Dandenong Ranges National Park South

Two females enjoying a walk through a ferny forest path.

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Dandenong Ranges National Park South

Dandenong Ranges National Park

The southern section of Dandenong Ranges National Park includes Ferntree Gully, Sherbrooke Forest and pretty hilltop towns. Tackle the famous and popular 1000 Steps - or relax at Grants Picnic Ground and meander around the all-abilities walk there. Either way, you'll see magnificent Mountain Ash forests and colourful birds.

The southern Dandenong Ranges is a popular getaway for Melburnians to escape the heat of the city in the summer – or just to unwind all year round. Here you can relax surrounded by the verdant sights, earthy smells and raucous sounds of nature.

These misty mountains are home to some of the most popular walks in Victoria. Enjoy the challenge of the 1000 Steps and learn about its poignant association with Australia's Second World War veterans and the Kokoda Track Campaign. Explore Sherbrooke Forest from Grants Picnic Ground.

There are also quieter walks that are just as spectacular. The Eastern Sherbrooke Forest Walk is one of the best bushwalks in Victoria for more experienced hikers looking to escape the throng. It's quieter places such as these where you are most likely to spot the Dandenongs' most celebrated resident.

Waterfalls are also a feature of this cool temperate rainforest. Sherbrooke Falls is best after rain - and if there's been a downpour, you're more likely to see a lyrebird.

Things To Do

 
Two women walk up the 1000 steps track.

1000 Steps

Created in the early 1900s, the 1000 Steps was originally made from the trunks of tree ferns laid along the wetter areas of the track to make the climb a little easier. These were replaced by wooden palings before the more permanent concrete steps were installed in 1950.
Sherbrooke Falls in the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

Sherbrooke Falls

Tracks leading from Sherbrooke and O’Donohue Picnic Ground provide the easiest walk to the falls through the attractive landscape of tall Mountain Ash and tree ferns. The falls are most inspiring after rain when the swollen Sherbrooke Creek rushes over the rocks.
A couple in their sixties walk their two flat coated retriever dogs through the Alfred Nicholas Gardens among the changing autumn colours .

Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden

The gardens will delight all year round. In Spring, it is blooming with rhododendrons, azaleas, camelias, kalmias and flowering cherries on the lake. Summer is the time to see hydrangeas, fuchsias, native ferns, rhododendrons and native terrestrial orchids. In Autumn the foliage of maples, beech and the famous golden ginkgos on the lake is stunning. In Winter you will see camelias and the early rhododendrons.
Kokoda Track Memorial Walk - Dandenong Ranges National Park

Dandenong Ranges National Park accessibility information

Grants, O’Donohue, Sherbrooke, One Tree Hill and Ferntree Gully picnic grounds were assessed for accessibility in June 2020, providing information about the accessibility of these areas and photos.
A garden path forks in two directions surrounded by autumn-coloured trees.

Pirianda Garden

With magnificent views and a backdrop of ever-changing colours, photographers and bird watchers are in for a treat at Pirianda Garden, while the lawns are perfect for spreading out with a picnic feast.
A ground take a volunteer led tour through the Flying Fox environments on the banks of the Yarra River in Yarra Bend Park

Guided Park Walks

Meet new people and connect with nature on a free guided Park Walk in one of Victoria’s beautiful parks. Walks are led by our trained and friendly volunteers, so you can relax, enjoy the serenity of the bush and chat with other group members. Go on a walk as a once-off to explore somewhere new or become a regular and add it to your wellbeing or fitness routine.

How to get there

Dandenong Ranges National Park South

Catch a train to Upper Ferntree Gully Station on the Belgrave train line. It's just an 800 metre walk to the Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground and a 1.4 km walk to the base of the 1000 Steps.

Belgrave Station on the same line is a 1km walk to Coles Ridge Track on the park boundary and a 3km walk to Grants Picnic Ground.

To get further into the Dandenong Ranges on public transport, you can catch a bus along Mt Dandenong Tourist Road. Bus route 688 runs between Croydon Train Station and Upper Ferntree Gully Train Station. https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/view/4805
Dandenong Ranges National Park South

Facilities

BBQ
Carpark
Picnic Area
Toilets

When you're there

Dandenong Ranges National Park is open every day, including weekends and public holidays. Opening times apply to vehicle traffic for the One Tree Hill Picnic Ground, which has an automatic gate in operation and is open 6.00am to 9.00pm daily. The Ferntree Gully entrance of the 1000 Steps has automatic boom gates that close at 9.00pm, preventing access to the 1000 Steps and Kokoda memorial walk (vehicles can exit at any time over road spikes).

This park is closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger Rating or severe weather events.

For more information about this part of the park, download the visitor guide.

When to go

The Dandenong Ranges does get hot in the summer, but it is generally a little cooler than the city.

Need to know

Dandenong Ranges National Park South

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state. Grants, O’Donohue, Sherbrooke, One Tree Hill and Ferntree Gully picnic grounds were assessed for accessibility in June 2020, providing information about the accessibility of these areas and photos.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Sherbrooke Picnic ground (Dandenong Ranges National Park)

    Sherbrooke Picnic Ground Toilet is Closed due to tree damage

    The Sherbrooke Picnic Ground Toilet has been severely damaged by a fallen tree, the toilet block is closed until further notice. Please use the nearby O'Donohue Picnic Ground Toilets.

    Works to repair the toilet building should be starting in the next few months (August/September 2025)

  • Grants Picnic Ground (Dandenong Ranges National Park)

    Temporary closure of Grants Picnic Ground Cafe

    Grants Picnic Ground Café is temporarily closed while Parks Victoria undertakes an Expression of Interest process to secure a long-term lease for the site. In the meantime, a mobile coffee van will be operating on-site from Tuesday to Saturday for the duration of the process.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Margaret Lester Forest Walk - Temporary Closure

    The Margaret Lester Forest Walk is no longer safe for visitors, the path is listed as an all abilities trail, however due to fallen tree branch and root damage, along with deteriorated path plinthing and handrail it has now been deemed unsafe to use.

    This page will be updated when we hear more on a start date for path improvements. 

    https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects/melbourne-region/dandenong-ranges-national-park-grants-picnic-area-upgrades

  • O'Donohue Picnic Ground (Dandenong Ranges National Park)

    Temporary closure of BBQ at O'Donohue Picnic Ground

    The BBQ at O'Donohue Picnic Ground is temporarily closed due to an electrical malfunction. This is the only BBQ on this site, and we are working to fix the issue within the next coming weeks.

    If you are looking to BBQ elsewhere in the Dandenong Ranges, the other closest sites would be Grants Picnic Ground or One Tree Hill.

  • Sherbrooke Track (Dandenong Ranges National Park)

    Wattle Track - Long Bridge is now open to the public

    After a 5 year wait, the Wattle Track pedestrian bridge over Sherbrooke Creek has been rebuilt and is now open to the public. The National Park team are very pleased with the new bridge which introduces a new style of construction that is built to last and is more easily repaired if damaged, we hope you enjoy crossing the creek once again.

  • Dandenong Ranges National Park

    Predator Control Program Dandenong Ranges National Park

    Parks Victoria are undertaking fox control in the Dandenong Ranges National Park to relieve predation of vulnerable and threatened native fauna. 

    Para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) and sodium fluoroacetate (1080) poison baits will be used for the duration of the program.

     Fox baiting will occur between May and November 2025 at strategic locations across the park. 

    Under the National Parks Act 1975, dogs and cats cannot be taken into, or be allowed to remain within the Dandenong Ranges National Park. Dogs and Cats are at risk from poison if they enter the National Park. 

  • Olinda Falls Picnic Area (Dandenong Ranges National Park)

    Olinda Falls Lower Viewing Platform and Toilets are Closed

    The Olinda Falls lower viewing platform is currently closed due to severe damage caused by a fallen tree. All access to the lower falls area is closed to the public. The viewing platform is expected to be replaced sometime in 2025. 

    The picnic facilities and upper viewing platform remain open with the exception of the toilets, the toilets are closed permanently.

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