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.
Things to do in the area
Bird watching
Day trips
Family activities
Picnics
How to get there
Doongalla Homestead
Facilities
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.
This park is closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger Rating or severe weather events
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
Stables Track in Doongalla is temporarily closed, access to the Stables Picnic Ground is restricted.
Temporary Closures for TV Series Filming – GraniteFilming and set building for the upcoming television series Granite will be taking place until 22 July 2025. As part of this production:-
Stables Track will be closed for the entire duration of the filming period.
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Stables Picnic Ground may be closed at times; however every effort will be made to keep it open on weekends.
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Track closures and diversions will be marked with signage.
Additionally Doongalla Forest Road will be closed to public access on the following dates:-
Monday 7 July (late afternoon/evening) – vehicle access for equipment delivery
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Tuesday 8, Wednesday 9, Thursday 10 July – filming days
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Friday 11 July (early morning) – vehicle exit for equipment removal
Traffic management personnel will be stationed at park entry points during these closures to assist with directions and ensure public safety. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.Attachments: Granite_Filming_Track_Closure_Flyer_Final (108KB)
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 -
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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. -
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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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.
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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.