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
Day trips
Family activities
Picnics
How to get there
Doongalla Homestead
Facilities
When you're there
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 Homestead and Stables Picnic Ground closed to vehicles
Doongalla Homestead and Stables picnic areas will be closed for vehicles for 4 days from Monday 6 Feb and reopen on the morning of Friday 10th Feb. The closure is required to enable the safe delivery of a Deer control program in the area.Deer control, (Shooting) Night closures of Sherbrooke, Doongalla and Olinda.
Areas of the Dandenong Ranges National Park will be closed between the hours of 7:00 pm and 5:30 am from Monday 6th February to Thursday 9th February in order to control Deer via shooting. Sections of the park in Doongalla, Sherbrooke and Olinda will be closed, during this period members of the public are not permitted in areas as highlighted on the map.Doongalla Homestead and Stables Picnic Areas Closed to vehicles
Doongalla Homestead and Stables Picnic areas are closed to vehicles from Monday the 6th February until the morning of Friday 10th February. The closure is required to safely conduct a Deer control program in the park.Closures due to storm damage
- Valley Picnic Ground is closed to picnicking; visitors can use Boundary Road to access the park however no vehicle access is permitted.
- Sections of Sassafras Creek/Menzies Creek walking track
- Wattle Track in Sherbrooke
- William Ricketts Sanctuary
- Areas of Silvan/Olinda forest
Attachments: DR Storm Damage Works - Autumn 2022 Flyer (1,671KB)
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Dandenong Ranges National Park
Silvan Road Night Time Closure
Silvan Road will be closed between Mathias Track and Olinda Creek Road from Monday 6 February to Friday 10 February. The closure will operate from 7:00 pm to 5:30 am. -
Sherbrooke Picnic ground (Dandenong Ranges National Park)
Sherbrooke Picnic Ground Toilet Closed
The toilet block is closed temporarily awaiting connection to the sewer, the nearby O'Donohues Picnic Ground toilet is open.