Spend a day at this former grand homestead and lost gardens in the Dandenongs, close to Melbourne. It’s a perfect spot for a family picnic, while those who like to explore will enjoy spotting relics of the mansion, which burned down in 1932. The trails are also popular with runners.
Doongalla is a former estate perched in the hills above Melbourne. Easily accessible from the eastern suburbs, it feels a million miles away from city stresses. ‘Doongalla’ is said to mean ‘Place of Peace’.
A 32-room mansion was built here in 1892 and burned down 40 years later. You can still see the stone steps that formed a grand approach to the old house in the remains of the gardens.
Families will appreciate the well-equipped picnic areas - each with its own car park - while nature lovers will fall for the landscaped gardens and winding trails that quickly transport you into the calm tranquillity of towering rainforest and birdsong.
The relatively easy Stables Track Loop walk departs from the Doongalla Stables Picnic Area. Follow the Stables Track until you reach a T-intersection. Turn right and climb until you join the Camelia Track. Turn right again here and walk until you join the unsealed Doongalla Forest Road which will take you back to the Stables carpark. Tread carefully and you might spot a lyrebird dashing across the track ahead of you.
Another much more challenging walk offers fit hikers the promise of one of the most spectacular views from the Dandenongs. Take the Channel 10 Track from the top of the Doongalla Homestead carpark and then take the Zig Zag Track uphill to Burkes Lookout. At 611 metres high, you can enjoy uninterrupted views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay. Return down the Zig Zag Track and if you want to make a loop walk, turn right on the Channel 10 Track before making a left at Rankin Track and left onto Camelia Track.
A fantastic picnic area, ample parking, challenging and easy forest walks… remind you of anywhere? Doongalla Homestead is a peaceful alternative to the 1000 Steps Walk and Ferntree Gully Picnic Area, which get very crowded on weekends. Other picnic areas near Olinda include Valley Picnic Ground, Eagle Nest Picnic Ground and Olinda Falls Picnic Ground.
A 32-room mansion was built here in 1892 and burned down 40 years later. You can still see the stone steps that formed a grand approach to the old house in the remains of the gardens.
Families will appreciate the well-equipped picnic areas - each with its own car park - while nature lovers will fall for the landscaped gardens and winding trails that quickly transport you into the calm tranquillity of towering rainforest and birdsong.
The relatively easy Stables Track Loop walk departs from the Doongalla Stables Picnic Area. Follow the Stables Track until you reach a T-intersection. Turn right and climb until you join the Camelia Track. Turn right again here and walk until you join the unsealed Doongalla Forest Road which will take you back to the Stables carpark. Tread carefully and you might spot a lyrebird dashing across the track ahead of you.
Another much more challenging walk offers fit hikers the promise of one of the most spectacular views from the Dandenongs. Take the Channel 10 Track from the top of the Doongalla Homestead carpark and then take the Zig Zag Track uphill to Burkes Lookout. At 611 metres high, you can enjoy uninterrupted views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay. Return down the Zig Zag Track and if you want to make a loop walk, turn right on the Channel 10 Track before making a left at Rankin Track and left onto Camelia Track.
A fantastic picnic area, ample parking, challenging and easy forest walks… remind you of anywhere? Doongalla Homestead is a peaceful alternative to the 1000 Steps Walk and Ferntree Gully Picnic Area, which get very crowded on weekends. Other picnic areas near Olinda include Valley Picnic Ground, Eagle Nest Picnic Ground and Olinda Falls Picnic Ground.
Things to do in the area
Bird watching
From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot.
Day trips
Pack the car and round up your family and friends. Whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, parks offer a variety of day trips close to Melbourne.
Family activities
Stash some supplies into a back pack and take the family out for a day trip and in only a short drive from Melbourne you can be surrounded by nature.
Picnics
Head outdoors for lunch in the warmer months and enjoy a picnic in some of nature's most relaxing and inspiring settings.
How to get there
Doongalla Homestead
Doongalla Homestead is near Olinda in the northern part of the Dandenong Ranges National Park. From the city of Melbourne, take the Eastern Fwy (M3) and exit onto Boronia Rd. Continue as Boronia Rd merges into Forest Rd, then turn right into Basin-Olinda Rd, left into Sheffield Rd and right again into Doongalla Rd. For a scenic route, take the windy Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd from the Burwood Highway at Ferntree Gully.
Facilities
BBQ
Carpark
Picnic Area
Toilets
When you're there
Doongalla has two picnic areas, the Stables Picnic Ground and the Homestead Picnic Ground. Both have picnic tables, wood barbecues, car parking and toilets. The Homestead has open lawns perfect for kids to play, while the Stables, surrounded by tall Mountain Ash trees and tree ferns, is a much more shaded location – and even quieter. Bring your own wood for barbecues.
The picnic grounds open at 9:00 am each day, and close at 4:00 pm.
The picnic grounds open at 9:00 am each day, and close at 4:00 pm.
When to go
Need to know
Doongalla Homestead
Accessibility
Doongalla is a steeply sloping area at the foot of Mt Dandenong. There is an unofficial parking area on a dirt road beside the picnic lawn and gardens that can be used by visitors with a disability. From this point the site is more easily accessible. No accessible toilet facilities are provided. The Stables Picnic Ground is only a short distance along the road and has water and recently installed accessible toilets.
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.
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Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Doongalla Closed to Vehicles due to ongoing vandalism
Doongalla Forest Road is closed to visitors cars for the time being due to ongoing vandalism and hoon behaviour in the Picnic Grounds, visitors are still able to access the park and picnic ground on foot or by bike. Parks Victoria apologises for any inconvenience.An automatic gate is planned to be installed by mid October 2023 after which the Doongalla picnic grounds will be opened again to visitors cars.Hillclimb Track and O'Donohues Track
Sections of Hillclimb track and O'Donohues track are extremely muddy and slippery, visitors are asked to exercise caution while walking along these tracks. -
Olinda Falls Picnic Area (Dandenong Ranges National Park)
Olinda Falls lower viewing platform and creek crossing closed
The Olinda Falls lower viewing platform and creek crossing is closed indefinitely due to severe damage from a fallen tree. All access to the lower falls is closed to the public.
Olinda Falls Toilet Closed
The Olinda Falls toilet is closed indefinitely, nearby toilets at Kalorama Park or in the Olinda Township are open. -
Dandenong Ranges National Park
Mechanics Track Partially Closed
- A section of Mechanics track from the Tourist rd. to Falls rd. near Olinda Falls Picnic Ground is closed due to significant damage from the June 2021 Storm.
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Sherbrooke Picnic ground (Dandenong Ranges National Park)
Wattle Track Bridge Closed
Wattle Track Bridge in Sherbrooke Forest is closed due to significant structural damage to the Foot Bridge. Parks Victoria is currently finalising the repair works with a contractor, it is anticipated that the bridge will be opened by June 2024 if not earlier.