13 Things to do in Mount Dandenong | Day Trips from Melbourne

Uncover secret spots and fun things to do in Mount Dandenong - Dandenong Ranges are the best short day trip from Melbourne for lovers of mountains, gardens and the outdoors.
Looking for a manageable day trip from Melbourne that won't require hours of driving? Easy. Mount Dandenong is the perfect day trip that's packed with breathtaking views of the Melbourne skyline, offbeat trails, breathtaking lookouts, picture-perfect picnic spots and colourful gardens.
We're Melbourne locals and we're determined to show you secret local spots, hidden gems, places to eat and fun things to do in Mount Dandenong that will make for a memorable Melbourne day trip.
From Skyhigh Mount Dandenong to Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens and William Ricketts Sanctuary - this is the ultimate guide to Melbourne's closest mountain ranges.
Don't forget to save yourselves for a Pie in the Sky in the charming town of Olinda or a mouthwatering brunch in Sassafras.
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Hey fam! We are Tina and Andy - travel bloggers and content creators who gallivant around the world with 2 rambunctious little boys creating smart travel guides for families to help equip you with the best knowledge and info for your next big adventure.
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HANGRY BY NATURE
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[@PuriandSue]

The railway train is so cool!! Love the vintage design, and get to see the cows chewing the grass!

[@HangryByNature]

The kids really loved it, reminded them of Thomas the tank engine. It was fun to ride and see the country / mountain side.

[@JacintheSpringer-cj5ok]

I 💖 Mt Dandenong-Doongala; Sassafras & Olinda as I grew up there & used to hike up to the TV towers/SKYHIGH & down as a little girl 👧🏻 so this mountain is part of my soul.

[@ScottsJourneys]

So much fun things to do there. It's beautiful there.

[@james14joe]

love driving through the dandenongs

[@SantosChronicles]

Just love how you shoot things. That feet sequence in the beginning was so cool and entertaining. Good to see that you guys got out for a little bit.

[@HangryByNature]

Thanks Carl! It's been so good starting to head out a bit. Still being cautious.

[@AnSEpisodes]

Sassafras gives European country feel and our daughter will enjoy the heritage train rides :)

[@HangryByNature]

I'm sure she would enjoy the train ride. It's really fun.

[@TheMamuchos]

Those sculptures are really cool, I (Maria) love those things. SO good to see them in a park too

[@HangryByNature]

Wish it was open so we could have shown more clips. Maybe we put out a dedicated for it! =)

[@18CYN18]

Great video! I also love the Cuckoo Restaurant. There's a beautiful history to it. I was born in East Melbourne, but still can't get enough of the Cuckoo.. it's my Eastern European roots. The annual Tulip Festival is absolutely stunning as well. This video brings back alot of memories. I live overseas and often reminisce about home.. I still (and always will) call Australia home. I got emotional watching this, that's how much I miss Aus. Thank you for the video.

[@HangryByNature]

Aww I'm so glad we could bring back fond memories for you. I hope you get to come back and visit soon! I've (Tina) been to Cuckoo a few times over the years and have always loved the entertaining show and buffet. Thanks so much for watching!

[@briancampbell179]

Clearly this video was made during the pandemic which is why so many things were closed. As a local, here are a few tips:- * There are a lot of places to eat, drink, and shop. Stay away from the tourist traps 😉 They are usually very crowded on the weekend. There are a lot of alternatives. * Unfortunately, William Rickets Sanctuary is closed indefinitely. We had a massive storm come through in June 2021 that basically destroyed it. * Olinda Falls was closed last time I looked. It too suffered during the storm. * There are many paths and walking tracks. All free and give you a wonderful view of the forests. * About 1km north of Olinda are three pubs. As a beer drinker, my personal favourite is the Pig & Whistle with about 14 different beers on tap as well as a couple of ciders. The other two are in the Olinda North shopping strip (north of the Olinda shops in the video) and "the Pig" is about 500m further on. * If you want to stay, there are a lot of B&Bs around. Well worth it. * Don't miss Kallista. Sassafras, Olinda, and Kalorama from the video are along the Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd. Kallista is east down Sherbrook Rd (major road and a big intersection). * The temperature on the mountain is usually about 5 deg C cooler than at the base. This is great on a hot summer day. In the cooler months, dress warmly. During winter, we get a lot of fog, so be prepared. Occasionally, we get snow. That said, even when it is foggy and raining, it is still pretty. * Most importantly, drive carefully on the winding roads. As I tell people - we have a special place for speeding drivers; it is at the bottom of a steep embankment smashed up against a tree.

[@HangryByNature]

Hi Brian, you are right it was made then. Thanks so much for all the updates and your recommendations. And yes make sure to drive safely up on Mount Dandenong!

[@FoodandFootprints]

That Skyhigh view is amazing! We’re suckers for city views like those

[@HangryByNature]

It's really cool to go at night too! When I was younger (20s) we used to head up there and hang out before they fenced it all off lol so niiice!

[@AnSEpisodes]

Seems like it's quite relaxing there! we will check the pie in the sky for sure if ever visit Mt Dandenong, the sculptures are so dope!

[@HangryByNature]

It is really peaceful and tranquil, except for the boys running around and yelling haha

[@SantosChronicles]

There’s so many pretty gardens there. I know you guys are a family channel cause you know a lot of FREE places. Thanks for taking us around. Seems so fun there.

[@HangryByNature]

You're welcome! hahah have to try save some money.

[@AimlesslyDrifting]

Very nice list of things to do in Melbourne! it's on our bucketlist so this video is a good one for us. Gives us intel on what to expect or what to do whenever we do go! thanks for sharing! we just subscribed! lets connect!

[@TwoHungryDiners]

Ohhh that giant chair at Sky High is very popular spot to take photos. Hahaha still remember we took photos on it 😆 Yesss Puffing Billy, not only for kids, even we enjoy it so much 👍🏻 Hope they will re-open soon 🙏 Great recommendations guys! Mt Dandenong is great to visit during autumn with those orange autumn vibes, great for photos too 😍

[@HangryByNature]

hahaha must take a photo there. Finger crossed more of those places will open very soon. I think 1st June they will start again.

[@PuriandSue]

Awesome view from Sky High!! The giant chair would make us look so slim 😝

[@HangryByNature]

hahah good way of looking at it.

[@TheMamuchos]

Love that epidemic song! You guys are in such great shape, we gotta learn from you

[@HangryByNature]

Noooooo we are not in shape hahaha my legs are still hurting from filming that on friday lol.

[@TheMamuchos]

@@HangryByNature but we wouldn't have made it to the top hahaha so to our eyes, you guys are in great shape lol

[@PuriandSue]

I love how you guys have so many parks there in Melbourne

[@HangryByNature]

Aus has heaps of nature and parks. Take you 2 around next time =)

[@craftyfingers35]

legit just watching videos about mount dandenong because I miss it so much lol

[@tenderbrick]

Perfect! I am going today and havent planned so this helps

[@HangryByNature]

Hope you had a fun time there!

[@tenderbrick]

Hangry By Nature can’t remember the name but the big red tree area was a huge highlight of the trip, thank you for the tip!

[@PeterandYen]

Mt dandenong looks like an awesome outdoors place to hang out especially after the lockdown. And what did I hear award winning pies 😍 the Japanese maple trees area looks bomb always like those well manicured gardens in Japan. Great spot but too bad a few of the areas were closed though 😅

[@HangryByNature]

Dunno how it compares to NZ pies! I heard you guys make some really good ones too! hahah not the best timing. Might need to head back again to check them out properly.

[@FoodandFootprints]

Your intro sequences are always 🔥

[@HangryByNature]

thaaaanks!

[@FoodandFootprints]

You got us curious about Pie in the Sky now!

[@HangryByNature]

Heaps to try there too!

[@TheMamuchos]

Pie in the sky seems like a must-visit there then!

[@HangryByNature]

They have so many flavours and taste really good. I think Lieles and I (andy) would have a great time trying all of them haha

[@TheMamuchos]

@@HangryByNature I'm sure you guys would have a great time, like kids eating pie

[@TheWorldnUs]

You timed your trip well with all the closed places 😆 Still, beautiful places to visit and explore. I’m totally jealous of all the greenery.

[@HangryByNature]

LOL! we were a tad bit early. Will need to head back for some of those haha. Hope you guys are holding up ok over there. You still in strict iso?

[@TheWorldnUs]

Yeah still stuck at home. Only going out for groceries now. More and more cases every day so don’t see anything changing any time soon unfortunately.

[@HangryByNature]

Oh man.. stay safe guys and hope it settle down soon for you.

[@TwoHungryDiners]

It’s been a while since we went to Mt Dandenong area. Sasafras and Olinda are definitely the top two towns to visit 👍🏻 Pie in the sky, while agree it’s a must visit, but we found their pies are a bit of a let down. We tried other amazing pies in other spots, not sure this one lives up the hype though.. Once we had to queue up 1 hour just to get a seat on a busy weekend 🤷‍♀️ Ahhh Miss Marples tea room is a must visit for sure!! Yes it’s so popular for tourists, always long queue on busy weekend 😅 but worth the wait, especially their scones! 🤤

[@HangryByNature]

Thanks for your input! always good to have other melbournians view on these things! They are always so busy on weekends, sometimes we want to try it again but can't be bothered waiting haha.

[@itismebitch5177]

as a Dandenong local I recommend going to our public pools, there amazing!!!!!

[@HangryByNature]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@PuriandSue]

That is one tough 1000 steps!!

[@HangryByNature]

Omg especially coming out of ISO mode, it was mega hard! Legs are still recovering from it since friday lol so unfit!

[@DreamItCraftIt]

Been living in Melbourne all my live and never been to most of these places. I really wish I had a family to go and have picnics and adventures there :(

[@nickandhelmi]

Pie in the sky! may be the pie to beat New Zealand one?? :P

[@HangryByNature]

Ooooooo that would be a tough one! I heard they do some amazing pies! lol

[@hyperben320]

Mrs Marples Sundae best. Best during summer.

[@nickandhelmi]

OLINDA FALLS! now that is picturesque , sad you had trees blocking your sexy shots in making! - and i bet this is a national park - no drones bleh XD

[@HangryByNature]

Yeah it's a shame it was blocking the path. Maybe next time. That's right, no drones =(

[@JohnandMalie]

Whoa, did you guys really do all that within a day? lmao we'll need food after then 1000 steps too - forget the medal 😂 So much to do and looks quite family friendly. Man, your kids have gotten more travel experience at such an early age compared to many adults. That is truly amazing. PS: where did you get them donut boxers and are they unisex?? 😁

[@HangryByNature]

hahaha noooo way. It was spread over a couple of days. Donut pants are from the PJ store peter alexander. Not sure if it's unisex. But who's going to care, it's donut pants!! haha

[@SantosChronicles]

Gotta take a photo at giant chair. I wonder who invented that. These family activities has me itching to getting back out. Your kids are on run speed 🤣

[@HangryByNature]

Good question about who invented the giant chair, it's such a simple idea but so popular around the world haha

[@billywilson2856]

I've been to nearly all these places and I can walk to puffing Billy from my house

[@nickandhelmi]

Japanese Maple Tree- Lin would appreciate it

[@HangryByNature]

Tina points out every japanese maple tree she sees now! ugh so annoying haha

[@ngocnamdaothi2995]

is it a place suitable for old people ? They can't hike for a long way ?

[@mollydavis7622]

I was kinda curious to watch this, good thing it's only the tourist attractions, so they don't give away the locals spot. Which I appreciate but during corona we don't want tourist right now just so your kids have something to do

[@mollydavis7622]

And if you care please don't go to miss Marples, the owner treats their staff like shit.

[@nickandhelmi]

it said do not enter! Tina!!

[@HangryByNature]

Where? lol i missed it

[@lostintheseventies7969]

ITS A GREAT EXERCISE WALK,AND NOT TO MENTION,FRESH AIR

[@nickandhelmi]

What that is not sony camera! XD

[@HangryByNature]

Can you guess what we were filming with? lol

[@jblvxk]

Melbourne is boring af