Sherbrooke Falls walk and picnic area

A lush waterfall surrounded by moss covered rocks and tree ferns

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Sherbrooke Falls walk and picnic area

Dandenong Ranges National Park

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!

As waterfalls are within a natural environment, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Sherbrooke Falls is a safe and enjoyable one.

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Created in the early 1900s, the 1000 Steps was originally made from the trunks of tree ferns laid along the wetter areas of the track to make the climb a little easier.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.
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.
A mother and her two sons play on a log while her partner sits at a picnic table looking on.

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.
A path in Pirianda Garden in the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

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.
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.

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. 
Sherbrooke Falls walk and picnic area

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. 

Before you visit, download the area map and visitor guide.

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. 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.

  • Dandenong Ranges National Park

    Deer Control In the Dandenong Ranges National Park

    Parks Victoria are continuing deer control in the Dandenong Ranges National Park. This program will be taking place between the hours of 4pm and 7am on a number of nights between August 14, 2024 and December 6, 2024. These control works are being undertaken by accredited and authorised contractors.
    For reasons of public safety, various areas of the park will be inaccessible during the evening throughout this period.
    Signage will be in place at access points when control activities are occurring. For our own safety please observe the signage during this time and do not enter any closed areas.
    For further information please call 131963

    Fox Control Dandenong Ranges National Park

    Parks Victoria are continuing the fox control program in the Dandenong Ranges National Park to relieve predation to native fauna. 
    Poison Baiting will occur between May - November 2024.
    Programs involve the use of buried poison baits and canid pest ejectors containing Sodium Monofluoroacetate (1080) and Para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) in strategic locations across the park. Domestic dogs and cats are at risk from exposure to both poisons.

    Under the National Parks Act (1975) dogs and cats cannot be taken into or be allowed to remain within the Dandenong Ranges National Park. 

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Dandenong Creek Track Closed

    Dandenong Creek Track is closed between Toroa Track and Viola Track due to a landslip. Visitors are requested to seek an alternative route around the slip area.

    Camellia Track Closed due to track collapse

    Camellia Track has a dangerous collapsed section, only a small hole is visible, however a large cavern has formed under the track, visitors are requested not pass beyond the closure tapes

    Storm Damage affected track and trails

    Approximately 15km of tracks and trails in the Dandenong Ranges National Park have been damaged by a heavy rainfall storm event in July 2024. Visitors are requested to remain alert to changing track/trail conditions and to observe any track/trail closures. This advice will stand until further updates are made as repairs take place, this may take several years due to lengthy delays involved with insurance claim processing.

  • Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground (Dandenong Ranges National Park)

    Acacia Nature Trail Partial Closure

    Acacia Nature Trail just beyond the steel foot bridge over Ferntree Gully Creek is closed through to Acacia Picnic ground due to severe erosion, visitors can access the picnic ground and remaining section of trail via Ramblers Track 

  • Grants Picnic Ground Hardy Gully Walk (Dandenong Ranges National Park)

    Hardy Gully Nature Walk Closed due to storm damage

    Hardy Gully Nature Walk has been badly impacted by a heavy rainfall event on the 15th of July 2024. Visitors are requested not to enter the closed trail due to deep scouring of the track surface. A repair date is unknown at this stage as we wait on the outcome of a possible insurance claim.

  • Kalorama Park Picnic Ground (Dandenong Ranges National Park)

    Kalorama Park toilets are closed with the disabled toilet open for use

    Kalorama Park toilets are closed due to asbestos being discovered in the building, recent vandalism exposed the wall panelling revealing that it contains asbestos. For public safety the affected toilets are closed until works are completed to remove and replace the wall panelling. The disabled toilet does not have asbestos wall cladding and will remain open for the public to use. A time frame for the remediation works is unknown and as soon as funding is secured the works will commence.

  • 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

    Attachments: Sherbrooke Toilet Damage (319KB)

  • Eagle Nest Picnic Area (Dandenong Ranges National Park)

    Eagles Nest Picnic Ground access road closure

    Eagles Nest picnic ground access road is permanently closed to visitors vehicles at Silvan Road. Pedestrian access remains open.

  • Valley Picnic Ground (RJ Hamer Arboretum, Dandenong Ranges National Park)

    Valley Picnic Ground access road is closed to cars

    • Valley Picnic Ground access road is closed to visitors cars, visitors are still able to walk in and use the facilities.

  • Grants Picnic Ground Margaret Lester Forest Walk (Dandenong Ranges National Park)

    Margaret Lester Forest Walk Upgrade Works

    In 2024 the Margaret Lester Walking Track is being upgraded to provide an all abilities accessible walking experience. The track will have a 1.2metre wide concrete surface and handrails. Five new stopping points will be created along the track and directional and education signage will be upgraded so people can learn more about the area. Once complete, the track will be a Grade 1 walk, suitable for visitors with prams, wheelchairs or limited mobility, to enjoy the forest.

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

  • 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 2024. 

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

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