is a lookout with majestic views, 2 cafes, restaurant, function room, summer beer garden, Maze, English garden and walking trails in the state forest.
3
The Bistro at SkyHigh Mt Dandenong
Our award winning SkyHigh bistro, located on the ground floor is open for kiosk drinks and snacks, full lunch menu 7 days a week and dinner over the weekend and public holidays.
4
Weddings at SkyHigh Mt Dandenong
One of Melbourne's most unique wedding venues, with beautiful gardens, a great banquet room with stunning views over Melbourne, superb food and award winning wedding coordinators.
5
Cloudehill Gardens & Nursery
Some 20 garden compartments threaded through 80 year old European beech, magnolias, maples and a collection of Himalayan tree rhododendrons.
6
Clarendon Cottages
Romantic & peaceful luxury cottages in garden settings with spas & gas log fires. Generous breakfast provisions included. Perfect for couples or a family.
7
Mountain Lodge Bed & Breakfast
Located in the heart of the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, the two self contained luxury suites, provide boutique accommodation complete with sumptuous breakfast provisions.
8
Tall Trees Studio
Eclectic in Nature & Style, Tall Trees Studio is home to local & Victorian Artists showcasing beautiful designed and/or hand made pieces.
9
Como Cottage Accommodation
Gorgeous 1, 2 & 3 bedroom cottages with a unique touch of hills history. Perfect for couples, groups or families, choose a spa or real log fire.
10
Geppetto's Workshop
Geppetto's stocks thousands of amazing toys from around the world. When they say, 'like a kid in a toy store' ... this is the one they're talking about!
11
Balance Mountain Day Spa
Retreat to this gorgeous boutique day spa, complete with stunning relaxation lounge in a private fern garden setting and choose from a wide range of health, beauty and spa treat...
12
Olinda Pharmacy
Come and see our friendly staff for prescription and non-prescription medicines, nutritional products, passport photos, instant digital photo kiosk, NDDS, ear piercing and gifts...
13
Fortnums
Fortnums has the bright airy look and feel of an English conservatory with a charming atmosphere created by warm friendly staff and relaxing music.
14
Lennox
Our unique store is styled with the latest fashion accessories, scarves, bags, homewares, vintage finds and is located in gorgeous Sassafras in the Dandenong Ranges.
15
From Dust
From Dust focuses on ethically sourced, sustainable fashion and giftware. Our passion is natural fibres and providing an alternative to mainstream fast fashion.
16
Olinda Tea House & Restaurant
Taking a modern spin on Chinese cuisine, we offer unique high quality dishes, exquisite desserts and high teas.
17
Emma Jennings Gallery
Emma Jennings Gallery is a unique destination featuring local, ethical and sustainable art and gifts inspired by living in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges.
18
Tea Leaves
Discover every over 300 teas, herbs, spices, fruit infusions, coffees & chocolates creating heavenly aromas and flavours for every occasion.
19
Soap Opera - Sassafras
Soap Opera products are 100% natural and Naturopathically formulated, designed to nourish, care and scent the body, without harsh chemicals and without testing on animals.
20
Pie in the Sky
Come and enjoy our handcrafted award-winning Australian Pies, Pastries and Cakes. We are also famous for our Devonshire Teas!
21
Draughthorse & YesterYear Festival
Showcasing working steam machinery, draught horses, working blacksmiths and woodturners making a range of beautiful timber objects.
22
The Chestnut Festival
Chestnut icecream anyone? Lots of stalls showcasing food made with chestnuts and local arts and crafts. Fun rides and adventure play space for the kids.
23
The Tulip Festival
Tulip season is truly beautiful and the entertainment is great. Themed weekends like Dutch, Turkish, Food & Jazz, Irish and a special week for Children.
24
The Roller Coaster Run
A great introduction to trail running you can do a 12km, 21.5km or 43km run. The trails roll up and down and take in many picturesque landscapes.
25
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens
Enjoy a tour, or just take a stroll through 40 hectares of scenic botanic gardens or a picnic by the lake and take in stunning views of the Australian Alps.
26
Karwarra Australian Native Botanic Garden & Nursery
Karwarra Australian Native Botanic Garden, set on 2 hectares at picturesque Kalorama is devoted to displaying the diversity of Australian plants in a landscape setting.
27
Pirianda Gardens
Enjoy magnificent views from these terraced gardens and tranquil walks, bird watching, photography and picnicking on the lawns at Pirianda Gardens.
28
Alfred Nicholas Gardens
Once part of Burnham Beeches Estate, Alfred Nicholas Gardens has extensive water features with waterfalls, an ornamental lake and the famous boat house.
29
Grants Picnic Ground
See an abundance of native animals and birds, such as the Superb Lyrebird, the world’s tallest flowering tree the Mountain Ash and walks through lush fern gullies.
30
Birdsland Reserve & Nursery
A natural sanctuary with over 130 different native birds including the Wedgetail Eagle and Powerful Owl, also over 200 species of native plants.
31
William Ricketts Sanctuary
CLOSED. A place of beauty and tranquillity, due both to the natural setting and the mystical sculptures half hidden among ferns along the pathways.
32
Mont De Lancey Museum & Gallery
Take a trip back in time to Mont De Lancey Homestead, an authentic recreation of pioneer life in the Dandenong Ranges and an art gallery.
33
Burrinja Gallery
Indigenous art gallery, collection and cultural education, contemporary arts gallery, performing arts, artist studios, live music, workshops and café.
34
Cameo Cinemas
A mixture of movies on a total of 8 screens, including an outdoor cinema that operates December - March every year.
35
Emerald Museum & Heritage Park
Dating back to 1886, the heritage site was part of the Nobelius Nursery. The Museum houses a display of Emerald’s past to the present day.
36
Running Rabbit Military Museum
This Museum displays over 2,500 items including weaponry, documents and equipment from the Boer War through WWI and WWII to the current day.
37
Rainbow Trout Farm
Catch a variety of species, Rainbow Trout, Golden Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout and Atlantic Salmon. Also, a playground, mini golf and picnic grounds with BBQ’s.
38
The Motorist Collection & Museum
A small private collection of vintage and classic cars, motorcycles, machinery and associated memorabilia housed in a period converted garage.
39
Treetops Adventure
Soar through the forest on an array of flying foxes and take on a series of thrilling challenges. There are easy courses and those for thrill seekers.
40
Soap Opera - Olinda
Soap Opera products are 100% natural and Naturopathically formulated, designed to nourish, care and scent the body, without harsh chemicals and without testing on animals.
41
Olinda Cellars
One of Melbourne's most respected wine merchants proudly stocking a local and regional wines, beers and spirits with over 300 local and imported beers instore.
42
Dandenong Ranges Veterinary Centre
We are proud of the exceptional service and care that we provide to both you and your pet. We are all animal owners and understand that special care is required for each individ...
43
Puffing Billy Railway
Step back in time at Australia’s oldest and best-preserved heritage steam railway, Puffing Billy, situated in the picturesque Dandenong Ranges and only 60-minutes from Melbourne...
44
Menzies Creek Train Museum
A train enthusiasts dream, big or small. The historic museum covers a space of 1160 square metres and houses over 80 exhibits.
45
The Chelsea Australian Garden
The 2013 Chelsea Flower Show winning garden recreated in Olinda featuring an enormous Waratah sculpture, waterfall, billabong and over 15,000 plants!
46
The Maples Bed and Breakfast
Two luxurious, private apartments set in beautiful gardens, ideally located - just a brief stroll from Olinda township and the nearby parks and walking trails.
47
Arcadia Cottages Accommodation
Luxury cottages tucked away in a private forest setting with real log fires, gorgeous hot tubs and spas. Perfectly situated in the heart of the Dandenongs in Olinda village.
48
Kelly's Bar & Kitchen
A cozy log cabin with large open fire situated in the heart of the Dandenong’s. Kelly’s has a wide variety of nationally acclaimed craft beers and wines complimented with a cont...
49
Sherbrooke Art Gallery
Local Art Gallery featuring works by members of Sherbrooke Art Society in historic Red Mill building. Art classes & workshops . Events & Exhibitions.
50
Ripe Sassafras Cafe | Restaurant
Hills locals serving up a smile with award winning organic dark roast, Lindt hot chocolate, specialty teas and chef prepared meals and cakes made in-house from scratch from loca...
51
Rayners Orchard & Tractor Tours
Just a short drive away, freshly picked fruit is available every day of the year and during the popular daily Fruit Tasting Tractor Tours.
52
Peter Delahenty Art Studio
Studio filled with original art work from Peter. Art lessons beginners to advanced. Accomodation in Boho farmhouse style cottage with central Olinda location
53
Olinda Garden Cottage
Cosy garden cottage in central Olinda location, bedroom, loft and ensuite in garden setting
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56
No.3 Jewellers & Co.
Art Deco inspired jewellery by master jeweller Terry Cockrem. Australia’s #1 Custom Jeweller (WHO Magazine), we handcraft engagement rings, heirlooms and repairs.
Explore The Villages
Spectacular manicured private gardens, award winning public gardens and national parks.
Stunning hills homes, apartments, B&B's and cosy cottages for couples, families, groups and pets.
Award winning restaurants, pubs and cosy village cafés for breakfast, lunch, high tea and dinner.
Unique village shops with everything you can imagine from fashion to toys and everything in between.
Plan your visit around one of the many exciting festivals and events throughout the year.
Wedding venues and gardens for all sizes of weddings, elopements and functions.
Spoil your delegates, employees and guests with a destination conference or event like no other.