Deep in the Sherbrooke Forest, you'll find Sherbrooke Falls, where little creek cascades into a delightful gully. It's a short walk from either of two well-equipped picnic areas - and it's close to the beautiful hilltop villages of the Dandenong Ranges, making this a great option for families visiting from Melbourne for the day.
Sherbrooke Picnic Ground and O'Donohue Picnic Ground are located in Sherbrooke Forest, the largest section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park. It's an area that can feel very far removed from civilisation - especially when compared to the extremely popular 1000 Steps just down the road.
A number of walking trails start from the well-equipped picnic grounds, entering a fantastic rainforest of spectacular Mountain Ash, stringybark, lush tree ferns and, of course, waterfalls.
Take the Sherbrooke Track or O'Donohue Track to get to Sherbrooke Falls. They are well signposted. The falls are small and obscured by tree ferns, but the real star of this walk is the rainforest as a whole.
This is the kind of hike best enjoyed after rain, when you can smell the aromas of the forest and the waterfall is flowing. Lyrebirds and other wildlife also like to come out after the rain, so you will be in good company!
A number of walking trails start from the well-equipped picnic grounds, entering a fantastic rainforest of spectacular Mountain Ash, stringybark, lush tree ferns and, of course, waterfalls.
Take the Sherbrooke Track or O'Donohue Track to get to Sherbrooke Falls. They are well signposted. The falls are small and obscured by tree ferns, but the real star of this walk is the rainforest as a whole.
This is the kind of hike best enjoyed after rain, when you can smell the aromas of the forest and the waterfall is flowing. Lyrebirds and other wildlife also like to come out after the rain, so you will be in good company!
Things to do
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Created in the early 1900s, the 1000 Steps was originally made from the trunks of tree ferns laid along the wetter areas of the track to make the climb a little easier.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.
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.
Grants Picnic Ground
Grants Picnic Ground sits within the Sherbrooke Forest, the largest section of Dandenong Ranges National Park. A number of walking tracks, starting from the picnic grounds, enable you to discover some of the plants and animals of Sherbrooke.
Pirianda Garden
Designed to take advantage of the steep slopes, the terraced garden of Pirianda is distinctive for its combination of botanically important trees, shrubs and perennials with an over storey of large blackwoods and mountain ash towering over the natural fern gullies.
How to get there
Sherbrooke Falls walk and picnic area
Sherbrooke Picnic Ground and O'Donohue Picnic Ground are very close to each other. To drive there, take Sherbrooke Road off Mount Dandenong Tourist Road. Sherbrooke Picnic Ground is a 2km drive from the turn off. O'Donohue Picnic Ground is a little further, off Sherbrooke Lodge Road.
Facilities
Carpark
Picnic Area
Toilets
When you're there
You can walk to Sherbrooke Falls from either Sherbrooke Picnic Ground or O'Donohue Picnic Ground. The area is close to Kallista, where you can buy refreshments. And if you want to get your most of your visit to the Dandenongs, check out the nearby Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens, which are just over the road from Sherbrooke Picnic Ground.
Download the Dandenong Ranges National Park - South visitor guide before your visit.
Download the Dandenong Ranges National Park - South visitor guide before your visit.
Need to know
Sherbrooke Falls walk and picnic area
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.
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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Dandenong Ranges National Park
Wattle Track (in Sherbrooke Forest) closed indefinitely
Wattle Track in the Sherbrooke Forest area of the Dandenong Ranges National park is closed indefinitely due to a tree falling and destroying the Wattle Track (Long Bridge) foot bridge. Walkers can use Monument Track as an alternative route.Ramblers Track closed
Ramblers Track at Ferntree Gully is closed until further notice due to a fallen tree blocking access.Sassafras Creek Trail closed between Moxams Road and Baynes Park
Sassafras Creek Trail is closed between Moxams Road and Baynes Park until further notice due to severe damage from a fallen tree.Tree Fern Loop Walking Track closed indefinitely
Tree Fern Loop Track in the Sherbrooke Forest area of the Dandenong Ranges National park is closed indefinitely due to a tree falling and destroying the access foot bridge, this bridge was removed in 2015. The remaining section of track is now completely closed due to another access bridge being destroyed along with major tree fall across the track destroying hand rails and a viewing platform.Lyrebird Track closed until further notice
At the direction of the Victorian Chief Health Officer, Parks Victoria has closed Lyrebird Track until further notice. Check our COVID-19 update for the latest information, and follow the health advice provided by the Department of Health and Human Services.
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Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground (Dandenong Ranges National Park)
Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground and Car Park Closed
In response to advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer, Parks Victoria has decided to close high visitation sites with a typical attendance of over 500 people. This includes the 1000 Steps and Lyrebird Track Fitness Steps which will be closed until further notice. For more information, please visit www.parks.vic.gov.au/covid19 -
Sherbrooke Picnic ground (Dandenong Ranges National Park)
BBQ out of order
BBQ 3 is currently out of order.
