Surrounding Villages

Mt Dandenong

A short drive from Olinda, on the way to Kalorama is Mt Dandenong village. There is also an awesome fresh roast coffee shop here The Storehouse Roastery.

If you need some essentials for an evening in your accommodation there is also the local IGA Supermarket, which is the only supermarket on the mountain. Across the road is the Kelly's Bar & Kitchen where you can enjoy great beers, pub food and often some live music.

There is some amazing accommodation around Mt Dandenong Village, Mountain Lodge B&B and Villa d'Amour, both perfect for couples and some larger properties through Valley Ranges Getaways.

If you are staying awhile and have relaxation on your mind, you can't go past Balance Mountain Day Spa for a relaxing massage or spa treatment.

If you take Ridge Rd, out of the Village, you'll head up to Observatory Rd, home to SkyHigh Mt Dandenong. Here you'll get the best views of Melbourne, a Bistro and a fun Maze. A car parking fee applies at SkyHigh.

Kalorama

If you come up the mountain from Montrose, you will pass through Kalorama before you get to Mt Dandenong.

On the right you'll find Kalorama Reserve and playground, home to many events on the mountain. Behind the reserve is one of our hidden jewels, the Karwarra Australian Plant Garden, featuring more than 1400 different species of native plants, a retail plant nursery and lovely views.

If you continue on the Tourist Rd to what has always been called Five Ways, due to the roads leading off into 5 directions, you'll find one of the best views of Silvan Reservoir. Destiny Point Café looks over the viewing point with great views from it's windows and the Kapi Art Space is working art gallery to local artists.

You can continue on to Mt Dandenong from here, passing William Ricketts Sanctuary, which unfortunately is still closed due to the damage caused by the June 2021 storms. You can also take Ridge Rd from here up to SkyHigh Mt Dandenong and the Mt Dandenong Arboretum.

Ferny Creek / Sherbrooke / Kallista

If you're coming up the mountain from Upper Ferntree Gully you'll head through Tremont where there is a petrol station. If you're running low, we advise filling up here as there is no petrol station on the mountain.

On from Tremont is Ferny Creek, home to our favourite pastry shop and baker at Proserpina. Across the road you can head down to the gorgeous and romantic cottages at Clarendon Cottages.

A little further up to the road you can turn right at Sherbrooke Rd and head past the historic Burnham Beeches to Alfred Nicholas Gardens. It is in these gardens that you'll find the famous boat house that is photographed often.

At the end of Sherbrooke Rd is the gorgeous village of Kallista which is worth a visit for it's wonderful general store full of local produce and wines. There are also other shops to browse.