Before I get ready for work, I might just spin out a quick review of what the Dandenong Ranges have to offer. This region is one of the most appealing in the state of Victoria, while being only 40km away from the city of Melbourne, located right out on the edge of the suburbs.
The Dandenongs, as they are more commonly called, are a small-scale geological feature, a small offshoot of the Great Dividing Range, rising to some 633m at its peak at Mt Dandenong (this is a little over 2000 feet), and consists of many smaller peaks covering an area of probably around 20 miles by 30 miles. many of the quaintest, most popular and most scenic little spots in the vicinity of Melbourne can be found here, and it has been classified as a National Park.
There are many lovely small towns which can be found here, and although they are rather twee, still contain a lot of charm which is not prefabricated. This area was a notable getaway for the well-heeled of the early Melbourne establishment, And there are still many lovely bed and breakfast places, manors and other examples of our early history.
The area is possibly most well-known for its gardens, with several of the best gardens in Melbourne being found here. The Royal Rhododendron Gardens and the Rupert Hamer Arboretum are particular examples in point, and incorporate a lovely stroll amongst some of the most beautiful, spectacular or merely elegant foliage. This is a very genteel area, don’t go here if you are after thrills and spills, but it is absolutely perfect for a nice afternoon tea and a bit of a walk in the woods.
Apart from the gardens, there are many small nature walks which incorporate more permanent features of the Ranges, such as the Olinda Creek and Sherbrooke Creek Falls walks, which are not too long, but very pretty and bound to take up an hour or two. One Tree Hill, and Mount Dandenong lookout are other good spots for some scenery. Mountain Ash predominates, which is actually a native Gum tree, not a European Ash as you might expect. These trees tower up to 80-90m high (up to 300 feet), and are straight as an arrow, graceful and majestic.
The more popular towns in the area are Olinda, Sassafras, Sherbrooke and Mt Dandenong. These little villages more or less blend into each other, but at the centre of each is typically a small strip of shops, with tearooms and craft shops being most popular. These towns are always good for a bite to eat and a nice milkshake, or tea and coffee if you are that way inclined!
It is important to note that the area is a magnet for bushfires, so during the summer (which I should mention is pretty warm) there is always the possibility of fire, and precautions as such should be taken. Periodically, massive wildfires sweep through the area, usually taking lives and dozens of homes. The CFA (Country Fire Authority) has a massive presence here, and many of the locals are volunteer firefighters, which is essentially what the CFA is based upon.
Overall, the Dandenongs are perfect for a weekend getaway or a daytrip, and is well worth the petrol spent to get there, especially being such a tranquil haven so very close to a large city.